Tripod Help

[rachel09985]

Can anyone take a look at this tripod and tell me if you think it will work for me?
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MKC3-H01-Compact-Photo-Movie-Black/dp/B004MKNJ84

Just a couple of things about my photography style:
-I am NOT an expert at this!! I am very much a beginner and really won't know what I am doing.

- Because of this do you even think i would need a tripod? I do want to take night shots and fireworks shots and castle shots. I want my pictures to look good but they don't need to be amazing.

-I have an entry level Canon T3 and will either be shooting with the 50mm 1.8 or the kit lens.

The price of this and weight really appeals to me. The other one I am looking at it $150 but if this will work for what I need it for, i don't want to spend that extra $100.

thanks so much for your help! You guys are all amazing and know what you are doing, so I thought I would ask on here.

 

[havoc315]

Yes, you should go with a tripod. Great fireworks shot aren't hard-- if you use a tripod.
You won't use it all the time, but when you need it, it's invaluable.
I think that tripod will serve you well, but if you want to go even simpler, get a gorilla pod.
I shot illuminations, using a Gorilla pod attached to the World showcase railing.

 

[rachel09985]

Yes, you should go with a tripod. Great fireworks shot aren't hard-- if you use a tripod.
You won't use it all the time, but when you need it, it's invaluable.
I think that tripod will serve you well, but if you want to go even simpler, get a gorilla pod.
I shot illuminations, using a Gorilla pod attached to the World showcase railing.

What about Wishes? Where would be a spot you could use that? I have thought about the Gorillapod!

 

[havoc315]

I haven't done Wishes from within the park. I'm sure you could find a spot for a gorilla pod, but you might need to get a bit more creative.
I might simply not wed myself to the idea of getting those perfect straight on view pics of the castle with fireworks. The most interesting pics I have seen of wishes, came from other parts of the park. Tomorrowland, Haunted Mansion. Trying different areas may give you lighter crowds blocking your camera, and more options for set up.

 

[havoc315]

Not my pic, but an example of an alternative view if Wishes..


Tomorrowland Wishes by Katie Marino, on Flickr

 

[C&B Young]

We picked up this tripod a little while back when it was on sale for $50 in Canada. It's not the most heavy-duty tripod but it holds our T2i well, as long as we don't have too heavy a lens mounted. Tripod itself is nice & light and pretty compact with the legs retracted, when clipped onto a backpack you don't even notice it's there.

 

[rachel09985]

We picked up this tripod a little while back when it was on sale for $50 in Canada. It's not the most heavy-duty tripod but it holds our T2i well, as long as we don't have too heavy a lens mounted. Tripod itself is nice & light and pretty compact with the legs retracted, when clipped onto a backpack you don't even notice it's there.

Thanks for the advice. I probabaly will get it. I can't justify $150 for a tripod when I don't know what I am doing yet!

 

[Tiradan]

I was going to start a thread about whether or not they allow tripods in the parks, but I guess they do, which is strange since I've never seen anyone set up a tripod (other than the PhotoPass people) in the parks on my last four trips this year.

I'm buying the following tripod because I really need it to be light and fit in my backpack.

Oben CT-3500

 

[NLD]

They definitely allow tripods in the park. They'll even let them on rides--took mine on Rock 'n' Rollercoaster once.

I have seen others (besides just me) using them on every trip to WDW, in all the parks.

Maybe it's one of things... once you do it, you notice other people doing it?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thanks for the advice. I probabaly will get it. I can't justify $150 for a tripod when I don't know what I am doing yet!

This tripod will hold 3.3 lbs and your camera with lens, battery and strap will be roughly just a little over half that in weight. Throw in some wind or someone bumping it and it may not be very stable. Remember your mounting your $500 camera on a $50 tripod! While I agree that you probably don't need to spend $500-$600 on a tripod, it "might" be better to spend the extra dollars to better protect your camera. Just a thought.

 

[My2Girls66]

Not to confuse the issue but I thought I'd throw this one out there. I bought this one for travel/hiking because it is very lightweight.
http://www.adorama.com/BEA150EXU.html
It is rated to 4.4lbs, weighs 2.3lbs, folds to 20", extends to 63" and the legs spread really wide for low shots. They also make a 100ex that weighs even less and folds smaller though it only extends to 40".
http://www.adorama.com/BEA100EXU.html

 

[rachel09985]

Not to confuse the issue but I thought I'd throw this one out there. I bought this one for travel/hiking because it is very lightweight.
http://www.adorama.com/BEA150EXU.html
It is rated to 4.4lbs, weighs 2.3lbs, folds to 20", extends to 63" and the legs spread really wide for low shots. They also make a 100ex that weighs even less and folds smaller though it only extends to 40".
http://www.adorama.com/BEA100EXU.html

Thanks! I will check them out!

 

[photo_chick]

I still use the same tripod I started with. It's not fancy, but it's stable and holds the weight of my camera.

You will end up spending more if you want a lighter weight tripod, one that folds more compact or one that has more articulation and fine control in the head. None of which are necessary for the basic function of a tripod, but are features some people like to have.

 

[Frantasmic]

I have this tripod. It is very light weight and works well. BUT, you do need to watch the weight limit. Originally had the XSi. Moved to 60D. I didn't pay attention and was using it with a 70-200 F4 (long cheap L lens) and the plate did split.

I liked it enough to order the replacement part, but I also got a heavier-duty one.

Still, the pistol grip and the durability of this is good for what you want. For an inexpensive tripod, it is a good deal and I still carry my tripod in my car with me at all times.

 

[wbeem]

I was going to start a thread about whether or not they allow tripods in the parks, but I guess they do, which is strange since I've never seen anyone set up a tripod (other than the PhotoPass people) in the parks on my last four trips this year.

I'm buying the following tripod because I really need it to be light and fit in my backpack.

Oben CT-3500

I was standing next to six other people with tripods when I took this shot.


Red Skies at Night by wbeem, on Flickr