Help With Ebay & Tripods
Jul 12, 2021 09:05:57 #
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a number of manufacturers websites to familiarize myself with carbon fiber tripods & that was overwhelming. I’ve been reading the many posts on UHH about purchasing tripods, especially those about using Ebay. Somehow, my wife ended up with $125 worth of Ebay gift cards. So I went to Ebay and searched carbon fiber tripods and there were over 1, 300 items. I’m asking any UHH folks that can help me. I’d like to purchase a carbon fiber tripod & mount, if it’s even possible, for around $400 or less. I have a Canon T7i. The heaviest lens I have weighs just over 2 pounds. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jul 12, 2021 09:12:22 #
Research Gitzo options. Personally, I think RRS heads and clamps are best, mount these expensive pieces to other brand tripods that cost less.
For example, I bought a used Gitzo G1352 MkII Carbon Fiber Professional for $419 via eBay in 2013. Tripods are solid equipment. A few visual signs of wear do nothing to impact their performance. To the tripod I then mounted a RRS BH-40 ball-head.
You might find the tripod someplace else and use the giftcards for heads, clamps and plates. When you have quick-release mount-points on all your equipment, using your tripod becomes very easy and natural. That is, an L-plate permanently on the body and then plates on all the lenses that have collars.
For example, I bought a used Gitzo G1352 MkII Carbon Fiber Professional for $419 via eBay in 2013. Tripods are solid equipment. A few visual signs of wear do nothing to impact their performance. To the tripod I then mounted a RRS BH-40 ball-head.
You might find the tripod someplace else and use the giftcards for heads, clamps and plates. When you have quick-release mount-points on all your equipment, using your tripod becomes very easy and natural. That is, an L-plate permanently on the body and then plates on all the lenses that have collars.
Jul 12, 2021 09:15:44 #
I recently purchased this one (I got it on Amazon.) and have had good luck with it. It's a bit awkward to get back into its carry case, but it's remarkably versatile, strong and lightweight. One of the legs even becomes a monopod.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254706680331?hash=item3b4db3820b:g:8kwAAOSwg-BfTo2L
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254706680331?hash=item3b4db3820b:g:8kwAAOSwg-BfTo2L
Jul 12, 2021 09:30:18 #
Before you buy a tripod, look at what you plan to mount on it & how tall it needs to be. Most of the good tripods will far exceed your camera & body weight but, you also need to take into account what the head is rated for. Your choice should be about your height with a camera mounted on it. You don't want a tripod that is so short you're always having to raise the center post. That can be a source of shake. I'm 5'6". My tripod with the legs fully extended is 62". With the legs fully extended & the camera mounted, it almost exactly eye level.
Jul 12, 2021 09:34:34 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a numbe... (show quote)
What I recommend, 32mm top leg diameter, 4 section legs, 40mm ball head with centerpost - https://www.ebay.com/itm/174428274671?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D233036%26meid%3Ded4eec1a9f5f4282b4e5652dec17ebb1%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D253563055362%26itm%3D174428274671%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv8MlcUltbPairwiseNativeDarwoXgbV1%26brand%3DLeofoto&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A174428274671ed4eec1a9f5f4282b4e5652dec17ebb1%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACEPHeClOpjepNyUpdWHkqB%252FV%252B9O4xIwWiQ%252BzWbk%252BonFseX7qEgI8Z1qm25vcMEA5wO9mHOGO2vM94qWJcEKFljd4OOKka68uJZD2cTa51E2XXM1q0rEncA5aWQtGZEIN%252BDJ3%252BJTfSM7NL9lSa6TMDu1CzSaYo6NRD9Dj54rS8lDN5eJBeOXIUpwTW%252FFKUrPUB9ZgRxT1qjsoXQOnKnpm7GKUsqho%252FfF1v9hRVmkPRJ1yJFSoIQcjVwTS8YFZRsu3ypV0IXdli55Ok4LlYRTKjTgsZvAXZTHim9zuHAsKNkW09aVxy0Iv4LftHX%252FY9Ie1H2dA14lK%252FhOqZK3l8nycASn9AnB082sShQfkbmz51TcTX96q0MVkzPpz%252BVZt8Du5idqpDbL8qY3FQgR9XAQ3ZpWnJ8ySBLp0QVac3uXP9m9BrZRNSd2Z7NA469cTaCLdbW0sKMkiOFh7wZxb%252BSnCmNmQzqf9qNhMZAoXCe2v86e9qfFM%252B7eU3UUuoG2Bks2qBHgYJohWW6AVSvGC4ShZeGKbke5XapuSgxzJIRGJsOgs4F6rTdU1uJ6syN19Kd%252BscGO3mfoch%252F9RL5FY7Qw4HA%252FEgUwZnkrOSBNB7vKHTMjtoJ1B%252Ffn7Xksk3bTohfaqqd3UQ3iGMQvrTXQSZhaDufaWPvgkeI7eW0kzn0%252FI9jlNYPmTMTKyq14YRsf%252FFQLh9oQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675&epid=19027979363
