Canon Fan

I have a 7d I I and 100-400 zoom lens. What is best light/strong tripod for birding, sports, landscape under $350?

Frequent Flyer Loc: Kujukuri, Japan

I read Ken Rockwell disdains tripods but recommends the lightest one you can carry; e.g., Dolica GX600B200 $57 on Amazon. But I took a night photo lesson and because the exposure time is long a heavy tripod was recommended. I'm looking forward to hearing what the other Hoggers have to say about your post. :shock:

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

There is no such thing as a light, strong tripod for $350.

A good tripod would be one of the 3 section Gitzo Series 3 tripods. Get a grip on your seat before you check the price...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For your type of rig, my recommendation remains Slik 400 Pro DX legs with the head of your choice. Bigger and heavier is the Slik Pro 500 DX and 700 DX. These are all $100-150. I have and use the 400 DX.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Several years ago I traded in my big heavy relatively cheap tripod for a Gitzo CF and a Acratech Ball Head combination- no comparison! Then I bought mirrorless equipment and thought I had less use for it until I started using vintage lenses (without IS) and got into long exposures. Then I bought a Pentax with a heavy lens. Moral of story- there is no substitute for a good tripod/ head combination and you don't know what the future will bring in camera equipment :) Gitzo GT 2531 Tripod

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here is a good overview and somewhat questionable "rating" of some tripods - caveat emptor.

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-tripods-and-camera-supports-15-tested-1046066/1

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

I have been using Gitzo tripods for many years and I still have the first one I purchased in the 1960s. I have one that I used for 8x10 view cameras, back in the day, and it is ideal for very long telephoto and zoom lenses and old massive super-wide angle models, however, it is very heavy.

I currently use a Gitzo carbon-fiber model for most of my location work. This particular unit is somewhat heavier than most of the other competitive makes of its class, type, and price range because the metal components are of a heaver gauge and offer more stability and longevity in ongoing hard usage.

When selecting and investing in a tripod, aside form its apparent weight and sturdiness, there are a number of details that should be considered. Many tripods fall into disrepair, especially in out of doors service because of inferior engineering or manufacture of the locking devices on their telescopic legs. One of the common problems is sand, dirt, moisture or other foreign matter getting into the threads of sleeve type mechanisms. With sensible maintenance, I have never experienced this with Gitzo products- I have had issues with other brands. Another fault, that can be intrinsic in set-screw types locking setups is over-tightening or stripping of threads even if care is used in applying torque to the thumbscrews. Some of us don't know our own strength or the design of the screws are such that this problem can easily occur because of oversized knobs or poorly buffered and unlimited threads in the screw shafts. There are various kinds of clamp or friction locking designs and thir stability and longevity depends on the integrity of the metal and how much of the telescopic sections remain behind the clamps when they are locked in place.

There are many plastics, polymers and other synthetics such as Nylon that have great tensile strength, dimensional stability and kinds of a built in surface properties that provide “lubrication” for lack of a better word. Theses materials may be used in elevator gears, rack and pinion kinds of mechanisms and sleeves and shims of various kinds. Other plastics, however, can become weak spots that will eventually become brittle, shatter on impact, or simply deteriorate and break down. These inferior materials, if used on levers, handles, bushings and other parts can significantly shorten the useful life of a tripod or a tripod head.

Other potential faults to look for are such things as rivets used in place of machine screws, washers and/or nuts and bolts, badly finished parts and paint-jobs and other noticeable signs of poor workmanship.

OK- so this may seem like an overkill post but some of theses issues might escape the eye in that many poor quality tripods may still look sleek and “cool” in their industrial design in a cosmetic but not practical way. Investing in a good tripod and head is a prudent measure in that buying cheap ones will likely result in buying many replacements as time goes on.

In out of door use, all materials are subject to exposure to temperature differentials and variations, moisture, condensation, expansion and contraction, ultra violet radiation, air pollution and hard use that only superior materials, design and construction can withstand over time. My biggest worry is unexpected materials failure right in the middle of a job or worse; valuable equipment sustaining serious damage caused by falling from a tripod that gives way or collapses at any critical point. There are also the possibility of bad photographic results caused my wobble, vibration or any instability caused by a poorly designed tripod.

It borders on silliness to “disdain” tripods, and of course, there are situations where hand holding your camera is essential, however when tripod usage is prerequisite to the job you are doing you do want the best and most reliable support equipment you can afford.
As I alluded to, I am A Gitzo fan but I am sure there are other brands that provide great tripods as well. I have used and been satisfied by Manfrotto tripods and support gear- they have some very unique, sturdy and extremely handy clams, arms, light stands and various boom arms and counterweights. I am also given to understand that there has been some sort of merger or joint manufacturing effort between Gitzo and Manfrotto- I don't know the exact relationship of the two companies.

Bad news- my last Gitzo purchase, 14 years ago, set me back $750. The good news is that it has taken' a lickin' and keeps on ticken' and as of this point in time, it may outlast me!

I hope this helps!

Ed

mdsiamese Loc: Maryland

When it comes to tripods, you get what you pay for. This is not an area to skimp. A good tripod with a good ball-head is worth every penny. I have a Really Right Stuff ball head with an L bracket and a 3-legged-thing Eddie travel tripod and they are a breeze to carry yet very strong.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Read this before buying anything:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Guides-Support-for-Tripods

It will clue you in on why a $57 tripod may not be a good idea. :)

(Hint - the right tripod has nothing to do with load ratings, camera weight or anything other than top tube diameter, and intended use - with macro and long tele the more demanding situations). A $57 tripod will only add $57 (hopefully only $57) to the price of the correct choice.

There are 100s of posts about this and that tripod not being stable enough - no one has ever complained that they bought too much tripod or that the tripod was too stable.

Moose Peterson says it right (paraphrasing) - you ought to have your head examined if you intend to put expensive camera gear on a cheap tripod. It makes no sense.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I have a MEphoto tripod, its treated me well,
works great and can hold up to 17 lbs....
does everything I need, turns sideways, converts to a mono, Camera can be mounted under the tripod, nice smooth movement , Ive see them used on creative live a few times...
Its NOT as good as the really expensive ones, but to me it is a lot better than most in the $200 range. IMHO

Canon Fan

To all of you who so quickly responded to my question on the right tripod for my outfit - a huge thank you for your great insights and suggestions. Your thoughtfulness has given me a true sense of direction in this moment of decision. A Merry Christmas to you all and blessed New Year!

CANON FAN

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

A 17 lb "load rating" means it won't break with 17 pounds on it, but rest assured it will also be nearly useless with that load too!

Generally 1/3 of the load rating is the absolute maximum load that should ever be used, and more generally less than 1/4 of the load rating is the acceptable use range.

In a pinch, one time only, you'll probably make it with 6 pounds on that tripod. If you have a camera, lens, ball head and maybe a flash that totals more than 4 pounds... get another tripod.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

If you want a bit of an eye opener.......see if you borrow a tripod in the $350 dollar range.
Mount a moderate tele on your camera (200 ish). On a day with a moderate breeze, mount your camera on the tripod, take it outside, put it in Liveview x5 and watch the fun.
In my opinion, a lightweight tripod may be worse than no tripod.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

I LOVE my Induro CX213 (carbon fibre) and ball head (DM23). The head weighs as much as the tripod, but, together, they can hold a zillion pounds without much wiggle. They hold my Tamron 150-600 solidly. Induro tends to be at a slightly lower price point than some of the others. I have no regrets.