Advertisement
I'm looking for a good deal on a sturdy, not-quite-pro, versatile tripod. Any suggestions / recommendations?
posted by:
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
Re: Tripod Time
Wed, March 4, 2009 - 11:03 PMCheck your local craigslist. Or other venues where you can buy used tripods. One of the more common items to be sold used, in my experience. Look for Bogen, I see tripods listed weekly for lower prices than you could expect.
In my experience, there are two types of tripods, "good" or "pro" and Sucky lightweight hobby ones. In tripods, you definitely get what you pay for. Most of the types I've seen in big box stores are just going to frustrate you. I see many $100 deals for various sizes of Bogen. Bogen, or Manfrotto (the same thing) make a pretty decent product, and you can buy rebuild kits if and when you wear it out. Hope that helps.
Look for legs that are independent action, such as the type that have no sliding collar on them that slides up and down the center column. When you can set each leg by itself you have better control over the tripod on uneven terrain. -
-
Re: Tripod Time
Tue, March 10, 2009 - 11:58 PMHave to second Scott's comments here!
I went through so many crappy consumer video tripods in the 1980's that late in the decade, I purposefully sought a tripod that cost more than a camera body. Scott is essentially right: there are two kinds of tripods: those that suck, and those that do not. Generally, like fine wines, price is a leading indicator. However, these extremely well-made tripods wear exceptionally well. So if you see them available in a used market, and you can tell they're in reasonable shape, that is often going to be a really good deal.
The other thing I might mention about Bogen/Manfrotto is that after-market parts are also relatively cheap. For example, for a large belly dance show coming up soon, I recently went to my local professional photography store to obtain more head plates. I want to get more so that I could more quickly mount multiple lenses or cameras to a couple different tripods. I was pleasantly surprised at how really cheap these for high-grade metal parts: $7 and $14 types of prices.
Good luck in your search!
Blessings and Light,
M -
-
Re: Tripod Time
Sun, April 26, 2009 - 8:28 PM
> I went through so many crappy consumer video tripods in the 1980's that
> late in the decade, I purposefully sought a tripod that cost more than a camera body.
<heh>
Don't recall where I saw the essay, but I recall once an essay to the effect of, "If you're a serious photographer just starting out, I have one piece of advice that will save you $500 - $1000: don't bother buying any support-gear but the best; neither tripod nor ball-head. $49.99 for an el-cheapo tripod, then $100 for a better one, then $175ish.... and a similar progression for the head... all waste-money. Don't do it. Just start at the top (where you'll end up buying anyway) . "
I'm so dis-satisfied with my current tripod, I don't think I've had it out of the closet in over 5000 shots... But, neither do I currently have the money to buy the tripod I want. So, I'm making do with faster shutterspeeds, antishake, and bright lighting... and some regretful sighs when the right conditions don't apply.
- Steve
-
-
-
Re: Tripod Time
Sun, May 3, 2009 - 9:59 AMFWIW I've got two: a lightweight jobber that I can fold up enough to tote in a rucksack and a wooden legged beauty with a Miller fluid head. I find that for 99% of the stuff I do the lightweight one is plenty good enough. I've added a bayonet mount but that's about it. Got it from Porters. Get the kind with lever lock sliding legs; a lot less hassle than the round-the-leg twisty grippy clamps. Get one with a center column that can be raised a foot or so.
