Tripod suggestion

[nannye]

I am planning to buy a tripod, Just looking for some suggestions I want something lightweight and folds small! yet sturdy. any specific recommendations of models or brands?
Thanks
Erin

 

[wbeem]

What's your budget?

 

[ssanders79]

I went with the Benro Travel Angel series when I wanted a compact and light tripod. The model I got folds to around 13 inches and weighs just under 3lbs. I no longer have an excuse to to take a tripod with me. Benro also makes them out of carbon fiber to drop the weight even more. Because I always have this in my backpack I may one day upgrade to a CF model just to reduce the weight.

As for the tripod, I am very happy with it. It is not rock solid, but I have yet to say I wish I had my other tripod with me.

Like William said, your selection is really going to depend on your budget.

 

[My2Girls66]

I went with the Benro Travel Angel series when I wanted a compact and light tripod. The model I got folds to around 13 inches and weighs just under 3lbs. I no longer have an excuse to to take a tripod with me. Benro also makes them out of carbon fiber to drop the weight even more. Because I always have this in my backpack I may one day upgrade to a CF model just to reduce the weight.

As for the tripod, I am very happy with it. It is not rock solid, but I have yet to say I wish I had my other tripod with me.

Like William said, your selection is really going to depend on your budget.

Which model did you get? I have been looking for a fairly inexpensive tripod and have been looking at 2 Benro ones.
http://www.adorama.com/BEA0680TBH00.html
and this one looks intriguing
http://www.adorama.com/BEA150EXU.html

 

[njtree]

I got a Sunpak - PlatinumPlus 6000PG 61" Tripod from best buy for 40 bucks it was on sale. The tripod is good for the money. But the head broke on me and i had to get a Manfrotto 494 Mini Ball Head w/RC2 QR Plate for the replacement head. I the quick release broke so wasn't locking/snapping into place.

The tripod folds down nicely and small that had it attached on my back pack.
I even took it on big thunder rail road.

I only use the tripod for night time at magic kingdom and ecpot. I didn't use it for the day at all.

I would really love to step it up to a manfrotto 055 pro-carbon fiber 4-section.

-Dan

 

[ssanders79]

Which model did you get? I have been looking for a fairly inexpensive tripod and have been looking at 2 Benro ones.
http://www.adorama.com/BEA0680TBH00.html
and this one looks intriguing
http://www.adorama.com/BEA150EXU.html

Susan,
I have the TRAB069. It is an older model, but I am sure there is an equivelant version currently avaliable.

 

[wbeem]

I'd like to share this article with you because I can tell you from experience, he's right.

http://bythom.com/support.htm

In summary, Thom recommends foregoing all of the cheap tripods that you could buy, only to be disappointed or dissatisfied with them. In the end, you'll spend more money than if you just bought the right tripod.

I bought my first tripod because it was cheap. It was also overly complicated and didn't provide support in wind or less than ideal circumstances. Then I bought a studier tripod and the same pistol-grip ballhead he mentions in the article. It was sturdy. It was also heavy, and it turned out the pistol-grip didn't allow an easy range of motion. You don't easily use it for panoramas. The leg extension releases for that tripod were also more complicated than necessary.

I replaced the pistol-grip with a Really Right Stuff BH-40 head. Wonderful quality. Outstanding in every respect. Then I eventually bought a Really Right Stuff tripod made out of Carbon Fiber. I compared it to the other top brand, Gitzo, and they were close. The RRS tripod edged it out in some features and both were similar in price.

I've spent over $2,000 on tripods to get to the place where I finally have exactly the right tool that will last me for ages. Don't make the same mistake.

Some folks will complain about it not being compact. I don't. It fits in my suitcase and it's not heavy to sling over my shoulder. The real benefit is that it is everything I want & need when I'm shooting, so I don't complain about it when I'm packing. Everything in photography is a compromise, so you have to decide where you want to compromise most - in carrying your gear or using your gear.

 

[drummrsanonymous]

I'd cast a vote for Benro as well. I got the A2691T, which lets you take one of the legs and the head to make a monopod. It's been versatile and stable enough for my needs.

 

[zackiedawg]

Another worth consideration brand-wise is Slik - they make good, strong, sturdy tripods at very reasonable comparable prices - $100 will get you a good compact model and they're built to last. I've been using a Slik Sprint Pro EZ model as my main tripod for night long exposures, and as a support for long birding lenses, for several years - it travels packed in my carryon luggage or strapped to the side of my backpack, and goes on hikes through swamp, beach, and forest - gets wet, sandy, dirty, and sappy, and still is as solid as the first day.

 

[bob100]

I've spent over $2,000 on tripods to get to the place where I finally have exactly the right tool that will last me for ages. Don't make the same mistake.

