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Tripod Recommendation
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Dec 26, 2017 14:36:42   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
Have some loose cash after the holidays and thought a decent tripod may be in order. Since the last tripod I purchased was from KMart back at least 30 years ago I need some direction. The tripod in the following link is available on B&H until 12/31 with a $30 rebate. I'm not going anywhere too adventurous but I would like a decent all-around tripod without spending much more than $200. Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244081-REG/sirui_sut024x_t_024x_traveler_light_series.html

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Dec 26, 2017 15:04:22   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
That Sirui carbon fiber model would be a fine choice. Good shooting!

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Dec 26, 2017 15:14:41   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
You realize that the extended height of that tripod is less than 5 feet?
--Bob
ralphfr wrote:
Have some loose cash after the holidays and thought a decent tripod may be in order. Since the last tripod I purchased was from KMart back at least 30 years ago I need some direction. The tripod in the following link is available on B&H until 12/31 with a $30 rebate. I'm not going anywhere too adventurous but I would like a decent all-around tripod without spending much more than $200. Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244081-REG/sirui_sut024x_t_024x_traveler_light_series.html
Have some loose cash after the holidays and though... (show quote)

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Dec 26, 2017 15:39:26   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
ralphfr wrote:
Have some loose cash after the holidays and thought a decent tripod may be in order. Since the last tripod I purchased was from KMart back at least 30 years ago I need some direction. The tripod in the following link is available on B&H until 12/31 with a $30 rebate. I'm not going anywhere too adventurous but I would like a decent all-around tripod without spending much more than $200. Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244081-REG/sirui_sut024x_t_024x_traveler_light_series.html
Have some loose cash after the holidays and though... (show quote)


What camera and focal lengths do you intend to use with it? What subjects will you be shooting?

I like Sirui tripods, but this one is best suited for a point and shoot camera and at shorter focal lenghts. It is too unstable for much else.

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Dec 26, 2017 16:20:20   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
rjaywallace wrote:
That Sirui carbon fiber model would be a fine choice. Good shooting!


Thank you rjay. Some other members seem to disagree.

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Dec 26, 2017 16:27:16   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
rmalarz wrote:
You realize that the extended height of that tripod is less than 5 feet?
--Bob


Yes. 58" to be exact. I'm 5'10", 70". I realize this is a travel tripod so this seems to be about average for this class of tripod. At 2lb I'm thinking the less weight is more beneficial for my use than extra height. A decent tripod with the extra height is going to be about 5lb heavier give or take. Thanks for providing feedback. Much appreciated Bob.

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Dec 26, 2017 16:50:55   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
ralphfr wrote:
Yes. 58" to be exact. I'm 5'10", 70". I realize this is a travel tripod so this seems to be about average for this class of tripod. At 2lb I'm thinking the less weight is more beneficial for my use than extra height. A decent tripod with the extra height is going to be about 5lb heavier give or take. Thanks for providing feedback. Much appreciated Bob.


Bob, I use a Feisol CT-3442 as a travel tripod. It weighs 2.3 lbs and folds to 19", small enough to fit into a carry-on bag. It extends to 54.3" without s center column - tall enough for my 5'10" body to avoid stooping. It is also torsionally rigid enough to calm down a 300mm lens on a full frame camera.

In my opinion it provides the stability of a Gitzo Series 2 or 3 at half the price.

The Sirui may seem like an attractive deal that is in you price range, but you may find it will be a little too "light duty" for your needs.

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Dec 26, 2017 18:03:23   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
Gene51 wrote:
Bob, I use a Feisol CT-3442 as a travel tripod. It weighs 2.3 lbs and folds to 19", small enough to fit into a carry-on bag. It extends to 54.3" without s center column - tall enough for my 5'10" body to avoid stooping. It is also torsionally rigid enough to calm down a 300mm lens on a full frame camera.

In my opinion it provides the stability of a Gitzo Series 2 or 3 at half the price.

The Sirui may seem like an attractive deal that is in you price range, but you may find it will be a little too "light duty" for your needs.
Bob, I use a Feisol CT-3442 as a travel tripod. It... (show quote)



Sorry Gene. I was just about to respond to your original post and was interrupted.

