Tripods choices, just one more time, please?
Check out Roger Hicks e-book on Tripods. It has a wealth of information about tripods and more. I found this book to be an investment and for only a few dollars.
Oops doubled the previous reply!
buy a used manfroto,some people buy tri pods and never use them,i got a great deal on mine from e bay,my local craigslist
has a like new manfroto with 501 head for 200.00
TJ
Loc: Austraila, Toowoomba.
I have a" fotopro c-4i " light weight i hang it from my bag while walking around,it allows my camera to be as low as 6 inch's from the ground,the ball head is smoth stable It has three stage retracable legs( do not exstend the smaller legs and it's steardy
FOTOPRO C-4i copy and paste that to ur goggle search ;-)
and I just fully exstend one leg leave the ball head loose and i have a pretty easy to use monopod
Yeah, so what to do?
I am in a related situation. My aluminum Manfrotto is a wonderful tripod, but heavy. Most of the time this is not an issue, as I don't mind shlepping gear, but on an approaching vacation I anticipate going on mountain trails in the Rockies, (and at 53 years old, and having let my own weight increase, I am thinking I may have to bite the bullet and purchase a lighter tripod.) Do I either a) bite the bullet or b) live with the additional huffing, puffing and muscle strain? (A woman would never ask this, but we guys have a tendency to sometimes stupidly tough it out.)
I purchased a Feisol carbn fibre tripod for a trip to Europe last year. Weight was important as well as folded length. This baby goes from 17 inches to 72 inches, weighs 2 pounds, and is rock solid. In a wind, I hang my camera bag under the ball head to keep it steady. Not the cheapest tripod, but it works for me. I chose a Photo Clam ball head. Unfortunately for you, my total cost was around $475. But...it's a lifetime investment.
I recently had asked the same question about tripods. I had received a lot of great comments from UHH users but I still had a hard time trying to choose the perfect tripod for my use, so I called and talked to a service rep from B & H photo. His recommendation was for a fairly new company called Induro. I have to tell you that I purchased the Induro AT313 and love it. The AT313 is aluminum but is a solid unit. They also make the same style in carbon fiber.
Traveling to Egypt. Are you sure you should take a tripod? Maybe a monopod would be better. If you are on a "tour" there will be no time to set up with a tripod. There are many places that do not allow tripods. I would do some research before hauling too much on a plane, bus etc. If on a dedicated photography tour that's another thing, but if traveling with "regular" people on a tour, a tripod is not the wisest piece of equipment to take. I've learned this hard way. Good luck and have fun. It's an incredible trip.
Love my Giotto tripod, avoid Sunpak-they break easily.
One thing I have learned about tripods is if you buy an inexpensive one you will end up replacing it and if you buy another inexpensive one you will end up replacing it too. By the time you are finished buying tripods you will have spent the same as what it would have cost you if you bought a good one to begin with. I was traveled out of of the country about 3 weeks ago and needed a lightweight tripod for that trip. I ended up with a Benro (C-1691) with a built in ball head for $475. It is carbon fiber and is very light. Also it has 4 connector points which adds to the sturdiness. There is also a clip at the base of the center column that you can use to hang your camera bag for added weight and support. Oh and another feature I love about this tripod is that one of the legs converts to a monopod.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/738086-REG/Benro_C1691TB0_C_1691_Travel_Angel_CF.html
I recently got a Hama Traveller Compact Pro to go on a photographic holiday in Europe. Only cost me £36.00 from Amazon and I am so impressed with it. I had previously got a Manfrotto very lightweight tripod but it was just not man enough for the job. This Hama even has a hook to take your camera bag for more stability. Read the glowing feedback on Amazon ( If it's available where you are 'in hiding')
£36 or equivalent won't break the bank either!
Granted I was not in a foreign country but I agree with the guy about being careful about losing your tripod.. years ago I also had a Slik Classic Tripod.. my first tripod and not really cheap in its day. I was in downtown Cleveland taking shots of a busy street, took the camera off to adjust something and turned to put it back on the tripod and POOF it was gone.. I looked around and saw nobody carrying anything. It couldnt have been more than 15 seconds and it was gone! I now have a couple of Manfrotto's and I watch them like a hawk. Never be too careful...
I believe Itpurs might just be right on this one.I recientally purchased a Oben self standing monopod from B&H and am pretty happy with it.I feel it's as well made as the comperable Manfrotto I had a few years ago at a little less price.
They also have a carbon fiber Lateral Arm tripod for $250.00 which will get your gear in any possible position just in case your interested in macro.
You might wish to speak with them to find out how they feel this brand compares to the brand names as they deal with this on a daily basis.I don't think they will stear you in the wrong direction givin your price range.Good luck!
Aloha
Take a look at the Induro line.
I was once told by a master auto mechanic that the cheapest tools I could buy are the most expensive I could afford. In case his meaning escapes some readers, he was saying that inexpensive tools will end up not doing the job and will eventually have to be replaced, whereas a quality tool will cost more initially, but will pretty much last forever.
Same goes for tripods, and most other mechanical devices.
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