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Tripod, Tripod, which Tripod?
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Mar 5, 2013 06:33:38   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
Like MTShooter I still have, which my son uses, an old Bogen Tripod that I bought in 1988. Only different on it is that I changed in 1990 the head to an Arca -Swiss head.The better the tripod the longer it lasts

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Mar 5, 2013 07:15:35   #
Baz Loc: Peterborough UK
 
Lots of good advice here. First think about your usage plans. Then what type of head. The head is where most of the cheaper tripods fall down. (Pardon the pun.) When you have that sorted out in your mind - listen to MT. Personally camera bodies come and go, but my Manfrotto has stood the test of time.
On a slightly different note, a website that you and others may find useful for spares for Manfrotto's
www.manfrottospares.com a brilliant site, all you need is the model number and the site will walk you through the rest.

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Mar 5, 2013 07:48:41   #
rcook73 Loc: New Salisbury, IN
 
I just got the APG4 and I like it ..it IS a little heavy (about 8-10lbs), but it's pretty sturdy and as a bonus, it came with a CHEAP little mini tripod that will work OK with my little point and shooters

Overall though, I think it's a pretty good tripod for the money
I bought mine on EBay for about $40.00

Good luck with the hunt

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Mar 5, 2013 07:50:38   #
Linthicum
 
When I was looking for a tripod I never looked for a "cheap" tripod. I've been "nickled and dimed to death" too often in life. I did some research on Pbase and I contacted a number of photographers and from that I drew a consensus of opinion. I bought a Gitzo 1325 (model now discontinued) and a Wimberley head and have never looked back. It's a lifetime investment !

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Mar 5, 2013 08:01:32   #
Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA
 
MT Shooter wrote:
A crappy tripod is worse than no tripod at all.
Try to find a camera store to actually handle a few before you buy off-brand stuff online. Buy once, cry once, then enjoy the usefulness of a good tripod for decades rather than throw away a crappy one every 6 months or so.


Boy, no kidding!!!! I bought a Ritz Quanteray aluminum tripod years ago & it was a piece of junk! I still use it for my Sony NEX-7 and 5N because they're light weight.

Last year, I purchased a Manfrotto 055XPROB aluminum tripod that supports up to 15.4 lbs. I use it for moon shots and macro with my Canon EOS 7D and 5D MK II and an EF 100-400mm f4.5-f5.6L (sometimes with or without a 2X teleconverter) ring mount. I also bought the 322RC2 ball head to go along with it. They're built like a tanks & they'll last forever.

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Mar 5, 2013 08:02:54   #
emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun
 
Whether your starting with a low, middle or high end tripod, I would definitely recommend Manfrotto. I bought a less expensive Manfrotto to start with and it's much better quality then others in the same price range. Go to a store where you can compare and you'll instantly notice the difference.
[@]

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Mar 5, 2013 08:22:32   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
mfeveland wrote:
Whether your starting with a low, middle or high end tripod, I would definitely recommend Manfrotto. I bought a less expensive Manfrotto to start with and it's much better quality then others in the same price range. Go to a store where you can compare and you'll instantly notice the difference.
[@]


Actually I use Giottos MTL9261B and bought a Manfrotto 190XPROB as a backup, the Manfrotto does not compare with the Giottos for stability

I also use a Unilok 1700 which is just about as good as versatility gets

Fully agree with the above, tripods are very personal you MUST try them

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Mar 5, 2013 08:28:19   #
traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.
 
damvit wrote:
Hey UHH folks,
I'm trying to decide on my first buy, highest quality @ lowest price. I've seen posts here about the Ravelli APG L4 for $95, which caught my eye, found Ravelli Professional 65-inch Carbon Fiber 3 Axis Ball Head Camera Video Photo Tripod for $85...then found Costco has Dolica ZX600B103 70" for $99, which is also Carbon Fiber. Interested in hearing opinions, experiences, etc...trip to Europe this summer, and indoor/outdoor use...How important is T's height? I'm 6'1", ultimately interested in portrait/head shots, 65" or 70"?
Other options are buying used Manfrotto, which seems widely appreciated, but older, heavier, at around $100-150...some come w' heads. I would spend a little more if quality, portability & longevity are there...Help!?!
Thank you!
Hey UHH folks, br I'm trying to decide on my first... (show quote)


Everybody has advised you on several different things about a tripod, but nobody has advised about the support capabilities of the tripod. The tripod and ball head should hold, one and a half to twice, the combined weight of your camera and largest lens.
Cheap is not good! A 2K camera and a 1K lens falling from a cheap tripod results in a 3K loss.

