ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

Checkout https://www.indurogear.com Their products are high quality and a very good value.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Thanks Henry, it is nice to hear from someone who has been through the same decision making process of choosing my first tripod.

Thanks so much!
Jim

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Agreed on the Zomei tripod. I got mine in a package deal when I purchased my gimbal head, and having 3 other tripods; a Vanguard, Induro & Manfrotto the Zomei is the one I use most often.

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Magnesium-Aluminium-Overhead-Professional/dp/B073ZC46SL/ref=sr_1_10/146-5934716-3647418?ie=UTF8&qid=1536414180&sr=8-10&keywords=zomei+tripod

Arca

junglejim1949

Arca

Junglejim1949 If you are planning on obtaining a tripod for the purpose of one trip only, i.e. the Grand Canyon, and may never use it again, I would go moderate in price, probably up to $100. However, if you plan on using the tripod for all of your future photographic endeavors, some of which you may not even be aware of at this point, I would suggest you plan ahead for those contingencies and go for more quality, perhaps carbon fiber from a reputable source such as but not limited to Gitzo and RRS. You will be ahead of the game if you get a quality tripod, I have three for different size cameras, Gitzo, Acratech and Cambo. These are on different size tripods made of carbon fiber, basalt and wood respectively.

With respect to the variances in ratings from one to four stars, I would suggest there are always 'outliers'. This would mean the isolated "one star" review amidst a large number of 'three star' and 'four star' ratings. Thus, I would go with the median representation, the middle score in an array of ratings, or simply take an average of the reviews you can get your hands on. The ratings game goes on in all fields, such as when people are rating restaurants, movies, hotels, airlines, cruises, cars, cameras, lenses and tripods among a zillion other things. Some reviewers will give a product or service high marks and others will give low marks. To some extent that is human nature, the biological diversity. To some extent, the reasons for good or bad reviews are substantive, based on true facts, reliable and valid facts and not simply the whim of the reviewer who may have some 'bone to pick' with a product, company or service. Thus, the onus is on you to determine whether a product such as a tripod is a 'one star' to 'four star' after sifting through the reviews pro and con. Asking UHH folks for opinions is tantamount to reading the writings of many other independent reviewers, only a more select, erudite, experienced and usually user-friendly reviewers.

I hope this was helpful and wish you the best in your future photography.

Arca

hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

I’ve had a tripod for quite a long time and then retrospect, I wish I would’ve bought something similar to carbon fiber. At the time carbon fiber wasn’t an option so I picked a heavy-duty Manfrotto aluminum. The biggest issue is it is really big and heavy and cumbersome to take just about anywhere. But, it will accommodate just about any camera. I bought a ball head for it along time ago because I really prefer it over everything else.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Reminds me of buying my first motorcycle helmet some 50-years ago. I was looking at the least expensive helmet and the cycle shop manager told me, "If your head is only worth $40 then that's the helmet for you! Personally, I value mine more." When I thought about it, he was right.

I think the same holds true for your camera and lens. Buy the best you can to protect your investment for you may be happy that you did (or remiss that you didn't when it fails or tips over and your camera and lens crash to the ground).

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Spending more for a tripod now will pay off in the long run.... A good tripod can last a lifetime. A cheap one gets replaced rather quickly, once it breaks or because it isn't very good to use.

You're 6 feet tall, but your tripod doesn't need to be. The tripod needs to bring your camera's eyeport up to your eye level or slightly above to be comfortable. You're eyeline is probably 4 or 5 inches less.... let's say 5 ft 8 inches. And your camera's eyeport is probably about 2 inches above the base where it will mount to the tripod..... so we're now at 5 ft. 6 inches.

Now the question is whether the tripod's height includes the head or not.... if you buy a leg set separately, it's a sure bet that it doesn't include the tripod head, which can add anywhere from 3 to 6 inches to the height of the tripod.

The next question is where or not the listed height of a tripod includes raising the center column. For best stability, it's always best if the center column doesn't need to be raised at all... or, best of all, if the tripod doesn't even have a center column. But, depending upon the head you choose, you should be pretty comfortable with a tripod that's 60 to 63 inches, measuring the legs alone and avoiding raising the center column. However, you need to be careful when shopping to determine how the tripod's height is being measured.

