I need a Tripod.... Suggestions?

[metakephotos]

I don't really want to spend over $100, any suggestions?





Thanks

[peety3]

What camera, what lens(es), what are you shooting, what are you hoping this tripod will do for you?


I have a $75 tripod from Ritz and it's awful. In my humble opinion, you won't find anything good until at least $150-200. Well, unless you're hoping to steady a point&shoot no more than 4' off the ground.

[alexniedra]

To be honest, I'd have to agree with Peety3. I think your best bet is to save up some more money to invest in a good, solid tripod. I spent about $350 on my Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 ball head, and I have not looked back.


Trust me, save yourself $100 and don't bother with any flimsy, cheap tripods. Save up for a bit, and do some research on some better tripods.



Best of luck...

[clemmb]

Look for a used one at KEH or ebay. It is still hard to stay under $100 but can be done.


They have a MANFROTTO 725B for $105.


Mark

[Dave Johnston]

I have a manfrotto 055proB and a vanguard SBH-100 or 200 ball head... dont remember right off hand... but I spend a Little less than 200 for both. Solid stuff. I have been happy with them.

[steve_m]

Here's an option for you.


If you want a good tripod for under $100 don't buy a new one. Anything new for under $100 is not very good at all. I'd recommend going to ebay and buy a used Manfrotto 3021 for example. A few years ago they were what a lot of pro photographers used. They were go enough for them back then, they'll be good enough for you right now. They aren't as light or as nice as the expensive new ones but, they are still really stable nice tripods for someone on a budget. If your pictures don't turn out, you won't have to worry about blaming the tripod. On the other hand, if you purchase a brand new under $100 tripod, chances are it won't be very stable and you won't be happy with it.

[jusap]

I suggest you save some more on a far better tripod. One that will take years before you would need an upgrade.


For me, I'm looking at the Benro A-500EX and will check on some Manfrotto tripods later.





Current line up is a gripped 450D, 430EX II and a 17-55 but I have plans on buying a 70-200 2.8 ISU someday so I'm looking for a tripod that can carry that much weight. Since we're talking about tripods, any suggestions for my gears?

[Tony Printezis]

I agree with what everyone else said. I couldn't see the point of spending lots of money on a tripod and I got a cheap SunPak. It feel apart within a year. The second one fell apart in 7 months (and I didn't use them that much). So, I ended up with a Manfrotto and I've been very happy with it. It's more expensive, but it will pay for itself in the long run.


Regards,


Tony

[Dumien]

I bought a 718B Manfrotto tripod for $75 on B&H...works pretty well for what I do...I usually shoot with the 70-200 f/2.8 NON-IS and with the 24-70.


I must say that since the 24-70 doesn't have a tripod ring you have to be more careful since it's kind of heavy, but it didn't give me any problems at all up until now. I've had it for 4 months.


hope it helps


Andy

[hotsecretary]

I've been looking for a new Tripod myself, great recommendations.


I've got a 70-200 2.8 IS, do all these suggestions support something like the 5DII with a BG and the 70-200... just wondering as I'll be replacing a cheap junk Tripod that I had for my G2 way back when that obviously weighs nothing, but the 70-200 is 3lbs itself :)



I currently have a 40D, but the 5D is most likely my next upgrade. But the 40D is just under 2lbs.. so I guess something that'll support 5lbs+ no problem. Is the Manfrotto 055XPROB a good one for something like this?

[Oren]

There are few people here who are using Feisol ("http://www.feisol.net) tripods - looks like they have good stuff.


I consider myself buying one from them. A nice Feisol tripod (carbon fiber!) + ballhead will cost you about $370 and that includes a quick release clamp, quick release plate and I think a carrying bag too.


I'm not sure if they ship international or not. If not, you can buy their products from Really Big Cameras - they do international shipping.

[Backland Photography]

Save your money and but a GOOD set of legs no matter what your putting on them. Also, don't scrimp on the head, it's as important as the legs.

[henytran]

I'll agree with what everyone is saying. I bought a cheap Manfrotto a while back for 75 bucks and it just couldn't hold the weight of my setup. The legs would bow under the weight and the head couldn't hold the camera where I needed it. I ended up selling it on craigslist.


Save your money and get a good tripod, I'm still saving up myself.


I did want to ask if anyone has used one of those gorilla pods? I plan on doing a lot of traveling in the future and I don't really feel like carrying a big tripod around. Anyone have much luck with them? They claim to be able to hold the 70-200 lens which is the heaviest lens I have (f/2.8 IS). I would think it'd be good to have in a pinch if you're out in the woods and and need to anchor your camera on a tree branch or something like that.

[Sean Setters]

You might want to try the flexible gripping tripod from Maxsaver. It has the same specs as the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom, yet is less than $10. I bought one and use it as an additional lightstand for my flashes. Personally, I wouldn't trust it to hold my 50D, battery grip, and 70-200 f/2.8 IS alone--but it might be fine for a little bit of added stability.

