ARRGG, Too many choices for Tripods
Nov 18, 2014 22:26:30 #
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
Nov 18, 2014 22:31:05 #
Basil wrote:
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
Wait for any special sales and deals. That usually narrows it down a bit.
Nov 18, 2014 22:36:23 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Basil wrote:
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
B&H gives an overview and specifications for each one, so you can make comparisons. Well worth the read.
Nov 18, 2014 23:08:57 #
Basil wrote:
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
I usually do my choosing on the Internet, then go and see what I'm interested in.
I see you have a lot of cameras. What are you interested in shooting? That can tend to steer your choices.
The flip side is to get the biggest, baddest, mostest expensive tripod you can carry, and buy that. Search over. :lol:
I had special wants. So I bought a cheap (cost wise) surveying tripod, then built off of it. It is a strong beastly tripod, but not heavy.
So to change it around, I just take one plate off and mount up another.
That way I have the main tripod, and a Gimbal head, or my macro (gear) head, or my old favorite 3-way head.
But that's just the way I wanted to do it.
So see if you can narrow it down so it isn't so overwhelming to you. Decide on your budget. Decide what you want to use a tripod for. And that should make it a little easier for you.
Nov 18, 2014 23:43:37 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
rook2c4 wrote:
Wait for any special sales and deals. That usually narrows it down a bit.
Definitely DO NOT be tempted by sales and deals.
Get the right one.
Not the one that is on sale.
Nov 19, 2014 00:07:14 #
Nov 19, 2014 00:36:40 #
RWR wrote:
B&H gives an overview and specifications for each one, so you can make comparisons. Well worth the read.
Unfortunately all these overviews are taken directly from each manufacturers own provided information and not from any independent reviews done by B&H themselves.
Nov 19, 2014 05:55:37 #
Take time to make a decision, and don't cheap out. You will just buy a better product later.
Nov 19, 2014 06:01:58 #
RWR wrote:
B&H gives an overview and specifications for each one, so you can make comparisons. Well worth the read.
Set a maximum price you are willing to pay, a maximum weight you want to handle, a minimum/maximum height you think you need, a maximum load it will need to carry, the longest lens it must handle for you and the choices get narrowed down very quickly. Once you have it narrowed down to 2-4 then post your choices here and get opinions.
Nov 19, 2014 07:24:00 #
Basil wrote:
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
I agree. It seems ridiculous. Just look at what one manufacturer is offering, and you have to ask Why?
Here are some links the article by Thom is very good.
Buy the right one first
http://bythom.com/support.htm
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2014/09/choosing-tripod.html
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps%20how%20tripod.html
Nov 19, 2014 08:12:44 #
Basil wrote:
So I went to Adorama to browse tripods. Oh my! There are over 440 to choose from from about 43 different makers! How in the world does one even begin to sift through the choices?!
Yes, there are a lot of them. The main issues are what do you need, and how much can you spend. It is a balancing act between quality, features and price.
I have worked with a few different brands over many years. In my opinion for quality if price is no object, Gitzo (French made) is the best. Last year I bought a new modern design Manfrotto (legs and two heads) but I am not totally happy with it. It feels like a toy compared to my old Nineteen Nineties vintage Gitzo (with one big view camera head and one small 35mm camera head, and a side arm). Cost way more than any of my film cameras! And even more today.
I hear the some old Bogen and Velbon Tripods were pretty good. Don't buy any junk ones - most out there probably are. You might even look for an older used one. The junk ones don't last long enough to be resold.
Nov 19, 2014 08:39:22 #
Buy a good tripod that is strong enough for any (un)anticipated needs, unless you want to end up buying 3-4 tripods over the years. The tripod is not the place to skimp.
Nov 19, 2014 08:45:53 #
Here is one I love and it is seldom advertised. Its called the 3 Legged Thing. Here is a you tube video. They are sold at B&H and Amazon. From the UK and are excellent, sturdy, great for travel, holds a lot of weight. This video was shot at B&H.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-l55G_SuXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-l55G_SuXE
Nov 19, 2014 08:56:37 #
Lots of good advice on how to decide what is needed, but still a ton of choices! I will probably anticipate the biggest lens I'd expect to ever buy, along with the weight of my 7D MKII and a battery grip and base the weight on that (maybe go for a little more just to be safe).
Nov 19, 2014 09:43:12 #
Basil wrote:
Lots of good advice on how to decide what is needed, but still a ton of choices! I will probably anticipate the biggest lens I'd expect to ever buy, along with the weight of my 7D MKII and a battery grip and base the weight on that (maybe go for a little more just to be safe).
Basil, the popular wisdom (or advice if you prefer) is to get a tripod and head(s) that will support from 1 1/2 to 2 times the expected weight to be supported. Thus, if your camera & lens weigh 6 lbs, get the support equipment rated at 12lbs or more.
Also, other variables come into play that others here will chime in on.
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