I made the mistake of not spending $2,000 on tripods - and I don't regret it.
Actually some of the cheap tripods work quite well

 

[wbeem]

I made the mistake of not spending $2,000 on tripods - and I don't regret it.
Actually some of the cheap tripods work quite well

Not for me. I use my tripod all the time and there are noticeable improvements over the cheap tripods I've seen. If it suits you, that's fine.

 

[bob100]

I use my tripod all the time and there are noticeable improvements over the cheap tripods I've seen. If it suits you, that's fine.

I use my $100 tripod (some of the time) and amazingly,
it performs like a $2000 tripod !

 

[wbeem]

I use my $100 tripod (some of the time) and amazingly,
it performs like a $2000 tripod !

That's nice, Bob.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What kind of camera do you want to use on it? There is a huge difference between tripods for little point and shoot cameras, DSLRs with smallish lenses, DSLRs with big lenses, video cameras, etc.

You also have to decide how much you are willing to pay. wbeem's suggestion of a Gitzo or RRS tripod is a good one if you plan to use it a lot and don't mind spending lots of money. For most people, they would be overkill. More money gets you lots of benefits (increased stability, lower weight, more durability, greater ease of use, better manufacturer support). Only you can really determine what the right trade-off is for you, but we can help if you give more information about your intended uses.

As to the notion that a $100 tripod performs as well as a $2,000 tripod, well, that's a comment that can only come from someone with no experience with a $2,000 tripod. I could certainly understand someone claiming that their $400 setup works as well as a $2,000 setup. It will in most cases. Somewhere in the $400/$500 range is the point where diminishing returns set in and the difference are less noticeable.

 

[bob100]

As to the notion that a $100 tripod performs as well as a $2,000 tripod, well, that's a comment that can only come from someone with no experience with a $2,000 tripod.

true, many of the 99% have no experience with $2,000 tripods
I have seen some amazing photos from those cheapo $100 tripods. I've even seen a good pic from a $20 walmart tripod, unbelievably as it may sound

 

[MarkBarbieri]

true, many of the 99% have no experience with $2,000 tripods
I have seen some amazing photos from those cheapo $100 tripods. I've even seen a good pic from a $20 walmart tripod, unbelievably as it may sound

99%? Is this becoming a political discussion? I would imagine that very few of the "99%" or the "1%" have experience with $2,000 tripods. Few people have the need for tripods at all. I would also hazard a guess that the overwhelming majority of people using $2,000 tripods are in the "99%" rather than the "1%" for the simple reason that most people using gear that expensive are using it for commercial reasons. As sad as it is, few professional videographers or photographers make enough money to be in the stop 1% of income earners.

Obviously get great shots with a cheap tripod. You can get great shots with no tripod at all. There are situations, however, in which a cheap tripod simply won't do. Call them the "1%" of shooting situations if you want to stick with the same metaphor. Long lens shots in windy conditions, birds-in-flight shots using a gimbal head, high magnification macro shooting, large format photography, and smoothly panning a video camera are all situations that are really demanding on a tripod and where the differences in performance are noticeable way up the price range. Heck, for professional video work, you will rarely see heads that cost "only" $2,000.

I doubt that the original poster would find a $2,000 tripod setup appropriate for her needs. To be honest, if she were that serious about photography, she probably wouldn't be coming here for advice.

 

[YesDear]

I have to agree with Mark and William. I have always referred to Tom's article regarding tripods.

I am certain there are some that have gotten less expensive tripods and had good results. I truly wish them well.

Why anyone would trust their $$$$ camera to a $ tripod makes no sense to me. It is not just the leg that does not hold. It is the plate that does not seat properly, or the head that slips.

You will also find this is a thread like the great Nikon, Canon discussions, only this is not about brands but quality.

You may not need a $2000 tripod but it you are using a full size DSLR particularly one with a decent zoom lens on it. I think the $300-$500 range for tripod and head is reasonable.

 

[bob100]

I am certain there are some that have gotten less expensive tripods and had good results. I truly wish them well.

thank you

To be honest, if she were that serious about photography, she probably wouldn't be coming here for advice.

you got that right!

 

[YesDear]

Once again I agree with Mark. A flat rock and a timed release can make a great tripod in the right circumstances. A tripod is as much a camera protector as it is a shot enhancer. When you put a long lens in a precarious position, you want to make sure the camera and lens are stable and cannot be easily knocked over.

OP, You also now see, as I said, the opinion side of this discussion. This can be a passionate subject. Thank goodness you did not also ask about filters for lens protection vs lens hoods!

The bottom line to me is to buy the best quality tripod you can afford for the use you want it for. I currently own three tripods and three monopods. They each have their own purpose.

Good luck!

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't it funny that the brand discussions here never seem to get heated, but bring up tripods.......