Tripod

[Cain]

Hello. I am a beginner and am looking to buy a tripod. What should I be looking for in a tripod? I plan to take skateboarding pictures and perhaps do some stop motion . I have a nikon d90. Can anyone point me in the right direction? thanks!

 

[Samanax]

How much were you looking to spend?

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

When it comes to tripods, there are three main characteristics;

#1. Strong & sturdy
#2. Light weight
#3. Low Price

You only get to pick two of the three.

 

[Cain]

Id like to spend less then $100 for sure...but I have no idea what they cost haha..

I choose #1. Strong & sturdy and #3. Low Price

 

[Big Mike]

I like Manfrotto tripods but they are not cheap.

Most 'good quality' tripods come separate from the head...so you buy the legs and then buy the type of head that you want. Some common types are 3-way, ball and pan & tilt.

You can find cheap tripods, usually with built-in plastic heads but they usually aren't very steady when conditions aren't good.

Which ever way you go, I'd suggest getting one that has a quick release option.

 

[Cain]

thanks for replys, could someone maybe throw a few links to decent tripods my way just so i can get an idea? Thanks again.

 

[DexGtr]

if the tripod you're buying already comes with a head....it's cheap and not good....

$100 is not enough for one that you would chuck in a few weeks.

a decent ball head already costs almost $100

Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging | 486RC2 Compact Ballhead | 486RC2

here some tripod legs

Slik | Pro 700 DX Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 15 | 615-317

 

[Big Mike]

Manfrotto 785B Modo Maxi Tripod Consumer Tripods Bogen - Vistek Canada Product Detail

 

[Samanax]

Id like to spend less then $100 for sure...but I have no idea what they cost haha..

I choose #1. Strong & sturdy and #3. Low Price

My standard tripod recommendation is the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XPROB legs or 055XPROB legs with the Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 compact ball head or 488RC2 midi ball head, but either combination will run you between $175 to $275.

For less than $100 take a look at the tripod/head combos from brands like Cullman, Giottos, Hakuba, Impact, Slik, Smith-Victor, Sunpack or Velbon...they're probably all very similar to one another.

Here's a Bogen/Manfrotto Compact Digital Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head for $95.

Here's a Bogen/Manfrotto Digital Tripod with Ballhead for $90.

 

[Big Mike]

My standard tripod recommendation is the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XPROB legs

Good recommendation!

Like a lot of things, it's best to see & handle tripods & heads before you buy. Go to a well stocked camera store and see what they have. There are a lot of little features/quirks that you may or may not want or need. Some can get really low to the ground while some don't. Some pack up smaller, some are taller etc.

 

[DexGtr]

Welcome to the forum.

When it comes to tripods, there are three main characteristics;

#1. Strong & sturdy
#2. Light weight
#3. Low Price

You only get to pick two of the three.

the same criteria applies to road/tri bikes.

 

[fightin14]

look for a used tripod you may be able to get alittle better tripod used than buying brand new. craigslist is the ****.All of my camera stuff aside from my 50mm and my sb800 have come off craigslist.

 

[fightin14]

Also the Slik 700 gets thumbs up from me. a shade on the heavy side but what ever.