Need help with tripod selection: Hi, I'm looking for some advice on what kind of inexpensive tripod I should get for my daughter-in-law. I suspect her primary reason for wanting one is...

keeper Loc: Franklin, TN

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on what kind of inexpensive tripod I should get for my daughter-in-law. I suspect her primary reason for wanting one is to take photos of herself, two babies (one is 2 and the other is 2 months) and husband. She uses a Nikon D5000. I'm quite certain she is looking for something (tripod and head) under $200. Any ideas? Thanks!

notnoBuddha

While I have one, I can't say it is any better or worse then any others. I would suggest looking at B & H photo site as they have a very large selection - can search by price, and pull up reviews by other consumers. If you do a Goggle search for tripods you will also get lots of hits. Myself - I would not spend a whole on this as several brands are going to give you pretty equal quality within the same price range. I would not be very concerned with weight as most likely it will be mostly around the house. Good luck.

keeper Loc: Franklin, TN

Thanks!

philo Loc: philo, ca

I use my tripods as much a possible. I spend more time composing the image then I do with out one.
Not only is the tripod important but the proper ball head. You must have one that will support your heaviiest lens/camera.
A tripod that does not support the camera is worst then no tripod.
I would give your daughter either a gift cert. or the money and let her pick her own.

ckcougar Loc: NATIVE FLORIDIAN

I have a mono-pod... very lightweight and I can carry it hiking to use as a cane. Cost me about $20 at Walmart last month. They come in varying sizes/weights and I have heard you can also get them in camera stores.

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

Not sure if you are near a Costco, but I just got a new tripod there made by Sunpak. It has 5 levels on it and uses a pistol grip ball head. I needed a tripod that could handle the weight of my Canon 20d (with extra battery grip) and one of my heavier lenses. This one works great! I believe it is rated for up to 11 lbs.

As a bonus, the head unscrews easily to fit into the saddle bags on my Harley, and as a bonus, there was a sling style camera bag, filters and more included. With tax I paid under $60.

john339 Loc: Clyde Calif. USA

I bought one from Amazon.com, they have lots of em from inexpensive to Wow!
Tripod with carrying case under $30.00
The key here is to use it as so many have them and they stay in the closet.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=camera+tripods&x=0&y=0

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

keeper wrote:

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on what kind of inexpensive tripod I should get for my daughter-in-law. I suspect her primary reason for wanting one is to take photos of herself, two babies (one is 2 and the other is 2 months) and husband. She uses a Nikon D5000. I'm quite certain she is looking for something (tripod and head) under $200. Any ideas? Thanks!

dont buy a cheap tripod, spend more and get something better. I cant understand why people want to go cheap on a tripod with cameras and lenses that sell for a lot of money. get a better tripod with a good head that will support your equipment well.

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

silver wrote:

dont buy a cheap tripod, spend more and get something better. I cant understand why people want to go cheap on a tripod with cameras and lenses that sell for a lot of money. get a better tripod with a good head that will support your equipment well.

It all depends on what you want in a tripod. I have several, including a Bogen 3036 with 4047 head. It used to hold my view camera. I still use it often, but it doesn't travel well.....especially on a motorcycle.

You don't always need to spend big $$$.

frederdane Loc: Orlando, FL

There is a great variety out there, almost an overwhelming number to consider. If it's for use in the house, wheels would be nice. Esp. nice if they are detachtable. Manfrotto is one of the better known tripod makers. Consider carbon fiber for great strength with reduced weight. I have five, and seldom use any. Not a practice one should copy.

I recently bought a Revelli Tripod APGL4. Gets excellent reviews. You can see a demo of it on YouTube (along with other makes). This Revelli comes with two quick release plates, a carrying bag, and an extra mini-tripod. It weights 10 lbs. and sells for approx. $90.00. Check out Amazon reviews before you buy.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

you don't have to spend a ton of money, as stated before make sure it is rated to hold the weight of your camera and your heavest lens.

Nothing worse than placing your camera and glass on a tripod and watching it tip over and shatter.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

MWAC wrote:

you don't have to spend a ton of money, as stated before make sure it is rated to hold the weight of your camera and your heavest lens.

Nothing worse than placing your camera and glass on a tripod and watching it tip over and shatter.

I saw a woman with a brand new canon 5d with a 70-200 lens on a really cheap tripod on one of my workshops. The tripod was really lightweight with a spring loaded head attached. The head gave out and her brand new camera and lens smashed to the ground. Lesson! get a better tripod. Spend more and get something that will do the job. How much is your equipment worth? I cant understand why someone would spend so much money for their camera and lens and want to get a cheap tripod. It doesnt make sense. You have to spend at least $250.00-$400.00 for an acceptable tripod. Its worth it. Spend more and get a Gitzo. If you can afford to buy a camera, you can afford to buy a good tripod for it.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

silver wrote:

quote=MWAC you don't have to spend a ton of money... (show quote)

I've seen the same thing happen, just down in times square (where I didn't think you could have a tripod but that's a different story), he had a 5D MKII and a 24-70L, tripod couldn't take the weight and his camera and lens hit the cement. With that "thud" my heart broke for him, well I kind of laughed on the inside... $4,000 worth of equipment and you cheap out and get a Walmart $30 tripod. :thumbdown:

He taught me a lesson, I have a nice Manfrotto that supports up to 14lbs.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

MWAC wrote:

quote=silver quote=MWAC you don't have to spend ... (show quote)

It amazes me that people actually brag how little money they spend for a tripod. I dont get it. I have two gitzo metal tripods bought used, one for studio and one for carry around. They both have strong ball heads. My equipment is my lively hood and I will not take any chances with it. I cant afford to have a camera and lens fall to the ground. I just dont understand the cheap tripod mentality.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I have a good tripod and ball head. Was in Yosemite on a shoot and was placing my 5d mk 11 on my tripod and wasn't paying attention and it wasn't seated properly and down it went.
Moral of the story is that S--t happens.
My Canon is now on the way to be repaired.