chemdoc Loc: West Coast

My trusty Slik U-212 finally bought the farm recently so I am looking for a replacement. I already have a lightweight Dolica Traveler for hiking and a monster Gitzo when I am not going very far from my car, but the Slik is a nice in-between tripod. Light enough that I can strap it on my camera pack and hike for 10 miles, but also sturdy enough for 30 sec night shots.

I would be happy with a new U-212, but wondered if there are others in the same price range (around $150) that might be even better. I do want a pan-tilt head and would be interested in any suggestions of others that you use and are happy with. Thanks.

Phil

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Lookup and read Gene51

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

You might want to look into these, I have two and find them to be pretty decent, and will fall well within your price range,

https://www.amazon.com/zomei-camera-tripod/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Azomei%20camera%20tripod

chemdoc Loc: West Coast

I did look up Gene51 and found 19 topics under his username, but none had to do with tripods. Do you have a specific post in mind?

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

If you only want to buy one tripod during your lifetime -- Remember the word GITZO

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Look again, and better.
Gene51 has been very prolific on this site with reference to tripods.
In short, real tripods are not cheap.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I have a Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 to act as a mid range general use tripod like your old Slik U-212. They are a bit more than your planned expenditure, but it has the features that you need and also those really useful friction knobs that help keep your movements smooth. At about nine pounds, it is a nice stable base for the price, but still ok for short hikes. Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MT055XPRO3-Aluminium-Retractable-Replacement/dp/B00NLPST9K

CO

You mentioned that you want a pan/tilt head. Here are some to look at:

Induro PHQ1 5-axis head
Induro PHQ3 5-axis head (Same as PHQ1 but larger)
Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W (I have this head. It's precisely machined, has adjustable friction, and the handles collapse in for transporting and storage.
Manfrotto 460MG (I have this head. Its magnesium construction makes it light but strong)
Benro HD1A, HD2A, HD3A (These were just recently released, they're all-new designs)

I use the Manfrotto heads on a Manfrotto 055CX3 carbon-fiber tripod. I also have an Acratec Nomad ballhead that I use on the Manfrotto tripod.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What do you like to shoot besides 30 sec night shots and with what camera and lens? Is stability adequate with your Dolica?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Induro and Benro make great products. Check them out.

johnpolizzi

I just got a Vanguard Alta Pro 2+. The legs in aluminum are $159, carbon fiber is $299. The center column can be used as a boom arm for hard to reach macro shots. I've heard complaints about stability when used that way, but I've had no problem when used with an electronic camera release. I prefer a ball head to a pan/tilt and use an Acratech Ultimate. Good engineering on both.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thom has good articles about tripods. His chief piece of advice is buying a good one to start. Otherwise, you'll keep wasting money upgrading to what you wanted in the first place.
https://www.google.com/search?q=thom+on+tripods&oq=thom+on+tripods&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.3070j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks for the props!

The OP should search for tripod, not me. More than likely he will come across a response from me. But even better, anyone can always PM me. The questions never change, the assumptions about the $150 tripod being somehow fine for using with that 1200mm lens and a 2X extender are universal similar and universally poorly informed. The old standbys - the RRS tripod buying guide and the Gitzo manual, both of which dismiss load capacity and tripod weight as a reliable criteria for stability, and use tripod top tube diameter which is are solid advice. That being said, no one can suggest any tripod without knowing how the photographer intends to use it. For instance a traveler, who will be taking pictures with a 50mm lens (or shorter) won't need anything close to the shooter looking to get something to use for 1:1 macro, or use with a 600mm lens at or near the closest focusing distance.

A $150 tripod won't provide any more stability than the Dolica, but it might be lighter. For in-between, a mid-range Benro, Induro, Feisol, Sirui will cut it - something with a 28mm top tube - and not break the bank - though it won't cost $150.

Snoopypood

I suggest that you go to the local camera store and try out some of the different ones. Depending upon what your needs are – how heavy a camera, how tall, etc – select the best one for the amount of money you want to pay. If you don’t find one there and want to order on line, determine the specs for the one you like and compare. In addition to the material, consider the weight if you are carrying it around for any length of time. Consider the collapsed length if you are traveling with it by air. You may like steel, aluminum, carbon fiber or if you’re nostalgic, wood. The choice is yours. I have numerous tripods including Manfrotto, Gitzo, Slik and Leica. For wildlife with large lenses, I prefer a Slik. For monopod, I use a Manfrotto carbon fiber. Buy one without a head and get what you need. I use RRS heads – expensive but I have confidence in their holding power and quick interchangeability.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Always good to know what job you want to to do before you pick your tools.