I hate my cheap tripod
May 14, 2013 22:24:43 #
I'm guessing a fluid head is the way to go. are sun pack tripods with a fluid head any good. I'm on a budget
May 14, 2013 22:40:56 #
I use 3 Bamboo canes from my back yard and 2 sticks and 6 rubber bands. Works Great. Ah, I'm Fibbing. I'm new at this and don't even know whut a panhead is. I thought it was a Harley. I've Yanked your leg enough, I'm outta here. My Name is Eddie Reed. I live in Rock Spring Ga. If you wanna throw a rock at me.
May 14, 2013 22:46:16 #
missletoe wrote:
I'm guessing a fluid head is the way to go. are sun pack tripods with a fluid head any good. I'm on a budget
Sunpack tripods cover a range from garbage to decent. The cheap ones vibrate in a light breeze. Ritz Camera carried them and I would't trust a P&S on them—the cheap (under about $60) ones.
How about model #.
Fluid heads are fine for movie work. The dampening that makes them good for movie panning could drive me nuts for still work.
May 14, 2013 22:50:37 #
captain thank you for the reply. the reason I was thinking fluid head tripod is because I used to be in the motion picture business employed business assistant cameraman. you mentioned a model number for the Sun pack but no number. what would you suggest other than a fluid head?
May 14, 2013 22:55:01 #
FredB
Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.
You can pick up a Manfrotto aluminum 055XPRO off Amazon for about $200, and a nice ball head for around $130. Problem solved.
May 14, 2013 22:55:59 #
How about a Manfrotto grip ball head? They have it listed under "joystick" for some reason.
May 14, 2013 23:01:11 #
May 14, 2013 23:13:37 #
A tripod and head are a very personal purchase. many people get by with close to junk for many years if they have light gear or are no so judgemental as to the quality of their work. You NEED to match your tripod and head to your camera, lenses and shooting requirements. These requirements vary greatly so no one will be able to give you a valid suggestion without a lot more information.
I personally use 5 sets of legs and 7 heads regularly depending upon that shoots needs. No one tripod and head combo is the be-all, end-all choice for anyone.
Also, limiting your budget also limits your quality exponentially/. A GOOD tripod and head is ALWAYS worth the price.
My grandfather offered me a piece of advice when I was 11 years old, "You don't have to buy the best there is, so long as you buy the best you can afford." Another expression also comes to mind, "Buy once, Cry once."
I personally use 5 sets of legs and 7 heads regularly depending upon that shoots needs. No one tripod and head combo is the be-all, end-all choice for anyone.
Also, limiting your budget also limits your quality exponentially/. A GOOD tripod and head is ALWAYS worth the price.
My grandfather offered me a piece of advice when I was 11 years old, "You don't have to buy the best there is, so long as you buy the best you can afford." Another expression also comes to mind, "Buy once, Cry once."
May 14, 2013 23:32:29 #
missletoe wrote:
captain thank you for the reply. the reason I was thinking fluid head tripod is because I used to be in the motion picture business employed business assistant cameraman. you mentioned a model number for the Sun pack but no number. what would you suggest other than a fluid head?
No, I meant YOU should give a model #. Just asking if SunPack i s OK is too broad.
I like the heads from Markins, Kirk, RRS, but I think you want something less expensive. Some of the Manfrotto heads are OK, but a lot depends on what you want to shoot. Shoot most, anyway.
May 14, 2013 23:34:19 #
thank you for the advice shooter. your grandfather was a very intelligent man. when i purchased my camera a Canon f4. I bought what you might call a bundle. it came with a very inexpensive focus tripod. its very sticky if you know what I mean. I plan on buying inexpensive but suitable equipment until the ex wife gets off my back. today using the 300 millimeter lens I tried to take a picture of a dragonfly about 125 feet away. it was quite frustrating with the sticky tripod. eventually I did get a good shot. in the future I plan on buying more expensive equipment but I'm kind of stuck now.
May 14, 2013 23:47:22 #
okay a ball head or a gimble head ? I like using a long lens for nature photography. Be it Birds wildlife or Insects usually at a distance. I do plan on buying an inexpensive toyo 500 mm lens in the near future. when I can I usually shoot in the Sequoia National Forest.
May 15, 2013 00:14:57 #
alright stupid stupid me. I foolishly did not remember that I can unscrew the handle on the tripod head to make it more limber. I might be able to live with what I have for the time being. what I have gathered much education hear from you kind folks as to what to buy in the future. thank you all very much
May 15, 2013 02:14:14 #
Where did you see $330. Besides, you can find those heads elsewhere for less. Afterall, you do want a quality, head, right?
http://www.manfrotto.us/photo-heads-joystick
http://www.manfrotto.us/photo-heads-joystick
May 15, 2013 02:24:28 #
I have had a super heavy weight aluminum tripod for many years - with an old obsolete head on it - I just bought a pistol grip ball head for $50 on Amazon - 8lb to 15 lb load weight. so far I am very happy with it.
May 15, 2013 03:36:55 #
FredB wrote:
You can pick up a Manfrotto aluminum 055XPRO off Amazon for about $200, and a nice ball head for around $130. Problem solved.
This is a VERY popular tripod...and it's pretty beefy...you wouldn't be disappointed in it.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.