cezlaw

So I'm relatively new to photography and getting the right right equipment is obviously important. I'm currently shooting a Sony ar7iii with a Sony 24-70 2.8 GM. This isn't an overly heavy set up but I do plan on picking up a bigger zoom lens. I'm focusing mostly on landscape and long exposure photography. So having a relatively light weight and flexible tripod with a decent weight load capacity is important. I generally research things to death before I make a purchase - which is both a blessing and a curse.

I'm new here and thought it would be another opportunity to continue to research things to death by picking the collective brilliant brains on this forum.

So what are your tripod recommendations? Money really isn't a barrier but of course I want good value for my money.

Thanks!

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

If you know the weight of camera and lens do a google search. Your hits will mostly start with the most expensive ones.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Tripods seem to be like camera bags. There's always another one I should buy. Two good articles -

http://bythom.com/support.htm
http://www.sansmirror.com/articles/how-much-tripod-do-you-need.html

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I personally use Benro tripods and a Sirui Monopod. The Benro's are high quality at a reasonable cost and very sturdy. Another one to look up is Nest tripods, also an excellent choice.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

"Lightweight and flexible tripod", and "long exposure photography" do NOT go together.
Anytime you are doing long exposures you NEED a very stable platform. Carbon fiber will br required for your light weight needs, and solud rigidity will be needed for elimination of movement and vibration. Look for a tripod with the fewest joints possible and forget about anything that needs a center column extended to reach your needed working height. A tripod with no center column at all will ALWAYS be the most stable.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

"Light weight and flexible" are your pitfall here. Call it an oxymoron. 2 years ago while on a workshop on Lake Superior I watched a woman extend her version of a light weight tripod. She set it on the rock we were on and turned to get her camera out of it's bag. Her light weight tripod was blown over and tumbled into the water. The woman learned a very valuable lesson and it did not cost her too much in grief or money. We've all heard similar stories about tripods going over cliffs, some are true and very expensive lessons. Junk yards are littered with light weight failures. Buy cheap-buy often in an axiom for tripods you do not want to learn the hard way. Good value for your money means strong and sturdy, not flexible and light weight. It also means about 60% of the tripods on the market are junk. If you value your Sony, and it sounds as though you do, why hang it on cheap and weak? For assistance you might look at RSS's primer for tripods and how to select one. Their gear is as good as their advice, but they are just one reputable tripod maker. One of your best options would be to call MTShooter at The Camera Cottage in Billings, MT. Carter not only sells great products he dispenses better advice. By including him in your research you will get the good value for your money that you seek. Good luck in your search, it is too important a piece of gear to make costly mistakes.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Since you have already chosen a camera system, lenses, and tripods are investments. By that I mean you can always upgrade to the better body with more MP and features, but the lenses and tripod (monopod etc.) should be purchased with the thought of lasting you.

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

I'm just going with a few suggestions. First don't get drawn in by a weight capacity, heavier capacity is not necessarily better. Second stability and steadiness, i.e. ability not to fall over and dampen vibration should be considered. Lastly pack up your gear and head for your local camera store to see what they recommend and a try out a few or a lot of different makes and style's. I'm not going advocate for any particular brand here as there are many from reasonably priced to crazily expensive, that is for you to decide on how much to budget.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I suggest you check out Really Right Stuff. They have very high quality tripods and other gear. There is also a lot of information on their website for learning about how and why to choose things they sell. And if you cannot find exactly what you want or what you need to know, their customer service is exceptional. Either by email or telephone. And yes, they do have travel type tripods.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Tripod and tripod head selection should be based not just on the load capacity, but also on the largest focal length of lens you will be using and the camera you use. Inexpensive tripods allow too much vibration induced by wind and other factors and do not dampen vibration well. This vibration shows up as blur and is more obvious at long focal lengths and with higher resolution cameras. Carbon fiber tripods are best at dampening vibration. I user Really Right Stuff tripods and heads. Their web site contains excellent videos on selecting a tripod and tripod head, and their support personnel are very helpful when you call them. While their tripods are relatively expensive, no one who takes their advice will regret it.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

B&H has a tripod selector. There are check blocks for every conceivable feature. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Complete-Tripods-with-Heads/ci/2635/N/4075788742

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

The problem with the B&H selector is that you have to already know what values of those parameters are appropriate for you. Most people choosing a tripod for the first time, or even the second or third time for some, need help in choosing those values and the B&H selector is of no help there.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

For a few years I've been using a $100 carbon fiber model sold (once) by Costco and made somewhere in China. I actually like it!

What do you use?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Really Right Stuff Versa Series 2 with a BH-40 ball head

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Series-2-Support-Packages

You go on photo workshops and everybody has a RRS tripod.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That's only $1300 to $1700. My hobby limit$ are a bit lower!!