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ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod?
Jul 4, 2018 14:23:09   #
gloryg Loc: New York
 
Hello,

I will be participating in a sunset photography event next week.

I checked my tripods and just discovered the one I was planning to use was broken.

I actually have not used a Tripod in years.

I also am new to sunset photography.

I located the following tripod on Amazon:

ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(black)

The reviews were decent.

I will be using a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

I didn't want to make to much of an investment since I really do not use a tripod on a regular bases.

Will my camera fit this tripod, is it a study and would it meet my needs?

Also how important is the height?

I looked at a few that were 72 inches. That would be taller then I am.

Thank you

Reply
Jul 4, 2018 14:40:16   #
blackest Loc: Ireland
 
gloryg wrote:
Hello,

I will be participating in a sunset photography event next week.

I checked my tripods and just discovered the one I was planning to use was broken.

I actually have not used a Tripod in years.

I also am new to sunset photography.

I located the following tripod on Amazon:

ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(black)

The reviews were decent.

I will be using a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

I didn't want to make to much of an investment since I really do not use a tripod on a regular bases.

Will my camera fit this tripod, is it a study and would it meet my needs?

Also how important is the height?

I looked at a few that were 72 inches. That would be taller then I am.

Thank you
Hello, br br I will be participating in a sunset ... (show quote)


There are better tripods for not much more money. Most of the important stuff is plastic and will bend under load.

https://www.amazon.com/Kingjoy-Monopod-Shooting-compact-SF046/dp/B07BBVMT68/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1530729378&sr=8-25&keywords=kingjoy+tripod

This isn't a great tripod but its better than the one you are looking at and less than $10 more. Probably not good enough for a DSLR but maybe solid enough to use with the sx60.

Most tripods give an extended height with the centre column extended, this will flop around. So the practical height is quite a bit lower.

Reply
Jul 4, 2018 14:50:41   #
TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York
 
While I don't own that particular Zomei Tripod, I do own two others, and I find them to be decently constructed and reasonably stable. I first came across them in a camera store in Washington outside Seattle. While I always take purchasing advice from salespeople with a certain degree of skepticism, I was told that the Zomei factory actually produces more expensive tripods on the same production line. Whether that was true or not, they do seem similar to other more expensive and major brand models, and I'm comfortable trusting my D750 and 5100 with some heavy glass on them.

Height shouldn't be a concern, only if it were too short to be of a usable height. You don't need to extend a Tripod to it's full height, actually using it less then maximum extension will contribute to making it a more stable platform.

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Jul 5, 2018 06:44:18   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
gloryg wrote:
Hello,

I will be participating in a sunset photography event next week.

I checked my tripods and just discovered the one I was planning to use was broken.

I actually have not used a Tripod in years.

I also am new to sunset photography.

I located the following tripod on Amazon:

ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(black)

The reviews were decent.

I will be using a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

I didn't want to make to much of an investment since I really do not use a tripod on a regular bases.

Will my camera fit this tripod, is it a study and would it meet my needs?

Also how important is the height?

I looked at a few that were 72 inches. That would be taller then I am.

Thank you
Hello, br br I will be participating in a sunset ... (show quote)


At wider focal lengths vibration will not likely be an issue. But if you zoom the camera to it's 1200 mm equivalent there is no chance a tripod like the Zomei will be suitable.

A taller, less stable tripod will be more stable if you don't extend the center column and the lowest, thinnest leg sections.

The fact that a tripod company makes bigger, more expensive tripods means nothing unless you are considering one of those models.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 08:43:47   #
TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York
 
Just thought I'd chime in a little bit more.

Yes it will fit your Camera. Sorry, should have answered that before.

What would be your ideal height to work with? You do not need to extend a tripod to it's full height to take your photos or video.

How does your other tripods not fit with this particular endeavor, and would not be good for this one event?

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 09:31:37   #
Eddy Vortex
 
I shoot sunset all the time with a tele and I never use a tripod. You're going to be shooting at a fast shutter speed, over 1/500, so overexposure is going to be your problem.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 09:45:27   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
gloryg wrote:
Hello,

I will be participating in a sunset photography event next week.

