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Tripod options
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Mar 10, 2017 11:19:25   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
jim in TC wrote:
I am in the market for a "medium quality" tripod. I am not a pro. Since I rather rarely work with a tripod, I am reluctant to follow the (no doubt) good advice that I should save up for a really high quality product, which dominate previous tripod commentaries on this site. My needs are relatively simple:

1. The camera most used would be a Sony HX 300 Bridge camera weighing less than 2 pounds.
2. Prefer something at least 65" in height, though I will not be using a tripod for long spans of time so bending down a bit is OK.
3. Prefer to spend under $100 and happier at less.
4. Weight of the tripod is not much of an issue since I have a little travel pod and this one would not need to fit into travel plans.
5. Will want a pan head, level optional.

There are lots of cheap ones ($30 and under) out there, and I would like to bump up enough to gain a bit of added stability and higher quality materials/durability.
I am in the market for a "medium quality"... (show quote)


The tripod you are seeking is most likely non-existent and certainly would not be "medium" grade. It would be very low-grade. A good tripod cost several hundred dollars and upwards. Try seeking out used tripods and you may find something within your budget, or start saving for a more reliable tripod to buy in the future while you use a lesser tripod now.

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Mar 10, 2017 14:43:26   #
lightyear
 
Also carefully consider how you will mount your camera on the tripod. I suggest a good ballhead, prices of which have substantially lowered from the Arca Swiss I bought years ago. I suggest an Arca Swiss compatible ballhead, a good Arca Swiss camera plate that fits the camera ( Kirk, RRS, perhaps others). Consider camera and lens maximum weight to determine ballhead capacity and then correlate all to select tripod. Carbon fiber tripods are slightly lighter to carry, more expensive, but require more care. Visit a camera store ( if there is one near you) to see actual differences in tripods and ballheads. All can be purchased ussed once you know wht you want. The Thom Hogan tripod article is very helpful.

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Mar 10, 2017 14:58:43   #
kd5jbk
 
This is the one I have. holds mt T1i with my tamron 28-105 just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8

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Mar 10, 2017 15:04:40   #
jim in TC Loc: Traverse City, Michigan
 
kd5jbk wrote:
This is the one I have. holds mt T1i with my tamron 28-105 just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8


Thanks...this will go on my growing list of those to consider. I assume the quick release on this one is proprietary, and not the Arca Swiss one that I am leaning toward...do you use the quick release and if so, do you find it 'good enough?' I have a couple cameras, but only one that is likely to find itself mounted on a tripod (pretty light weight 'bridge' camera).

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Mar 10, 2017 15:15:16   #
kd5jbk
 
It is proprietary. The quick release head has a locking latch that prevents the QR plate from popping off randomly. You have to open the latch and then press a secondary latch before the QR plate will release. I feel confident enough about the QR head (the part the WR plate snaps into) that I bought another one from Dolica (have to call and specifically ask for it. It was only $7.99). I even designed and 3d printed a belt mount for the extra head socket that I hang my camera on when I need to use both of my hands for something. I have had to chase after my kids at a full sprint with the camera on my belt and I have never had it move or the latch even halfway release. I'll take a pic when I get home and might post a short youtube vid if I can get my pc camera working.


*edit* quick release HEAD has the latch not the plate that attaches to the camera)

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Mar 10, 2017 15:24:10   #
romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
 
jim in TC wrote:
I am in the market for a "medium quality" tripod. I am not a pro. Since I rather rarely work with a tripod, I am reluctant to follow the (no doubt) good advice that I should save up for a really high quality product, which dominate previous tripod commentaries on this site. My needs are relatively simple:

1. The camera most used would be a Sony HX 300 Bridge camera weighing less than 2 pounds.
2. Prefer something at least 65" in height, though I will not be using a tripod for long spans of time so bending down a bit is OK.
3. Prefer to spend under $100 and happier at less.
4. Weight of the tripod is not much of an issue since I have a little travel pod and this one would not need to fit into travel plans.
5. Will want a pan head, level optional.

There are lots of cheap ones ($30 and under) out there, and I would like to bump up enough to gain a bit of added stability and higher quality materials/durability.
I am in the market for a "medium quality"... (show quote)

Either shop used or increase your budget.

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Mar 10, 2017 15:28:27   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
bsprague wrote:
I put $80 to $100 in the selector at B&H and came up with 15 choices. A couple were 65" or taller. The "best" appeared to be the Manfrotto Compact Advanced Aluminum Tripod (Black).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1059031-REG/manfrotto_mkcompactadv_bk_compact_advanced_tripod_black.html


Though I would try to steer you away from spending so little on a tripod, this seems like a nice one for the money. I have a few tripods myself, until I got serious and and bought a good one! The cheaper ones I've bought do make nice stands for my off-camera outdoor flash and a few other things. Finally, please never leave a camera along on that tripod in even the slightest breeze. Best of luck.

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Mar 10, 2017 16:58:01   #
racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.
 
Jim in TC. My little 2 cents check out Slik.com. Lots of good things

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Mar 10, 2017 17:03:34   #
racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.
 
