[Otahyoni]

I'm think about getting a tripod for my camera and am looking for some suggestions. I want something nice and sturdy and strong enough to last a while for under $100.

I'm assuming that all Canon cameras use the same thread for mounting (P&S and DSLRs)?

So, suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[TheMightyGoat]

It's all a 1/4-20 thread to mount the shoe. Most shoes are standard between tripods but there are special ones out there.

You can get a decent basic tripod for $100. No need to get a recommendation for that price range, just go in a store and pick out something you like.

Where you can spend a lot more money, though, is on a good tripod head - if you want a ball swivel one or something of the like. But for entry-level stuff you probably don't care about that.

[Otahyoni]

It's just something to get started. I'm wanting to do some longer exposure shots and been having a problem with camera shake. Also been trying out HDR but its really hard to get the shots without moving.

Thanks Goat.

[AlTheKillerr]

id pick up a cheap 20-30 dollar one from best buy. ive got two of em and they are great and sturdy. also since they are cheap i can just throw them around without having to worry about messing something up

[KMET]

try looking at thrift stores, I found a SLIK U212 Deluxe for $10.00 bucks

[Otahyoni]

I was hoping you'd chime in Colton. I thought about a cheap Walmart (no Best Buy here) one, didn't know how sturdy it would be. Guess I'll check it out.

KMET, thats a good suggestion. I'll have to look there too.

[Jeffro06]

Don't waste money on crappy equipment, buy something good to start with and keep it for a long time.

I've had a Bogen tripod, and head for years now. They've been through mud, snow, rain, in creeks and tossed into my jeep with hardly a care. They've survived it all.


Bogen tripod, under $100


The ball head I use.


They're worth the $200.

[ImNotStuck]

Your best bet is get on EBAY. You can get nice tri-pods on their cheap

[FmrVette]

Originally Posted by Otahyoni

I'm think about getting a tripod for my camera and am looking for some suggestions. I want something nice and sturdy and strong enough to last a while for under $100.

Need more info -

Shooting indoor portraits? Occasional trips to the zoo? Trekking out for miles into the bush?

What kind of camera/lens? (A D40 with a 50mm weighs almost nothing; my D300, battery grip, 70-200 2.8, teleconverter and SB900 flash will top six pounds or better).

Good, Cheap, Light - you may have either of the two, but not all three in the same tripod.

If your tripod will not be carried very far or very often, then weight isn't a consideration. (Although you'll want some mass to the tripod. Remember it's not just to hold the camera steady, it also should prevent vibrations from passing vehicles or your own footsteps from shaking the camera, along with preventing the wind from ruining your shot).

If you need to carry the tripod a fair distance, then you need lightness. A heavy tripod will become a trudge and be left in the car trunk. Useless. And lightness is converted into dollars. Strong, light materials cost more to manufacture than strong, heavy materials.

You'll want not just a tripod, but a ballhead as well. On good gear they are sold separately - with the ballhead costing as much as the tripod.

You'll want/need a quick release plate - otherwise every time you put the camera body on the ballhead you'll have to use the mounting bolt. This takes time, changes the attitude adjustments on the tripod, and puts wear and tear on the camera mounting hole. A quick release plate allows you to remove the camera, take a shot, and put the camera back onto the tripod in just a moments time.

Not all tripods have the same reach - having to crouch down to look through a viewfinder gets old very, very quickly. Tough on the back.

B&H Photo has a decent selection of used gear:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=3253&N=4294246928&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=3255&N=4294246925&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0

You can get new from Best Buy, Wallyworld, KMart, just about anywhere - but you do get what you pay for. Just my 2 cents, but if it's something that you don't have an immediate need for I'd think used, look to see what's available on B&H or Adorama, look up the reviews on those used items and buy a good, used, piece of gear that will last you years. If you find (as I suspect) that $275 is closer to a good used setup than $100, you might be better advised to save up for the good gear, rather than buying something that you won't use or be happy with.

