Tripod from Best Buy ???

Rancor · May 9, 2011

I was in Best Buy last night looking for a new laptop for my girlfriend. I happened to walk past a display case and thought to myself, "Hey, that's a nice looking lens..." Then after about three more steps my brain got the message to my feet that that was the camera section, and I pulled an about face and scurried back to the case. After looking over a few lenses and filters and what not, I noticed a couple nice looking tripods, for what I would call a "reasonable" price. I would have grabbed one, but it dawned on me that I know nothing about tripods other than you want highly sturdy and adjustable legs (3 of them), and a level built in. I felt uncomfortable snagging one with out first coming here and asking this:

What should I be looking for in a solid all-purpose (or as many purposes as possible) tripod. Is there a good chance that since I was in Best Buy it was junk? What features should I be looking for? Is there a best tripod brand?

analog.universe · May 9, 2011

I've tried Best Buy a few different times over the years for different things, and the few things they have that are worth buying are more expensive than they are elsewhere. Anything that they sell that seems cheap is likely worth way less than whatever low price they're charging for it. I really have found no reason to shop there, other than the fact that you don't have to wait for shipping. (I've only ever actually purchased batteries and flash cards from them, for twice as much as they were worth)

About tripods though, they're as complicated as anything else, and there's one at every possible budget point.

This article: Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan really goes over what a tripod needs to do and how to find one that does it, but he does pretty much make the argument that you need to spend a lot of money. Even if you don't want to spend a lot of money I think the article is really helpful, because at least you can understand what you're looking at when you do go shopping for something in your price range.

Dao · May 9, 2011

I bought a Manfrotto 190xdb tripod in Bestbuy when it was on sale couple years ago. I think it is quite good for a entry level tripod that supports 11lbs.

More info
Manfrotto 190XDB Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 11 lbs 190XDB

Of course, I am not sure if they still carry that tripod.

I guess you may want to note down the model of the tripods, research them online and find some reviews about them. I do not believe there is a best tripod brand, but you may find a tripod that meet all your criteria. Cost, weight, build, height etc

Rancor · May 9, 2011

Thanks a bunch A.U and Dao

thebutler4 · May 9, 2011

I bought my first Tripod online threw E-Bay .. and a POS to say the least .. I vowed NEVER to buy anything like that on E-Bay ever again .. So I went to BestBuy and was looking around and found a really nice Tripod and ended up only paying like 30 bucks for it (Thank you BestBuy Club Membership) .. It pretty much has all the bells and whistles .. to include the ball head and a pistole grip. I was amazed at the price as well .. the local camera shop had one similar for 3x the price.

480sparky · May 9, 2011

You can buy crap pods on ebay and at BestBuy. You can buy great pods on ebay and BestBuy.

WHERE you buy is not relevant. WHAT you buy is the most important factor.

Ryan L · May 9, 2011

I would like to see the 30.00 deal on a ball head pistol grip tripod. Although I am not too optimistic on the quality. Do you know the brand/model?

SpeedTrap · May 9, 2011

One thing I was taught about tripods is there are 3 general characteristics.

Light
Sturdy
Cheap

Of the above 3 options you can only have two.

Lee_Maryland · May 9, 2011

I had the Promaster 7400 for a while, and it works pretty well. The MSRP is at 79.99 dollars, and I got it on sale for 59.99 dollars. Or you can go with Promaster 7100, and it is going for 59.99 I believe.

thebutler4 · May 9, 2011

Ryan L said:
I would like to see the 30.00 deal on a ball head pistol grip tripod. Although I am not too optimistic on the quality. Do you know the brand/model?

The Tripod that I got for 30 bucks was normally 250.00 but I had money on there rewards card that lowered it down to around 30 bucks and I think (If I remember right) it was on sale as well ... My desktop computer was only 65 bucks (after using the money on my membership card)!

I will get the info you requested when I get home.

Ryan L · May 9, 2011

thebutler4 said:
The Tripod that I got for 30 bucks was normally 250.00 but I had money on there rewards card that lowered it down to around 30 bucks and I think (If I remember right) it was on sale as well ... My desktop computer was only 65 bucks (after using the money on my membership card)!

I will get the info you requested when I get home.

Well there goes my steal of a deal...unless I can use your rewards points!!

thebutler4 · May 9, 2011

LOL no I am lucky that my wife works for a company that buys all there LCD T.V`s from Best Buy .. and she is able to use our rewards card .. so we do get quite a bit of money on it threw the year ..

JWellman · May 9, 2011

My Mother's Day gift was bought from Best Buy but it's like a few have said, you can find the same products cheaper elsewhere. We use Best Buy because they have 6 months and 1 year free financing and that's how I choose to pay for my camera equipment.

This is the tripod my hubby purchased for me: Click here

I know there are tripods out there that are much better but this will work great for me. I've only used it once, but what I like the most is the pistol grip feature. My husband often uses and expensive theodolite so he was mostly impressed with the lightweight, durability of the carbon fiber. It's a guy thing. :mrgreen:

lyonsroar · May 9, 2011

Ryan L said:
I would like to see the 30.00 deal on a ball head pistol grip tripod. Although I am not too optimistic on the quality. Do you know the brand/model?

Sunpak 6000PG, close to $30 I guess...it's what I use.

Sunpak - PlatinumPlus 6000PG 61" Tripod - 620-600-CPG