I currently own a D200 and a Fuji bridge camera. The longest lens I currently own is the Nikkor 70-210 D. I expect to use this as a general purpose tool. Most of my photography is stills, portraits, flowers and landscapes. This model Sirui is rated for 13.2lb. The D200 plus the telezoom together weigh just under 3.5 lb. I would appreciate if you could provide details on why you feel this tripod would be too light. Is there some ratio of equipment weight to actual tripod weight that I should be looking for? In all honesty I cannot see myself spending over $400 for a tripod much as I would like too. Much appreciated. Thank you.

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Dec 26, 2017 19:15:29   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 


This is a very cheap/short/lightweight carbon fiber tripod with MINIMAL stability. If you are OK with that - then I am OK too.

Usually, when someone decides to go to the trouble to carry a tripod, it means they are serious about their image making and also serious about safety and protecting their equipment. Personally, the only time I would use a tripod like this is for an absolute last resort !.......

At the $200 price level I would be looking at a decent ( heavier) metal tripod preferably with 3 section legs and going at least 64 inches without centerpost extension. Slik makes some good ones in this range. Decent ball heads start at about $100.

Decent carbon fiber pods start at about $350.

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Dec 26, 2017 20:28:13   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
imagemeister wrote:
This is a very cheap/short/lightweight carbon fiber tripod with MINIMAL stability. If you are OK with that - then I am OK too.

Usually, when someone decides to go to the trouble to carry a tripod, it means they are serious about their image making and also serious about safety and protecting their equipment. Personally, the only time I would use a tripod like this is for an absolute last resort !.......

At the $200 price level I would be looking at a decent ( heavier) metal tripod preferably with 3 section legs and going at least 64 inches without centerpost extension. Slik makes some good ones in this range. Decent ball heads start at about $100.

Decent carbon fiber pods start at about $350.
This is a very cheap/short/lightweight carbon fibe... (show quote)


It looks like weight is an advantage but how much weight is needed for keeping less than keeping 4 lb stable? I don't really want to go more than 5 or 6 lb max. I'm not getting any younger and I don't see myself getting equipment much heavier than I already own. Thank you for your input. Much appreciated.

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Dec 26, 2017 21:16:25   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
Have some loose cash after the holidays and thought a decent tripod may be in order. Since the last tripod I purchased was from KMart back at least 30 years ago I need some direction. I'm not going anywhere too adventurous but I would like a decent all-around tripod without spending much more than $200, head included. Light weight is definitely a consideration. The heaviest camera lens combo I own is less than 4 lb. Any advice is appreciated.

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Dec 26, 2017 21:22:00   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
I'm sure you will plenty of recommendations. When you decide on one, I suggest checking for a used version on eBay. Used tripods seem to be heavily discounted compared to new prices.

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Dec 26, 2017 21:38:46   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
ralphfr wrote:
Have some loose cash after the holidays and thought a decent tripod may be in order. Since the last tripod I purchased was from KMart back at least 30 years ago I need some direction. I'm not going anywhere too adventurous but I would like a decent all-around tripod without spending much more than $200, head included. Light weight is definitely a consideration. The heaviest camera lens combo I own is less than 4 lb. Any advice is appreciated.


HI
Hi Ralph, ..Today's technology is carbon fiber for strength and durability. With your stated requirements, I would consider the following. I own a Sirui Carbon Fiber and love it.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244081-REG/sirui_sut024x_t_024x_traveler_light_series.html

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Dec 26, 2017 21:54:24   #
ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY
 
PixelStan77 wrote:
HI
Hi Ralph, ..Today's technology is carbon fiber for strength and durability. With your stated requirements, I would consider the following. I own a Sirui Carbon Fiber and love it.



Interestingly enough Stan I included this very link with my original post but the Admin moved it to Links and Resources. I'm guessing that an original post that contains a link to a commercial site is a no-no?

Anyway some other members commented that this would be too light. With my outfit being relatively light, the $30 rebate and it weighing in at about 2 lb I thought this would be a good deal. Now I'm a little confused. I still have a few days to qualify for the rebate. I think I'll take some time to do more research, but this one is on my list for sure. Thank you very much for the recommendation.

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Dec 26, 2017 21:55:43   #
bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT
 
Hi Ralphfr

i use this one, works ok for what I need, I also take it backpacking.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=menfroto%20road%20trip&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

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