(Remember that whatever you get, you'll want the tripod to have a hook on the bottom of the center support - so you can hang your camera bag or a sand bag; it steadies the tripod in windy conditions. Also you'll want a bag to carry the tripod in - and those bags that come with the outdoor folding chairs can be a good, cheap source of bags, much less than a bag from a tripod manufacturer).

If you have to get an inexpensive model right away, don't sell it or trade it when you upgrade later (which you eventually will ); I've had an elcheapo no-name tripod since the mid-eighties - I use it these days to hold a remote flash.

HTH

[TJJP77]

I'll second what FmrVette is saying and I'd suggest you keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist for a deal on a used Manfrotto/Bogen - they can be had for around $100-$120. I got my Manfrotto 055PROB with a pan/tilt head in basically new condition for $120 off of my local Craigslist. I did later buy a ballhead as my needs changed, but I still got a deal. I had been using what I thought was a decent Slik tripod before and the difference really is like night and day - a good tripod really is worth the money.

You may also want to check a photography forum like fredmiranda.com - they have a fairly active "for sale" section over there and some of those folks let stuff go for pretty resonable prices.

[FmrVette]

Originally Posted by TJJP77

... a used Manfrotto/Bogen - they can be had for around $100-$120. I got my Manfrotto 055PROB with a pan/tilt head in basically new condition for $120 off of my local Craigslist... I had been using what I thought was a decent Slik tripod before and the difference really is like night and day - a good tripod really is worth the money.

I have a Gitzo G2220, and a Bogen / Manfrotto 190XPROB and they are reasonably good tripods for my use. I mount a Bogen / Manfrotto 322RC2 ballhead. Concur that the Bogen is a nice bit of kit for the price! (edit - meaning that I was very pleasantly surprised by the 190XPROB - well worth the money; I needed one in a hurry for a shoot and my favorite camera store had it in stock and recommended it as a reasonable choice to sub for my damaged Gitzo).

Just one of those things...when you need one, you need a decent one.

[spife7980]

and im going to x3 the cheap tripod thing. i have a cheap one right now and it does well enough for what it is but having used my friends decent tripod its like im using a dinosaur. it really is a night and day difference. if you arent serious or dont have alot of gear i say just go and pick up a little 30 dollar special so you arent out alot of coin but if you really want to do some tripod photography look into a good tripod. im not saying to get a gitzo or anything but as suggested before i would look into manfrotto stuff as it is the lowest level gear that i would still consider good. im waiting for a used manfrotto setup to surface right now as we speak.

[AlTheKillerr]

Originally Posted by Otahyoni

I was hoping you'd chime in Colton. I thought about a cheap Walmart (no Best Buy here) one, didn't know how sturdy it would be. Guess I'll check it out.

KMET, thats a good suggestion. I'll have to look there too.

thanks but im not the only one here that knows photography and there are others on here who will know alot more about equipment than i ever will.

personally if you arent a pro or trying to become one i wouldnt get anything more than what best buy walmart has to offer. they are cheap and light. i can carry mine around with me all day with no problem and ive never had a problem with the weight of it when it comes to wind, vehicles, my own feet..... but everyone is different and every situation is different and youll be the best person to decide on what you need. with mine i can toss it around in the mud and water and not care but if i had spent 100+ on it i dont think i could bring myself to do that. the only time id want to have a real heavy tripod would be in the studio where its not going to be moved around alot and if it was bumped by a model or assistant i wouldnt have to worry about it tipping over or what have you.

[Otahyoni]

I do admire your work Colton. I haven't seen FmrVette's or TJJP's work.

I don't know about ever being a 'pro', but i would like to maybe sell some pictures or do some photography for hire someday ( got a bunch of questions about that too, but i'll wait for now). I think i'll start with a cheapie or a craigslist find, then move up when i get more serious...

[AlTheKillerr]

pick up a cheap one and see how it does then decide on if you need something else. at most youll be out 30 bucks or so and you can find some nice ones on craigslist or ebay