frodoboy

This is the best deal you will find and it is new! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cullmann-Magnesit-532-Tripod-Kit-with-Alpha-9000-Video-Head-CU55321VIDEO-/371686370603?hash=item568a3bed2b:g:JSAAAOSwopRYkchk
I have the carbon fiber version of this tripod and a friend has this aluminum version. They are built like tanks and German designed. I could not find any used ones and this one comes with a cheap pan head but for the price, you could just take the pan head off if you have a good ball head. From you desired price though, I doubt you have a decent ball head. I love my Cullmann Magnesit 532C carbon fiber tripod. The bottom legs are thick and it gos up extremely high (up to 100 inches with tube extended). I put my Canon 5D MKIV and 100-400mm lens with my Acratech or Gimble heads on it with no problem. The aluminum model is heavier but just as sturdy. It is $80 so $30 over your $50 but it is BRAND NEW! If you want a fantastic tripod for this ridiculously low price, get the Cullmann! The only reason they are so cheap is because Cullmann redesigned their top-end models and came out with a new one (which is more compact but no way as sturdy) so they are closing out this model. These used to cost about $250 for the aluminum and $400 for the carbon fiber model!

dalbers

I am always wary of cheap tripods. For many who share this view, I think it has to be because of their stability. This becomes more problematic the higher one takes the tripod. I can think of one thing that may help. Look at the tripod to see if the center post has an open bottom or a hole that runs vertical to the pole. If so, I would suggest getting a hook and maybe a key ring and run it through the hole. Now, with a hook, one can clamp a camera bag to the bottom for stability. It works. I am interested in how other view this suggestion. We have to keep in mind that some of our members have limited cash for the hobby. Cheers.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

If your budget only allows you $50.00 for that size of a tripod forget it. Or, you could try pawn shops, yard sales, look in the obituaries for dead photographers and talk to the widows. I found a Bogen Video tripod in a old airplane hanger. It cleaned up perfect, I changed the head, and now have a great sturdy tripod.

B

jct842

Has any one ever adapted a surveyors tripod for cameras? It would take a little cobbling to get them down to thread a photo head to them and looking at the design I think they would support a long lens as well as some of the expensive tripods most here have.

Heavy, only 2 section and solid.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I never thought about that. I lugged one of those many miles when I was surveying. I have a friend who is in charge of the surveying projects for a local consulting firm. When I see him tomorrow I will ask him what price range they paid for their tripods since I have seen them anywhere from about $50 to over $250.
Bud

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

If you only want to spend less than $50, you will have to buy used for sure, and even buying used, you are not going to get everything you are looking for. First thing to take into account is, what camera and lens are you using... Full Frame, crop sensor, mirrorless, bridge camera, lenses, weight of your gear etc? Also, you mention using a center column hook for extra stabilization. While this is a good idea in theory, and there are plenty of people that say to do it, in actual practice there are other factors to consider which will make the tripod less stable and ADD movement and shake. If you don't have a good sturdy tripod, hanging a bag of weight or your gear from the center hook can actually make your system less stable. Why you may ask.... if you are shooting on a very windy day, that bag hanging from the hook is going to be swaying in the wind making your tripod and camera system less stable and causing blurry images. An extremely windy day can and will cause your system to be less stable and add blur or shake without hanging a bag from the center hook if you are not using a sturdy tripod.

You are going to get all kinds of suggestions here from those that say they have no problem using a cheap tripod to those that say you have to spend $500.00 or more on one. Here are a few links to choosing a tripod.

https://photographylife.com/how-to-choose-and-buy-a-tripod-for-a-dslr-camera/

http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/camera-accessories/tripod-101.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/tripod-explained?utm_medium=Email%201639024&utm_campaign=Content&utm_source=WeeklyContent%20170225&utm_content=Explora&utm_term=tripod-explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GIg4pWwh7Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOBDagFhEk

https://digital-photography-school.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-a-tripod/

http://www.apertureacademy.com/how-to-tripods.php

Hope these help.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

If you want great stability do not look for camera tripods. Way overpriced and most are not rock solid. I would recommend that you look for a used servayers transit tripod. That is what I use for my 4x5 and my Mamya 645. You can find used wooden ones..(by nature of wood, vibration dampening) or more modern metal ones. You may have to make your own head mount. They are cumbersome but inexpensive and very, very stable. I got my wood tripod for under $20. Then I used a head from an old broken tripod, a little epoxy and plywood and bingo a great tripod that can handle 10 minute exposures with a 4x5 view camera and no vibration. Happy shooting

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Sounds great for hiking!

frodoboy

Good one! lol

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Sure, and if you are hiking and camping go ahead and use the tripod to hang your cast iron kettle over the campfire. Just like Jackson, Russell, and O'Sullivan did during the 1800s

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I talked to him this morning. They spend about $150 minimum for tripods that they put their theodolites on. Must be very stable. Most of their units are either all wood or wood and fiberglass. The cheaper metal tripods are used only for levels ( which are much lighter).
Bud