Tripod recommendation

[scejas]

Hey guys,

I have a 20D and usually shoot sports photography -- but I'm heading over to disney and i'm going to give it a go shooting the fireworks.

Can anyone recommend a good portable tripod that can handle the weight of my Canon 20D with extra battery grip. I probably will not be carrying my 70-200mm so lens weight will not be an issue.

Thanks!

 

[Groucho]

I've heard that the Velbon Maxi (with the trundle legs) is a quite nice, light, affordable one. I jumped from a very cheap tripod to a carbon fiber one so I can't say first-hand, but I did consider the Velbon, but wanted one that could carry larger lenses. If I wasn't concerned about that, I would have probably gone for the Velbon.

 

[boBQuincy]

This tripod has worked well for me:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM

There are the "big three" factors with tripods: inexpensive, light, sturdy. You can pick two and the third falls where it may.

 

[jann1033]

i just got this one a few months ago and love it.( mt 9160) it's easy to set up, not super light but really nice and sturdy. mine is aluminum and weighs almost 6 lbs but they also have some carbon ones but that was over my budget. i also got their ball head with a macro adjustment and really am pleased with both. my tripod holds 22 lbsor 33 lbs depending on what site you read..., the next one up holds 33 lbs, as does the carbon
http://www.hpmarketingcorp.com/giottos_tripods.html

 

[tinksdad]

There are the "big three" factors with tripods: inexpensive, light, sturdy. You can pick two and the third falls where it may.

Now There's a quote!! You are so right!!

I've got a Manfrotto 3021Pro with a Giotto ball head that has been pretty good, about 6# total. I lust for a carbon fiber Gitzo, but it's gonna have to wait....... Light and sturdy, definitely NOT cheap!!

An interesting page from Manfrotto that explains the use of a tripod pretty well if you're interested.

 

[cryssi]

egads, I popped in here to see what you all were suggesting. I have yet to put the D200 on our lightweight tripod b/c I'm quite certain that it will tip over!

so there's really no tripod that's lightweight, sturdy (enough for a D200), and affordable?

 

[jann1033]

it's the "lightweight" that will get you...aluminum weighs moreto cart around but is in the $100+ range, carbon, well you can dream for it in that price range. anything i saw( i was researching them a few months back) under that would only hold 5 lbs or less or had a panning head attached which i knew i did not want. once you get to the $100 range there are a number available ...the one i got had the features i wanted for the price i wanted and is "lighter" than my old one,,, not really that bad to carry ( it has a bag that also fits my monopod) and is fairly comfortable for when i take it places although i wouldn't want to carry it all day at someplace like disney...but that's what lockers are for and i got a monopod for carrying around places like disney.
according to the camera store guy,( and at least what i saw looking online) most cheaper tripods hold about 5 lbs so if yours doesn't say different that probably is about what it holds..that what my old one held, which i found out when the leg started moving out more when i put my rebel and 70-200f4 on it( about 4 lbs)

 

[Groucho]

I did a bunch of research and the only tripod that met my criteria (tall, light, and able to hold at least 10 lbs) was the Slik Pro 713 CF II, which meets all those pretty easily and only costs a little over $200. I bought mine via eBay as I wanted to avoid the tax I'd pay buying from Adorama or BH.

Surprisingly, not even the Gitzos or Bogens had precisely the height and weight that I was looking for, they were all either heavier or didn't come up to enough height. The Slik Pro feels very sturdy and has most all the features of the really high-end ones, and the carbon fiber is really nice. I stuck a basic Bogen head on it, 484RC2 I think, and that's good for about the same weight (12lb or so), which is plenty for me, even with a ~30-year-old huge 400mm telephoto lens.

The main competition was a Bogen 3011BNPro but it wasn't TOO much cheaper and weighed about 60% more.

 

[KrazyPete]

Does anyone here have any hand's on experience with tripods by Dynatran?

 

[boBQuincy]

egads, I popped in here to see what you all were suggesting. I have yet to put the D200 on our lightweight tripod b/c I'm quite certain that it will tip over!

so there's really no tripod that's lightweight, sturdy (enough for a D200), and affordable?

The Velbon Maxi series holds my 30D with 70-200 f/4 ok. It does shake a little after the mirror returns (especially when shooting verticals) but by then the exposure is done and it doesn't matter. For a long lens I use mirror lockup just to be safe.
I sometimes hang my camera bag from the tripod for extra stability, the weight doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[scejas]

Hey guys,

thanks for all the feedback -- it was really helpful -- i guess I started to do my research waaaaay too close to my travel date. Sooooo the tripod will have to wait until my next trip to disney in a few months...

I have soooo much to buy -- it seems like it's never ending. I'm looking at upgrading my body; moving my 20D to a second body type of setup and purchasing a Mark II D (probably refurb since my buddies have had great luck with the refurb types)...

Just got my 70-200 f/2.8L IS -- and was able to sell my 70-200 f/4L for a couple bucks less than what I paid.

I still need to get some in around 400mm L and a monopod.

I should just direct deposit my check to canon... maybe they'll have some mercy.

 

[Groucho]

Does anyone here have any hand's on experience with tripods by Dynatran?

One of the regulars bought one around the same time as I got my Slik Pro but I never heard any comments on it.

I was looking pretty serious at their stuff for a while, at least at their ball heads. The reviews I found online generally seemed to say "not quite as good as the real thing but pretty good". I bid many times on some of the ball heads and never quite got them, and eventually got tired of it and just bought a Bogen. Their (Dynatran/Amvona's) CF tripods didn't seem to have much of the weight savings that you'd hope for, so I didn't really look closely at them. I did consider them when I was looking at an aluminum tripod.

I do have a pocket tripod from them, which is about what you'd expect - basically the same as the little $5-10 ones you can get anywhere. Cheap and only suited for a light PnS. I also bought a holster bag from them, and the belt attachment ripped off completely after 2-3 days of use, dropping the bag (with my camera inside) to the ground. Fortunately the camera was undamaged, but I was pretty unimpressed, and decided that I'd rather spend a little bit extra now and have the quality and peace of mind of one of the more well-known brands as time went on. Quality lasts while a bargain is quickly forgotten, that kind of thing.

 

[scejas]

Can anyone recommend a good camera store in the South Florida area? I guess I really want to see the tripods and monopods up close before I make an investment.

I scheduled another trip to disney now for the end of May -- to make up for my poor planning on this last one.