Oh let me add mine holds my d3300 and huge 200-500 just fine. Can even add a flash lol.

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Mar 10, 2017 17:24:46   #
lightyear
 
The quick release on the illustrated Dolica tripod in my opinion is not very good, not as firm a grip as the arca swiss design, which is utilized by slick, vanguard, RRS, Kirk, Markins, and man other ballheads as well as Arca Swiss. You want a rigid metal to metal mount, and the ancient manfrotto design is NOT rigid. The Arca Swiss design clamps close shut either with a knob( which automatically adapts to camera plates of slighty varying widths) or the faster closing lever which is less adaptable to slightly varying plate widths. Most ballheads now come with the clamp built in to the ballhead, and some are better than others. In general, the size of the ball in millilmeters denotes the weight capacity and firmness of the ballhead. Bigger balls are better.

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Mar 10, 2017 19:34:36   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
jim in TC wrote:
I am in the market for a "medium quality" tripod. I am not a pro. Since I rather rarely work with a tripod, I am reluctant to follow the (no doubt) good advice that I should save up for a really high quality product, which dominate previous tripod commentaries on this site. My needs are relatively simple:

1. The camera most used would be a Sony HX 300 Bridge camera weighing less than 2 pounds.
2. Prefer something at least 65" in height, though I will not be using a tripod for long spans of time so bending down a bit is OK.
3. Prefer to spend under $100 and happier at less.
4. Weight of the tripod is not much of an issue since I have a little travel pod and this one would not need to fit into travel plans.
5. Will want a pan head, level optional.

There are lots of cheap ones ($30 and under) out there, and I would like to bump up enough to gain a bit of added stability and higher quality materials/durability.
I am in the market for a "medium quality"... (show quote)

Reply
 
 
Mar 10, 2017 19:40:41   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
jim in TC wrote:
I am in the market for a "medium quality" tripod. I am not a pro. Since I rather rarely work with a tripod, I am reluctant to follow the (no doubt) good advice that I should save up for a really high quality product, which dominate previous tripod commentaries on this site. My needs are relatively simple:

1. The camera most used would be a Sony HX 300 Bridge camera weighing less than 2 pounds.
2. Prefer something at least 65" in height, though I will not be using a tripod for long spans of time so bending down a bit is OK.
3. Prefer to spend under $100 and happier at less.
4. Weight of the tripod is not much of an issue since I have a little travel pod and this one would not need to fit into travel plans.
5. Will want a pan head, level optional.

There are lots of cheap ones ($30 and under) out there, and I would like to bump up enough to gain a bit of added stability and higher quality materials/durability.
I am in the market for a "medium quality"... (show quote)


A bit heavy and probably overkill for your camera, but this is one I recommend HIGHLY - AND, fits your budget. The Pro400DX is a smaller version - but usually costs the same if not more ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371546840953?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Read the reviews at ebay and B&H .....!

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Mar 10, 2017 21:32:58   #
Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)
 
jim in TC wrote:
I am in the market for a "medium quality" tripod. I am not a pro. Since I rather rarely work with a tripod, I am reluctant to follow the (no doubt) good advice that I should save up for a really high quality product, which dominate previous tripod commentaries on this site. My needs are relatively simple:

1. The camera most used would be a Sony HX 300 Bridge camera weighing less than 2 pounds.
2. Prefer something at least 65" in height, though I will not be using a tripod for long spans of time so bending down a bit is OK.
3. Prefer to spend under $100 and happier at less.
4. Weight of the tripod is not much of an issue since I have a little travel pod and this one would not need to fit into travel plans.
5. Will want a pan head, level optional.

There are lots of cheap ones ($30 and under) out there, and I would like to bump up enough to gain a bit of added stability and higher quality materials/durability.
I am in the market for a "medium quality"... (show quote)


As the price goes down so does the quality and the overall height.

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Mar 10, 2017 21:47:46   #
kd5jbk
 
Here is a shot of the head in the latched and unlached position. The lever will not open more than half way until the top smaller is depressed as well. Once open the latch is held open by the silver pin that pops up and locks into a small slot on the latch. You snap the quick release plate into the socket which depresses the PIN and closes the latch and the camera is now locked to the Head







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Mar 10, 2017 22:06:40   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Edia wrote:
The tripod selection is the most frustrating thing on this site. Some people think that you need a 200 mph Ferrari to drive through the streets of Manhattan when a Smart Car will get you there just as fast. In some instances, you can lay your camera on your kitchen table without a tripod and get good results. To me, it is snobbery to use an expensive tripod with a 2 lb. camera and lens. Even cheap tripods will hold the camera steady under most conditions. I own a Polaroid tripod that is aluminum and plastic. It is a piece of crap but it still hold my 4 lb. camera and lenses steady. If I acquire heavier gear and go hiking in the wilderness, then I will get a better tripod. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on a tripod that is not needed. Tripods don't change from year to year like cameras. Why buy more than you need?
The tripod selection is the most frustrating thing... (show quote)



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