To Tripod or not to Tripod.....That is my question: I hear either way, both users and non-users seem to be firm. If there is one out there for sale, I am interested.

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

I hear either way, both users and non-users seem to be firm. If there is one out there for sale, I am interested. Thoughts/recommendations appreciated.:)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Some shots just call for a tripod. I think it is ok to splurge on that purchase, because it will be with you for a loooong time.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

bebo1998 wrote:

I hear either way, both users and non-users seem to be firm. If there is one out there for sale, I am interested. Thoughts/recommendations appreciated.:)

There are hundreds of different tripods out there for sale. Try Amazon, Costco, eBay, Craigslist etc. There's a time for using a tripod and times when not to use a tripod.

If you have a super telephoto lens and heavy camera I'd suggest you buy one that is heavy duty enough to support 2 1/2 times the weight of the combination of the two. The type of head you choose is just as important. There are many to choose from. Start a new thread on head choice for the type of shooting you plan to do. There is no "one" head that does it all. Prices of tripods and heads depend mainly on materials used in manufacture, how light, how sturdy, and the reputation of the brand. So a light, sturdy, brand name, carbon fiber tripod could cost $500 to $1500. A heavy, steel, no brand name tripod might be $100 to $250.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are doing landscapes or some types of portrature tripods are OK. If you are doing fast action wildlife or sports - they are NG - too slow and cumbersome. For that you should be using a well articulated monopod if you are serious about image quality.

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

On Amazon, this is supposedly a $399 tripod for $85.00 But I have no idea, plus it is 8 lbs. Too good to be true, or not good anyway??? this is the description.

Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70" Tripod with Adjustable Pistol Grip Head and Heavy Duty Carry Bag

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

bebo1998 wrote:

On Amazon, this is supposedly a $399 tripod for $85.00 But I have no idea, plus it is 8 lbs. Too good to be true, or not good anyway??? this is the description.

Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70" Tripod with Adjustable Pistol Grip Head and Heavy Duty Carry Bag

It's up to you. My $800 Getzo carbon fiber tripod weighs 3.92 lbs. and supports 29 lbs of equipment safely.

So the tripod you are checking out is twice as heavy for a fraction of the price. I think you should go to a camera store and see how they feel. Even if you don't see one you like at least you can feel what an 8 lb tripod feels like when you are carrying it over your shoulder. Tripods are like many other accessories. They are a matter of personal taste and budgets.

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

Thanks, for the input - that is way too steep for me - but I will try some on for size.

jeep_daddy wrote:

It's up to you. My $800 Getzo carbon fiber tripod weighs 3.92 lbs. and supports 29 lbs of equipment safely.

So the tripod you are checking out is twice as heavy for a fraction of the price. I think you should go to a camera store and see how they feel. Even if you don't see one you like at least you can feel what an 8 lb tripod feels like when you are carrying it over your shoulder. Tripods are like many other accessories. They are a matter of personal taste and budgets.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

If you need a heavy duty tripod, try eBay. I got mine for about
$400. It is a carbon fiber and can handle up to 30 lbs. I have a ball head and a gimbal head that I use. Even with the carbon fiber, the combination of equipment with camera is really heavy to carry for a long distance.

Iwantitall Loc: Chicago (south side)

Bebo, from experience...... If you will be hiking to find photo ops 8lbs can get to feel heavy with the rest of your gear in tow. Enjoy whichever you choose
Mike

Add Loc: S.W.Florida

My tripod spends most of the time in a closet,while the monopod is almost always with me and in use. As often as possible I further brace the monopod against a rock or something/anything to make it more steady.Of course for a really long exposure it takes a tripod.

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

Add wrote:

My tripod spends most of the time in a closet,while the monopod is almost always with me and in use. As often as possible I further brace the monopod against a rock or something/anything to make it more steady.Of course for a really long exposure it takes a tripod.

I fully agree with Add. For most of my travel photos I have used a monopod, braced if possible, or using my two legs to make a tripod. A monopod offers so much flexibility in shooting. Much faster setup time than a full blown tripod. I do use my Gitzo tripod when I think I need to, so I am not anti-tripod but most of the time my monopod serves the purpose. That was, until some Italian stole my monopod in Milan 10 days ago. Now I need to get another. Blasted thief!

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

I've been researching the benro roadtrip. Holds 17lbs. and lightweight for travel. Also converts to monopod for $189

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

DavidM wrote:

I've been researching the benro roadtrip. Holds 17lbs. and lightweight for travel. Also converts to monopod for $189

Same item as Mefoto "Road Trip". Actually that is what I used for my monopod which was stolen recently. The Mefoto (Benro) is very useful because you can convert it to a monopod. Best of both worlds. It includes the ball head and is very sturdy. I think it is one of the best values around. And you can find them for less than the $189 retail if you look around. I think I paid $165.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

bebo1998 wrote:

I hear either way, both users and non-users seem to be firm. If there is one out there for sale, I am interested. Thoughts/recommendations appreciated.:)

"To Tripod or not to Tripod" . . . . Probably 60% of the images we see and take that were shot with no tripod . . .should have been taken WITH!

Mostly no tripod shots are a result of laziness, and not remembering to take along that vital piece of equipment.
When one uses a tripod they are kind of forced to slow down . .which in itself would improve 80% of the shots we take.

When I was a kid with my first camera, my Dad gave me a tripod and asked me to try going a whole month without shooting a single picture without it. Try it . . it's a lesson in itself!

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

kvanhook wrote:

Same item as Mefoto "Road Trip". Actually that is what I used for my monopod which was stolen recently. The Mefoto (Benro) is very useful because you can convert it to a monopod. Best of both worlds. It includes the ball head and is very sturdy. I think it is one of the best values around. And you can find them for less than the $189 retail if you look around. I think I paid $165.

Yes, that's the one.. thanks!