My tripod sucks.

Dmitri · Sep 21, 2011

Trever1t said:
I hate ... damn, I can't think of anything

I hate that you can't find anything to hate.

Dmitri · Sep 21, 2011

Overread said:
Tripods are also a bit like bags though - something that whilst many think you only need one, in reality you often end up needing more for specific situations and also as your gear evolves. Those cheap tripods can be great for a point and shoot and the quality ones vastly overkill - but as you move to DSLR your demands increase - then suddenly you get a 300mm lens -- then a 600mm suddenly you need better legs again and again to keep up. So sometimes people say Buy once buy right; but forget that its the very very few who start something with the full budget to purchase and the understanding of what to purchase to complete their ideal kit.

True. My cheap tripod was fine while using the kit lens or 50mm, but when I started using the 70-250 with extension tubes... it just sagged like an old ladies udders. But It will be quite a while before I am able to upgrade, so I will just complain in the meantime.

Netskimmer · Sep 21, 2011

KmH said:
Many, many people start by buying a cheap tripod. They spend about $50.

They soon discover a $50 tripod is basically a CPOS, break it, or get a better tripod and spend $125 for decent tripods legs and another $75 for a decent head. Total invested so far is $250.

Then they discover that decent isn't good enough for either legs or a head and buy a good set of legs for $250 and a good head for another $150. and now have a total of $650 invested in 3 tripods, only 1 of which they use.

So they, sell the other 2 unused tripods/heads and get $100 back after shipping costs, Paypal, and eBay fees .......so the $400 tripod/head they wind up with actually costs them $550.

I started with a $60 Targus and have since decided to move onto a $375 Giottos setup. I don't consider the Targus a waste though, I'm sure I can use it as a flash stand or put a general purpose clamp on it and use it for who knows what.