Trying to but my first tripod

[512_SIR II]

I just got my first dslr acouple weeks ago and now i'm looking into getting my first tripod. The camera i've got is a t1i with the 18-55 kit lens. There are two tripods i'm looking at getting but can't decide which one is better so I figured i'd ask you guys. The first one is a Canon CANON Deluxe Tripod 200 for Canon EOS/Compact Cameras : Digital Point & Shoot and Compact Cameras | Dell
And the second one is a Tiffen TIFFEN Tiffen Vista RangerV Tripod : Digital Point & Shoot and Compact Cameras | Dell
Now both of these have the quick release head and a level which I want. I'm not looking for anything super expensive and advanced. I'm looking in the $50 range. Some day i'll get an expensive one that can support more weight but as for now I just need a basic tripod. If any of you can help me out here on which one of these two would be the better choice that would be great. Thanks. (oh and the reason i'm looking at the dell site only is cause I have a card and can pay by month)

 

[lyonsroar]

Best Buy - Sunpak PlatinumPlus 6000PG 61" Tripod customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Pistol grip + ball head.
$50

 

[kundalini]

Best Buy - Sunpak PlatinumPlus 6000PG 61" Tripod customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Pistol grip + ball head.
$50

If you're a munchkin. 5'-1" is not very useful IMO.

But then again, I'm old, have back problems and am taller then 5'-1".

 

[Trever1t]

Tripods can last a lifetime, longer than the cameras we buy. Spend a little extra and get a good tripod is my opinion.

 

[kundalini]

Tripods can last a lifetime, longer than the cameras we buy. Spend a little extra and get a good tripod is my opinion.

Too right.

Here's a bit of light reading for the OP.

Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan

 

[ann]

Most people want

lightweight
stable
cheap

pick two , you'll not get all three in the same product.

 

[lyonsroar]

Best Buy - Sunpak PlatinumPlus 6000PG 61" Tripod customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Pistol grip + ball head.
$50

If you're a munchkin. 5'-1" is not very useful IMO.

But then again, I'm old, have back problems and am taller then 5'-1".

I'm 6' even and that tripod works perfectly for me. I've found that I need it fully extended only very rarely.

The ball head feels very sturdy for $50. Good buy.

 

[512_SIR II]

that sunpak looks pretty good. It's got quick release or no? and im 5"9 so it should be a perfect height for me. and as far as the sturdy, lightweight and cheap thing...i'll take sturdy and cheap over lightweight.

 

[robb01]

Id take a look at your local craigslist and see if you can't pick up a used Manfrotto

 

[lyonsroar]

that sunpak looks pretty good. It's got quick release or no? and im 5"9 so it should be a perfect height for me. and as far as the sturdy, lightweight and cheap thing...i'll take sturdy and cheap over lightweight.

Yup.

It's kinda spring loaded too so it'll just pop out really easy, but only if you want it to!

 

[kundalini]

I'm 6' even and that tripod works perfectly for me. I've found that I need it fully extended only very rarely.

The ball head feels very sturdy for $50. Good buy.

That's cool for you.

However, my Manfrotto setup doesn't have me to stoop over to look through the viewfinder. It also drops down to 4". If I'm hanging nearly $8K (yeah.... 3 zeros) of gear on it, you can be damn sure a $50 tripod isn't gonna work for me. That being said, $500 worth of gear still needs to be supported properly. Cheap in the long run becomes expensive.

 

[lyonsroar]

I'm 6' even and that tripod works perfectly for me. I've found that I need it fully extended only very rarely.

The ball head feels very sturdy for $50. Good buy.

That's cool for you.

However, my Manfrotto setup doesn't have me to stoop over to look through the viewfinder. It also drops down to 4". If I'm hanging nearly $8K (yeah.... 3 zeros) of gear on it, you can be damn sure a $50 tripod isn't gonna work for me. That being said, $500 worth of gear still needs to be supported properly. Cheap in the long run becomes expensive.

You seriously want to fight about this? The OP states clearly in the original post that he's looking in the $50 range. As far as I know Manfrotto doesn't even make a tripod in that price range. I suppose he could get a couple of feet from Manfrotto for ~$50.
Something like this perhaps:
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 160SPK3 Rubber Spiked Foot for 190X Series/190CX3/190CXPRO3/055CXPRO4: Camera & Photo

I'm not sure what the comment about your $8,000 worth of equipment has to do with the original question....:meh:

The 6000PG is great for $50. If fits the criteria specified by the OP in his original post.
Sorry it wouldn't work for you Kundalini.

 

[Trever1t]

sure he's looking for a cheap tripod and the one suggested fits his criteria but it one would be in remiss to not suggest a sturdy (albeit costlier) alternative.

Manfrotto tripods can be had for just over $100 sans head and a used one with head can be found for $75-$125.

 

[kundalini]

You seriously want to fight about this? The OP states clearly in the original post that he's looking in the $50 range. As far as I know Manfrotto doesn't even make a tripod in that price range. I suppose he could get a couple of feet from Manfrotto for ~$50.
Something like this perhaps:
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 160SPK3 Rubber Spiked Foot for 190X Series/190CX3/190CXPRO3/055CXPRO4: Camera & Photo

I'm not sure what the comment about your $8,000 worth of equipment has to do with the original question....:meh:

The 6000PG is great for $50. If fits the criteria specified by the OP in his original post.
Sorry it wouldn't work for you Kundalini.

No, there is no fight in me. I apologize for giving out numbers as they are irrelevant.

All I wish to convey is that the cheap becomes expensive.

 

[512_SIR II]

I'm 6' even and that tripod works perfectly for me. I've found that I need it fully extended only very rarely.

The ball head feels very sturdy for $50. Good buy.

That's cool for you.

However, my Manfrotto setup doesn't have me to stoop over to look through the viewfinder. It also drops down to 4". If I'm hanging nearly $8K (yeah.... 3 zeros) of gear on it, you can be damn sure a $50 tripod isn't gonna work for me. That being said, $500 worth of gear still needs to be supported properly. Cheap in the long run becomes expensive.

You seriously want to fight about this? The OP states clearly in the original post that he's looking in the $50 range. As far as I know Manfrotto doesn't even make a tripod in that price range. I suppose he could get a couple of feet from Manfrotto for ~$50.
Something like this perhaps:
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 160SPK3 Rubber Spiked Foot for 190X Series/190CX3/190CXPRO3/055CXPRO4: Camera & Photo

I'm not sure what the comment about your $8,000 worth of equipment has to do with the original question....:meh:

The 6000PG is great for $50. If fits the criteria specified by the OP in his original post.
Sorry it wouldn't work for you Kundalini.

Exactly. I don't have 8k worth of stuff to put on top of a tripod. While my t1i kit was only about $800 thats still alot of money to worry about. I'd hate to see it fall over. But when it comes down to that 6000pg being sturdy or not, i'm sure it's gonna do just fine for what i've got. Plus i'm not gonna be stupid about how I use it and where I set it down. I don't plan on buying any heavy l lenses anytime soon either. I like the look of that 6000pg and the pistol grip seems like a pretty ingenious idea. I can't seem to locate any other place that sells it besides Best Buy but thats fine. I'll try and go check out my local store tomorrow and see if they have one, test it out and see how it feels. Thanks for the input guys.