Which Tripod?

iShootYou · Nov 12, 2011

I have a Nikon D90 and I'm looking into buying a good long lasting tripod. I will be using it at least 7/10 for my photography needs.

Now I sure can't and don't want to spend ridicolous price for a tripod. So which one?

From where? I've heard of Calumet photo store and Hendrix store. These are in my area Chicago.

Thanks,
Zoe

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tirediron · Nov 12, 2011

You didn't actually say how much you want to spend. I would look at Manfrotto's 190 series legs. Those, with a nice medium duty ballhead can be found for around $350 new and half of that used. Check Craig's List and similar sites for tripod deals.

jdong217 · Nov 12, 2011

I have an Induro AKB1 that's pretty nice. It's not heavy and it's very sturdy on level ground. I've used it on uneven rocks before and it held up okay, but don't push it.

It supports my d7000 + battery grip + 85mm/1.4g well. It comes with a ballhead and I paid about $140 for it. It's no Manfrotto but I guess you get what you pay for

kundalini · Nov 12, 2011

You'll probably want to have a load capacity (legs and head) to handle ~2x your anticipated heaviest rig. I have the Manfrotto 055X legs (I think the 190 is its replacement) with 322 and 488 heads. They will certainly handle your load.

KmH · Nov 12, 2011

A good first tripod is Giottos MTL9360B Professional 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with Flip Leg Locks .

Having 4 leg sections it collapes to a fairly compact size. The tripod includes a simple head, tool kit for mounted accessory heads and maintaining the tripod (like disassembly for cleaning), hand warmers on all 3 legs, a rotateable center column, and a padded carry bag.

Visit www.giottos.com to see images showing how versatile the tripod is. I think Giottos offers a better value for your dollar than Manfrotto does.

Here is one of the Manfrotto 190 series legs (you'll need to buy a tripod head separately) - Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod

and here is one of the Manfrotto 055 series - Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

KmH said:
and here is one of the Manfrotto 055 series - Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)

This is the one I am getting. I play with it at work all the time lately. I love how the center pole can extend out and sideways.

KmH · Jun 27, 2012

The Giottos I linked to can too, and the Giottos center column is round and can be rotated.

Does the Manfrotto 055XPROB legs have a round or does it have a triangular center column?

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

round.

I think, pretty certain, about the head I'm gonna put on it. Played with it a lot today, and I like how it functions. The trigger head 222 (pistol grip). I love it.

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

I love how it can get low if you want it to. pretty versatile.

I set it up exactly like in this picture today while playing with it. Pretty quick and simple.

table1349 · Jun 27, 2012

Buying a tripod can be something you do once or it can be something that you do over and over again in some form or another. Start here. A good read: Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan
You don't have to spend the kind of money Thom does unless you are using or planning on having the kind of gear he does.

A few tips for purchasing. These happen to be my opinion:

1. Plan for the future, not today. If you see your self with a 400mm f2.8 sometime in the future, buy for it, not what you have now.

2. You want a tripod and head that will support at least 2X's the weight of your gear, either what you have or what you estimate you will have in the future. This will give you the kind of stability you need for all kind of conditions.

3. Purchase a head with the gear in mind. Not just the weight of the gear, but the type of gear. Many head manufacturers like Manfrotto have proprietary QR plates/systems. If they meet your needs now and in the future you are good to go. If not, look to spending a bit more on a QR system that is Arca-Swiss compatible now instead of switching out sometime in the future. There is no way I would mount my 400mm f2.8 on a tripod with a Manfrotto RC2 plate on the bottom. I have no worries mounting in on my RRS BH-55 with the Arca-Swiss lens foot on that lens.

4. Look at your planned needs and buy the material that meets those needs. There are three types of material that most tripods are made from:
Aluminum = Cheapest of the three, medium weight to carry, good stability.
Carbon/Boron fiber= Most expensive of the three, lightest weight, better stability.
Hard Wood = Medium priced between aluminum and carbon/boron, heavy, best stability of the three.

5. Buy a tripod that is tall enough that you do not need to extend the center column for most situations. Extending the center column causes a loss in stability.

6. If possible, go to a photography shop that carries the model(s) you are interested in and try it out. Get a feel for it before you buy. Make sure you like the way the leg locks work, column work etc.

There are lots of good manufactures out there that make good products. If you choose wisely now you can end up with a tripod/head combination that will literally last you a lifetime.

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

Good advice.

My d3100 looked a bit silly on that setup today, lol...way more than I need with current camera and glass...but as you mention...I am buying for tomorrow...not today.

KmH · Jun 27, 2012

Ernicus said:
I love how it can get low if you want it to. pretty versatile.

Many tripod brands have the same capability.

Ernicus · Jun 27, 2012

KmH said:
Ernicus said:

I love how it can get low if you want it to. pretty versatile.

Click to expand...

Many tripod brands have the same capability.

I know. I was just putting my personal experience with what I have physically used or played with. I did play with another brand, I forget the name, but it was a 500 dollar one. lol way out of my reach.

SCraig · Jun 27, 2012

In addition to Gryphonslair99'shttp://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/members/10481.html comments I'd like to add a couple of things:

1. I prefer 3-section tripods to 4-section tripods. A lot of instability seems to happen at the joints and eliminating one of them makes a difference.

2. Make sure it has a hook of some sort to hang a weight from. Your camera bag works well for that.

3. Light weight and stability are opposite terms when the wind is blowing. I love my carbon fiber tripod but when the wind is blowing I frequently wish I had my heavier aluminum tripod. It's times like that in which the hook mentioned in #2 really comes in handy.