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Jul 12, 2021 09:55:25 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a numbe... (show quote)
The tripod and head should be at least one size larger than you first think is large enough. 😃
Jul 12, 2021 10:02:32 #
Burtzy wrote:
I recently purchased this one (I got it on Amazon.) and have had good luck with it. It's a bit awkward to get back into its carry case, but it's remarkably versatile, strong and lightweight. One of the legs even becomes a monopod.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254706680331?hash=item3b4db3820b:g:8kwAAOSwg-BfTo2L
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254706680331?hash=item3b4db3820b:g:8kwAAOSwg-BfTo2L
I hope yours is better than mine. I was given one like that. It's a lot of plastic and will not tighten enough to stay out. It was worthless, so I tossed it. It's a video tripod designed to move with a video camera and would not stay put with a camera of any weight.
Jul 12, 2021 14:44:19 #
Jul 12, 2021 14:50:20 #
Jul 12, 2021 15:48:47 #
martykovacs wrote:
Thank you very much. Exactly what I was looking for.
When you don't use <quote reply>, everyone thinks you're talking to them.
Jul 12, 2021 16:05:42 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a numbe... (show quote)
This comes up at least 2x a week. There are 1000s of posts here some of which actually have some good information.
Ok, rant over.
The criteria for selection a tripod are durability, cost, size, weight, stability. Stability is tied into optical magnification, with macro and long lens use being the most demanding. If you want the lightest, smallest, most stable tripod, it will cost you - and so on.
The one criterion that has nothing to do with tripod selection is load capacity. Not only is it completely unreliably written, load capacity is pretty much meaningless when it comes to stability. Even the $25 Amazon Basics tripod will support your load of about 3.5 lbs. but it won't be stable.
Generally speaking the price range you are in should be ok for wide angle to short telephoto lenses.
This may prove helpful.
https://thecentercolumn.com/
There are two maxims concerning tripod purchases. The tripod industry is driven be regret, and no one ever complained about buying too good a tripod.
Jul 13, 2021 05:25:35 #
The old saying: You can get a tripod that is sturdy, lightweight and inexpensive - pick two out of three. My advice is to limit your brand choice (personally, I would choose Giitzo and maybe Induro) and look for height WITHOUT the center column, at least a 3 series (GT3xxx), and then think about the number of legs, which will determine how small it folds. I purchased a GT3xxx Long on ebay for around $350, so $400 is possible if you are diligent. You will regret buying a cheap tripod. Expect to spend almost the same on a good ball head.
The advice to check out thecentercolumn.com is good. You will see that the knockoff brand Leofoto does surprisingly well in his ratings. Might be worth considering.
The advice to check out thecentercolumn.com is good. You will see that the knockoff brand Leofoto does surprisingly well in his ratings. Might be worth considering.
Jul 13, 2021 06:29:58 #
martykovacs wrote:
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a numbe... (show quote)
I recently purchased a Fotopro Travel Tripod for $199.00!
Jul 13, 2021 06:50:27 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
martykovacs wrote:
I have never purchased a tripod. I visited a numbe... (show quote)
Consider Benro and Induro tripods (same company). And they usually include a bag and tools. Good company. Not on the expensive side but really good quality.
Also consider Robus tripods.
The very best way to get the feel of them is actually go to a larger camera store and try them out.
Buying a tripod is a lot like shopping for shoes. They may look good until you try them on.
And as you said, there are more than a thousand out there to choose from and everyone here will be giving you there opinion.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Jul 13, 2021 08:50:19 #
cytafex
Loc: Clarksburg MA
I have 4 Gitzo tripods that always jam up when on river trips in the Grand Canyon. I have 2 Sirui tripods and no jams so far and less expensive than Gitzo. Sirui great bang for the buck!
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