Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Fortkentdad" data-source="post: 547452" data-attributes="member: 24285">The quality of a tripod is not just dependant on whether it is carbon fibre or aluminium.&nbsp; As I understand it there are often a CF and Aluminium version of the same tripod by the same maker - the big difference is the weight, with the aluminum being a little heavier.&nbsp; There are a few other considerations like the affect of salt water (salt mist in the air too) on aluminum so if you are coastal that may be a factor.&nbsp; BUT IMHO the quality of the unit is not in the material but in the workmanship.&nbsp;&nbsp; I would avoid the cheapest of the cheap - you will end up buying a better one soon enough.&nbsp; I have a couple of these cheapies that now serve as excellent light stands.&nbsp; B&amp;H website has a really large assortment of tripods and most come with user comments (judging by the nature of the comments I'd say they seem pretty real).&nbsp; That can give you a good feel, whether you end up buying there is another story.&nbsp; I like to support local brick and mortar when they are reasonably competitive.&nbsp; I have a Benro and a Manfrotto (monopod) that I'm happy with and have no problem with the build quality of either.&nbsp; I also shop sales, seems with tripods one brand or the other is always having some grand sale.&nbsp; And then there is the clearance bin of last year's model.&nbsp; With a tripod I don't think that matters in the least.&nbsp; These things should last you years and years.&nbsp; Usually it is cheaper to get a kit with ball included that buy the same gear separately.&nbsp; But get the one the suits your needs.&nbsp; Do you shoot in uneven ground, then legs that are independent are important.&nbsp; Shoot in the snow - yep some come with snow-shoes (really).&nbsp; Get one that will put the camera at your eye level without having to extend the centre column (at least not more than a couple of inches).&nbsp; That extended centre column really compromises stability.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Fortkentdad, post: 547452, member: 24285"] The quality of a tripod is not just dependant on whether it is carbon fibre or aluminium. As I understand it there are often a CF and Aluminium version of the same tripod by the same maker - the big difference is the weight, with the aluminum being a little heavier. There are a few other considerations like the affect of salt water (salt mist in the air too) on aluminum so if you are coastal that may be a factor. BUT IMHO the quality of the unit is not in the material but in the workmanship. I would avoid the cheapest of the cheap - you will end up buying a better one soon enough. I have a couple of these cheapies that now serve as excellent light stands. B&H website has a really large assortment of tripods and most come with user comments (judging by the nature of the comments I'd say they seem pretty real). That can give you a good feel, whether you end up buying there is another story. I like to support local brick and mortar when they are reasonably competitive. I have a Benro and a Manfrotto (monopod) that I'm happy with and have no problem with the build quality of either. I also shop sales, seems with tripods one brand or the other is always having some grand sale. And then there is the clearance bin of last year's model. With a tripod I don't think that matters in the least. These things should last you years and years. Usually it is cheaper to get a kit with ball included that buy the same gear separately. But get the one the suits your needs. Do you shoot in uneven ground, then legs that are independent are important. Shoot in the snow - yep some come with snow-shoes (really). Get one that will put the camera at your eye level without having to extend the centre column (at least not more than a couple of inches). That extended centre column really compromises stability. [/QUOTE]

Verification