Sturdy Tripod / Ball Mounts

[jimlau]

Are there any tripods that are portable, say 3 lbs, sturdy, and under $75? My equipment weighs about 2 lbs.

Also, what benefits does a ball mount give? Sturdiness, or smooth motion, or..?

Thanks.

 

[tirediron]

It depends on what you mean by "sturdy". Check out your local Craig's List or equivalent on-line used bulletin board; tripods are a great deal used, and you can often pick up a Manfrotto or similar quality unit for a fraction of the new price.

 

[Designer]

Also, what benefits does a ball mount give? Sturdiness, or smooth motion, or..?

The main thing a ball mount does is provide a wide range of camera positions using only one control. I think you can move a pan head in all the same angles, but you have to manipulate up to three separate controls, whereas the ball has just one; the tightener/friction control. Leaving it on moderate friction, you can position your camera just about anywhere within the limits of the mount. If your gear is not off-balance, and not too heavy, you can theoretically leave the one control pretty much in one setting and just move your camera.

A really good ball mount will be smooth in the entire range of motion, but then so would a pan head. If you already own a pan head, and don't want to spend more money, you might not need a ball head.

 

[fmw]

I use a ball head most of the time because it is faster than any other type of head. Mine has a pistol grip. I just squeeze it, put the camera where I want it and let go. The downside is that it is not as strong and stable as the pan/tilt head. I would say the pan/tilt performs better but is slower and fussier to use.

 

[table1349]

Tripods are like ordering Chinese Take out. There are three columns and you can only choose from two. Cheap, Light and Inexpensive. You have to pick out the two most important to you.

Also understand that when it comes to heads for that tripod you are looking at the same thing. I would easily put my BH55 up against any pan/tilt head for strength and stability. To get that stability it cost more than most people want to pay for a complete tripod.

 

[wyogirl]

If your equipment only weighs 2 lbs then really you can get almost any budget tripod. I have lenses that weigh more than your total gear weight. For years I shot with a Dolica Proline that was $50 and put 3x that weight on it.