tripods

[darkblue-x]

which ones best for enthusiast, budget $200

 

[Peeb72]

That depends on your needs. With tripods we typically think about price, portability, and stability. All you've specified so far is Price.

 

[Peeb72]

Also, are we talking about the head along with the tripod? Lots of important choices to be made there depending on your usage.

 

[darkblue-x]

Sorry for the lack of information, Peeb.

To give you a better idea, I would take it along on hiking adventures, so not too heavy, however I don't want to sacrifice a major amount of stability either.
For the time being I just do general photography. Take my camera on adventures and shoot what sparks my interest. I don't have a particular style yet.
So I'm not in a studio, I am mobile. I am not birding so I don't need the top of the line ballhead.

Basically I need the best versatile and balanced option for general photography and adventuring.

Feel free to better describe what I just said, because I'm confused as to how to describe the type of photography I do and my style.

 

[Designer]

You mentioned hiking, so I will suggest a lightweight tripod. In that budget, you probably should start looking for a used tripod. E-bay haz'm.

Here's just the first grab:

MANFROTTO 190CX3 Lightweight Carbon Fiber TRIPOD with Grip Action BALL HEAD 719821286677 | eBay

 

[benhasajeep47 46]

I have been using manfrotto for nearly 25 years now. Still have and use my originals. I think I have 5 tripods and 2 monopods. So 6 manfrottos, and one made in china (MIC). I do have 1 ebay made in china carbon fiber tripod. And after about 8-9 years it's still holding up. It has the same specs (according to them) as my manfrotto carbon one. But it's not. It's capacity is about 1/2 that of the manfrotto (going by leg deflection with force applied to it). But I use it knowing this and it has been a good tripod. But, I have mannaged to loose one of it's rubber feet. So now its limited to outdoor use. Manfrotto on the other hand has parts that you can buy and repair theirs. Finding one for my MIC one is probably harder than winning the lotto.

Another consideration is the head and what kind of quick release plate it uses (QR). You don't want to have to keep moving 1 plate from one item to another. So buying spare plates is a plus. Also you will want to make sure the head you buy is weight rated for the equipment you use. You don't want a mini ball head and try to put a big 600mm lens on it. The heads have weight ratings as well.

 

[Destin]

For $200 check out the Mefoto Roadtrip. It’s seriously awesome for the price, and takes arca Swiss plates which is a pretty good standard to choose because they’re the most common design in the world.

I own one of these tripods and use it for hiking. It easily fits into my backpack. I have zero complaints about it whatsoever. It isn’t the worlds strongest tripod, but it’s the best you’re going to get in a travel tripod for under $200.

 

[rosh4u]

Manfrotto Compact photo monopod is a good option to go with. It is light weight and within your budget

 

[darkblue-x]

Manfrotto Compact photo monopod is a good option to go with. It is light weight and within your budget

Hey Rosh, I'm not sure what the allure of a monopod might be...doesnt it still wobble given that its not on 3 legs? Or do you drive it into the ground?

 

[Designer]

Manfrotto Compact photo monopod is a good option to go with. It is light weight and within your budget

Hey Rosh, I'm not sure what the allure of a monopod might be...doesnt it still wobble given that its not on 3 legs? Or do you drive it into the ground?

No. It will move side-to-side, but the vertical axis is fairly stable. Usually the one leg has a rubber foot to keep from skidding, but the horizontal stability is still up to you.

A monopod is quite useful in places that don't allow tripods, such as museums, for instance, and it's better than nothing.

 

[darkblue-x]

Manfrotto Compact photo monopod is a good option to go with. It is light weight and within your budget

Hey Rosh, I'm not sure what the allure of a monopod might be...doesnt it still wobble given that its not on 3 legs? Or do you drive it into the ground?

No. It will move side-to-side, but the vertical axis is fairly stable. Usually the one leg has a rubber foot to keep from skidding, but the horizontal stability is still up to you.

A monopod is quite useful in places that don't allow tripods, such as museums, for instance, and it's better than nothing.

Thanks Designer, that was helpful.

 

[darkblue-x]

Update: I decided on the MeFoto Roadtrip. Close to $300 CAD, but it seems to fit the balance I'm looking for between portability and stability

 

[Destin]

Update: I decided on the MeFoto Roadtrip. Close to $300 CAD, but it seems to fit the balance I'm looking for between portability and stability

I think you’ll quite like it. Like I said mine is still going strong.

Did you get carbon? Or is the aluminum one really $100 more in Canada?

 

[darkblue-x]

Update: I decided on the MeFoto Roadtrip. Close to $300 CAD, but it seems to fit the balance I'm looking for between portability and stability

I think you’ll quite like it. Like I said mine is still going strong.

Did you get carbon? Or is the aluminum one really $100 more in Canada?

That's after conversion plus my provinces tax are 13% ... Canada, f*ck yeah.

 

[Destin]

Update: I decided on the MeFoto Roadtrip. Close to $300 CAD, but it seems to fit the balance I'm looking for between portability and stability

I think you’ll quite like it. Like I said mine is still going strong.

Did you get carbon? Or is the aluminum one really $100 more in Canada?

That's after conversion plus my provinces tax are 13% ... Canada, f*ck yeah.

Ouch man. That’s painful.