wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I missed the sale for the Slik CF-522. It was on sale for $180. I think it is ~$250 right now. It is very compact and light weight. I will be getting it in the near future, sale or no sale.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Check with MTShooter on this site or Carter's Camera cottage

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Tripods are a balancing act. How big? How heavy? How strong? How expensive?

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
https://digital-photography-school.com/everything-about-tripods-phil-steele/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIWvjfI_-PA
http://digital-photography-school.com/build-ideal-tripod/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-pros-and-5-cons-of-using-a-tripod/
http://www.lightstalking.com/tripod-heads/

kmd0501

Consider Zomei - I like mine, seems sturdy and well built. I wish I had gone for the carbon. Some come with detachable leg for a monopod. Many models different sizes and weights. Tripod or monopod makes my pictures better.
Mike

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You are in Harrisburg, so is a trip to NYC out of the question for you?

The reason I ask is that I think spending $200 for a tripod and head may be a waste of money. There are a few suggestions but in my opinion they won't do what you buy a tripod for - hold the camera and lens steady, free from sharpness-grabbing vibrations, to provide clear and crisp images.

Someone suggested the Sirui T024< and C-10S Ball Head - aside from the reviews from people who don't seem to know any better, this one review was quite revealing:

"Not strong enough for a full sized DSLR. This 2 lb carbon tripod looked too good to be true. Rated at 13 lbs of load, I thought it would support my Nikon D7100 and 18-300 mm zoom lens. In very still conditions, it might, but in real world conditions, I suspect it would not. Just tapping on the rig indoors set up clear vibrations. I will be looking at tripods in the 3.5-4 lb range to have the heft needed to support my gear.

There was another suggestion for a Slik CF-522 - this one only merited 2 reviews, and the one that caught my eye was the first one:

"The instructions for the light were not clear and in the process of trying to figure it out the threads stripped on one of the connectors, so the light is not usable. I had heard that the tripod could support an average DSLR camera and long lens, but I found the ball a little slippy when trying to lock it in place. Otherwise, I like the light weight and compactness of the folded tripod and carrying case; this will be strictly a travel tripod for me.

Neither of these tripods are worth the money. They are flimsy, probably best suited for a bridge camera from a load perspective and pretty much useful for just landscape with a wide lens. They are prone to vibration and hanging extra weight from the hook under the camera platform is only going to add weight to a tripod that has a limited load capacity to start with.

I suggest that you double (or more) your budget and consider a decent tripod and head.

I would recommend this tripod which you can use with lenses up to around 200mm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jp7h36kSY

He made a mistake on the load capacity - it is not 22 lbs it is 55 lbs.

This is a great article on tripod selection:

http://bythom.com/support.htm
http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/camera-accessories/camera-accessory-faq/what-do-tripod-specificatio.html

And this from Really Right Stuff:

http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-1/
http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-2/
http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-3/

As Hunter Lou wrote, top tube diameter is the meaningful spec - tripods with skinny legs are less able to dampen vibrations than those with thicker legs.

I use two Feisol tripods - CT-3442 and CT-3472 - with 28mm and 37mm top tube diameters. The smaller legs are adequate for up to 200mm lenses, and I have routinely used the bigger legs with a 600mmF4 and a crop sensor camera, which has an effective field of view of 900mm lens. The load capacity on the CT-3442 is 55 lbs. I have no issue putting on a 14 lb camera and lens (the 600mmF4) as far as worrying about it failing and dropping my camera, but it is not up to the task of keeping the lens still - a slight breeze, shutter and mirror vibrations will steal sharpness. This is not the case with the bigger tripod.

You can order directly from Feisol. The anti-rotation leg locks are a nice touch, but they add about $80 to the price and don't make it any more stable. The CB-50D head is the biggest head they have that will still allow the tripod to fold back on itself for stowing in a bag suitable for overhead compartments on airplanes. The combination of the 2 will weigh 3.5 lbs and will cost under $500 if you order from Feisol. I have not seen the legs without the anti-rotation locks advertised domestically, but they are available.

I have not seen a comparable tripod - weight, performance, size, packed size and cost - from any manufacturer - Sirui, Benro and Induro come close, but they are all heavier. Manfrotto are far too heavy and their ball heads are terrible compared to what is available, Gitzo and RRS are exceptionally good but 2-2.5X more money. Slik, Bogen (which was Manfrotto) don't have anything that compares - especially in the lower cost area. Desmond has a few decent tripods, and some on these forums have Nest, but I can't find any meaningful reviews or even specifications, so I am hesitant to suggest them.

Don't make the mistake of buying something cheap, then coming to the realization that it doesn't work for you, and you find yourself wanting and ultimately buying something better. Bite the bullet and get the better tripod - why wouldn't you want to save $200 by not buying the wrong tripod in the first place?

Jim Bob

The Manfrotto carbon fiber models are not heavy (at least to me) but their heads do frequently leave quite a bit to be desired.

cthahn

For all you photographers who are on a fixed income, why do you have to buy new. I just purchased an excellent Bogan tripod for $60.00 locally. Watch Craig's list and Ebay. Let someone else take the price beating. No different than a new automobile. Much of it is to impress everyone and brag about the newest model that does very little more than the previous model.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

i'm 78 and I use a monopod and a slik tripod. the legs and head came to $200.00. I mostly shoot from a scooter or stool, so I never fully extend the legs on either.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I don't know what you shoot or what your longest lens is but perhaps you can increase your ISO and or shutter speed to eliminate the shaking and not have to bother with a tripod. I think a sturdy tripod will be hard to get for $200...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Jake the snakeman

Ebay. Look for a silk 212

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

This one looks like it would suit Kerry well and fit his budget. Sounds awfully inexpensive for a carbon fiber. Hope it's not built too cheaply.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Thanks for the info. Some things there to consider.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Here is just one of dozens on ebay. I've had good experience with Induro and Sirui. This particular one is a little short for me.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-T-025X-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-with-C-10S-Ball-Head-SUT025X-NEW-/372017797553?epid=177269268&hash=item569dfd19b1:g:ja8AAOSw6DtYUvkj

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Let me begin by saying that a tripod is not an accessory it is a necessity. Regardless of tripod in use good tripod techniques improve your photography.
Your choice will be aluminum or carbon fiber. Carbon fibers are lighter but more expensive. A Google search will give you plenty of choices, just consider a tripod keeping your height into consideration.
I use a cheap Dolica ($45) aluminum tripod often not only for my mirrorless cameras but also for my dSLR bodies. Never an issue and it is great for traveling but I use good tripod techniques with it.
I also have a carbon fiber tripod, a Desmond DCF-432 that is decently made and has served me well. An old Manfrotto and a Gitzo, both aluminum, are not finding the use they had in the past. Both are very heavy.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I do for the most part compensate with higher shutter speed or higher ISO. Not long ago I posted some shots of a sunrise and I'm sure I could have done much better with a tripod. I'm also looking to the future if or when I become less able to hand hold without shake. Just some little things I notice as I get older.