jonbeth

Asking for advice to buy a new tripod for landscape and travel $200 - $300.

thanks

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I hope some Hoggers have some perfect suggestions, but I would humbly suggest that you prioritize your requirements. When you specify “travel,” you run the risk of limiting your search to tripods that are so lightweight or cheaply made that they do not perform satisfactorily for other functions. I have a Gitzo GT1545, which is a very nice “travel” tripod, but it is nowhere near sturdy enough for landscape shots in windy conditions. I was hugely disappointed to discover that the magic name of Gitzo could not overcome the laws of physics.

Perhaps the “travel” portion of your wishlist could be satisfied with a monopod, or a monopod with “feet?”

Regardless, if you are willing to look at pre-owned equipment, i have had great success on eBay as I was looking for a sturdier tripod myself.

These are just my observations based on personal experience. Again, this vast knowledge pool may come up with great options. Best of luck.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

What camera and lens?

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Let's make this simple.
The tripod must support 1.5 to 2 times the total weight of your camera and largest lens (do think ahead). More research is needed on your part...

tomad Loc: North Carolina

So a landscape tripod and a travel tripod are generally two different things. If you mean travel as in light weight and packable or folding to a small size, these can be used for landscapes in a pinch but are not ideal for that purpose, especially the ones in your price range.

This is a decent all purpose tripod and I have walked a mile with it but I wouldn't take it on an airplane or go on longer hikes with it...

https://www.amazon.com/SLIK-Pro-700-Tripod-Legs/dp/B001B2I9L8/ref=asc_df_B001B2I9L8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241948263033&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1435643478092733019&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=aud-801381245258%3Apla-571013146511&th=1

and in your price range I would recommend this ball head to go with the legs above...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QC3COO/?coliid=I1XJML3TA0D9QF&colid=3ACIBVYHIWSJU&psc=1

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Before you read the many conflicting opinions you are going to be getting do yourself a favor and go to this website for a non-partisan education on tripods. I'm afraid you will learn that your budget is too low for a new tripod that will met your requirements. But, once you learn what you'll really need the suggestion to try eBay is a good one.
https://thecentercolumn.com/

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Finding a GOOD landscape tripod for that price could be a challenge. Benro and Induro make great aluminum tripods at affordable prices.
I believe at your price point you should stick with aluminum types.
In fact, you could go to ebay and get a great deal on a older aluminum tripod for that price.
Remember, even very old aluminum tripods work very well for years and years and do not go obsolete like many other camera accessories.
I have listed below one to consider. You will also need a head, I list a Gimbal head for you to consider.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842086-REG/Magnus_VT_4000_VT_4000_Tripod_System.html

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Panoramic-Arca-Swiss-13-6kilogram/dp/B01M262LLV/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=wimberely+type+tripod+head&qid=1571136240&sr=8-3-spell

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

General rule of thumb is you can have a tripod that is cheap, sturdy or light.... just pick the two factors you want. That said, Induro and Benro are good brands to research.

daledo Loc: Billings, MT

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

One more comment, if I may. Don’t be too impressed with weight support numbers. Properly and carefully set up 3 drinking straws could support 5 pounds. You need to be more concerned with a tripod’s vibration handling/dampening ability. With a telephoto lens that is even more important. Your choice of head will also be determined by that lens as longer lenses need a much sturdier head to hold its position. A quality tripod and head will not be cheap, but if we spend a thousand (or more) on the camera, a thousand (or more) per lens, why get cheap on the support?
Would you put Walmart super saver tires on a Porsche?

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

12 recommended travel tripods...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/travel-tripods

Tripods for landscape photography and travel tripods are two somewhat different animals.

The most stable tripods (for landscape shooting) are fairly hefty, have fewer leg sections and are tall enough to not need to use a center column. Heavier and less compact when folded up, counter-intuitive to a "travel tripod".

Probably what you should look for is a reasonably robust travel tripod with as few leg sections as possible (no more than four), that's sufficiently tall you don't need to raise the center column much or at all, to have comfortable working height.

You need to increase your budget, though. One of the more affordable tripods that meet most of the above requirements is the Benro Series 2 Carbon Fiber Travel Angel with V1E Ball Head... which costs $400 (22 lb. capacity version). Hopefully you aren't very tall, because without raising the center column this tripod reaches about 56" (fully raised, the center column adds another 10 or 11".... but for stability you want to avoid that if possible). It uses 4-section legs, so isn't super compact when folded up (about 24") and weighs around 4.5 lb.

There is a cheaper aluminum version of the Benro Series 2 Travel Angel tripod available, which is a little over a half lb. heavier, but is within your budget. However, I'd recommend carbon fiber if at all possible... if you can increase your budget a little. There are also lower weight bearing capacity (17.5 lb.) "Series 1" versions of this tripod in both aluminum and carbon fiber... a bit lower cost and lighter weight... however it also should be noted that these are 5 or 6" shorter, as well.

Travel tripods, such as the above, rely upon compact ballheads. The legs for the tripod fold "backwards" over the head to be as small as possible, which further limits the size and shape of head that can be used.

The "twist" type leg locks on the Benro are self-adjusting and not prone to wear, the way "lever" type leg locks on some tripods are.

The ballhead on that Benro is Arca-Swiss quick release compatible. It appears to come with a "universal" style plate, but I'd recommend a custom "anti-twist" type plate for your particular camera. You didn't say what camera or lenses you'll be using, so I can't make any specific recommendations. Kirk Enterprises, Wimberley, Really Right Stuff and others make camera-specific Arca-compatible plates... They typically cost around $50 or a bit more, but they fit the camera perfectly and will give the most secure connection. Some landscape shooters prefer "L-plates" on their cameras, which are bulkier and more expensive, but allow easy vertical orientation on a ballhead, in addition to the usual horizontal. These are also camera-specific, so you will need to search for what's available for your particular camera.

The Benro Series 2 Travel Angel isn't the lightest or smallest for travel.... Nor is it the rock-steadiest for landscape photography.... But in my opinion it's "pretty good" compromise for both, IF it's tall enough for you. It also costs more than you wanted to spend, but you aren't likely to find anything particularly good for much less. It's often better to spend more on a tripod, rather than less. A good tripod is more pleasurable to use and might last a lifetime. Cheap ones don't last and break or work poorly and end up getting replaced in frustration, which can actually end up costing more $ in the long run. Also, how much have you spent on the camera and lenses you'll be trusting to the tripod?

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Take a look at the Manfrotto BeFree. It comes in aluminum for under $200 and in carbon fiber for nearly $300. Very innovative the way it folds for packing or carry. I got aluminum, 4 pounds weight but supposedly a bit more sturdy than carbon fiber. Enjoy the search! JimR

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Search Gene51 in UHH. He has the most accurate tripod recommendations.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Hard to get good travel at your budget.
Manfroto 190 4 section are wonderful and light yet very sturdy.
Easily fit into a small suitcase with plenty of room for a weeks clothes.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Leofoto has some good stuff ! .....https://www.ebay.com/itm/173285261231

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