In need of a decent tripod

search231GT

search231GT

Senior Member
Hello.
I'm in need of a decent tripod and I have been looking around Amazon. They have a lot of selections but I just wanted to get an opinion. I'm going to start doing some serious automotive photography pretty soon and I know that a tripod can really help me out in some areas. I'm interested in this one:

Amazon.com: Professional PRO 72" Super Strong Tripod With Deluxe Soft Carrying Case For The Nikon Df, D5300, D3300, D5200, D3200, D3X, D3S, D700, D300S, D7000, D90, D5100, D5000, D3100, D3000, D800, D800E D600 D610, D7100 Digital SLR Camera Digital C


As far as budget I don't want to spend too much, $15-25(Hope this is not being cheap, I'm just tight on cash right now). As long as it gets the job done. If you recommend any other brands or places to look, please share. Thank you.
 
wev

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
A tripod is something you really don't want to skimp on. A good one will fit your shooting situations, protect your camera, last for years, and be able to handle new gear. Save up and buy better; it will repay you in the end.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Looks like a good deal with some really good reviews. Can't find anything relating to what weight it will take but I only had a cursory glance. That low price is either a worry or very good.
However if it turns out not so good its not a lot of money.
 
Ijustwant1

Ijustwant1

Senior Member
My tripod cost about $100.00 I would like it if it was a sturdier but am happy , my wife gave it to me for a birthday present about 15 years ago , so you might want to hint to your loved ones about birthday ideas ;)
 
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nickt

Senior Member
What will you use it for? If you are doing landscape, macro, long exposures, night pics, portraits, or pretty much anything serious, don't get a cheap one. It will move and shake and you will be disappointed that you are not getting sharp pictures. If you are just making some youtube videos for fun or snapping a few selfies with flash, you can probably make do with a cheap tripod, but I would recommend saving up for a better one.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Of course I couldn't help but go looking.
There is a big difference in price between tripods. Quite confusing and of course a bit unsettling to the budget!
The Manfrotto 055 which is very popular is almost 10X the price of the one mentioned above and that excludes the head!
There is a good point made in the review about buying for possible future upgrades and heavier cameras.
We all suffer from NAS at some point.
Not sure why I did but I am pleased I kept my old tripod from my film days.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
nickt said:
What will you use it for? If you are doing landscape, macro, long exposures, night pics, portraits, or pretty much anything serious, don't get a cheap one. It will move and shake and you will be disappointed that you are not getting sharp pictures. If you are just making some youtube videos for fun or snapping a few selfies with flash, you can probably make do with a cheap tripod, but I would recommend saving up for a better one.
Click to expand...

Automotive photography
 
V

Vincent

Senior Member
Ok, if you hope not being cheap, become realistic.
This has no chance of being a top tripod (that is around 1000$), but what do you need? Maybe it is decent for you.
On the question of the load someone states they put a Sigma 300mm on it, I expect to be the max around 2,5kg a bit overstretched on the 300mm.
This means you can forget it for a D4 with a 70-200 f2,8, but a D3100 with a kit lens is no weight issue.

Next thing to check what others have as experience:
- is it easy to adjust (adjustment is quick and locks are sturdy)
- does it break easily
- does it secure your camera (you do not want to loose that through a crap tirpod)

Wev has a Vanguard Alta Pro, this has a good reputation for under 100$.
I´m on Manfrotto, that will be out of your league; I wanted to assure 8kg was no issue, it was light and small an was high enough for me.
Other "cheaper" brands are Bilora, Cullmann, Giotto, Hama.

If I look at my Cullmann which was about 35$, it could not take the D7000 with the 70-200, the legs are skinny and move, the head did not block sufficiently.
However I still use it as emergency solution, it is super small and light and I have it with me to put lights on normally, but it will do for the D7000 + 50mm.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Automotive photography
Click to expand...
I missed that. Definitely recommend a better one. Outdoors, breeze, more reasons to shake. I have cheap Vivitar that is useless with my d7000, you can see the lens shake when the shutter is activated with the remote. It was fine back in the point and shoot days. I have the Alta Pro 263 w/sbh100 now, I like it.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
If you need a cheap price, but something reliable, you might want to look for a used tripod. I bought a SLIK brand carbon fiber tripod for $45.00 that works fine for most types of shots(except low macro shots). Mine has more of a video head on it, but it works fine for DSLR cameras as long as your not needing a super fast setup. The head is a fluid head and isn't a single nob adjust, like the ball heads are. But it is very strong and no issues with slipping.
So my point is that you might find a used tripod that will work fine, until your ready to save up for a higher end tripod. :)
I'm going to be looking for a higher end tripod myself for my macro needs, when I can afford it! :D
 
search231GT

search231GT

Senior Member
Thanks for all the suggestions, I have taken a look at all the different tripods. I guess it's because I'm a Noob at photography and I don't know much about tripods and so I didn't really know what I was looking for(which is why I brought my issue here). Cheap products always signal a red flag in my book. Like I said I am tight on cash and I might be doing something real soon, which is why I'm hunting for something affordable. While I was looking at some pro tripods I came across a brand called Dolica, Here's a link for one


Amazon.com: Dolica GX600B200 Proline GX Series 60-Inch Aluminum Tripod and Ball Head Combo for DSLR: Camera & Photo


It really affordable, and it has good reviews, and it looks good too me. I will definitely keep looking though.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
search231GT said:
Thanks for all the suggestions, I have taken a look at all the different tripods. I guess it's because I'm a Noob at photography and I don't know much about tripods and so I didn't really know what I was looking for(which is why I brought my issue here). Cheap products always signal a red flag in my book. Like I said I am tight on cash and I might be doing something real soon, which is why I'm hunting for something affordable. While I was looking at some pro tripods I came across a brand called Dolica, Here's a link for one


Amazon.com: Dolica GX600B200 Proline GX Series 60-Inch Aluminum Tripod and Ball Head Combo for DSLR: Camera & Photo


It really affordable, and it has good reviews, and it looks good too me. I will definitely keep looking though.
Click to expand...

There are some less than happy 3, 2 and 1 star reviews, but quite a few great reviews. It might be worth trying. Amazon is one of the easiest places to return stuff to. This one is fulfilled by Amazon, so you should get free shipping and if you return it, you will get all your money back. If you get it, just check it out thoroughly. If you have a zoom lens (longer, heavier), mount it up. Make sure it doesn't sag after you set on target. Then take some shots with the timer. Watch the lens barrel for noticeable shake when the picture is taken. And check that you are getting nice sharp images. Use a variety of slow shutter speeds for testing.
 
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Vincent

Senior Member
The man seems serious in the review

The low position actually is something I would recommend for wide angle car photography, however you can do it also with a bean bag with some cropping.

Not my picture and just to show the angle, I would not use a tripod on wide angle with this light:

338897_10151094113889620_1780611601_o.jpg
 
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