Time for a Tripod (Page 2): Try MeFoto. I have one and like it as much as you can like a tripod. Not too heavy, sturdy, travels well, and has a leg that can detach and become a...

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Try MeFoto. I have one and like it as much as you can like a tripod. Not too heavy, sturdy, travels well, and has a leg that can detach and become a monopod. I used it with my d7000 and my heaviest 120-400 lens with no problem. I still have it and use it even though I’ve bought others since; I keep coming back to it.

wsudetic

Go to Amazon and search for a carbon fibre tripod. There will be several "brand's" like Neewer, K&F Concept, Mefoto etc. The "brand name" is not important, all look very similar because they're made by a same faceless factory in China. For $120 or less, you get a light, but fairly solid, carbon fibre tripod, some even with spikes, and a ball head with bubble level, an Arca Swiss QR plate; plus one leg is detachable for a quick & easy monopod. Perfect for travel and light landscape rigs under 10kg. I got a Newer 63" one because it came with spikes and rubber feet. It works great with all 3 of my Nikon D8x0 bodies and lenses up to 200mm. The heavy Manfrotto now stays at home.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

I've been very happy with my Zomei Q888. On Amazon I found a version that was in unpopular colors (orange and black) and that saved me $20. With the exception of the grips on the leg lock grips it's all metal and the quality of the machined parts is incredible. The legs are round tubing, not some custom extrusion for which there is no replacement. I wouldn't use it with a D850 and a long lens but for every camera and lens combo I have its more than enough. It's certainly not an RRS but for the price you cannot beat it.

Rick

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

cameraf4 wrote:

... Most "serious photographers" prefer a Ball Head...

Anne with an E does not tell us how serious she is. It is rare that I am called serious, so that's probably the reason I don't care for ball heads. Too many degrees of freedom. I grew up with a pan head (at least to the extent that I have grown up) so that probably has some influence over my opinion.

A ball head will also add to the cost of the tripod.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

#2 for the Slik 700 dx. I've had mine for close to thirty years and used it in some of the most trying conditions that you can imagine. It's never failed me and I have used it with somewhat heavy medium format film gear without one problem. It's inexpensive (?), tough and will support just about anything but the longest telephoto lenses. I don't know why people are assuming you will use a ball head. I use a ball head on my monopod but a good tilt an swivel head on my tripod.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

DirtFarmer wrote:

Anne with an E does not tell us how serious she is. It is rare that I am called serious, so that's probably the reason I don't care for ball heads. Too many degrees of freedom. I grew up with a pan head (at least to the extent that I have grown up) so that probably has some influence over my opinion.

A ball head will also add to the cost of the tripod.

Well, when I said "most", I may have been referring to folks on this forum, not necessarily you. However, if you did look at Amazon, you'll see that many pods there sell with a Ball Head AND/OR a Pan Head. Still, IMHO, a good place for "Anne-with-an-e" to start her search.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

cameraf4 wrote:

Well, when I said "most", I may have been referring to folks on this forum, not necessarily you. However, if you did look at Amazon, you'll see that many pods there sell with a Ball Head AND/OR a Pan Head. Still, IMHO, a good place for "Anne-with-an-e" to start her search.

I will admit that I did not research tripods on Amazon (or elsewhere) and that my predilection towards the pan head is due to my advanced age.

And it's entirely possible that AnnewithanE will be happy with a ball head. I can't make her decisions for her, and I wish her luck in her decision.

OTOH, even if she has never used one, I feel that it's always good to be in danger of learning something new.

geajr

check out my post buy and sell

druthven

It's a little more than your budget but consider the Siuri A 1205 carbon fiber with the Y-11 ball head. It fold to 14.5 inches weighs 2.2 lbs has a load capacity of 22 lbs and one leg detaches to become a monopod. $219 at B&H.

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

Collhar wrote:

I have been told the combined weight of the camera and what ever lens you are or will be using is important. The ball head should be weight appropriate.

You've been given misleading information. If one is considering a really cheap tripod - <$100 - it is conceivable that you could put together a load that could exceed the safe load recommendation - lens+camera+head+bag of rocks suspended from the hook under the tripod head to make an inherently unstable tripod more stable -

But in practice this is usually not an issue.

However, a tripod with a load capacity of 17 lbs (a meFoto Road Trip Aluminum @$160) is not going to be stable with a telephoto lens, but it may be ok with a wide angle.

If the OP doesn't want to end up with a closet full of tripods that never get used, I suggest that she do as others have suggested - borrow or rent one to get a feel for using one and to determine whether she needs one at all at this point.

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/290-light-kit-alu-3-sec-tripod-with-ball-head-mk290lta3-bhus/

philo Loc: philo, ca

I have lots and lots of tripods. some i have had for over 50 years..I have all different brands.
My newest one us made by Peak Design. Overall it is the best of the bunch. check it out. i would not spend the money on the carbon fiber one.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

cameraf4 wrote:

Most "serious photographers" prefer a Ball Head.

Should not every photographer be “serious,” and choose the tripod head best suited for their purpose?

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Anne With An E wrote:

I have recently purchased my forever camera, a Nikon D7500. Next stop - a tripod for it. Any suggestions? I am willing to to to $150. Thanks!

I would look at this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KXSF9PS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got one a while back, and to say the least it FAR EXCEEDED my expectations. I got this to take out of the studio, and glad I did! Had many tripods, and this is worth the money. I think I paid about $180.00 delivered with tax.

PS: The Amazon add says: "Currently Unavailable", but I got an email yesterday that it will be on Amazon in the next few days. J.M.O

Thanks,
Boone.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Gene51 wrote:

...If the OP doesn't want to end up with a closet full of tripods that never get used...

When I was a kid I bought a tripod. It was cheap. I couldn't afford anything more. It was pretty shaky, but it got used when I really needed a tripod.

Much, much later, (like half a century) when I got a DSLR I got a pretty good carbon fiber tripod. Much more stable and usable. I figured the other one was junk and would never be used again. But I'm a packrat and never throw anything away.

When I got to try using off-camera flash, I found the old, cheap, shaky tripod to finally have a good use. Holding one of the speedlights. It was shaky, but so what? The speedlight wasn't heavy, and the pointing didn't need to be particularly precise.

So don't throw out all those tripods in your closet.