Tripod recommendations?

[zagafi]

First, my husband hates you all. Why? Because since I've started hanging out here, I've decided I *do* in fact need a DSLR, so I'm going to buy a D80 (replacing the D70 I sold) as soon as our tax refund hits.

It's clear that I need a tripod, but what kind? I'd like a lightweight one (carbon fiber, I assume?) and one not too ridiculously priced. Any suggestions?

 

[tinksdad]

Now you've gone and done it!!

Bogan/Manfrotto makes some nice tripods that are pretty cost effective. The composite units are more expensive than the aluminum, but do weigh less. Be careful with buying a tripods. As price sensitive shoppers, our impulse is to not to spend a lot of money. A good, solid tripod will last years and will be money well spent in the long run. Get one that will support the heaviest lens and camera setup and offer another 100% over rating to support the system. If you really want to go all the way, then look at the Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, VERY nice. I've got one of those on my wishlist!

I prefer the ball heads for their smoothness and ability to hold the load. You should also look at a tripod that meets your height with the head and camera attached with without bending down or getting on your tip toes to reach the camera without using the center column.

I like the quick release plate as well.

Do your research, and plan the "investment"..........

 

[zagafi]

Shhh!!!! I don't want him to hear my maniacal laughter as I plan yet another clandestine purchase!

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!

 

[0bli0]

do you plan to carry the tripod quite a bit? carbon fibre and basalt tripods don't shave a huge amount of weight. you certainly could get CF legs and a light magnesium head and you can tell the difference between that and an aluminium with a typical head when holding them in your hands. but you will pay quite a bit more and you actually sacrifice a bit of stability/vibration resistance.

i have two tripods. one is a 3 section Manfrotto aluminium with a nice 3-way head that i use in the studio and for travel when i'm not carrying it around. for travel, i use a 4 section Manfrotto mag fibre (carbon fibre legs with magnesium pieces) and a ball head. the few ounces saved are great when carrying it all day. like Kevin, i also like the RC2 quick release plates on my heads (and also monopod).

 

[Goinagain]

I used this one in the parks a few weeks ago and it worked really well. It's lightweight, folds down to less than 2 ft, and is inexpensive. The ballhead and quick release plate were great. It had no problem with my D50 and 18-70 lens; I'm not sure how stable it is with longer/heavier lenses.

Good luck!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...yes&O=catalog.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=725b

 

[Groucho]

I hate to do it, but I have to disagree with 0bli0 on the weight issue - a CF tripod can be a good bit lighter. But not all are (and unfortunately, the "big name" ones are still on the heavy side.) Carbon fiber is also reportedly better at damping vibrations than aluminum, so it is claimed.

I bought (and used at WDW) a Slik Pro 713 CF-II carbon fiber tripod and was very pleased with it. I did a bunch of comparing before purchasing and Bogen and Giottos just don't make a CF tripod with specs similar to this one, which was exactly what I was hoping for.

It weighs 3 lbs exactly, folds down to under 2 feet (22.6" to be precise) and goes up plenty high, 65.5". Weight ratings seem to vary but I believe the official rating is 11 lbs. (Note that the info at BH/Adorama is not necessarily 100% accurate, some of it is for the old version, and nowhere did I find a photo of the actual current tripod, complete with hook on the bottom of the center column.) The only downside is that the legs use twist locks rather than flip locks, so it takes an extra couple seconds to set up/break down, but it's really pretty painless once you get the hang of it.

The Bogen/Giottos CF tripods were all heavier, shorter, and/or longer when collapsed - and they were definitely all a good bit more expensive than the Slik, which can be had for just over $200. Oh, and nothing really matched up from Dynatran/Amvona, usually seen on eBay. (Their CF ones are definitely on the heavy side.) If I didn't get this, I was looking at a Bogen 3011BPro or 3021BPro, for not much less money and a lot more weight.

 

[foto202]

I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro legs and the 488RC2 ballhead. It is a great setup. It's not too heavy for me, but I would not want to carry it around Disney all day. I have never picked up a CF one so I can't tell you how much lighter it is. But mine is not that heavy.