Buying a tripod

[table1349]

In that case I would suggest that you go to a camera store in the Columbus area and check tripods out in person. Stability and cheap do not normally go together when talking about the DSLR market.

 

[Trever1t]

To the OP. Read this first: Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan


You do not have to spend the kind of money Thom does unless you are using the or plan to get the kind of gear Thom uses. However his point is a good one. If you spend a bit of money now you can get a tripod that with a little bit of care can last a life time.

that was great reading, thanks!

 

[Buckster]

Manfrotto and their triangluar, non-rotatable center column, only having 2 padded legs, loose my business.

I think you mean "lose".

Luckily, the head rotates on top of the column, so there's really no loss. And since most photographers only have two hands and regular shoulders, two padded legs is usually plenty. But there's always foam padding from Walmart and a bit of Gorilla Glue if it's really that important to anyone.

 

[3bayjunkie]

inexpensive and sturdy is like an oxymoron haha... i joke.

anyway try this one...
Gitzo GT-1541T Traveler 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs - GT1541T

its a good one for if you are bringing it with you a lot!

this one is only $139.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504846-REG/Manfrotto_055XB_055XB_Tripod_Legs_Black.html

 

[Trever1t]

i
this one is only $139.
Manfrotto 055XB Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 15.4 lbs 055XB

It was a little less on Amazon and with free shipping, this is the unit I went with after much research on an affordable tripod. Be warned, this is for tall people, I'm 6' and I don't hunch over to peer through the viewfinder at all with the column down. If you are less than 6' tall I'd recommend the 190.

 

[KmH]

Why would you want a center column that rotates and how big is that hump on you shoulder that it requires more than two padded legs to sit comfortably on your shoulder?:mrgreen:

I want a rotating center column so I can move the tripod head as a unit with out having to change any adjustments on the head.

I see the benefit of the padded legs for my hands and positioning the tripod, particularly when it's cold out, not my shoulder.

 

[KmH]

I recommend Giottos tripods like this one Giottos MTL9251B Classic 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with Flip Leg Locks

That looks pretty nice.

Worth mentioning to OP though, that if he buys that tripod, he's going to need to purchase a head separately.

(another $120 for the Giottos ball head)

There are other Giottos tripods that include a head. Look at their MT line. www.giottos.com

 

[3bayjunkie]

ok well here is the ball head I would get. it is cheaper than the BH-55
Still on the expensive side but worth every penny.

- BH-40 LR: Mid-sized ballhead with LR - Kit Configuration Page

here is a very inexpensive one
Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with 200PL-14 QR 496RC2 B&H

 

[Tee]

One other thing to consider is how much camera weight the tripod can support without the head beginning to droop and slide when the camera is mounted.

 

[table1349]

I want a rotating center column so I can move the tripod head as a unit with out having to change any adjustments on the head.

Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose though if you need a level base to pivot on? A lot easier to have a non rotating column and a head with a built in panning base. Most decent heads these days have separate panning bases with smoother action, more stable due to the very tight tolerances and with a leveling column in the tripod easy to get a perfectly level 360 degree field.