kk794d Loc: Los Angeles

I am no photographer, but I loved to collect old cameras and old tripod for the last 40 years. If you don't mind attach your camera to the tripod without quick release plate, you can go to swap meet and pay 20.00 for a very steady, heavy as rock tripod that made in the 1970's. Yes you can go to bargain camera show in your area, they sell them too. But make sure check it out before you pay. Some are damaged in some ways that renders it unusable. The new products from China is getting better and better but still quality control is a problem. They are from small manufacturers that struggle to get into world class status. I know that, because I found out my old down from China where I came from is making world class tripod. I can't believe it. Lately I found a brand called PrimaPhoto big tripod( or PrimaPhoto small tripod) are pretty reliable. The big one support 17 lbs. the small one 8 lbs. I carry the small one everywhere I go inside my backpack. You can buy that from B & H for under 100.00. You will be happy with that purchase. The spare release plate will cost you 15.00.

I just found out the price is up. any of the two is sold for 99.00 each. When I bought them last year, the price was 30.00 and 60.00 on eBay. The big one used to carry Manfrotto name but later changed to PrimaPhoto.

Kuzano

Do not rely on full extension of a long center column for long exposures. Tripods mostly are unstable, from the main joint up, if it takes a lot of center column to reach your eye height. Get long legs, with as few sections as possible and round legs with good locks on each joint. Likely not to find a budget tripod with those features new. Shop used, Craigslist or eBay.

Budget rules.... A new good tripod expensive, not cheap. A good tripod cheap will most often be used. No fancy heads. I have used a basic three way pan head for years. I have had a couple of pistol grip ball head, which are generally floppy and uncontrollable.

tims.ak Loc: Butte, Alaska

I have similar size in Canon 80D flavor with same tamron lenses. Also a Rokinon 14 mm for night and landscape. For them I use Sirui T-2205X and L10 tilt head, also use head with monopod. The L20 might be better choice for tripod. I find them very light and compact but still tall enough to use comfortablly. I travel with them every week and can fit them in my carry on bag along with other gear. I thought they were reasonably priced at the lower end of usable gear. I don't think you'd break them unless they were ran over or crushed in some way. So far I have no complaints and like using the gear for travel and plan to use for a long time.

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

I would say you can't go wrong with a Bogen 3221 or a Bogen 3020 unless you aren't able to carry a heavier tripod. You may be able to find a good used one of those on ebay at a reasonable price.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I got lucky and found this for under $100.00 It is stout and stable. Best tripod ever. Heavy but does the job.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-516855-1.html

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

I bought a cheap Zomei for $68 on Amazon, then bought a good Manfrotto head for about $160. Great combination, light weight tripod and sturdy head.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I recently bought the Slik CF-522. It is designed as a relatively sturdy travel tripod. It is ~14" collapsed. The other stats are max height - 58in., min height - 7.0in., max load - 6.6lbs., weight - 2.3lbs., and material - carbon fiber. It lists for ~$300, but can be found on sale for ~$150/170 from time to time. It works perfect for my 4/3rds system. And the system plus tripod will meet most airline's smaller personal carry-on size let alone the bigger baggage carry-on size. There is another Slik tripod, CF-422, that is similar but longer collapsed. It won a prestigious innovation award last year for design. Both are worth consideration.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have been considering the Nest Travel tripod now on sale for $299 at Camera Cottage.

http://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6019569

pendennis

One of those hidden gems that you run across occasionally! They were always out of stock at the dealers when new in the 60's and 70's. Never could find a new one.

I found an original Slik Master 67 that has a fixed head, but figured out a way to remove it, and attach a Bogen 3047 3-way head. It's relatively light, but rock solid. Another Japanese export that didn't get a lot of notice.

lwhitehall Loc: St. Louis

i picked up a couple of tripods for what I call "In Harms Way" work at garage sales. Laugh if you will, but a look around I was able to pick up some very nice tripods for $1 to $5 bucks, including a couple that would hold the old full size VHS and Beta movie camera. Sure they are heavy and I would not want to be hiking with them, but they still do their work. People spend a lot of money to buy a good tripod, decide that it is not what they want to do, put it in a corner for a few years and out to the driveway it goes.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I had one very similar to that Vivitar I purchased more the fifty years ago it was very well built and I didn’t recall it ever being unstable either I gave it to my son a couple of years ago.

BBBruce77 Loc: Eureka, Montana

Look on Ebay you will be surprized at what is available for only a small percentage of the retail prices.

Kites

I have a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Tripod Legs that I bought from Amazon. It weighs 4 1/2 lbs. is very sturdy and folds to 24". They have other models with ball heads. I didn't want a ball head. It is very stable with my 500 mm lens. If you want a kwik mount you will have to choose one. I use the GkGk G06 Tripod Pan Head with the quick release plate. Am happy with that.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Whatever you choose, build quality should be high on the list of features and price only used to exclude what you absolutely can't afford. Buy cheep at the expense of quality and you are doomed to repeat the process.

I purchased a Husky Elevator in 1968 that was the best I could find that I could afford. It is still the tripod I use today. I paid about $100 back in 68, which was a lot of money to me, but I have not looked at any other tripods since.

You can only find the elevator on a used list today, and I'm not saying it's what you should get. I'm just using it as an example of buy once and be done.