Is this a good tripod for my camera?

Greiver · Dec 9, 2012

So I got my DSLR late October, been shooting a bit and was thinking of getting a tripod. I was looking through fliers for some good deals when my dad noticed and told me he had an old Tripod so he gave it to me for free.

Not to complain about free accessories but I'm wondering if it's a good one, like will it support my camera's weight as I haven't found much info about this model. It's a Focal 20-08-86 (I think that's the model and brand numbers), and I have a Nikon D3100.

dxqcanada · Dec 9, 2012

Good one ... no.
Inexpensive ... yes.

Not much on the Web about the Focal brand ... so no specs on if it is good enough to support your camera and lens (which you don't mention).

Most will say this spec'd tripod and head would be a starting point: MANFROTTO 190XB W/496RC2 BALL HEAD 201902X

I have found that tripods inexpensive tripods don't do the job of stabilizing your camera AND lens (especially longer focal lengths).
There are many threads in this forum on this topic ... so take a look: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/search.php?searchid=1935057

Greiver · Dec 9, 2012

I just tried it, it can hold the weight but haven't tried to take pictures with it yet. I'll look into better ones though, just thought I'd get a second opinion. I'm guessing the Focal brand was either not popular or didn't last long if there's almost no info on the internet about them.

dxqcanada · Dec 9, 2012

Put your longest lens on your camera (that you will use with the tripod) and tighten.
Then tap the end of the lens ... see if it (and/or the tripod) moves.

Looks like a no-name brand manufactured by some other company and rebranded ... lots of those around.

Greiver · Dec 9, 2012

Plus he's had it for who knows how long.

dxqcanada · Dec 9, 2012

Greiver said:
Plus he's had it for who knows how long.

Yeah, looks like the first tripod that I purchased 30 years ago from Astro Photo.

Greiver · Dec 9, 2012

He never used it either.

SCraig · Dec 9, 2012

I think Focal was a house brand for someone years ago but I can't remember for sure who it was, Sears or Montgomery-Wards perhaps. As I recall, they had a lot of Focal-brand gear and it was all pretty low grade stuff; 120 box cameras, cheap flashes, etc.