Next question is how many leg sections? The more there are, the smaller diameter they lowest ones need to be, the more flimsy the tripod will be, and the longer it will take to set up. Of course, the fewer sections there are, the less compact the tripod will fold up for travel and storage. You have to find a compromise you're comfortable with. Personally I use several tripods with 3-section legs which are quite sturdy, but not terribly compact. I have one other that has 4-section legs (allowing it to be extra tall, though the same might instead allow a more compact folded t'pod). I'd be hesitant to use more than 4-sections.... some "travel tripods" have 5, 6 or more... but seem awfully "spidery" and I imagine would be a real pain to set up.

In addition you need to decide what type of leg locks are best for you. There are three basic types: lever latches, thumb screws and twist type. The first two types protrude a bit and might catch on branches or a cuff or sleeve. The levers are fastest to set up, but also are prone to wear and may need adjustment or repair. Twist type and thumb screws are pretty much self adjusting. Twist type are the lowest profile, but may be the slowest to set up.

Another consideration is the materials the tripod is made of.... most are aluminum or carbon fiber. The latter is lighter and does a better job absorbing vibrations, but costs more. Plastic should generally be avoided because it's simply not strong enough. Metal parts should be shouldn't be made from thin stamped sheet metal, either. It also might be good if replacement parts to be available in years to come, if ever needed.

There are also a lot of "gimmicks" that manufacturers have added to tripods, trying to stand out from the competition. For example, some have rotating center columns to allow the camera to be positioned low, off to one side, although that can be difficult to balance. Other tripods have a removable leg that can be used as a monopod. Those features may make a tripod less stable.... if not now, in the future after some use. Other tripods designed for travel fold up "in reverse", so that the head is enclosed by the legs. This makes them more compact and provides some protection for the head, but pretty much limits to only using a ballhead).

Finally, there are tripod heads with and without quick releases. Those that have them will use one of a number different types, which are largely incompatible with each other. The Arca-Swiss type is by far, the most versatile and universal, used by many different manufacturers on a huge range of available accessories. If you opt for a head with a quick release, you'll need a camera plate (I recommend custom type that's fitted, so the camera can't twist loose under it's own weight... cost is about $50).

Leg sets and heads can be bought separately to customize a combo that's ideal for you. Or, there may be some savings buying a matched head and leg set, so long as both meet your needs. As metnioned earlier, travel tripod with reverse folding legs may only be usable with one particular head or size & type of head.

You might find these helpful:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/the-tripod-explained
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/tripod
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/travel-tripods

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Sound advice.
Thank you

CJ2

Check out the Sirui tripods. Very well made and sturdy and price and type five you lots of choices - I took the N-1205X with a Acratech head on safari and it held my x-t2 with 100-400mm lens with no trouble - and it folds up and packs in a small rolling duffel!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

My standard recommendation for beginning budget conscious people is the Slik Pro 700DX aluminum - it is a little heavy and large for a "travel" pod tho .... if you are not hiking for miles or plane traveling it is OK ! As you graduate to larger camera/lenses it will still work well for you - up to but not including 500/600 f4's .....Read the user's reviews. You will still need a decent HEAD - they start at about $75.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-Pro-700DX-Super-Titanium-Alloy-Tripod-Legs-615900/371546840953?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

..

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

You may want to look on craiglist I pickup a manfrotto 3040 tripod with a 3030 head like new for 40.00 it came with a little bit of dust which came right off.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

I don't use a tripod that often so I didn't want to spend much on one. I purchased one for about $40 and after using it was quite disappointed with most everything about it. I am also 6 foot tall and purchased a Vanguard Alta Series 70 for under $200 on sale. It was quite a bit off of the reg. price. Check them out as I have been quite pleased with it. It's not carbon fiber but I don't find it that heavy. Look at tube size for strength. I use a Nikon D5500 with a Tamron 16-300mm lens. No problems. It will handle heavier cameras and lenses.

After writing this I found Vanguard in my Spam mail with some sales. Coincidence ????

https://www.vanguardworld.us/current-tripod-specials.html?utm_source=USA+Photo+Consumers&utm_campaign=1bd57e4263-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_08_03_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d27a378b8f-1bd57e4263-317447525

Tommyg

If you can stand one more recommendation, check out the MeFoto aluminum tripod on Amazon. It lists at $200. I use it with my D7200 w 18-300 lens. While, the tripod is not cheap you do get good bang for your buck. I have taken it overseas on several occasions. I would buy it again.