Suggestions for a tripod

[AdamW]

Hey--

The cheap Samsonite that came with my old video camera ain't cutting it. I need something decent, but light weight, portability, and low cost are all very important, so I'm looking for suggestions.

Also, since I know nothing about tripods, what should I look for in terms of features?

Thanks---

[kgosden]

I assume that you want this for your Canon DSLR, not the old video camera. Low cost and light weight will pretty well mean not very sturdy. What types of use are you looking for? Low light landscapes? Studio work? Marco? Sports or birding with long lenses? By portable do you mean packable?

Things to consider are height without the center column extended. This is when the tripod is the most sturdy. If you are looking at macro work you may want to look at the minimum height as well for those close to the ground shots. For sports a 2 or 3 way pan head is nice, but you may find that the knobs and levers are actually annoying for landscapes and studio work.

You are really going to give this some more thought. A good tripod can last you longer than your camera. I have gone through several over the past decade and would say my current tripod is so much better a tool than any cheap one I have owned. I almost think it was a better investment than most of the lenses I bought this year.

I decided to spend ~$375 for a nice carbon fiber 4 section Velbon CF640. I added a Manfrotto ball head with a quick release. There are certainly better choices for more money, but this is a great mid-priced combo. The best thing about the CF640 is that it packs to under 22 inches with the Manfrotto head. This lets it fit in most suitcases. The 3 section is a few ounces lighter, but packs longer. Also the CF640 is just below my eye level without the center column extended.

[AdamW]

Sorry, I was unclear.
Yes, it's for the Canon XTi/400D.
By small size and weight, I mean something that can more easily be carried in a backpack or shoulder bag.
I want it for multi-purpose use: landscapes, macro, night shots, casual outdoor portraits. Little if any indoor use.

I guess what I want to know is, can I get something of remotely decent quality for around $100, or am I being completely unreasonable? Money's pretty tight right now.

Adam

[kgosden]

$100 will get you a decent tripod. But don't expect it to steady the Canon if you add a good sized lens. In that price range stick with one with 3 leg sections as it will be sturdier than a 4 section. If you want to have the most flexibility for macro work look for one that allows the legs to be set to a variety of angles (not one with those extra sliding cross braces on the legs). If possible look for one that has a removable head. This could be either 1/4" or 3/8" threaded. This will allow you to consider upgrading to a nice head for an additional $50-100 in a year or so. That way you can make incremental steps to a high end setup when you are ready.

[AdamW]

That way you can make incremental steps to a high end setup when you are ready.

That's the kind of thinking I like! I hate the idea of having to settle for crap because quality costs so much. I'd rather do without. But if I can start cheap and add on to what I have, then that's the best of both worlds.

Any suggestions for brands and/or models?

[kgosden]

I can only suggest trying to take a look at a few in a local camera store. Look at a good one ($300 and up) to see what you are shooting for in terms of features, weight and compromises. You also might head over to www.dpreview.com as there are some more active tripod discussions over there.

[AdamW]

It's a shame, but San Francisco only has a few largish camera stores, and the selection tends toward the high-end pro customer, and the customer service tends toward the "if you're not a pro then who cares how rude I am to you?" school. There's a nice smaller store in Berkeley, but I don't get across the Bay that often these days. I will, however, see what they've got in the stores and check out the discussions at dpreview. Thanks for the help.

[mjsneddon]

I believe you should have satisfactory results with the "entry level" Bogen/Manfrotto model 3001N which B&H Photos currently sells for 95 bucks. It has an eleven pound capacity. It weighs just under four pounds itself - a lot more than a carbon fiber tripod but a WHOLE LOT less money.

And then, of course, you need a head. I suggest you consider Bogen / Manfrotto model 486RC2 which sells for about 65 bucks.

Hope this helps.

[kgosden]

I would definitely agree on the 486CR2 as a very good basic ball head. Well worth the $65. It was one of my favorite camera purchases last year.