[peety3]

I did want to ask if anyone has used one of those gorilla pods? I plan on doing a lot of traveling in the future and I don't really feel like carrying a big tripod around. Anyone have much luck with them? They claim to be able to hold the 70-200 lens which is the heaviest lens I have (f/2.8 IS). I would think it'd be good to have in a pinch if you're out in the woods and and need to anchor your camera on a tree branch or something like that.
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I've had awesome success with a gorillapod (the beefiest model) holding a remote flash on a sailboat all day long. If the gorillapod load is well-balanced and you don't ask it for height (i.e. it's almost as low as it can go) or you're just looking for a small edge beyond handholdability), I'd be OK with it. If you were going to hang the camera on a branch, I'd hang it under the branch (if it's atop the branch and it starts to go, it'll pick up speed as it falls and perhaps have enough momentum to flex free) and find a way to safety it, either through a detachable neck strap, a safety cable, or perhaps just running the neck strap over the branch and clipping it back to itself.


Here's a sample of the gorillapod holding a flash just out of view on the boat:


http://photos.templin.org/albums/sail200907/2009Sail0111.sized.jpg


The gorillapod was wrapped around a nearly-horizontal pipe (the 'bimini' or sunshade that's in portions of the image) and held the flash horizontal (i.e. it had a lot of 'twisting' forces) for hours. Canon 580EX II flash hung, 580EX II as trigger, 1D Mark III with 16-35/2.8 (that needs to go in the shop) at f/4, 1/2500 at ISO 100; ambient at -2/3EC.

[Julius]

Take the plunge and buy a Gitzo then you won't have to buy another tripod for years and years to come....otherwise, you will just be wasting money buying a cheap tripod and having to change it later.

[Tony Printezis]

You might want to try the flexible gripping tripod from Maxsaver.


(I hope the thread starter doesn't mind this small topic diversion!)


Sean, have you bought anything else from Maxsaver? I just had a look at their site and they seem to have a tripod ring for the 70-200 f4 for under $13 (the Canon one costs $130 or so). Is it worth giving it a shot? The investment is quite small.


Tony

[Don Burkett]

I currently have a 40D, but the 5D
is most likely my next upgrade. But the 40D is just under 2lbs.. so I
guess something that'll support 5lbs+ no problem. Is the Manfrotto
055XPROB a good one for something like this?








The
055xprob is an excellent tripod in my opinion. Also have the 190xprob
which is the same design just a little shorter/lighter and cheaper.

[Sean Setters]

Sean, have you bought anything else from Maxsaver? I just had a look at their site and they seem to have a tripod ring for the 70-200 f4 for under $13 (the Canon one costs $130 or so). Is it worth giving it a shot? The investment is quite small.


Actually, I have not purchased anything else from Maxsaver. However, a few members of this community have purchased filters from the site and have been happy. They seem to deliver what they promise. As you noted, even if it doesn't live up to your standards, you wouldn't be losing much. However, if it works,you'll savea bundle. If it were me, I'd give it a shot.

[Tony Printezis]

Actually, I have not purchased anything else from Maxsaver. However, a few members of this community have purchased filters from the site and have been happy. They seem to deliver what they promise. As you noted, even if it doesn't live up to your standards, you wouldn't be losing much. However, if it works,you'll savea bundle. If it were me, I'd give it a shot.


Hi Sean. Yes, I placed the order yesterday (and I also got a couple of the gorilla-pod-like flexi tripods, as they were cheap). The S&amp;H on that site is real high, about 60% of the (modest) order. But it's still much cheaper than getting the genuine stuff, so hopefully it will be worth it! Thanks.


Tony

[Alan KE]

and here is an compelling example using a 5DMK2 and the gorillapod focus gp8 on a balcony. ;)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/redpilotmedia/3708770676/ ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/redpilotmedia/3708770676/)


Alan

[Sean Setters]

There are different versions of the Gorillapod that vary in max load and price. That particular version is almost $100, I think. It had better be sturdy for that kind of money.

[jnort002]

hotsecretary, I have just bought a 055XPROB and the 488RC4 head. I have 40D, battery grip, 70-200 2.8L and it works fine. First thing I did when I got it was add my 580exII to the load as well and test it out to see how it handled it. Clearly out of the magic three (cheap, strong, light: choose two as you never get all three) I chose cheap and strong and put up with the fact that its quite a unit to lug around though a case will help a lot with carrying.

[Oren]

BTW I forgot to tell you guys buy I've finally got a tripod. It's a Manfrotto 190XB with the Manfrotto 486RC2. I know I know... I've been talking so much about the Feisol tripods, but:


1. I couldn't see one before buying it and I a tripod is something that I wanted to test before I buy. I could buy a DSLR without "playing" with it before as long as it's a Canon but I really had to play with the tripod before I buying it.


2. I wanted something that can get REALLY low for macro photography and no other tripod that I've heard of can get as low as few of the Manfrottos can.


3. Money - ordering a Feisol from the USA to here (shipping + taxes) would have cost me twice as the the Manfrotto did.





So anyway, just wanted to share it with you so if you are looking for a tripod and wanted to know more about the 190XB than what you can find on the net - you can ask me [:)]