photoman43

Get a quality branded tripod and quality head. To save money, look for them used. Used tripods and heads are usually a very good buy, especially if you want a aluminum one. Try KEH in the United States. Maybe ebay or craigslist.

I have had no issues with my aluminum Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with lever locks on the legs. I would not get a carbon fiber tripod with lever locks. Twist leg locks for carbon fiber tripods.

My newest tripods are from Induro--both carbon fiber. One is a series two; the other a series four.

Ball heads--Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff, Induro.

drobvit Loc: Southern NV

Benro TMA37AL long series tripod
Benro IB2 ball head or the B3
All @B&H

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

I have 2 Sirui tripods which work better than my Gitzo tripods at a 1/3rd of the cost!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I'm sure there are a number of ways a sandbag could be rigged up. Could be as simple as a piece of polyester line connected to the top of the legs and tied to the sandbag handle.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I would recommend that you get a large head with a ball around 55 mm in diameter. They are made by numerous manufacturers and several of the moderately priced ones are very good quality.

dtsobel Loc: West Hills California

their release system sucks. I have one. I'm looking at a carbon tripod with an arcaswiss compatible head

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

[quote=Greer]I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sirui+k-30x+ball+head&crid=8K245TALKRUZ&sprefix=Sirui+K%2Caps%2C170&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_7

Use the Sirui all the time with Nikon D750 with 600mm lens. Love it! I have the K20 and the K30. I have no problem with either of these. I did try the K10, and it was to light for my lens so I sent it back.

I use the K20 on my mono pod, and the heavier K30 on my tripod.

Thanks,
Boone.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

https://www.obensupports.com/

Here is a link t the Oben company. Contact them to inquire about your missing hook- perhaps they can supply a replacement. Their catalog shows a decent ball head at a reasonable price. I have no personal experience with that make. The products on their website look sturdy enough and their various models have some good load specifications. Their better models are not inexpensive and are similar to what you can expect to pay for a Gitzo unit. I have a Gitzo carbon-fiber model that has served me well in heavy professional use for over 10 years. I also have several Manfrotto models, some of which are 20 years old and still well intact- the take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!

It only pays to invest in your present unit if it is sturdy enough for your payload and it is good condition. If you purchase a better head, you can use it on a better tripod that you may purchase going forward.

A sandbag, water bag, or other weight will help stabilize your tripod to some degree, however, it is structurally deficient, if the spread of the legs is insufficient or the center of gravity is of the entire rig is kinda lopsided or off-balance, the additional weight will not be a major improvement.

When you are ready to purchase a new tripod check with Gene-51 (right here on UHH) he's got the tripod physics down pat. Me- I just beat the dickens out of my support gear and whatever doesn't disintegrate gets a good recommendation!

kk794d Loc: Los Angeles

B & H currently has Gitzo tripod with ball head on sale, you may want to check it out. GT2545T for 700.000. GT1545T for 600.00. GK1545TA for 600.00

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

As I hate ball heads, I'd suggest a simple pan/tilt head from manfroto. Also for hooks, stop at a hardware store and look at S hooks, you'll find something that works.

dasgeiss

I bought a Quantum International St 88 Fluid tripod maybe 20 years ago or so. The head has never slipped on me even when shooting around Lake Tahoe's rugged terrain. It is sturdy and works well. Only paid about $35 for it if I remember correctly. Why so much money for a Tripod???????

Bob

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

You might check out the Induro line of heads. I have two, one on Benro and the other on Gitzo legs. They are very ruggedly made and have given me good service.

Bruce M Loc: Northern Utah

I can verily carry the camera and lens with a tripod. I sure don't want to carry a bag of sand around

Greer Loc: SOUTH GEORGIA

I’ve gone to B&H and they were a lot of help. Decided for my needs I needed a realistic budget: $600! He agreed with you that cheaper models are cheap for a reason. I will have to wait a few more weeks than I had planned, but here’s what we decided. RRS BH-30 Ball head with full size lever and Benro Series 2 Mach 3 TMA27C carbon fiber tripod. I even added the Kirk L-bracket for Nikon D-750. Any more comments please direct to the above equipment. Sincere appreciation from a neophyte to all photographers commenting.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The 30mm ball head is a mistake for you - too small - and I do not care WHO makes it !....
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