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gqtuazon
the OP stated $170 was his max budget. I suggested what I would buy (with 100% confidence for travel CF one, and 110% for the benro/beike head) no one gave any links here for anything. you just suggest a $400 head without even legs because anything less is just crap. so all pros go shooting with $400 heads? the majority of people dont buy $400 and do quite well. not everyone has or even wants to spend that much for a tripod/head. everyone has their own needs and saying to someone that he cant get a decent tripod/head for his budget is being a little close minded.
its either the most expensive or nothing at all? maybe suggest something thats a little over his budget at $250, but $400 for just the head and maybe another $400 for legs? sugegst something that will cost $300 for both, reasonable.
reminds me of a guy who asked a friend of mine for specs to a pc to buy because his is dead from age. he has $400. my friend says anything less than $1000 and youre wasting your time. well my friend is a brand snob and has a few multi thousand pc's so nothing less than the best is his mindset. well guess what, the guy has no pc so $400 is all he has and $400 will get him a pc thats better than what he has now. so suggest something to fit his pocket. I think the benro/beike will do more than what he needs. and even the manfrotto he linked himself will do what he needs. he puts the camera on, locks it down, uses a remote release or timer and boom it doesnt move, takes the picture and great, done.
I will always suggest what the OP asks for. if he says he can go to $300, I will offer links for a tripod/head that costs $300. if he said $100, I would say go up a bit because anything less and it wont be any different than his current gear.
how about we post links and suggest gear for OP's budget?
is $170 the max budget?
btw, just want to add. I have my manfrotto 3221 and 3038 after 12 years of heavy use. ive been around the world with this duo as my ex wife was a travel agent. ive taken it to every wedding in the film days. its been out in blistering heat freezing ice, and a few times it snowed when I was in canada in christmas time (out of all the places we visited, quebec canada is the most magical place on earth in our opinions).
the 3038 head I bought used from an ebayer years back and the balls coating has worn out, which means it will adjust perfectly with precision but after its locked, I have to press lightly down on the head to release downwards to be free. it doesnt stop me from using it anytime I need. and its still very steady.
since being with digital I dont have much need to use a tripod but yet I dont shoot long shutter durations so dont need one. bottom line is even a cheap set like mine ($150 for the legs and $130 for the used head) still works very well after years of use. I dont see what what the OP wants to buy wont hold for many years and im certain he wont use his anywhere even half the amount my head and legs have seen around the world. and bottom line, the vast majority of the world spend $200 or so and are very happy with what they use.
