Creakj

I am not happy with the tripod I have...I find it cumbersome and not easy to use. Can someone recommend one they are happy with? Thanks.

larrycumba

ltruex Loc: Waco TX

My tripod is Manfroto 3001Pro it is not excessive in size (almost too light) aluminium, the center has a short post and can be removed to spread the legs out and put the camera on the ground with spread legs for support, yet it can raise up fully extended just beyond my eye level on tip toes. If only it had legs that I could articulate would it be better for my use.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I use the Bogen #3021PRO in the field, VERY light, legs spread out to almost 90 degrees, center post will reverse so you can actually put your camera 2' down into a hole if you need to, full height extension is just over 77 inches to the top of my Bogen #3055 ball head (Bare 3021 only goes to 70 inches). And, like any other quality tripod, its as stable as the ground you stand it on. Oh, and durable is well, mine has stood up to 30 years of abuse and shooting in the field. Mine is matte finish aluminum but its also available in black.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Manfrotto 055X Pro B is my most sturdy one. I also have a Promaster that is light, but I replaced it's head with a Manfrotto PanHead, the smaller version of the head on the other tripod. I like having this choice or I can have both cameras on a tirpod, one extended and one low. This allows me to get different shots (different type lens on each camera).

flytyer57 Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas

I use a Manfrotto 190XPROB with 322RC2 pistol grip and a 300N panoramic head.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

There is no such thing as a perfect tripod. As the old saying goes, "Light, solid and cheap. Choose any two."

My favourite tripods lately are carbon fibre from Redged. To quote one of the founders of the company, "It's only 90% as good as a Gitzo but it's only half the price."

IF you have the money (I don't) then Gitzo carbon-fibre are wonderful. After that, Redged. After that... Well, Manfrottos are solid and cheap, and the smaller Sliks are solid and not too expensive, and Benbos are solid and incredibly versatile but heavy and not very cheap either...

Between us, my wife and I have something lie 15 full-size tripods: she covers tripods for Shutterbug magazine. Her advice is not to expect too much from any tripod costing under $150 new. Our most expensive tripod cost us several hundred second-hand, but it was pushing $2000 new: a BIG (very solid) Linhof (maximum height about 2 metres/6 foot 6).

Our web-master put up the following draft which you may find useful, on tripod features, weight, cost, etc.: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps%20how%20tripod.html but I really ought to get around to revising and illustrating it.

Cheers,

R.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Gitzo is about the best. Also the toughest, and most reliable over time. My Gitzo Tele Studex Giant (12 FEET max height) and well over 20 lbs. has flown around the world under baggage handlers, been in the ocean, the studio, the swamp, the desert, and has supported $600K movie cameras; a massive, lift your Prius off the ground jib; and has taken 30+ years of punishment from me, whose once upon a time high torque hands stripped the threads of most things Mole Richardson through over-tightening. Never could stand things slipping. Gitzos have no bad habits, like coffee nerves, as seen in most tripods NOT Gitzo.

I have a pretty heavy duty Manfrotto tripod, but it has annoying tendencies, like reframing on locking down. Not right, that. Gitzos don't do that.

A tripod should be considered the equal partner, of equal value to your camera in terms of shooting performance. Choose wisely!

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

Go to a big camera store such as B&H Photo, look & open various tripods & heads to see which ones meet your needs within your price range.

You will find you may need more than 1. One for local shooting, and another to put into your suitcase for an airplane trip.

Make sure you list what & when you are going to use it. If you are hiking you may want a light one, In the very cold a carbon fibre, in the water one that can handle it, etc.

Also the head is important. Get the BEST one you can afford.

FrankKello

There are so many. You may only be satisfied with a tripod that is very expensive. They are light weight and sturdy at the same time. I think when it comes to tripods, "You get what you pay for" may be the rule.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I have the Manfrotto 055XB.
I bought it to handle a little heavier camera rig and it has the "flip" releases to extend the legs that I find very handy. I don't care for the "unscrew and tighten" type releases to extend the legs.
I have not had any flip release failures.
Pat

haingu

Look at this one! I use it with my 2-lb camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324830693&sr=8-1

Willy Loc: Alaska

If you can afford it go with a Gitzo tripod and a Really Right Stuff ball head and clamp. The set up is extremely easy which will cause you to use more...
Read this..
http://bythom.com/support.htm

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Most people agree that Gitzo are the 'gold standard' (as they should be at the price), but other tripod heads, at least as good, come from Novoflex, Arca-Swiss and others. The catch is that a good tripod head can cost as much as many whole tripods.

Cheers,

R.

Nevada Chuck

Manfrotto is always a safe buy, as is Gitzo. The only problem with Gitzo, however, is that they operate under the delusion that their tripods are worth their weight in gold. Having said that, they are more or less acknowledged as the best there is. Like many things in this world, the absolute best isn't worth the asking price, but you have to pay it if you want the very best.