Tripods? Travel?

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texaslimo

Senior Member
Hello,

I have been doing some shopping lately for a new tripod and have come to the realization that I just do not know enough to make a good decision. From looking at pictures, it is hard to see a valuable difference between the 250 dollars ones and the 50 dollar ones. I even saw one carbon fiber one for over a grand but then turned around to see another at a similar weight for 200 dollars. I am not afraid to spend money where is is justified. but I do not see where I should spend two or three hundred dollars or more when fifty will accomplish the same thing. Which is exactly where I am.

I do not know if all of this exists in one package or not, but ideally, I would like something lightweight enough to strap to my backpack, but strong enough that I am not going to break it on my first outing. I only shoot photography, I do not shoot video. It should able to secure the camera to the tripod without a great deal of trouble and release as well. Being able to get a spare or compatible second foot for my second camera body would be nice as well. If there are other factors worth considering also, please speak up.

I would certainly appreciate some feedback from those that have already learned what is worth buying or not.
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
Are you looking for a small, light travel tripod, or a larger, heavier more sturdy model? I see travel in the title, but nothing in the text.

In general, middle of the road is the best course. Don't go too cheap, and don't spend a bundle on a big name.
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
The best answer I can give for what is the difference between $50 and $300 is that you know it once you start using them.

Avoid any tripod with the umbrella-like support arms between the legs. Cheap stuff. You have no option really for adjusting leg-angle, only can move the segements in-out. I had a camera blow over in the wind with a $30 cam-corder tripod of this kind.

Aluminum or carbon fiber? You save a small amount of money with aluminum legs. CF will be a bit stiffer and lighter in weight.

The leg segment locks are a major thing to consider. About equal numbers either prefer the lever-lock style or the twist-lock style. The lever-locks deploy or collapse faster, but they have a way of snagging as you carry the tripod. And they are easier to break than the twisty locks (done it personally also).

A center-column is a way for tripods to be made taller, but this height extension is often at the cost of stability. You want tripod legs to stand near your chest-neck height without extending the center column. Not normally possible at the cheaper end. It's rare to see a listed height in specs that does not also include the full extension of a center column.

Load rating matters. So does the load rating of the head. Spend more for stability.

On the head: Ball heads give the best versatility for still photography. A pan-head will not pack down as compact. Video fluid heads work well also until you decide to try a portrait-mode shot. But a ball-head will loose a lot of stability also when used in portrait mode. The quick-release plate also is a thing to consider, even if you only use 1 camera ever. I had a plastic pistol-grip head on a tripod and even the quick-release could be wobbled when locked in place. I use very solid ball-heads in the field personally. And I standardized on Arca-Swiss type quick-release plates/clamps as that is pretty much the standard outside of Manfrotto gear and the ultra-cheap stuff with proprietary quick-release plates. This will allow you to use L-brackets in the future if you wish (makes life much better for shooting portrait mode). Since Arca-Swiss has developed as a standard organically, it just is better to go with the flow.

So I am weird and own a lot of tripods. This is because I just did not shop well early. But I also had budget issues. My first tripod was the before mentioned $30 Target special. It only needed to hold a Nikon Coolpix 995 back then, so not overworked until I bought a D80. I tried buying a very cheap aluminum 4-leg-segment tripod off Amazon. One of the leg segments had a curve in it. The ball-head was the cheapest crap I ever have or will use again. Next one was a carbon-fiber 3-segment Sunpak with that terrible pistol-grip head. It could not support a telephoto lens well. Had lever-lock legs and it did break one day in winter just being transported in a Jeep. Sunpak does have a lifetime warranty and I sent it back and I may have had mine replaced. I for sure think I got a different head that was even worse. But I do still use it indoors in a studio now with a fluid head now. I have an ultra-heavy tripod that is not appropriate for hiking, but it is a kind with a leveling-bowl and no center column. It's used a lot in astrophotography where stability is king. But for hiking or lightweight setups, I have a 3-Legged-Thing Billy. Twist-lock 4-segment carbon fiber legs, a reasonable center-column (tall legs too), a surprisingly solid ball-head with Arca-compatible plate, and it can convert to a monopod. It's not exactly a quick and easy conversion, but it can do the trick. The only thing it lacks is spikes for outdoor use on soft ground.

$250-$300 is the sweet-spot for this type of tripod.

 
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BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
I remembered I have a photo online of my 3 tripods. The Sunpak on left with the bad pistol-grip, 3-Legged-Thing Billy (mine is the version 1.0), and the extra big and stable tripod on right. The camera in that full-height leg deployment is above my eyes by a lot.

pSHQ2cQ.jpg
 
S

Sandpatch

Senior Member
crashton said:
A good tripod will last a very long time. Yes they cost more, but if you figure how long a good one lasts it's not that much. A cheap tripod will most likely need replacing in short order plus it won't work well.
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Agreed. I have a cheap one that often frustrates me. Even screwing the foot into the camera base is difficult. The manufacturer chose a teeny tiny thumbscrew that evades adult-sized fingers. Plus, the whole thing is wobbly. I find myself steadying it with my hands as a train approaches.

A great summary @BF Hammer -- this is good information.
 
C

crashton

Senior Member
texaslimo said:
I am going to need a third job before I can afford some of those tripods, Chuck
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I bought a Sirui tripod on a very good sale from B&H. Keep an eye out there for sales and also their used equipment section. Sign up for email updates from them. Be warned some of the deals that may show up in your inbox are very tempting.

I have a Mefoto travel tripod that I bought ten years or so ago. It's not the greatest, but works ok in a pinch. Cheap as chips. It rides along in the car for those rare times I need it.
 
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