Tripod Recommendations
Mar 26, 2012 12:14:33 #
I am looking to get a light weight tripod that would be good for travel as well as daily use. Also I would like to be able to take vertical (portrait) shots with the same tripod head. All I have right now is a cheap Best Buy tripod that wants to fall over when I put my D7000 on it. I don't want to spend a lot but am willing to spend enough to get a decent tripod. Anyone have any recommendations?
Mar 26, 2012 13:14:59 #
I bought a Benro new on ebay and find it to be a good knockoff off expensive Gitzo tripods
Mar 26, 2012 13:33:54 #
piedmonte66 wrote:
I am looking to get a light weight tripod that would be good for travel as well as daily use. Also I would like to be able to take vertical (portrait) shots with the same tripod head. All I have right now is a cheap Best Buy tripod that wants to fall over when I put my D7000 on it. I don't want to spend a lot but am willing to spend enough to get a decent tripod. Anyone have any recommendations?
http://bythom.com/support.htm
I recommend a ball head from really right stuff and a "L" bracket for your camera. Going from horizontal to vertical only takes a second with this set up.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BALLHEADS&key=cat
Mar 26, 2012 13:44:50 #
I had to upgrade my tripod when I got my D7000. My old tripod couldn't support the weight. Like you I do a lot of travel...I found the Induro. Love it. Carbon legs ...very lightweight.
Mar 26, 2012 13:45:15 #
photocat
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
Second on really right stuff, however, there are similar options available . Check out Kirk for L bracket,
Vanguard is a new player in the field for tripods, but they are nice; I have several.
Gitzo of course makes great tripods, as does Manfrotto.
People always say the following about tripods
light weight
stable
cheap,
pick two of the above options as it is imposssible to have all three.
With that said, as you have already discovered, buying a cheap tripod means replacing it sooner or later.
I have tripods that are at least 40 years old and still work great, of course they are heavier now (for more reasons than one):) ; i also have several carbon fiber tripods that will last much longer than I.
You should be able to find something fairly decent for around $200-$250 then add the head and you probably will never have to buy another.
Vanguard is a new player in the field for tripods, but they are nice; I have several.
Gitzo of course makes great tripods, as does Manfrotto.
People always say the following about tripods
light weight
stable
cheap,
pick two of the above options as it is imposssible to have all three.
With that said, as you have already discovered, buying a cheap tripod means replacing it sooner or later.
I have tripods that are at least 40 years old and still work great, of course they are heavier now (for more reasons than one):) ; i also have several carbon fiber tripods that will last much longer than I.
You should be able to find something fairly decent for around $200-$250 then add the head and you probably will never have to buy another.
Mar 26, 2012 13:50:06 #
photocat wrote:
Second on really right stuff, however, there are s... (show quote)
Good tripods aren't cheap, cheap tripods aren't good.
Mar 26, 2012 14:13:06 #
Don't get the cheapest light weight as I have been looking to upgrade once I get more work so more finances due to the vol. fd. fire photography I do and have had it tip in high winds due to being so lite weight.
Mar 26, 2012 19:49:42 #
piedmonte66 wrote:
I am looking to get a light weight tripod that would be good for travel as well as daily use. Also I would like to be able to take vertical (portrait) shots with the same tripod head. All I have right now is a cheap Best Buy tripod that wants to fall over when I put my D7000 on it. I don't want to spend a lot but am willing to spend enough to get a decent tripod. Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I will research everything that was mentioned in this string and hopefully find something that will work.
Mar 26, 2012 20:02:16 #
Check out the feisol tripods and photo clam ball heads at WWW.reallybigcameras.com. I bought a 3442 with a pro gold ball head. The combo is light weight, rock solid and of very high quality.
Mar 26, 2012 21:58:45 #
Willy wrote:
quote=piedmonte66 I am looking to get a light wei... (show quote)
Why go to the expense of an L bracket? Can't he just get a ball head that adjusts the camera to ninety degrees to give him vertical shots? That said, Really Right Stuff is expensive. The RRS L bracket I use on a gripped 5D markII is $180.00. I only use it on a gimbal head. This grip is normally used only for this. Vertical. My main grip only uses a regular plate that fits on a nodal slide or a ball head. This is the one I normally use. Another option may be he might have a lens that would accommodate a tripod collar. As for tripods, I have a metal and a carbon fiber Manfroto. The carbon fiber seems to have a little less flex. Am going to get a used Gitzo.
Mar 26, 2012 22:20:11 #
The photo clam pro gold II ball head has a slot on one side that allows it to lay over 90 degrees for vertical shots. Camera mounts to the ball head with a standard acra-swiss plate.
Mar 26, 2012 22:23:05 #
larrycumba wrote:
quote=Willy quote=piedmonte66 I am looking to ge... (show quote)
Well, that certainly is one option worthy of consideration. However, with the use of the L bracket the camera remains centered over the tripod when the orientation is changed. This also has minimal affect on the composition.
Mar 26, 2012 23:22:43 #
Willy wrote:
quote=larrycumba quote=Willy quote=piedmonte66 ... (show quote)
Very true and an excellant point.
Mar 27, 2012 05:58:23 #
Try rogerandfrances.com/ He is a regular contributor here and has given tripod advice before.
Mar 27, 2012 06:21:21 #
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