Digital camera tripod: I'll be going on an eight day bus tour through four states in July And I would like some suggestions on tripods. i never had one and I will like some suggestions...

robartphoto Loc: New York

I'll be going on an eight day bus tour through four states in July And I would like some suggestions on tripods. i never had one and I will like some suggestions on what to buy.
I look them up On Google and they are just too many. It's very confusing I'm not a professional Photographer I don't have their budget..
All I know is I'm looking for one that goes in a case that I can strap around me when I'm hiking around. I guess I'll need it more for sunsets and landscape photography.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

The tripod and ball head must support one and one half to 2 times the total weight of the camera and the largest lens. Decent tripods are not cheap and in this case you get what you pay for.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

traveler90712 is absolutely right. Decide how much your camera and lens are worth and then you will know how much you want, or need, to spend on a tripod. That tripod and ball head are going to be holding your camera for you. Can you trust it? Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

robartphoto wrote:

I'll be going on an eight day bus tour through four states in July And I would like some suggestions on tripods. i never had one and I will like some suggestions on what to buy.
I look them up On Google and they are just too many. It's very confusing I'm not a professional Photographer I don't have their budget..
All I know is I'm looking for one that goes in a case that I can strap around me when I'm hiking around. I guess I'll need it more for sunsets and landscape photography.

Hi robartphoto: I believe the most highly recommended tripod I have read about here at the UHH is the Bogen/ Manfrotto tripod with a ball head. As mentioned before it needs to be heavy duty enough to hold your camera and lens. I would also add a graphite model is preferred, yes they aren't cheap. Hope this helps.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Here is a decent tripod for travel the Redged This one is aluminum but carbon fiber are available, well made sturdy available on Amazon and comes with a bag http://www.amazon.com/Redged-Ultimate-Aluminum-Section-TSA-428/dp/B004E70VMW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1366285605&sr=8-4&keywords=redged+tripod

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

patrickwilson86 wrote:

There are two basic tripods to consider. The first is the pan and tilt.

Pan and tilt is excellent for video - very good for panning (obviously).

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

robartphoto wrote:

I'll be going on an eight day bus tour through four states in July And I would like some suggestions on tripods. i never had one and I will like some suggestions on what to buy.
I look them up On Google and they are just too many. It's very confusing I'm not a professional Photographer I don't have their budget..
All I know is I'm looking for one that goes in a case that I can strap around me when I'm hiking around. I guess I'll need it more for sunsets and landscape photography.

First thing you need to know is your height and based on that should determine the size of the tripod you'll use now for the tripod take a look at Vanguard tripods; great buys very well made too. I just bought a Vanguard SBH-300 ball head for $99.00 at Precision Camera in Austin, TX last week I was on vacation visiting my kids.

ksudad Loc: W Valley, PHX

what equipment are you taking on this trek

robartphoto Loc: New York

what I'm taking is one camera two Lens 18-55 and 70-300 . and plenty of memory cards.also someone told me to get a ND filter and circular polarize. never worked with filters so that's going to be a new experience. for me..
never worked with a tripod either. and I have to tell you all the tripod suggestions has got my brain going in circles. I'll have to take a day or two to figure that tripod stuff out.
oh yea also a point and shoot camera.
I'm 70 years old not looking to walk around with 30 lbs on my back. this is a vacation I'm going on not a photo shoot. I'm just looking to do tourist things.
I know I'm going to regret this next question., but where can I find out about filters. are all filters for all cameras or are the camera companies selling specific filters.
than you in advance

MtnMan Loc: ID

robartphoto wrote:

what I'm taking is one camera two Lens 18-55 and 7... (show quote)

You'll likely use the 18-55mm most of the time unless you travel where you will be shooting wildlife.

You'll want a lens hood and CP (Circular Polarizer) filter for the 18-55. If it is the one I think it would need to be 52mm. If you look on the lens you should find that number with a phi in front of it. It is the size of the screw thread on the inside front of the lens.

I recommend the Maurimi CP filter. You can get one on Amazon for about $39 for that size lens.

Again if it is the lens I think it doesn't come with a hood. You can buy an expanding rubber one for about $8. Just be sure to push it back when using the lens below about 20mm or it will show up in your pictures.

I think the tripod is less important unless you plan to take a lot of indoor shots with ambient lighting. If you do and one is available for camera then you should also get a remote release.

What camera?

robartphoto Loc: New York

I already ordered a remote. the tripod is more or less for night shots and sunsets.
one of my stops is going to be Mount Rushmore.
and I'm looking to see the Crazy Horse carving as well.
the camera I'm learning about now as well. its a Sony A77. its a first Sony Camera for me and I got it about 3 weeks ago.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I just went to Amazon and saw a decent Ravelli tripod w/ball head for $79 with all it's features I would go for it - carry bag included.

I must also ad a comment - in the 20 years I have been in photography I have dumped one tripod in the wind - in my early year or two - and never in those 20 years have broken a tripod or seen one break - just wondering about all the warnings and horror stories.

mborn wrote:

Here is a decent tripod for travel the Redged This one is aluminum but carbon fiber are available, well made sturdy available on Amazon and comes with a bag http://www.amazon.com/Redged-Ultimate-Aluminum-Section-TSA-428/dp/B004E70VMW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1366285605&sr=8-4&keywords=redged+tripod

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I just looked up your A77 camera - looks like you have a winner there - as mentioned the CP filter is irreplaceable - one needs to read up on them and practice turning the ring to get the best image in the view finder - the changes are surprising at times - some times they don't work - it all is kind of complicated - but read up on it and use it when you can. The tripod & remote will work well on many shot - you will be surprised how often you will use it.
Is this a group tour with scheduled stops? If so I envy you.

MtnMan Loc: ID

robartphoto wrote:

I already ordered a remote. the tripod is more or less for night shots and sunsets.
one of my stops is going to be Mount Rushmore.
and I'm looking to see the Crazy Horse carving as well.
the camera I'm learning about now as well. its a Sony A77. its a first Sony Camera for me and I got it about 3 weeks ago.

Ah, I don't know about the Sony lenses.

Mt. Rushmore is great. They have a moving show at Sunset.

Some like Crazy Horse. We were turned off by the entry price but if it is included in your tour why not?

There are some fabulous caves in that area. Hope your tour takes you there. I don't think they let you bring in a tripod, though.