ProMaster Tripods..

pk63015

Senior Member
Does anyone have any experience with using the ProMaster line of Tripods ? I am looking at these because I need an inexpensive but quality tripod. I would dearly love to buy a 200-300 tripod, but alas the budget comes into play.
I was looking at the SC423k.
Any comments or thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks.
 

Danno

Senior Member
I am not at all familiar with it, but I did do a quick search and it showed up on amazon with one star. I would be really reluctant to go too cheap on a tripod just because you will enjoy the opportunity to buy another to replace the cheap one, (or at least I did).

I would encourage you to consider weight capacity of the tripod as construction. I bought an AltraPro 264AT and it is a decent tripod, but I ended up having to replace the ball head because when I tried to lock the head at anything other tan vertical it would droop. It drove me crazy and I cannot tell you how many shots I messed up. I ended up buying a Benro ball head and it fixed the locking problem.

I still use the AltraPro 264AT tripod, but now I use it with a gimbal head taking bird photos from my porch of birds. I purchased a much better used tripod and head combo for everything else.

If I were looking now and had that budget I would look at Benro or Sirui. Just my two cents. I am an impatient person. In the search for a tripod that proved to be expensive.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I also don't think it looks like it is worth the money. Buying a decent tripod on a limited budget is tough. This Vanguard tripod looks promising and is on sale for $99.99 - regularly $179.99. Load capacity is 17.6 pounds. Weight is 3.7 pounds. Height isn't all that great at 59" but for the price, not bad. B&H is closed to observe Passover. Looks like ordering will be available Sunday while shipping doesn't start until April 29th.

Good luck with whatever you choose. :)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1123594-REG/vanguard_veo_265ab_aluminum_tripod.html

vanguard_veo_265ab_aluminum_tripod_1425185499000_1123594.jpg
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
Are they just Cheaply Made, Subpar Materials, What ? I appreciate your insight.[/QUOTThey are cheaply made for a budget market. You can get a quality tripod used for about the same price or lower. Check the used department of your local camera stores. Do not select a cheap new tripod vs a quality used one.
 
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Danno

Senior Member
I would add only one thing... do not go to the bottom of your budget on the tripod. Look at going toward the most you can afford. Manfroto, Benro, and Sirui have pretty good reputations. Going used at somewhere like Adorama or KEH could give you a bigger bang for the buck. Used is good. Here is an interesting one from KEH. Vendors demo, it still has a 6 year Warranty SIRUI T-2204XL CARBON FIBER TRIPOD WITH E-20 BALL HEAD 5.7-64" PAYLOAD 33.1 LB. There is no photo, but it looks like it would be worth a call.

https://www.keh.com/shop/sirui-t-22...th-e-20-ball-head-5-7-64-payload-33-1-lb.html
 

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
i bought 3 cheap tripods before i found the Vanguard, light and sturdy and i use it with my 70-300, for my 500mm i have a Benro.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I have a Pro Master monopod that is excellent, but no experience with the tripods. Pro Master is a sort of generic brand that many independent camera stores carry. You might check to see if any brick and mortar camera stores in your area carry them. I also recommend the local stores to actually see and play with any tripod you are interested in. Hands on can tell you a lot about the construction, size and weight. Of course, brick and mortar stores are getting harder and harder to find...
 

pk63015

Senior Member
I have a Pro Master monopod that is excellent, but no experience with the tripods. Pro Master is a sort of generic brand that many independent camera stores carry. You might check to see if any brick and mortar camera stores in your area carry them. I also recommend the local stores to actually see and play with any tripod you are interested in. Hands on can tell you a lot about the construction, size and weight. Of course, brick and mortar stores are getting harder and harder to find...

I agree that going to a Brick & Mortar store would be best, But I live in Erie Pa, our only dedicated Camera store closed up shop about 1 yr ago. I would have a 1 1/2 hr drive to Buffalo, Pittsburgh, or Cleveland, and even then it is a Crap Shoot. Buying from Walmart or Best Buy is a Non-Starter.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I agree that going to a Brick & Mortar store would be best, But I live in Erie Pa, our only dedicated Camera store closed up shop about 1 yr ago. I would have a 1 1/2 hr drive to Buffalo, Pittsburgh, or Cleveland, and even then it is a Crap Shoot. Buying from Walmart or Best Buy is a Non-Starter.

Yeah, I know I'm lucky to have a good camera store nearby.
 

pk63015

Senior Member
****UPDATE****

I have decided Not to get the ProMaster Tri-pod... I am Now looking at the Manfrotto MK290XTA3-BHUS. From my research it has 4 Stars at B&H and looks to fulfill all of my needs now, and in the future.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
****UPDATE****

I have decided Not to get the ProMaster Tri-pod... I am Now looking at the Manfrotto MK290XTA3-BHUS. From my research it has 4 Stars at B&H and looks to fulfill all of my needs now, and in the future.

That should work very well for you - Manfrotto has a great name. I still have my original tripod, a Bogen Manfrotto 3021 tripod with a 3047 head that is over 20 years old. It's heavy (combo weighs about 10 pounds), very tall extending to almost 70", and still in excellent shape. I rarely carried it around due to its weight. Since there are other less expensive tripods out there, maybe some day I will use it in a studio although I've given some thought to just trading it in.

Good luck with your choice! :encouragement:
 
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