Tripod recommendations?

[canonwire]

Hey fellas

Can anyone recommend a good lightweight tripod that can hold a (canon) DSLR and maybe a 70-200 f/2.8 lens? My budget would be in the 150 dollar range...

there are a ton of tripods out there, was wondering what people's experience was with their tripods...

Thx!

[JTL]

Here's my next tripod. I do A LOT of traveling and hiking. My current Velbon Maxi-s (fits in pocket!) is just too flimsy. But, after doing my homework I found that this Gitzo is one of the lightest, yet studiest available...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=product&A=ShowProduct&Q=&sku=408476&addedTroughType=replacementLink

It's way over your budget...and at $150.00, your choices are going to be VERY limited. I would save for a good one.

Others here will have more good recommedations as well, I'm sure.

[sunnythepsychocat]

Try the tripod section of PopPhoto's Editor's Choice 2007.
http://www.popphoto.com/americanphotofeatures/4240/editors-choice-2007.html

[griptape]

Can anyone explain to me what makes a tripod worth $450 aside from it being made of "carbon fiber"? I mean it's such a simple thing to machine and assemble, how could any tripod be worth more than $100? Keep in mind I've never really needed a tripod, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around the logic of $20 worth of parts costing so much.

[JTL]

Sunny...I like your tag line: The best zoom lens is two steps forward, and the best wide angle lens is two steps backward.

Unfortunately, while practicing that philosophy, I fell off a cliff...no joke...I thought I was dead...until I hit the ground. I survived, but my camera didn't.

So I would add to your tag line quote "Just remember to take your eye off the viewfinder and watch where you're stepping". :)

Did you notice, the PopPhoto Tripod of The Year" is the Gitzo GT2530 Mountaineer? The only major difference between that one and the one I want is that it can hold around 26-lbs rather than 10-lbs. But it's a little heavier and like $100.00 more expensive...Grippy will love that! :D

[TenD]

Can anyone explain to me what makes a tripod worth $450 aside from it being made of "carbon fiber"? I mean it's such a simple thing to machine and assemble, how could any tripod be worth more than $100? Keep in mind I've never really needed a tripod, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around the logic of $20 worth of parts costing so much.
It's more than what people are willing to pay, there is a HUGE quality difference when you get into better tripods. You'll be lucky if your average WalMart tripod will last you a year with decent use. I wouldn't trust $3000 worth of gear on a cheesy tripod.
My Bogen 3221 legs mated to an Acratech head show no real signs of wearing out after 4 years of hard use. A couple of scratches here and there but no real damage. This set up is pretty heavy, even with the Acratech head.
I just recently purchased my "travel" set up: a set of Benro(inexpensive chinese Gitzo knock-off)legs with a Markins Q3 "Emille" head. I believe Benro is being marketed in the US now as Induro gear. So far I have been happy with this set up, it's small, weighs half of what my Bogen does, and holds a decent load. The price vs a Gitzo has me wondering how long this set up will hold up, only time will tell, but so far it's been a good tripod.

[sunnythepsychocat]

Sunny...I like your tag line: The best zoom lens is two steps forward, and the best wide angle lens is two steps backward.

Unfortunately, while practicing that philosophy, I fell off a cliff...no joke...I thought I was dead...until I hit the ground. I survived, but my camera didn't.

So I would add to your tag line quote "Just remember to take your eye off the viewfinder and watch where you're stepping". :)
Well, I have my shares of tripping over something or running into something, but not as dramatic as falling off a cliff. Glad that you are ok. By the way, was it 20 ft cliff that you fell off? :D

[Did you notice, the PopPhoto Tripod of The Year" is the Gitzo GT2530 Mountaineer? The only major difference between that one and the one I want is that it can hold around 26-lbs rather than 10-lbs. But it's a little heavier and like $100.00 more expensive...Grippy will love that! :D

One thing that a lot of people don't consider when it comes to carbon fiber tripod is the specified weight. It is the weight to shear the leg off, so 26 lbs is not really the total weight that the tripod can carry. It would be less if take the angle into consideration.

By the way, I need a tripod. I think I might get Gitzo GT2530 Mountaineer. With 26 lbs, it would be good for 400/f2.8 IS that I might get one day.

[RichNY]

Can anyone explain to me what makes a tripod worth $450 aside from it being made of "carbon fiber"? I mean it's such a simple thing to machine and assemble, how could any tripod be worth more than $100? Keep in mind I've never really needed a tripod, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around the logic of $20 worth of parts costing so much.

