agonzalescoach

I am looking to buy a new tripod. I would like a sturdy tripod with a ball head. I am currently looking at a Manfroto MKELEB5BK-BH., at Sammy's for around $150.00. I curretly own 3 Canon cameras. All DSL. They are the smaller Rebel types. Orginal Rebel, Rebel T1i, and the Rebel SL1. The longest telepho lens I own is a 75 - 300mm Canon lens. Not much weight I know. I plan to buy a Canon Mark IV, and a telephoto lens for it. I would probably buy a 24-200mm, and possibly a 400mm, and possibly a 600mm Lenses I would like any suggestions you might have. Thank you to all who take the time to respond.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

There are a plethora of threads concerning tripods on this site. Start reading.
Money spent on a cheap tripod and head is money wasted.
Don't buy one impulsively.

Bill_de Loc: US

Even with the slightest chance of a 600 in your future, by a tripod to handle it now.

--

Hank Radt

First, will the tripod support the maximum weight of your heaviest lens + camera.

Second, how often are you going to use it - if a lot, spend more on durability (= higher quality = higher cost). If only occasionally, you can get by with a cheaper tripod.

Third, how far are you going to carry it? If around the neighborhood, weight won't matter much. But for a hike in the mountains, with the cameras, lenses, water and other stuff (extra clothes, especially at altitude, food)...weight becomes an issue - the ounces add up.

Some links:

http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g592/camera-tripods-at-every-price/?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography
https://www.lifewire.com/best-tripods-for-dslr-cameras-492937

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

Possilby a 600mm lens narrows the field to just a few really sturdy tripods. $150 will just about buy a gimbal head for the long lenses, and about $600 would get you entry-level long lens support. Buying a $150 tripod with head would just make the correct solution for the long lens cost you $950 instead of $800.

For your 75-300mm lens on a crop sensor, you can get away with a carbon fiber tripod with 28mm diameter top leg tubes. Most cheaper aluminum tripods won't cut it - if they are stable enough they will weigh 8 lbs and stay in the closet, and if they are light, then they won't be stable. For 600mm lens the minimum tube diameter is 37-39mm, with 41-43 being ideal.

Oh, and regarding the widespread urban legend that load capacity is a good way to select a tripod, that's just nonsense. Even the cheapest tripod, like this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KP473Q/ref=asc_df_B005KP473Q5202029/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B005KP473Q&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167139312229&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17597621636080784378&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004252&hvtargid=pla-124905856875

will support 6.6 lbs - the weight of your camera and 75-300 - which together weigh about 2 lbs. But I can guarantee that it won't be enough to keep the camera from shaking when you are zoomed out to 300mm on your camera.

Top tube diameter is a far more reliable predictor of torsional rigidity, vibration damping and overall stability. One other important consideration. Your need for stability increases with increase in magnification. A macro lens at 1:1 needs as much if not more stability than a 600mm lens at 15 ft.

If your lens has stabilization and you are not doing long exposures (night, waterfalls, etc) then you can probably hold off and reallocate your photography funding.

Your money, your choice.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I would suggest checking eBAy. A friend bought a very good used tripod last year. It was used, but was in like New condition. And he didn't spend a lot of money for it either.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I used a mephoto tripod , works great a bit more than $150. holds 17 lbs,
worked great with my 5200 and a 300mm lens but when I upgraded to a d810 and a 600mm lens,
it still works but its stretched to the max, I suggest waiting a bit and buying a better tripod so u dont have to buy a second one in a year or so.

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

As has been said before, you want a tripod that's sturdy, lightweight, and inexpensive. You get to pick any two of those.

Bob Boner

My recommendation is to buy a tripod that will easily support the largest lens and camera you could ever own. I speak from experience. I have owned 4 or 5 tripods (maybe more) because I bought only for my immediate needs rather than equipment I might some day acquire. I never dreamed I would ever have a 600mm lens. Well, guess what. Yeah. Buy for possible future needs, no matter how remote. That is my advice.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Get a good used alloy one!!
SS

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

One thing I've learned is that, unless you are traveling and need to pack it into a suitcase, a travel tripod is not the best solution. If you are set on a compact, look at Manfrotto's BeFree instead.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Read line two...

ggttc Loc: TN

I am probably going to get skewered for this, but what is a day on UHH if you don’t get insulted.

I think I may have found an inexpensive tripod that slipped thru the cracks.

My wife and I were looking for a second tripod because we wanted to use two long lenses to shoot the eclipse…and I stumbled on this one…at first I was skeptical. But, my wife (sleepydrdr) read all the reviews and decided to buy it.

I have a Bogen 3021 with a Nest gimbal…but if you want to take it more than 500ft…at my age you need a Sherpa.

I can tell you from personal experience it will hold a D810 with a 200-500 and a D7100 with a Tamron 150-600 without a problem. Shot the eclipse using it and it held the camera and long lens at about a 60 degree angle without strain.

Read the reviews and draw your own conclusion.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013UESDJC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

Please post results from both your cameras and both lenses, particularly with pictures taken between 1/60 and 1/250. Just curious. It's just that 1/2000 sec exposure can make any tripod look like a star.

I don'think reading reviews from amateurs or less experienced photographers who have no basis for comparison. The first 10 reviews basically said - I bought this, it didn't break, what a deal. I am so happy I did this. Very little about what cameras and lenses, and what kind of results they got. A review from a trusted source is far more indicative of what you can expect.

Then there is the Moose Peterson video where he says, "if you have a very expensive lens [and camera] and you have a very cheap tripod, you're nuts" I am not saying this applies to you, but maybe Peterson would. $4700 in one case, I think would qualify as expensive camera and lens.

I hope you have good camera insurance. Just sayin'

ggttc Loc: TN

[quote=Gene51]Please post results from both your cameras and both lenses, particularly with pictures taken between 1/60 and 1/250. Just curious. It's just that 1/2000 sec exposure can make any tripod look like a star.

I don'think reading reviews from amateurs or less experienced photographers who have no basis for comparison. The first 10 reviews basically said - I bought this, it didn't break, what a deal. I am so happy I did this. Very little about what cameras and lenses, and what kind of results they got. A review from a trusted source is far more indicative of what you can expect.

Then there is the Moose Peterson video where he says, "if you have a very expensive lens [and camera] and you have a very cheap tripod, you're nuts" I am not saying this applies to you, but maybe Peterson would. $4700 in one case, I think would qualify as expensive camera and lens.

I hope you have good camera insurance. Just sayin'[/quote

I shoot mainly BIF and wildlife...so the lowest I shoot is 500-640. I will try it out tonight at 160 or so on a moonshot.

LOL...I do have camera insurance...and an Optec sling that is around my neck when I take the camera from the cabinet to the camera bag.

And I rarely use tripods...I did try it out on wildlife last week and it suits my purposes.

But an interesting thought...I'll try it at a lower SS.

1/500

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