My tripod broke last night!

[DVC Jen]

We were out at a neighboring towns fireworks display and when I went to fold my tripod up - bring it down (make it shorter) that crank do-hickey thingie that makes it go up and down just snapped off in my hand.

I guess that is what I get for buying the cheapest darn tripod the store had.

Oh well - I know more about what I want now - so I can go and get myself a new one.

Any suggestions? I really can't afford to spend a whole lot. I just bought 3 backdrops from ebay and have a bid in for a fourth.

I do want something I can level easily - is pretty lightweight, something I don't feel like I have to fight with to get the camera tilted or straight or just on and off of it.

I also want something sturdy and able to keep the camera angled up when I have my big lenses on it.

 

[SharonLowe]

We were out at a neighboring towns fireworks display and when I went to fold my tripod up - bring it down (make it shorter) that crank do-hickey thingie that makes it go up and down just snapped off in my hand.

I guess that is what I get for buying the cheapest darn tripod the store had.

Oh well - I know more about what I want now - so I can go and get myself a new one.

Any suggestions? I really can't afford to spend a whole lot. I just bought 3 backdrops from ebay and have a bid in for a fourth.

I do want something I can level easily - is pretty lightweight, something I don't feel like I have to fight with to get the camera tilted or straight or just on and off of it.

I also want something sturdy and able to keep the camera angled up when I have my big lenses on it.

You don't say what camera you have but since you have "big lenses" you would be best served saving some money and buying a good tripod such as a carbon fiber Gitzo with a good ball head. It is expensive but you will save money in the long run. Check this URL for some very good advice:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/tripods/index.html

If you are willing to spend money on backdrops, you should be willing to spend it on one of the most important pieces of equipment a photographer needs.

 

[tinksdad]

Sorry to hear about your loss.......

Tripods are a catch 22. You don't really want to spend the money, but you get what you pay for. Since you're are getting more and more into photography, I'd suggest bite the bullet and get some good support that will last for awhile. By Thom as some good advice that I finally took.

I have a Bogan 3021Pro and a Giottos ball head, which is not bad. However on our recent trip to Arizona and Utah I noticed several things about it that I didn't like. Especially comparing it to the two other tripods on scene. I ordered a Markins M20 with an Kirk L-bracket and a Gitzo GT3540LS tripod. Just amazing equipment!!! Light (both weigh just 5.05 pounds), strong (ball head will hold 100#, tripod 39#) and built to survive. This stuff will last and give me many years of service. I don't regret it at all!!

My old tripod/head will be handed to my daughter.


just food for thought.......

 

[Miss Kelly]

LOL Something must be in the air. My tripod broke on 4th of July too. Its a cheapie too. And I promise I'm not joking, I'm also buying backdrops (Silverlakes ) on Ebay as of late.

 

[Groucho]

Sounds to me that you main requirements are really more about the head than the tripod itself... you need a quick-release and I think a ball head with a level is probably going to be the best.

I'm really happy with my carbon fiber Slik Pro and I hope that the thing gives me many years of good service. It was very reasonable for CF, at not much over $200. If I had to save money, I'd probably have gone with a Bogen 30x1 series.

 

[mabas9395]

I have the Bogen 3021BPro tripod with 488RC2 ball head. Love the setup. Just wish it was a little lighter, but that would have cost more or violated the golden rule of tripods:

"Cheap, sturdy and light; pick any two you want, but you can't have all three"

 

[Lizziejane]

I'm sorry I can't offer any suggestions - mine is a cheapo too, and am waiting for it to give me problems before I can jusify splurging for that too.

Quick question though - on your mention of the backdrops from ebay - do they come with some sort of stand, or is that separate?

 

[DVC Jen]

I'm sorry I can't offer any suggestions - mine is a cheapo too, and am waiting for it to give me problems before I can jusify splurging for that too.

Quick question though - on your mention of the backdrops from ebay - do they come with some sort of stand, or is that separate?

Sometimes you can find a seller who has a backdrop stand AND backdrops for sale - but most are done seperate.

Becareful on the really cheap backdrops - or if you see the words "fantasy cloth" or FC in the description. It is nothing more than glorified pressed paper and they are pretty horrible.

As far as the tripod goes - well I wish I had 200.00 or more to spend on one - but right now when I am not employed - getting ready to have a daughter start college - have another daughter in 4 competition dance teams - I have to decide what is most important to ME personally related to my photography. Someday I will get a really good tripod - now I am just looking at something to carry me over until "someday" comes.

I will probably take my 30D with my 28-135mm IS lens into the camera store - and play around with the display models until I find the right fit for both my camera and my wallet.

 

[tinksdad]

Quick question though - on your mention of the backdrops from ebay - do they come with some sort of stand, or is that separate?

This is photography, EVERYTHING is seperate.......

Another tripod info link you might find informative

 

[Lizziejane]

This is photography, EVERYTHING is seperate.......
QUOTE]

d-oh!! what on earth was I thinking when I posed THAT question?!

 

[Groucho]

I will probably take my 30D with my 28-135mm IS lens into the camera store - and play around with the display models until I find the right fit for both my camera and my wallet.

Keep an eye out for the used equipment. One thing I considered was a used Bogen that I found in a photo shop, I think it was a 3011 model. It was a little shorter than I'd like and looked a tad beat up, but it was probably still as sturdy as the day it was built. You're probably better getting a used good one than a cheap new one.