Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Google 'Manfrotto Magic Arm'. You will need a clamp at one end and a camera platform at the other (sold separately because the Magic Arm is used for lighting and all kinds of other things as well as for camera support) but $150 or so should see the lot.

Cheers,

R.

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

it is hard for me to use a tripod this sounds like just the ticket
thanks

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I would consider a tripod that will hold your camera/lens properly (weight wise).

I prefer the leg extensions that have the "flip" locks. You flip one way to unlock and flip back to lock. I have a spare tripod, that you screw to tighten & loosen. I'm always afraid I will over tighten and break it.

You may be looking at a tripod that will require a head (has the tilt/swivel adjustments and actual camera mount).

I would go to a camera store that buys used and look for tripods. The used ones may come with a head included.

Maybe not a "in stone requirement", look for a way you can hang your camera bag underneath from the center to add weight and stability.

Hope this helps!
Pat

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Halo,
Look at any of the Manfrotto tripods, they are relatively light and great quality.

George

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

Just make sure the tripod is sturdy and doesn't shake easily with your camera mounted. If you get too light weight for the weight of your camera and lens it will be more likely to shake, especially on a windy day. Any name brand is OK.
I use a small travel version of aluminum Manfrotto and a heavy duty carbon fiber Giottos with ball heads on both. The Manfrotto is a little shaky with my heavy lenses but it isn't meant to handle that much weight. It costs around 139.00 with ball head. The larger one I bought used on Ebay for 335.00 without the head.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Fully agree with you George. Buying A bad tripod can make your life miserable. I am very happy with my Manfrotto, And I know others who are equally happy.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

Manfrotto are very good,i would look at used tripods,
should find some on craigslist or local swap meets,things like tri pods are great to buy used because they are basic
and solid,and about half the cost of new one,i paid $120.00
for my Manfrotto with a 501 head (501 is great if you plan to do videos with your canon) ,you can go to the Manfrotto web site for more info,good luck

ephraim Imperio

Here are some people who designs camera mounts for wheelchairs: Please scroll down for pictures.

http://community.seas.columbia.edu/cslp/presentations/spring07/Wheelchair%20Tripod.pdf

Rollo62 Loc: Memphis, TN

I found a $150. ball head with hand trigger release at best buy. It was sturdy with great adjustment with all of the features of a high dollar one. They also had the same one in a lighter model for approx. $69. which may do you fine. It depends on your camera weight. It may have been a Sunpak

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Had terrible time when I tried to get away with cheap tripods. (especially Best buy) I can't urge you enough, save until you can buy a high quality tripod. You will waist a lot of money on the way up if you don't.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

The PX is a great place to buy.
Ret Army here.

paulroddy

I use a gorilla tripod sold at many camera stores or on line through amazon. for point and shoot the small tripod is good but for heavier cameras with telephoto you need the larger sturdier tripod. go for @ $50

Rollo62 Loc: Memphis, TN

I agree with you chewy,but when you're on a budget. I did check out KEH & they did have some quality tripods at a good price, including the SUNPAK.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

A tripod for a wheelchair... go to filmtools.com and look under their 5/8" grip equipment, as well as their clamps and c-stand arms. You could easily cobble together a reasonably solid wheelchair camera mount. They even have a Manfrotto 494 ball head with a 5/8" receiver. It might be a bit Rube Goldberg, but it will work.

I have a teleprompter system made of this stuff holding up a monitor, a camera, and a wireless mic system all suspended from the top of a door frame. I will send a pic when the sun comes up.

As to economical tripods... that is a big can of worms. If you are using lenses, say, up to a 70-200-ish zoom, a variety of tripods would be okay, not great, but okay in the under $250 market. Under $150, and the list narrows. Under $100, and you can buy something yearning to BE a tripod.

It also depends on your intended use. If you don't mind stooping, for example. Generally, in terms of ergonomics, you want to have a tripod which is comfortable to use whilst standing. Tripods that are human height really need to have robust legs, and not too many leg sections. The locking mechanisms on tripod legs (and many leg sections) can deliver flimsiness.

A while ago, I posted somewhere around here, and often on the "Today's Moon" section, that even a $300 Manfrotto tripod (without a head, which is extra) is basically insufficient for big, heavy lenses like a 300/2.8 on a DX camera (18x magnification, that.) When a tripod is not up to a task, we talk about "coffee nerves." Manfrottos have coffee nerves, given a load which proves it.

In professional video and motion pictures, we do not even think of tripod/head combinations costing under $2,000, and $9,000 is common for a big, capable one. (They are amongst the cheapest rental items, oddly.)

In stills photography, you can get some excellent tripods, but none exist under $250, which is the land of "lousy" to "pretty good."

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Gave away my Sunpac. under certain circumstances your tripod can become your most important piece of equipment.