Inexpensive Durable Tripod (Page 3): Lots of good sense here ! - especially .... "the more centred the weight is the less of a struggle to keep it stable." ..

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

blackest wrote:

Trouble with most tripods is they are too big and ... (show quote)

Lots of good sense here ! - especially ....

"the more centred the weight is the less of a struggle to keep it stable."

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ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

pkr wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive stable tripod for my Sony RX10IV?

Whatever tripod you buy, make sure it will take the camera plus lens that you will attach to it. Remember, long lenses have their weight spread up and around a foot ahead of the camera and if when you buy a tripod make sure it will balance the weight well. They tend to tip in direction of the lens weight.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

ppkwhat wrote:

Whatever tripod you buy, make sure it will take the camera plus lens that you will attach to it. Remember, long lenses have their weight spread up and around a foot ahead of the camera and if when you buy a tripod make sure it will balance the weight well. They tend to tip in direction of the lens weight.

He has a Sony RX10, a bridge camera, won't be changing lenses

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Blaster34 wrote:

He has a Sony RX10, a bridge camera, won't be changing lenses

Bur it still has a big lens that needs to be balanced.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

imagemeister wrote:

Bur it still has a big lens that needs to be balanced.

Agree, all 2.5 lbs of it

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

This is one I got on Amazon for a little over $100. It is carbon fiber, comes with a decent head and will hold my gimbal head with my D7200 and Sigma 150-600mm zoom. I have had no trouble with it being unsteady, but I don't try to shoot in many unsteady precarious type of situations due to back issues.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013UES3UQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

C. Loren Loc: MN

If you already have a good carbon fiber tripod, try putting a hook on the bottom of the vertical pole and attach a weight to it. Sand bags work, however, in my case my camera bag is a good weight so I just put a short strap in it that I can attach to the hook and it really helps with the stability.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I own the RX10 III and what is interesting is the camera stability setup and the lens can give you sharp pictures
hand held at 300 to 600mm. I only had this camera on a tripod once. Have used a Manafort monopod often. At sporting events payed work. I had an older Manafroto stored it was moderate size but very heavy built strong. I have tried a couple of thr newer lighter smaller tripods and the are a waste of time. Manafrotto good but clamps and a tightening knob flimsy.
The best I have seen are the video Sachtler tripods which are really heavy. Because my mirrorless camera’s are
much lighter wanted one for video and stills that would fit in my luggage.
After buying a Manafroto smaller and just OK with a video seems alright. So if you want a serious landscape
or setup tripod I think you know we are talking $500 plus. The portable Manfrotto is about $150 plus.
I always worry about the lighter tripods I have with a $3500 camera and $1500 lens.
One thought is to a couple of different tripods reasonable for different uses. Good luck.

agillot

some time , used older tripods from the film era can be had for very little money , and are usable .aluminum made .

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

imagemeister wrote:

I like the Slik pro 700 DX - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-Pro-700DX-Super-Titanium-Alloy-Tripod-Legs-615900/371546840953?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

this may be a little large, but Slik also has smaller ones in the pro DX series also - like the 400.

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I use the Slik 700DX Pro Tripod and it very steady and lighter than my similar sized Manfrotto aluminum tripod. It is also good for tall people. I use mine with a Wimberley head and a Nikon 600 mm lens. Also use it for long exposure night photography with a ball head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Jerry Green wrote:

I use the Slik 700DX Pro Tripod and it very steady and lighter than my similar sized Manfrotto aluminum tripod. It is also good for tall people. I use mine with a Wimberley head and a Nikon 600 mm lens. Also use it for long exposure night photography with a ball head.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

As others have recommended: I have this one and love it. Not for backpacking but it you are staying close to home/car it will fill the bill...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885665-REG/Slik_615_316_Pro_700DX_Tripod_With.html

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Look for a used one.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

PKR, I bought a Zomei Z818 from Amazon eight months ago and I'm very happy with it.

https://smile.amazon.com/Z818-Portable-Magnesium-Aluminium-Release/dp/B013UESDJC/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542640525&sr=8-12-spons&keywords=Zomei+Tripod&psc=1

The legs are round tubing and not some special extrusion, ALL parts are aluminum or steel (NO PLASTIC) and the fit and finish are excellent. The ball head and swivel are smooth enough for video panning, the leg locks turn smoothly and lock firmly and it is very stable (very important to me since my K 50 became a long exposure camera)

Rick

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

pkr wrote:

Lightweight and under $100. Amazon has many tripods that look sturdy for this amount, but it's hard to judge their quality or stability. I need a basic tripod for use in botanical gardens, wetlands, and other non-rigorous conditions.

There isn't a tripod made that costs $100 or less that will be stable with macro or the equivalent of a 600mm lens - both of which are the most rigorous and most stability-demanding uses for a tripod. What you "need" is a tripod AND HEAD that does not vibrate at the slightest hint of a breeze. If you buy a $100 tripod, you just added $100 to the price of the correct choice.

In an automotive analogy, the <$100 is to a real tripod as this is to a real car:

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