Cheap Tripod for Disney?

[proteus]

I have a tripod but the head literally came apart, it was in like new condition and a good make (Bogen Manfrotto). When I inspected it I discovered shoddy construction (there is actually a loose rectangular piece of metal inside) and screws that were too short to hold, no wonder. I thought these were good tripods.

Anyway as I'm sending mine for repair I want to buy something inexpensive, not too heavy and around 50" high. It will be used for a D70 and a Panasonic SD1 camcorder. Any ideas? I want to spend no more than $50.

 

[MrTiggerinBama]

Unless you just really want a tripod, I would suggest using a monopod. I got mine at Walmart and it can extend up to around 72". I find it easier to use in the crowds and it takes less time to extend. But if you are wanting to leave the camera and be in the picture the it would not work. I use my Sony Alpha on it...

 

[JR6ooo4]

how heavy is a D70?
A tripod under $100 might have trouble holding a DSLR. How long/heavy is your biggest lens? (D70 is a DSLR right?hehehehehe)

I think going to $120-130 might get much more. But I bought a manfroto super lightweight model. It just barely holds my rebel and 70-300 IS steady. If there is no wind or loud music.

Mikeeee

 

[cmwade77]

I do not recommend tripods for theme parks, I like the Gorilla Pod. The link below is for the SLR version:

http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/slr/

Doing a quick search on Google Products, it looks like you can get it for about $20 including shipping, man have those come down in price, it used to be the cheapest place was on the website above.

I use my regular one for my P&S all the time when I go to theme parks, they are light, small and are quick to attach to safety bars on attractions (yes it is safe to do so, I wouldn't do it on certain attractions though, just due to the nature of the attraction. In addition, I have rigged up a cabling system that I loop through the wrist strap and around whatever else that I can, just in case something happens. I only use this where the potential for the camera falling off of the attraction is high.

 

[MonoManBlue]

walmarts 20 version works great in the parks.....its all I would carry to the parks because so many people kick them when walking.....and yes, I use a full tripod in the parks.

 

[proteus]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions. The D70 is a Nikon SLR, it is quite heavy, I have the stock lens that comes with it. I do have a monopod but am not sure it will work for timed exposures (for fireworks for instance). The gorilla pod looks interesting but how do you shoot from practically ground level?

I didn't want to spend too much as I'll get my original tripod back, I think I'll use the monopod for now.

 

[boBQuincy]

... When I inspected it I discovered shoddy construction (there is actually a loose rectangular piece of metal inside) and screws that were too short to hold, no wonder....

One thing to check when you get your tripod back is that they used LocTite on the screws. Short screws have a bad habit of backing out under vibration and use, LocTite is critical to keep the screws in place.

 

[tripodjw]

I do not recommend tripods for theme parks,

I was wondering why do you not recommend a tripod.

I take mine along with a gorillapod. Gorillapod is great in many situations, but sometimes the tripod is better as you can set up where you want and not just on a convenient trashcan/railing.

I don't have a problem carrying my tripod around and it doesn't get in the way when going on rides etc.

To the OP. I have a Sony tripod i bought from Amazon a few yrs back. It cost me £70 here in the uk - so about $140 on direct exchange - but it's probably more like $70 considering everything is much cheaper in the US than Britain). I can't remember the model no. sorry. It's fairly sturdy but pretty light and takes my D80 plus 70-300 VR with no problem. It's not the most elegant looking pod but it does the job. I carry it in a generic brand tripod bag - in which i also squeeze a small roll up cushion (in case i'm waiting a while for parades/fireworks).

 

[handicap18]

I have used 3 different tripods in Disney. A tiny little table top that didn't hold my D50 well at all (I think I used that one only twice). A $20 travel tripod from amazon.com that I used the most (Wishes 4 different times, Illuminations, night shots around the World Showcase and MK and also for waterfall shots in AK and night shots at AK). Lastly was one of the full size cheepo $40 tripods from Wally World, or Best Buy or places like that.

The full size one was great. It extended high (I think about 62" IIRC), but it was a pain to carry around. It folds up to about 24" long and isn't the easiest to cart around, even with a stroller. It also was a bit wobbly. It held my D50 and 18-70 or 18-135mm lens with out much of an issue, other than its a cheep tripod.

The $20 travel tripod I got from amazon was the best. It only extended to 43", but that was juuuust enough to see over the railings at EPCOT and AK. It was sturdy enough to hold my D50 and 18-70 or 18-135mm lens, though I did have to position the legs so 1 leg wasl always under the lens. It is VERY light weight and folds up to 13.5" which fits perfectly in my backpack. I got some great shots with it on 2 different trips. When it is in the open position, but with the legs not extended out, it fits perfectly on top of the trash cans around Disney and the LCD comes out just about at eye level for someone who is 6' tall like me.

Our next trip (when ever that may be) I will take the travel tripod again, but I'll also take my Manfrotto tripod. Its heavy and big, but I have a carrying case for it so I can sling it around my shoulder. Don't know which one I'll use more. Depends on what else we're carting around. The Manfrotto tripod I'll also use as a monopod if I need it.

My take on monopods for Disney is that they act like a VR or IS lens would. They're not good for any exposure longer than 1/10th or so. They would come in handy in AK when using a long lens that doesn't have IS or VR and also for the Osborne Lights at DHS if your going during the x-mas holiday season. For fireworks I wouldn't bother. I like my fireworks shots to be upwards of 10 seconds. A monopod wont help there.

A gorillapod can be useful for a dSLR, just be sure to get the one made to hold a dSLR. You can use it on a trash can, though I don't know if I would use it wrapped around a fence unless you play around with it a lot before you go and are completely comfortable with holding your dSLR.