PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

My experience is that what you need to ask is about stability, not expense. If a $35 aluminum tripod from Best Buy does everything you want it to, why not buy it ? On a recent trip to Florida, I wanted to do some night shooting and forgot my tripod at home. I bought a cheap $35 tripod at the local Best Buy and it performed well but needed to take extra care to minimize vibration and made sure to block as much wind as possible. All the shots came out perfect but the conditions were favorable to begin with.

Seems a real question is convenience - most tripods can be used to get the shot but how much effort do you want to spend on making sure the tripod is as stable as possible. The less rigid ones can still be used if you weight them down and do as much wind blocking as possible. In my mind, would you rather pay more attention to setting up everything or taking the picture. I don't use the $35 tripod for much except as a speedlight stand now but my primary tripod is a carbon fiber from K&F Concept. Under $170 so not cheap but based on comments previously posted, its not a $400 status symbol so its not good. I will put my tripod up against any other in the shooting I do and you won't be able to tell the difference.

My 2 cents is do the research, find the tripod that is in the price range you feel comfortable with and make the purchase. When you get it, immediately try it out in a situation similar to what you will be encountering and shoot. If it doesn't meet your needs, ship it back and go for the the next choice. Even better yet, join your local photography club and ask to borrow or rent a tripod to test things before you buy. Walk a few miles and see if it gets too heavy. If you are lucky enough to have access to a local camera store, take your camera and your heaviest lens to the store and try it there. Most will let you take it outside in the wind and see what it does. (just don't let them sell you more than you need by talking about 'future' needs like being able to shoot in a hurricane if thats not what you will be doing.)

For those who want to see a name brand and are willing and able to pay the price - go for it. Me, I would rather go for value and usage instead of paying more for the paint used to print the name on the tripod.

-- k --

Bob Boner

I have a Gitzo and an Induro. The Induro costs about half of the Gitzo, but it is very sturdy and light weight (carbon fiber). When you buy any tripod I recommend you anticipate any (possible) future lens buys and get a tripod that will support your camera and that biggest possible lens. This way you only buy one tripod rather than upgrading whenever you buy a larger lens.

Steamboat

Point well taken. I feel the same way about the McLaren p1 in the drive way ....its not worth the money but its sure more fun to drive than the Honda.

in full disclosure i'm kidding about the McLaren p1

Steamboat

"a $35 aluminum tripod from Best Buy does everything you want"
Agreed and that's my point .

chemdoc Loc: West Coast

You mean it's not actually more fun than the Honda?

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

What is it you don't like on the Dolica ? If you are concerned with somebody dismissing it because its not a high end tripod, just put gaff tape over the name. I always have gaff wrapped around one leg anyway so if I need it for something like securing cords or locking the focus ring, the tape is available.

If you think the stability is lacking because your photos show motion blur, then maybe you should look at technique as well as equipment. Do you use a remote shutter release when using the tripod or at least a 2 second delay on shutter press ?

leftj Loc: Texas

Ah No!

Steamboat

If all you need is a steady support ....Why not?

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

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Richard is correct.........

I bought a 200 buck tripod over 10 years ago (this is considered "mid-range"). It has served me well and looks a little worn - but I do not need to replace it as of yet. It is an aluminum alloy - a little heavier than a carbon/graphite - but I do not mind at all. I use all of my cameras on it Except for the 8X10 cameras. It even holds my 4X5 cameras as well as the digitals.

You can also get a used one that is in good shape from some other photographer who is upgrading to a larger or more expensive one.

-0-

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

leftj Loc: Texas

A $35 tripod is not a steady anything.

philo Loc: philo, ca

you want support and ease of operation. What is your camera worth. If the tripod blow, falls over or the legs don't hold that can cost you a pretty penny. Buy the best you can get and in ten years the cost will not matter.
Before you are ready to shoot; be sure to try picking the camera body up off of the ground when attached to the tripod. Never assume that everything is locked in placed.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Expensive is relative.
For some $100.00 is expensive. Foe others on this site $1,000.00 is cheap.

Find the best quality within your budget and just ensure it is strong enough to be steady with the camera and lenses you have.
I am unfamiliar with the tripod you have but if steady. that is all you can ask and it therefore is good.
Most instability I have observed is when the center post is raised too far an most tripods.
So enjoy the proline tripod as long as it meets your needs.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

what experience do you have with a $35 tripod that qualifies you to say that ? What specific examples do you have ? Or are you just saying that you care more about the expense than the actual product ?

So if I offered my $35 tripod online at $200, it would be more worth it to you ?? Use PayPal and I will ship it for free to you !

leftj Loc: Texas

The only response I have for such an ignorant post is this.