Tripod Recommendation (Page 3): Nice tripod and only 3 LB. I'm going to search for something used and less expensive for now. Thanks for the link. Happy New Year!

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

rstrick2 wrote:

I Bought one of these https://www.manfrotto.us/befree-aluminum-travel-tripod-with-ball-head-black

Nice tripod and only 3 LB. I'm going to search for something used and less expensive for now. Thanks for the link. Happy New Year!

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Cletus wrote:

I'm like you, using only relatively light gear. But I believe in serious tripods. Along with inexpensive table tripods that I collect because I think they're cool, I have two big, top-grade, pro tripods, both Gitzo, both way more expensive than I could afford if I bought them the regular way. And a medium-sized Linhof ball head that costs $800 new but that I paid $129 for. eBay is your friend.

I'm beginning to come around to this way of thinking Cletus. I'm going to find something used. I just have to find the combination of weight vs load rating that I'm comfortable with. Thanks for the advice. Happy New Year!

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

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.

You can't buy a decent tripod, including head, for $200! Tripod load capacity is only one factor that must be considered. Vibration damping is critical and is a factor of leg material and leg diameter. Vibrations are caused by wind, vehicle traffic, camera mirror and camera shutter. Maximum lens focal length is also critical because the longer the focal length, the more blur vibration will cause. The tripod within your budget will vibrate and the head will allow the lens to droop, resulting in blurry photos.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Gene51 wrote:

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.

jndphoto Loc: Boston

I would avoid if possible going the less expensive route, namely because it could cost you more then buying a used good tripod. When you look at the tripods < $50 they frequently have plastic components which when shooting outdoors up north will break. You can quickly go thru multiple tripods in this fashion.

Cletus Loc: Mongolia

Here's the thing about tripods.

1.) They give you rock-steady, vibration-free shooting at comfortable eye level, even with a longer lens, without using an inherently shaky center column for extension. This can be very or just a little expensive.

2.) They are comfortable to carry on long walks. This can be done for less than $50.

Choose 1.) or 2.) Choosing both is not allowed.

Cletus Loc: Mongolia

One reason used Gitzos (which last forever) are a bargain these days: Until a few years ago, there was not a lighter carbon-fiber option. Nowadays, every pro is buying carbon-fiber Gitzos and selling off the heavier old ones on eBay. One of mine (both are all-metal) is 30 years old, and I bought it new, back when Gitzos were only a little more expensive and when I was a jungle macro freak in Hawaii. It looks like a beater, which it is, although it still works like new. It lives in my car's trunk in an old duffel bag. The other is even heavier (thicker legs) and looks like new. It's recent enough to take the bowl* assembly videographers use for leveling, which I love even though I don't do video. It lives indoors. Get a used Gitzo. Everything else is just a cheaper attempt to be as good as Gitzo.

Those cool new carbon-fiber Gitzos cost two or three times more than the old all-metal ones but are only one-third lighter. To my way of thinking, they're still too damn heavy to carry around much. And the math suggests they would be a poor investment even if I were rich. If I were rich enough to have an assistant (in British India, they were called "bearers," for good reason), maybe I'd be buying that stuff.

*What's a bowl? Think of it as being like a ball head ... only it's a ball foot. There are good no-name imports on Amazon.com for $30 to $50.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have 4 tripods and my most used tripod is a cheap Dolica Proline that cost me $45. I practically go nowhere when traveling if I do not take it with me.
It is an aluminum tripod and I am not saying that is what you have to buy. For $200 you can get a very good carbon fiber tripod which is light till you fit it with a head, which usually adds another pound of weight. When I travel the head goes in my luggage to facilitate traveling lighter with the tripod alone.
The Sirui has good marks if you go for it. There are others in that range and mine is a Desmond DCF-642 that cost me near $200 and has served me well.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

When it comes to tripods "light weight" is always good when it comes to lugging it around as you look for subjects. But ... the purpose of a tripod is to keep the camera rock steady so in that sense heavy is better.

I get around this dilemma by having a tripod that is very light but also capable of handling a lot of weight. Under the column is a spring loaded hook. When I need real stability like in a hurricane, I fill a plastic grocery bag with rocks or sand and hang it from that hook. Now I have a really heavy solid tripod for the occasion.

Good luck!

Silverman Loc: Michigan

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.

I just picked-up a "SunPak 6060XL" at "Goodwill" store for $9.00. It replaced a cheaper less sturdy Tripod. But I would highly recommend this model of tripod, have some very nice features and very sturdy.
Check-out Ebay and Amazon.

williejoha

You want a sturdy tripod? Well, good is not cheap and cheap is not always good. Induro makes some nice carbon fiber ones that are affordable.
WJH

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

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.

Some will tell that my tripod won't last long. Time will tell if that's true. However, as I'm gentle with my gear I don't need military grade equipment that can be dropped from 10,000 feet, shot by a cal 50 rifle, or ran over by a tank.

That said, I bought a Selens T170 on eBay for $42, and I'm very happy with it.

- With the ball head only tightened slightly I can adjust the horizontal level of the camera with ease. The head has a fairly quick mount to the camera and tripod.
- To extract the legs you turn the rubber foot of the leg 1, 2, 3, or 4 clicks depending on how many sections you want to extract. When youâve extracted the sections you want, lock them into positions by turning the foot the same number of clicks again.
- At the top of the legs there are buttons that allows you to alter/expand the angle of the legs.
- The center pillar is extendable in 2 sections which makes the entire tripod tall enough for me, I'm 180 cm/5'9". And it is reversible as well, i.e. you can have the camera set between the three legs for low angle photography.
- The center pillar has a hook at the bottom for extra weights.
- On top of all this, one leg can be used as a mono-pod if preferred.
- Folded length is 320 mm/12.6"

Some time ago I used it outdoors for the first time, on a mountain side and I was surprised how easy it was to handle. Considering the price paid I recommend it to anyone asking.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

With a $200 budget, you are "hamstrung" from the get go.

Brent Rowlett Loc: Atlanta, GA

If you are really serious about photography, the pros will tell you not to skimp on the cost of a tripod and treat the purchase as you would a good camera. Cell Phone or High End DSLR...your choice. Buy a cheap one and you will buy many, buy a Gitzo and it will last you for life.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

Look at the Mephoto offerings. Lightweight, relatively short, fits easily in check-in luggage.

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.