I checked my tripods and just discovered the one I was planning to use was broken.

I actually have not used a Tripod in years.

I also am new to sunset photography.

I located the following tripod on Amazon:

ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(black)

The reviews were decent.

I will be using a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

I didn't want to make to much of an investment since I really do not use a tripod on a regular bases.

Will my camera fit this tripod, is it a study and would it meet my needs?

Also how important is the height?

I looked at a few that were 72 inches. That would be taller then I am.

Thank you
Hello, br br I will be participating in a sunset ... (show quote)


My recommendation for you - please read the user ratings ! - hope it meets your budget. All the current Slik tripods are very good values at their price points.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-Pro-400DX-Tripod-Legs-Black-with-3-Way-Pan-Tilt-Quick-Release-Head-He/292145419144?epid=97505710&hash=item4405395388:g:NEIAAOSwjvJZOr8p:sc:UPSGround!34997!US!-1

..

Reply
 
 
Jul 5, 2018 09:49:52   #
gloryg Loc: New York
 
Thank you for your response. I really do not use Tripods. This is the first time I will be using one in years.

I have four Tripods.

I had just purchased one at a swap meet. This was a good size sturdy one or so it seemed. It would suppose to be brand new from a camera store that was going out of business.

This was one I was planning to use. I checked it before I purchased it. It seemed fine.

When I opened it yesterday a screw was missing on one of the legs.

My other three are on the light side and I would not chance to to my current camera on them.

I checked out several other Tripods on Amazon again.

I finally went with the ZOMEI 55.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 09:51:25   #
gloryg Loc: New York
 
Oh I am only about five feet tall so it seems the 55 inches should be fine for me.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 11:40:59   #
Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado
 
Something you perhaps already knew, but it is good to repeat:
The heaviest tripod you can put your hands on - is the best.
Saying that, for your particular case, many tripods under $ 100.00 will do.

Look for quick flip locks, height extended up to your face so you don't have to bend too much, independent leg movement, if you travel, make sure the folded tripod will fit to your bag, legs with rubber and pointed ends, and a decent ball head you might need buy separately.
For the camera you mentioned I would bring a drinking water bottle (filled) and hang it from the center column. This extra weight provides the heft and minimizes vibrations.
I own about 10 tripods of different weights and this kind of a tripod I would bring on this assignment.
You may look also into the SLIK SPRINT line of tripods among others.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 11:49:00   #
gloryg Loc: New York
 
Thank you everyone for all your feedback.

Reply
 
 
Jul 5, 2018 14:15:51   #
Kuzano
 
Center column extension doesn't count as tripod. Everything above where the legs come together is a monopod. The more center column you extend above the leg join, the more monopod you are using. It really is that simple!

Second tip. Get a tripod, or modify your new one to add a hook under the center column or leg join. Then carry a mesh bag collapsed in your gear bag. Fill it with rubble or stones on site to add weight to the tripod/camera for more stability. It works quite well. Another option is a milk jug filled with water on site to hang off the bottom of the tripod. Overly heavy tripods are just Bullshit!

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 18:33:48   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Two things to consider - you get what you pay for, and, you don't ever get what you don't pay for.

Reply
Jul 5, 2018 22:38:28   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
gloryg wrote:
Hello,

I will be participating in a sunset photography event next week.

I checked my tripods and just discovered the one I was planning to use was broken.

I actually have not used a Tripod in years.

I also am new to sunset photography.

I located the following tripod on Amazon:

ZOMEI 55" Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Folding SLR Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(black)

The reviews were decent.

I will be using a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

I didn't want to make to much of an investment since I really do not use a tripod on a regular bases.

Will my camera fit this tripod, is it a study and would it meet my needs?

Also how important is the height?

I looked at a few that were 72 inches. That would be taller then I am.

Thank you
Hello, br br I will be participating in a sunset ... (show quote)


Consider the experience level of the reviewers before deciding if they were decent.

If you are concerned about making an investment, then pass on this, borrow one from a friend, do your workshop and be glad you did not waste $30 on something that is very flimsy and not at all stable.

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