Best Tripod for my Money?

[PhilGarber]

Hey all,

What's the best tripod for $40-60? I really loved my IMPACT tripod, but I lost a piece that is not sold, which makes me apprehensive to re-buy. I'm also seriously looking at SLIK tripods.

Thanks,

Phil

 

[PhilGarber]

slooooww foruum..

 

[Big Mike]

When in comes to tripods...

#1. Good Price

#2. Sturdy and strong

#3. Light Weight

You only get to have two of those options.

 

[dEARlEADER]

I am unsure of the model number.... but I keep seeing good reviews on an adorama tripod kit... not a manfrotto sold at adorama.. but one of their own brand kits... good luck on the $60 thing... you may as well buy a $20 walmart one until you need a better built one...

if you had gear that weighs seven pounds.. there would be no question you will pay more to protect the investment...

 

[PhilGarber]

Hmm......DAMN!:x This hobby gets pretty friggin' expensive.

 

[Big Mike]

There are plenty of ways to improvise a tripod. Some people just rest their camera on a bean bag. Some just find ways to make the camera more still, while shooting hand held. For example, buy a screw/bolt/eyelet that will fit into the tripod threads on the camera. Attach it to a piece of string with a loop on the bottom. Then, when you are shooting, put your foot through the loop to hold it down, while at the same time, pulling up on the camera. The tension will help to reduce camera shake and allow you to shoot 'hand held' at lower shutter speeds.

 

[dEARlEADER]

Hmm......DAMN!:x This hobby gets pretty friggin' expensive.

yes....

 

[usayit]

think about used as well....

My old Bogen 3021 with pan head was found for $35 at a camera swap. Good quality tripods don't have much to break and malfunction.
Yeh... it was "old" and scratched up when I got it but it is still really stable.

 

[Phranquey]

There are plenty of ways to improvise a tripod. Some people just rest their camera on a bean bag. Some just find ways to make the camera more still, while shooting hand held. For example, buy a screw/bolt/eyelet that will fit into the tripod threads on the camera. Attach it to a piece of string with a loop on the bottom. Then, when you are shooting, put your foot through the loop to hold it down, while at the same time, pulling up on the camera. The tension will help to reduce camera shake and allow you to shoot 'hand held' at lower shutter speeds.

I have tried this, and it does help in a quick pinch, but there is one very bad drawback to this method. Your muscles fatigue very quickly from the upward pressure of trying to keep the camera steady, eventually causing far more shake than you were trying to prevent. Great for a quick assist, but not recommended for extended shooting.

 

[Phranquey]

Hmm......DAMN!:-x This hobby gets pretty friggin' expensive.

Pretty friggin' quickly....:lmao:

 

[kundalini]

I have two independant thoughts with your original question.

At that price poit, why bother asking the question of "best tripod". The animal does not exist. One is as bad as the other.

Get a $20 tripod from Wally World and save your money for the next purchase.


Final thought..... yes, it is an expensive hobby. You are barely scratching the surface.

 

[PhilGarber]

Pretty friggin' quickly....:lmao:

Hell yeah.

 

[PhilGarber]

think about used as well....

My old Bogen 3021 with pan head was found for $35 at a camera swap. Good quality tripods don't have much to break and malfunction.
Yeh... it was "old" and scratched up when I got it but it is still really stable.

Thanks usayit..I'm looking up on the Bogen now. Nice to see another Newjerseyian here, BTW!

 

[PhilGarber]

Thanks all. It helps when I can talk to photographers about photography.

 

[Overread14 2]

Get a $20 tripod from Wally World and save your money for the next purchase.


Final thought..... yes, it is an expensive hobby. You are barely scratching the surface.

I agree - either do this and use a cheap tripod or try for a good second hand one (try at a local store if you can so you can get to look and test it out.)
The only downside to a cheapy tripod is that you just don't trust them to hold the camera freestanding - if you do make sure your within arms length to grab it if/when it goes over. Course shorter lenses and flat positioning help - but they just don't have the weight in construction to have a low centre of gravity needed for stability.