Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Being a beginner to photography I still have quite a bit to learn. My camera is the Panasonic FZ-200 which I still think is a very good camera for someone starting out.
OK, back on subject.
Not realizing how much a difference there could be in a tripod, as it just holds the camera (right ?), I purchased a Opteka OPT7000 on sale for a little over $30. Light weight and easy to set up.
Now the difference showed. Trying to focus the camera on the subject and tighten the locks would always move the camera position. I added shims to try to lock the camera plate more securly and that helped a little bit. I then purchased a inexpensive ball head, as I felt this might get the camera on the subject without many adjustments. Well I found out the mount on the tripod could not be removed to accept a ball head. I rigged up a way to do this. Now the whole setup is getting worse instead of better. Totally frustrated I put the tripod away. I spoke with a friend who has been doing photography for quite a long time. He asked if I needed a new one or just wanted one. I said both. Now the search began for me. This past week Hunt's had a sale on a Vanguard Pro 263AT w/ball head and a $50. mail in rebate. Just received it the other day. WOW! what a difference with a item that just holds a camera. lol
I guess the reason I am writing this is to inform others, who are new to photography, my experience with going for a low price when it comes to tripods, and the need to buy a quality product the first time. I realy do know better most of the time. I sure there are better ones out there but I am quite pleased with this purchase and if/when I go for another camera this tripod at 15.4 lbs capacity will serve me well.
Leason learned.
Ron

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Generally speaking, you get that for which you pay. Cheap price = cheap crap.
--Bob

Leitz Loc: Solms

The first tripod may still be useful for holding a flash, floodlamp, or reflector.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have that model Vanduard tripod, plus another, different model Vanguard, and I like them both. I use one with the SB250 ball head, and the other with a Gimbal mount.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

So true. I now understand how much more involved it is then "just holding a camera".

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I always focus the lens after the tripod is locked into place, never before.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

I do also. It's was just a huge problem trying to position the subject, using this tripod, and then when I tightened the adjustments the subject would not be where it was prior to snuging the screws. To much play in the tripod itself.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Keep climbing the tree! J. R.

Bill_de Loc: US

I went through a number of tripods over the years, the final one costing more than my first camera. I still have one of the real cheap ones with a coffee can cover and a branch mounted to it. When shooting song birds it can be moved based on the light or the desired background. If it is an area where birds are used to being fed, it doesn't take them long to find it.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

We have saying here that almost always turns out to be true. "Buy cheap, buy twice (or more)"

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Now that's a novel idea.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Tripods, another hole we throw money into... I have acquired several tripods over the years and there are 4 cheapies in the collection. I found the perfect application for the cheap tripods, time lapse photography in a protected environment. You set up the tripod, set up the camera, push the proper button and walk away. No sense tying up an expensive tripod just to hold a camera pointed at the same object for an extended period of time, sometime several months.

You say your tripod has a 15.4 pound capacity; you planning on mounting small artillery on it, that's a lot of tripod for a camera, sounds quite versatile.

I have a Manfrotto compact for carrying on the motorcycle, a larger Manfrotto with a gimbal head for the heavy lenses and an over priced Promaster carbon fiber tripod for when I venture out to the beach or into the salt marshes or wetlands.

My favorite tripod is my Vixen M-178V. I bought it to use with my Vixen Polarie but it turns out it's quite the versatile light weight tripod, and actually fun to use.

Best of luck with your photographic (ad)ventures; take some stunning photos...

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

I have gone through quite a few tripods over the years ,some cheap some not quite. Now settled on a manfrotto (cant remember name but its rock solid) and a hama traveller. The traveller is tiny ,very light weight and clips to the side of my rucksack when hiking. Without a doubt you pays for what you gets.

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

That is an excellent idea.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Great idea.


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