[AdamW]

THanks for the advice. It looks like B&H has the low-end Manfrottos on sale. Before I order one, why might I want a ball head instead of a pan/tilt?

Adam

[mjsneddon]

The type of head is a matter of personal choice. I just find a ball head more convenient to use. Bogen's grip type ball head is very convenient unless you need to use panning type movements. However, their grip type head that is configured vertical will not hold much weight steady.

[danidabi]

My mom gave me one of her tripods from her SLR camera. I'm finding that it holds my camera but even when the screw it done the tightest that the camera will spin around on the top of the tripod. Anyone encounter this? It's almost like the screw is to long.

[zmikers]

The type of head is a matter of personal choice. I just find a ball head more convenient to use. Bogen's grip type ball head is very convenient unless you need to use panning type movements. However, their grip type head that is configured vertical will not hold much weight steady.

I am thinking of moving into the world of ball heads too.......I can't belive I just said that, sounds a bit dirty:p .......Anyway. Any thoughts on whether a ball head will make it more difficult to do stitch together panaromas. Or any tips on how the ball head might be used for this. Cheers!

[mjsneddon]

I don't use a ball head for making images that I plan to stitch together. I use a head specifically designed for that purpose. However, I rather imagine that any head that facilitates panning would work fine.

[Rhys]

I suffered cheap trashy tripods for years believing each one was better than the previous. In the end I got a Manfrotto3021BN and a ProMaster 3D head. Perfection - not lightweight but it's stable.

[kgosden]

Pan/Tilt vs. ball head is largely a personal decision. I had always had pan & tilt heads since that seems to be what is built into the cheaper tripods. Pan & tilt heads are great for sports and will work okay for other uses. They are excellent for panning with action if the action is level with the top of the tripod since you can effectively move the camera in a single plane easily. On most pan & tilt heads it takes more than one lever or knob to adjust your camera in more than one plane. A ball head gennerally has a single big ball with a clamp that lets you lock that ball in nearly any position. There is no plate to release to flip to portrait mode; just unlock the ball and flip the camera 90 degrees. Ball heads are smaller for travel since there are no long levers sticking out.

[D Thompson]

Just bought the Manfrotto 3021BN with the 3265 head. I'll see if I made the right decision on the head in a week on a planned trip to Bryce & and surrounding area. I also considered the 322RC2 head, but had trouble with it in the vertical position with my 20D & BG.

[danidabi]

My mom gave me one of her tripods from her SLR camera. I'm finding that it holds my camera but even when the screw it done the tightest that the camera will spin around on the top of the tripod. Anyone encounter this? It's almost like the screw is to long.



I'm still looking for an answer. I think my solution is to put a piece of foam on the top of the tripod and see what happens.....

[AdamW]

I've decided to go with the Bogen-Manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod. I want the PRO model because it has flip levers for the legs and the center column can be mounted sideways. The 3021 is a little more expensive than the 3001, and a little heavier, but a moment with a tape measure convinced me that I need the extra height (I'm 6 ft tall.)

And I'm also getting the Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N). It has a horizontal pan feature that I like, but all the regular benefits of a ball-head.

I'd love to get a carbon-fiber tripod. The lower weight is really attractive to me, but I can't see spending that much cash right now.

[Rhys]

I've decided to go with the Bogen-Manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod. I want the PRO model because it has flip levers for the legs and the center column can be mounted sideways. The 3021 is a little more expensive than the 3001, and a little heavier, but a moment with a tape measure convinced me that I need the extra height (I'm 6 ft tall.)

And I'm also getting the Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N). It has a horizontal pan feature that I like, but all the regular benefits of a ball-head.

I'd love to get a carbon-fiber tripod. The lower weight is really attractive to me, but I can't see spending that much cash right now.

I wanted the BPro butthat the 3021BN instead. It doesn't make much difference to me. I bought a ProMaster 3D head with it also. Works for me!