Tripod Suggestions

[lennon33x]

About 5 years ago, I puchased a Nikon L100 camera from Best Buy and got a Dynex 60" tripod as part of the deal. Now, several years later, I've significantly upgraded to a Canon 5D with a battery grip. This tripod is super scary when in portrait mode. Holy crap.

Soooo, I'm looking for suggestions to a sturdy tripod that will hold about 4 pounds. I'm also not looking to break the bank. So suggestions on this would be very helpful.

Thanks!!!

 

[The_Traveler]

Most of us here will have had perhaps 3 or 4 tripods in our career while there are literally hundreds of tripod brands with prices from $30 to thousands.
An Internet search will give you reviews of comparative tripods in different price ranges http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/lighting-hardware/347831-tripod-suggestions.html

and you could browse the tripod/heads sections of large On-line camera stores like BHPhotovideo or Adorama to get an idea of what is available in your price and desired characteristics.

 

[Designer]

Not knowing your budget, I would suggest that to assure sturdiness, you need to be looking at tripods that will safely hold 3 or 4 times as much weight as you mentioned. There's nothing like a rock-solid tripod for the times when you need it.

If you also want light weight, then be prepared to spend some serious cash.

 

[LarryLomona]

I use the Induro Carbon 8X CT414 Tripod, to big for you. Put they have a full line of Tripods. I really like mine, very stable. They also have Induro Gimbal Head.

 

[lennon33x]

Oh, say somewhere in the ball park of $50-75. Lightweight isn't a necessity, though it's preferred. I'm looking more for something rated well, but affordable. Granted the Dynex has done a fair job, the weight of the 5D is just too much and I end up shortening offset legs to adjust for balance/level.

 

[lennon33x]

I use the Induro Carbon 8X CT414 Tripod, to big for you. Put they have a full line of Tripods. I really like mine, very stable. They also have Induro Gimbal Head.

What do you mean "to (sic) big for you?"

 

[ronlane]

You have a 5D and want to put it on a tripod that is in the $50-75 range? That scares me. I just got a vanguard Alta+ tripod and it was in the $150 range. With tripods, you pay for piece of mind and for me $50-75 wouldn't be very much piece of mind for holding a 5D even an original.

 

[lennon33x]

You have a 5D and want to put it on a tripod that is in the $50-75 range? That scares me. I just got a vanguard Alta+ tripod and it was in the $150 range. With tripods, you pay for piece of mind and for me $50-75 wouldn't be very much piece of mind for holding a 5D even an original.

Responses without condescension are usually more helpful.

I didn't say I wouldn't go more. And considering the Dynex tripod sells for about $30, anything in that range would be an upgrade.

 

[pixmedic]

Our manfrotto tripod was almost $200 and we considered that manfrottos "budget" tripod. Our manfrotto monopod was $130. Both were money WELL spent.

You "can" get cheap(ish) tripods, but i would look very very closely at their weight rating, and how stable they are.

My search-fu is weak, but i believe i recall
a few threads here semi recently about decent tripods on a budget. If i recall correctly, there were a few lower priced tripods that a few people had good experiences with.

Just be aware that your full frame camera with a grip and a lens will be pretty heavy. You want something that will EASILY support the weight and still keep it stable for shooting. Dont be afraid to look at used tripods. A higher quality used tripod is better than a lower quality new one.

 

[ronlane]

My response was not meant to be condescending, but meant to say that I wouldn't want to put a 5D on a tripod in that price range. I have had the $30 the $100 and now the $150 tripods and I am finally in one that I feel somewhat secure leaving my T3i(gripped) and a 70-200mm f/4 on it and walking away from for a few minutes.

This is what I have now. I love the way the legs spread from 25, 50 and 80 degree.

 

[hirejn]

I suggest looking at the Flashpoiint brand from Adorama. They should do the job and save you money. Also look for used name brands on eBay. Manfrotto is reliable. You can find the model number you want on Manfrotto's website or Adorama's website and then search eBay for that number, or vice versa. A tripod isn't something you need to buy new. Just make sure it has the features you want and get a head that can support the weight you intend to put on it.

 

[robbins.photo]

I didn't say I wouldn't go more. And considering the Dynex tripod sells for about $30, anything in that range would be an upgrade.

Well I would encourage you to think of the tripod more as a long term investment. Yes, they do sell a lot of inexpensive tripods out there but they are generally of a fairly low build quaility and as a result they generally do not last long with normal use, perhaps a year or sometimes less. A good tripod will be more expensive however it will last much, much longer and it will also give you more piece of mind. A 5D with a good lens is a pretty big dollar investment, and I think Ron's point was that it probably would not be the best idea to put $3000 + worth of camera and lens on a less than reliable tripod that was put together with lower end materials to save money.

It isn't so much the legs themselves that generally cause a problem, it's the hardware they use to lock the various leg sections in place. I've got a real cheap monopod, for example that was given to me as a gift. I used it for a couple of months before the hardware that locks the upper most leg section in place started to come loose. I can tighten it with an allen wrench, but after a few outings it starts working it's way loose again. On a monopod it isn't nearly as big a deal, after all I'm still holding onto it and supporting it myself. On a tripod though if something like that were to occur it could spell disaster.

