advice on tripod

[scooter2044]

I'm looking to buy a tripod and found this one. Does anyone know if this is suitable for a beginner who wants to take BIF and landscape photos?

Vanguard Alta Pro 264AB 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head

 

[ronlane]

I have a vanguard tripod and ball head. I love them but the one thing that I would verify is the weight that the sbh-100 head can hold and compare that to your camera gear.

 

[Wizard1500]

I have the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head. I really like it. I agree with Ron about verifying the weight of your camera gear.

 

[ronlane]

Went back and looked at mine and I have the 263AP and bought a SBH-250 for it about a month later. The 250 will hold like 44 lbs.

 

[fjrabon]

I have the SBH 100 head on my carbon fiber vanguard. It'll easily hold my D7100 and 80-200 f/2.8 ED rock solidly.

 

[Derrel]

The Best Tripod For Most People The Wirecutter

 

[fjrabon]

The Best Tripod For Most People The Wirecutter

Yeah, I have the carbon fiber version of that one, and it's great. Literally couldn't ask for a single change to it.

 

[JacaRanda]

It will require lots of patience and practice trying to get birds in flight with any tripod.

 

[JoeW]

I'm looking to buy a tripod and found this one. Does anyone know if this is suitable for a beginner who wants to take BIF and landscape photos?

Vanguard Alta Pro 264AB 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head

Okay, it's difficult to answer you. It's not b/c that's a bad tripod. It's that what's a good tripod depends on the shooter.

You said landscapes and birds in flight. Well, if you have to hike a distance to get there than you want a tripod that is light and will attach to a backpack easily. If you're doing long exposures then you want a tripod that is rock solid (and that either means carbon composite build or a heavy sucker). If you're going to be looking through your viewfinder a lot (waiting for a bird to take flight before you snap...meaning...timing is everything) than you want a tripod that telescopes to your height (that's an issue b/c often times for stability, I won't raise my center column on my manfrottos). And the point others have mentioned about weight--I suspect you either are or in the future will be shooting with a 400mm bazooka. You will want a tripod that can handle that weight and maybe allow provisions for spikes (in to the ground) OR sand-bags (to stabilize) so while your camera is on your tripod for 2 hours as you sit for the eaglets to do something interesting, a stiff wind doesn't catch your top heavy tripod and blow it over.

It is impossible to find a tripod that is great at everything. I have one that fits in to carry-on luggage (but I sacrifice stability and height). I have another that is rock-solid stable with a tillable center column (ideal for food, macro, and product photography). But I would never want to go hiking with it. I have a small gorillapod that attaches to my holster--great for street photography and moving around the city. I have clamps I can use indoors when some places ban tripods ("gee officer, it's not a tripod, I've just clamped my camera to my chair"). Be clear about what you want it to do best and then choose accordingly.

 

[scooter2044]

It will require lots of patience and practice trying to get birds in flight with any tripod.

Sorry, I shouldn't have said BIF. I will stick to handheld for those. But the stationary ones, and the landscape I could use it for.

 

[scooter2044]

The Best Tripod For Most People The Wirecutter

I like the price of your suggestion better, but I like the 360 degree rotation of the one I found so I did a little more research. From what I can tell, I think the only difference between the two is the 264 is taller (which I don't need). If that's the case, then I'll go with the cheaper one you recommended. Unless you know of any other differences. Thanks, you just saved me 40 bucks.

 

[scooter2044]

I have a vanguard tripod and ball head. I love them but the one thing that I would verify is the weight that the sbh-100 head can hold and compare that to your camera gear.

I just have a Canon T3i with 2 kit lenses, so no worries on the weight. I won't be upgrading anytime soon. Thanks.

 

[scooter2044]

I'm looking to buy a tripod and found this one. Does anyone know if this is suitable for a beginner who wants to take BIF and landscape photos?

Vanguard Alta Pro 264AB 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head

Okay, it's difficult to answer you. It's not b/c that's a bad tripod. It's that what's a good tripod depends on the shooter.

You said landscapes and birds in flight. Well, if you have to hike a distance to get there than you want a tripod that is light and will attach to a backpack easily. If you're doing long exposures then you want a tripod that is rock solid (and that either means carbon composite build or a heavy sucker). If you're going to be looking through your viewfinder a lot (waiting for a bird to take flight before you snap...meaning...timing is everything) than you want a tripod that telescopes to your height (that's an issue b/c often times for stability, I won't raise my center column on my manfrottos). And the point others have mentioned about weight--I suspect you either are or in the future will be shooting with a 400mm bazooka. You will want a tripod that can handle that weight and maybe allow provisions for spikes (in to the ground) OR sand-bags (to stabilize) so while your camera is on your tripod for 2 hours as you sit for the eaglets to do something interesting, a stiff wind doesn't catch your top heavy tripod and blow it over.

It is impossible to find a tripod that is great at everything. I have one that fits in to carry-on luggage (but I sacrifice stability and height). I have another that is rock-solid stable with a tillable center column (ideal for food, macro, and product photography). But I would never want to go hiking with it. I have a small gorillapod that attaches to my holster--great for street photography and moving around the city. I have clamps I can use indoors when some places ban tripods ("gee officer, it's not a tripod, I've just clamped my camera to my chair"). Be clear about what you want it to do best and then choose accordingly.

OK, for starters, I have a Canon T3i and the heaviest lens I have is a 55-250 mm kit lens. Won't be upgrading soon. It took me twenty years until I could get what I have now. Also, I'm 5'1" tall so I don't think I'll need to raise the center column. No big adventures planned either, maybe a 3 mile hike through the woods. So I'm hoping this one works or the one Derrell suggested depending on the rotation. Thanks for the advice.

 

[scooter2044]

Anyone have any preferences either way on tilt vs ball head mount? Not sure if one is better suited for me or not. I don't think I would mind either for landscape, but is one quicker for changing positions than the other?

 

[fjrabon]

Tilt heads are primarily for video. They're unnecessarily bulky and clunky for stills. A ball head, you just loosen, put it wherever you want and lock. Tilt heads involve multiple adjustments for any repositioning. They also typically have large handles that jut out and get caught on things when traipsing through the woods.

They're great for video because you can lock in 2 of the 3 adjustments and get smooth pans.