The price is kept high because of the lack of any real competative products that can properly support a kit. Gitzo, Manfratto, and Bogen are all distributed by Bogen USA (that might have something to do with it). The Benro line is an excellent quality rip off of the old Gitzo designs. The Induro line is also manufactured by Benro in China but made to the specifications of the Mac Group and is not a rip off of the Gitzo designs.

The bottom line is that you aren't going to get anything inexpensive, built well, and lightweight. You should also keep in mind that Carbon Fiber is not only lighter but also passes less vibrations than their metal counterparts. (Add the cost of tripod leg warmers to metal tripods if you are shooting in cold weather)

The least expensive tripod that is really acceptable is the Bogen 3021Pro; the best way to go is with the Gitzo carbon fiber.

[FlashX83]

While I'm sure these recommendations are great, I have to think that some of you aren't really considering your audience very well.

The idea that someone like the OP with an XTi and a wide zoom, or griptape with his XT and kit lens, need to spend half what they spent on their entire rig on a tripod alone is crazy.

Those of us who aren't professionals or have big bucks to spend are willing to accept a few extra pounds of weight over paying extra for carbon fiber, most of us don't have to lug it around all day.

Are there not any decent tripods somewhere between the $20 WalMart specials and the $300+ legs+head rigs?

[JTL]

The OP asked for a "good lightweight tripod" that would hold the wieght of a decent size rig. That costs money. There are plenty of crappy heavy tripods (and crappy light ones also) and average/mediocre tripods as well. But the OP asked for good. And good costs money. You don't really need a recommendation for a mediocre tripod...just pick anyone one out there based on the height, weight and budget requirements that you have...

Here's a good lightwieght tripod suitablility survey someone did a while ago. It puts things nicely in perspective and might help with decision criteria. A lot of the tripods are discontinued (its from 2002), but have modern equivalents...

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gkrc/Tripod-Test.html

[griptape]

I find it odd that someone would want a tripod that can hold 26 pounds worth of camera... to be light weight. I mean honestly, if your camera weighs 26 pounds, I think the weight of a tripod is the least of your worries.

I think when us casual, not even semi-pro hobbyists ask for a "good" tripod, we don't mean "good for taking with us on a trip up mount Everest". I think Flash was right about the OP's question. I think we're talking more "good value but still decent".

[JTL]

It's actually 8-lbs per leg (level) striaght up and down. Depending on the tilt and leg angle, the individual legs have to bare the requisite load...

[RichNY]

While I'm sure these recommendations are great, I have to think that some of you aren't really considering your audience very well.

The idea that someone like the OP with an XTi and a wide zoom, or griptape with his XT and kit lens, need to spend half what they spent on their entire rig on a tripod alone is crazy.

Those of us who aren't professionals or have big bucks to spend are willing to accept a few extra pounds of weight over paying extra for carbon fiber, most of us don't have to lug it around all day.

Are there not any decent tripods somewhere between the $20 WalMart specials and the $300+ legs+head rigs?

A Gitzo tripod and RRS ballhead costs more than the 30D. You might not like the fact that it is expensive to buy a decent tripod but if you want to take vibration free steady images AND have it be relatively light weight you've got to plan on spending more than the cost of your camera body. There is no alternative.

If you are willing to have a heavier tripod then the Bogen 3021Pro is the best solution for something that will support your rig and take stable images. Aside from the weight of your equipment you have to realize that as your focal length gets longer that the smallest amount of vibration gets multiplied quite a bit. If you are shooting at 10mm a little vibration won't mess up your image as much as at 200mm.

It's not a message of not understanding the audience, it is delivering the shocking news that one needs to spend some real money to get a decent stable tripod and ballhead and some big $$ to accomplish it in a lightweight format.

[forno]

Amvona AT 858B on ebay;)

[achuang]

A Gitzo tripod and RRS ballhead costs more than the 30D. You might not like the fact that it is expensive to buy a decent tripod but if you want to take vibration free steady images AND have it be relatively light weight you've got to plan on spending more than the cost of your camera body. There is no alternative.

If you are willing to have a heavier tripod then the Bogen 3021Pro is the best solution for something that will support your rig and take stable images. Aside from the weight of your equipment you have to realize that as your focal length gets longer that the smallest amount of vibration gets multiplied quite a bit. If you are shooting at 10mm a little vibration won't mess up your image as much as at 200mm.

It's not a message of not understanding the audience, it is delivering the shocking news that one needs to spend some real money to get a decent stable tripod and ballhead and some big $$ to accomplish it in a lightweight format.

I agree with you there Rich, I've got the Manfrotto/Bogen 3021BPRO and although it is a heavy tripod it is very stable and solid for the money. The stability of it wasn't the main reason why i chose to buy it, it was the height of the thing without raising the centre post. It's tall enough that i don't have to bend down when using.