So I'd do a bit of research into tripods myself, look for one that, as others here have mentioned, supports more weight than your camera and heaviest lens together (I'd recommend at least 1.5 times more weight, or better yet 2 x as much weight or better). Then I'd take a look at customer reviews for that product and see if seems to be plagued by any sort of common problem or build issues. Manfrotto generally builds a good quality product, and of course there are several others mentioned that also make some very good tripods.

 

[Flyextreme]

I just went through weeks of searching for a good tripod for $200 or less. There's not a lot in that price range that I want to put my camera on with big lenses. What I ended up with, and I believe are worth a look, are the MeFoto line, which are said to be produced by Benro. Even with all 5 segments fully extended, it's still surprisingly solid.

I don't have a great deal of experience but, I do know want quality looks and feels like, and these have it. I was looking at the Roadtrip but, ended up with the Globetrotter just for the extra peace-o-mind for $20 more. They also have Carbon fiber versions.

The head on this tripod is very smooth. Everything just feels like it's well made. I'm extremely happy with this tripod, and expect to be for a very long time.

The monopod is a great bonus too.

RoadTrip MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod Kits | Available in Eight Colors | Converts to Monopod
GlobeTrotter MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Travel Tripod Kits | Available in Two Colors and Carbon Fiber or Aluminum | Converts to Monopod check the specs on these.

I couldn't find "any" bad reviews. Quite a few local camera shops are starting to carry them. Go in and take a close look for yourself.

Anyway, I think it deserves consideration.

 

[lambertpix]

Oh, say somewhere in the ball park of $50-75. Lightweight isn't a necessity, though it's preferred. I'm looking more for something rated well, but affordable.

In that price range (or thereabouts), I'd give consideration to buying used. Used tripods are a little safer than used cameras; there's nowhere near the delicacy of a camera or lens, and the operation is pretty easy to check -- if the parts that are supposed to move move they way they should, you're in pretty good shape.

I wrote some reviews for "budget" tripods that I've used over the years, and you might find some helpful info in there in terms of features, design considerations, etc. Of the three I reviewed, something like the Induro might be the best bet for you -- it's right on the low end of what I think I'd want to trust with a 5D. If you want to read the others to get an idea of some of the features that are available, etc., it might help you understand what you're shopping for a little better.

LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, part 1 (Velbon CX-300)
LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, part 2 (Dolica AX620B100)
LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, Part 3 (Induro A113 / SA01)

There are some features that depend pretty highly on personal preference - twist locks vs. flip locks, for example. You probably need to figure out whether you've got a preference for one vs. the other. When you get to the head, try to understand if you want / need features beyond a basic ballhead, because there are a lot of nice options out there if you spend the money. Give some thought to the quick-release system, too -- this might be the time to move to a semi-standardized design like Arca.

FWIW, I'm using a Manfrotto 190CXPro4 with a Giottos ballhead now, and I'm generally very happy with it, but it's a bit beyond your budgeted amount. I use my tripod pretty extensively, though, so the extra investment made sense for me.

 

[lennon33x]

Oh, say somewhere in the ball park of $50-75. Lightweight isn't a necessity, though it's preferred. I'm looking more for something rated well, but affordable.

In that price range (or thereabouts), I'd give consideration to buying used. Used tripods are a little safer than used cameras; there's nowhere near the delicacy of a camera or lens, and the operation is pretty easy to check -- if the parts that are supposed to move move they way they should, you're in pretty good shape.

I wrote some reviews for "budget" tripods that I've used over the years, and you might find some helpful info in there in terms of features, design considerations, etc. Of the three I reviewed, something like the Induro might be the best bet for you -- it's right on the low end of what I think I'd want to trust with a 5D. If you want to read the others to get an idea of some of the features that are available, etc., it might help you understand what you're shopping for a little better.

LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, part 1 (Velbon CX-300)
LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, part 2 (Dolica AX620B100)
LambertPix » Budget tripod shootout, Part 3 (Induro A113 / SA01)

There are some features that depend pretty highly on personal preference - twist locks vs. flip locks, for example. You probably need to figure out whether you've got a preference for one vs. the other. When you get to the head, try to understand if you want / need features beyond a basic ballhead, because there are a lot of nice options out there if you spend the money. Give some thought to the quick-release system, too -- this might be the time to move to a semi-standardized design like Arca.

FWIW, I'm using a Manfrotto 190CXPro4 with a Giottos ballhead now, and I'm generally very happy with it, but it's a bit beyond your budgeted amount. I use my tripod pretty extensively, though, so the extra investment made sense for me.

Thanks for input. Generally speaking, I usually only use the tripod when I'm doing self portraits of myself and/or of my family. That's why I'm not necessarily wanting to jump out there and drop a grand on a Manfrotto (granted they're worth it). I just can't justify spending that much money on something that I wouldn't use that often.