Suggestions for tripod?

[brookie418]

I am looking to buy a tripod for my Canon 20D..I haven't used one before. Where is the best place to buy one?

 

[Samanax]

How much were you looking to spend?

Are you going to buy on-line or at a store?

 

[puyjapin]

i bought this one and found it very good Giottos MTL9251B Pro Aluminium Tripod With MH5001 head. im in the uk so dunno whee ud get it in the USA

 

[Abstractational]

Amazon has it [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-MTL9251B-Aluminium-Tripod-MH-5001/dp/B001G5ZJE0]Amazon.com: Giottos MTL9251B Pro Aluminium Tripod With MH-5001 Three Way Pan & Tilt Head: Camera & Photo[/ame]

How much did you pay puyjapin?

 

[puyjapin]

in sterling i paid £117 i think which is about $165 but that was before xmas so may be less now

 

[puyjapin]

u may do better to get it fro a UK supply as the dollar is so strong, check on ebay uk

 

[brookie418]

I am wanting a good one that is not a lot of money. I will buy online if I have to, but would like to get one from a store so I don't have to pay shipping!!

 

[Big Mike]

I am wanting a good one that is not a lot of money.

What do you consider a lot of money? (just tell us what you think you can spend)
Tripods range from $20 to $2000 and more...so we need some direction.

The basic truth when it comes to tripods; You only get to pick two the the following three options:
1. Built very well and sturdy
2. Light weight
3. Nice affordable price.

 

[brookie418]

$2000 for a tripod??!! Must be for people with a really booming business!!

 

[Big Mike]

Well if you are going to put $100,000 worth of optical equipment on a stand...you sure don't want to cheap out on the tripod.

 

[Samanax]

This is the tripod and head combo I'm using: Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod Legs with 488RC2 Midi Ballhead

It's a popular tripod/head combo that is pretty decent. There are other brands that some of the more serious photographers use that can cost several times more than the setup above. And there a lot of cheaper tripods out there but most photographers tend to avoid them because they're not steady or well built.

 

[Big Mike]

My first tripod was a cheaper Velbon...with aluminum legs and a built-in plastic 3-way head. I'm guessing it cost about $40. It worked fine for what I wanted but now I use Manfrotto legs that are much more sturdy (an a lot heavier) and ball head.

If you don't have any big heavy lenses, you might be OK to start with a cheaper tripod but realize that you will want to upgrade in the future if you get serious about it.

 

[brookie418]

Yeah I guess so. I never use a tripod, but will be doing some baseball pictures soon, and just need something for that.

 

[Samanax]

My first tripod was a cheaper Velbon...with aluminum legs and a built-in plastic 3-way head. I'm guessing it cost about $40.

I have a cheap Velbon too and it worked fine with my old Olympus P&S, but with my XTi and heavier lenses the leg clamps slip and the legs start to retract...lol...now I just use it as a light stand.

 

[brookie418]

I only have a Canon 20D right now with just an 18-55 mm lens, so it's not heavy.