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Mar 5, 2013 08:33:49   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
That is because most who buy "legs" then look at Heads as that is a different matter all together, I have Ball and socket, pan and tilt but rarely use anything other than my Lensmaster Gimbals, in fact others here have also bought them

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/index.htm

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Mar 5, 2013 08:34:41   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
traveler90712 wrote:
damvit wrote:
Hey UHH folks,
I'm trying to decide on my first buy, highest quality @ lowest price. I've seen posts here about the Ravelli APG L4 for $95, which caught my eye, found Ravelli Professional 65-inch Carbon Fiber 3 Axis Ball Head Camera Video Photo Tripod for $85...then found Costco has Dolica ZX600B103 70" for $99, which is also Carbon Fiber. Interested in hearing opinions, experiences, etc...trip to Europe this summer, and indoor/outdoor use...How important is T's height? I'm 6'1", ultimately interested in portrait/head shots, 65" or 70"?
Other options are buying used Manfrotto, which seems widely appreciated, but older, heavier, at around $100-150...some come w' heads. I would spend a little more if quality, portability & longevity are there...Help!?!
Thank you!
Hey UHH folks, br I'm trying to decide on my first... (show quote)


Everybody has advised you on several different things about a tripod, but nobody has advised about the support capabilities of the tripod. The tripod and ball head should hold, one and a half to twice, the combined weight of your camera and largest lens.
Cheap is not good! A 2K camera and a 1K lens falling from a cheap tripod results in a 3K loss.
quote=damvit Hey UHH folks, br I'm trying to deci... (show quote)


Good advice, but there is a catch (isn't there always?).
I have looked at cheap tripods at Costco, Best Buy, Walmart and others, that advertise their capacities at 30 pounds. I would not put 30 ounces on those tripods! Manufacturers ratings are no more dependable than that manufacturer itself. Buyer beware in these matters, do not impulse buy just because it SOUNDS like a good deal!

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Mar 5, 2013 08:34:44   #
Festus Loc: North Dakota
 
Check out this article:

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

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Mar 5, 2013 08:35:40   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
You also have to remember that some people are gullible, they see "professional" on a $20 tripod and believe it ;)

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Mar 5, 2013 08:50:40   #
Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA
 
traveler90712
Everybody has advised you on several different things about a tripod, but nobody has advised about the support capabilities of the tripod. The tripod [b wrote:
and ball head[/b] should hold, one and a half to twice, the combined weight of your camera and largest lens.
Cheap is not good! A 2K camera and a 1K lens falling from a cheap tripod results in a 3K loss.


Did I leave something out?

Last year, I purchased a Manfrotto 055XPROB aluminum tripod that supports up to 15.4 lbs. I use it for moon shots and macro with my Canon EOS 7D and 5D MK II and an EF 100-400mm f4.5-f5.6L (sometimes with or without a 2X teleconverter) ring mount. I also bought the 322RC2 ball head to go along with it. They're built like a tanks & they'll last forever.

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Mar 5, 2013 08:57:58   #
home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana
 
does Manfrotto have "cheap" tripods. Just found an ad at Sams Club for a MK394-H Tripod kit for $99.98
It only goes to 56", folds to 20" and weighs 3.7 pounds. Might be ok for shorter people

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Mar 5, 2013 09:00:01   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
I got lucky & won this...So far, no complaints at all...Solid tripod & great head...Also have a Vanguard SB 250 ball head...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/903226-REG/3_Legged_Thing_3lteddieblack_3LT_X2_1_Eddie_AH2_Kit.html

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