Tripod, Tripod, which Tripod? Hey UHH folks, I'm trying to decide on my first buy, highest quality @ lowest price. I've seen posts here about the Ravelli APG L4 for $95, which caught...

damvit Loc: New York, NY

Hey UHH folks,
I'm trying to decide on my first buy, highest quality @ lowest price. I've seen posts here about the Ravelli APG L4 for $95, which caught my eye, found Ravelli Professional 65-inch Carbon Fiber 3 Axis Ball Head Camera Video Photo Tripod for $85...then found Costco has Dolica ZX600B103 70" for $99, which is also Carbon Fiber. Interested in hearing opinions, experiences, etc...trip to Europe this summer, and indoor/outdoor use...How important is T's height? I'm 6'1", ultimately interested in portrait/head shots, 65" or 70"?
Other options are buying used Manfrotto, which seems widely appreciated, but older, heavier, at around $100-150...some come w' heads. I would spend a little more if quality, portability & longevity are there...Help!?!
Thank you!

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

You should think about what you're going to mount on it, how much weight? What are you using it for, inside or outside and what kind of conditions you'll be in. That's going to determine what kind of stability you'll need. Then you can talk about the kind of shooting you're doing to help with the decisions about the mounting head you'll find most helpful.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

A crappy tripod is worse than no tripod at all.
Try to find a camera store to actually handle a few before you buy off-brand stuff online. Buy once, cry once, then enjoy the usefulness of a good tripod for decades rather than throw away a crappy one every 6 months or so.

Elmosal Loc: Austin Tx

MT Shooter wrote:

A crappy tripod is worse than no tripod at all.
Try to find a camera store to actually handle a few before you buy off-brand stuff online. Buy once, cry once, then enjoy the usefulness of a good tripod for decades rather than throw away a crappy one every 6 months or so.

what MtShooter said, I bought a used bogen on craigslist for a great price. If memory serves Mt has had his Bogen's for longer than some members here have been on this earth. FYI Bogen is Manfrotto ...........I agree with MT & always value his input.
Check ebay for a used tripod

damvit Loc: New York, NY

MT Shooter, Couldn't agree more, thank you, guess I'm asking are all those crap? Dolica, Revelli??
Thanks!

damvit Loc: New York, NY

Hey Pepper,
Thanks for responding! I will use it first in Europe, but both indoors & outdoors during trip & after for head shots...I have a 7D with 28-135 IS, looking to add some L glass in near future - prob 70-200 F2.8 IS if that helps?

damvit Loc: New York, NY

Thanks ELMOSAL

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

damvit wrote:

MT Shooter, Couldn't agree more, thank you, guess I'm asking are all those crap? Dolica, Revelli??
Thanks!

Revelli I have never heard of. Dolica I have looked at in the local Costco and wouldn't waste my money on one. Most combo kits with legs and head combined are less than impressive that I have seen. Stick with top names like Manfrotto, Gitzo, RRS and you will not be disappointed. But at least try to handle before you buy, even with a free 30 day trial from the internet they can be VERY expensive for return shipping, often more than the tripod itself is worth.
My most favorite tripod and head is the very first GOOD tripod I bought in 1982. I fell into the "cheap is good" trap and suffered with a real piece of junk starting in 1979 but I stuck with it until I just couldn't take it anymore and bought a good one. I have never looked back and now have 6 excellent tripods with different heads for different purposes.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

damvit wrote:

Hey UHH folks, br I'm trying to decide on my first... (show quote)

If you will look back thru some of the older posts is a variety of discussions on tripods ( pros and cons both)
I bought the ravelli with pistol grip head for 93.00 and am pleased with it ( it is a heavy tripod, but i wanted it for my sigma 150-500 mainly as thats a hand full in itself )

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I have a Monfatto 058B that I really enjoy. Sturdy enough to handle my 50-500mm Sigma. I have a Bogen 3038 ball head (it's old but a brute). I must say it would be a bit much to haul around on a trip though. The whole thing probably 20lbs without the camera and lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pepper wrote:

I have a Monfatto 058B that I really enjoy. Sturdy enough to handle my 50-500mm Sigma. I have a Bogen 3038 ball head (it's old but a brute). I must say it would be a bit much to haul around on a trip though. The whole thing probably 20lbs without the camera and lens.

I absolutely LOVE my Manfrotto 058B Triault. That's what I have my Beike BK-45 Gimbal on and I use it exclusively for my Sigma 800mm F5.6 lens. The one press setup is amazing and the whole rig is rock solid. And going to over 9 feet high is a plus too, if needed.
I keep my 3038 Ball Head on a set of Bogen 3021 Pro legs, great for back country shooting, and it will handle the 800mm too, if it has to.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Pepper wrote:

You should think about what you're going to mount on it, how much weight? What are you using it for, inside or outside and what kind of conditions you'll be in. That's going to determine what kind of stability you'll need. Then you can talk about the kind of shooting you're doing to help with the decisions about the mounting head you'll find most helpful.

Weight of the tripod is a factor to depending on how far and long you will be carrying it around ( keep in mind sturdyness and stability of the tripod itself with camera and lens mounted)

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

MT is the man.....Get a Manfrotto(Bogen) and be done with it. I was in the same position a while ago and bought the 'frotto x55prob's..... Awesome and they may still have a rebate. get the frotto 498rc2 or rc4(bigger QR plate) ball head and you'll never be sorry. They are made for abuse and will take it. Buy it once and be happy forever.

Check out B&H in N.Y. They are fabulous with price, shipping and support....

Good Luck,....Don

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

damvit wrote:

Hey UHH folks, br I'm trying to decide on my first... (show quote)

Blunt...... NO $99 tripod is worth having, HALF decent heads cost that

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Been here before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9S9jZW3Jxc