Photographers: Tripod Recommendations Please

[joeychitwood]

I posted this question in the Photography forum and received no responses, so hopefully the Lounge photo experts will have some opinions.

After using the same cheap, wobbly tripod for almost 20 years, it is time to purchase a new one. I most often shoot with a Nikon D70 and a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.3~5.6G IF-ED lens. I occasionally use my Nikon FE2 35mm SLR with a bulky Nikon MD-12 motor drive and several long lenses. I also use a Nikon SB-600 flash unit, so the entire setup can be somewhat heavy.

I want a tripod that is quick and easy to set up and take down and is stable on many different surfaces. I don't use one often, but I'd like to make this my LAST tripod purchase.

Please suggest a decent, fairly lightweight and stable tripod in the $200-400 range.

[sscherin]

I have an old 190 series Manfrotto pod with a 3265 Grip Action quick release head. It's a nice setup.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...gs_Green_.html


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Ballhead.html


Last year I got my Dad a Gorilla Pod for his Pentax K10D
it's a great table top pod for those odd locations.
The legs are bendable like a Loc-Line so you can wrap it around a tree, post or whatever. You cna either mount the camera right on the pod or add a head.

http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/slrzoom/

[elzool]

I absolutely LOVE my Gorilla. It's nothing like a standard tripod Doc, but has come in so handy in situations that a regular tripod would not have worked in.

For a 'real' tripod, I like the new carbon fiber models that are out these days. I'm partial to Velbon. I don't own one yet but that will be my next photo related purchase. Lightweight and a nice 3 way head and I'm set.

[joeychitwood]

I love the Gorilla Pod. I just ordered one for my point-and-shoot Canon. It will be great on motorcycle trips.

[beerguy]

Okay since I gave an economical answer on your other thread I'll tell you what I would buy.

Tripod

Ballhead

L-Bracket

It might, however, blow your established budget.

[gtrestoration]

That "L-Bracket" cost more than my camera.

SteveU

[TOURKID]

donno. our tripod cost maybe 60.00 and i cant imagine needing anything more. picked it up at cord camera.

[dinoman]

Originally posted by TOURKID
donno. our tripod cost maybe 60.00 and i cant imagine needing anything more. picked it up at cord camera.

That's the general impression I believe just about everybody has until they get really serious about their photography. *I* even remember saying something almost exactly like that back in the day. People are shocked when we spend $3-400, $1,000+ on a tripod. Its just 3 legs! What's the big deal?! Now if you had a P&S on a $1,000 tripod, yes that'd be overkill - but when you have a big heavy kit. Full DSLR, grip, long lens, that $1,000 tripod is going to be needed. Not only just to hold the sheer weight of the camera but to hold it ROCK SOLID.

Besides....I'm not going to trust a bargain tripod to hold $2,000 worth of camera (in the least, just body and a nicer lens, that's still being conservative).

[beerguy]

FWIW - that basically is the setup that I use.

I'm 4 inches shorter than you Joey so I use a 2540 instead of the 3540

[kfisc]

The wife's a photog- she says to tell you she swears by her Bogen.

[beerguy]

Bogen doesn't actually make anything. They're distributors.

They are the US distributor for both Gitzo and Manfrotto

[hubris007]

[jpfelix]

i think he was wanting more then a tabletop tripod.

[FloatingFish]

Originally posted by beerguy
I'm 4 inches shorter than you Joey

[beerguy]

Originally posted by FloatingFish

What?

He's 6' and I'm 5'8"

I'm the tall one in my family.

[FloatingFish]

Originally posted by beerguy
What?

He's 6' and I'm 5'8"

I'm the tall one in my family.

Hey, Its your story.

[beerguy]

[pnosko]

I've got the Manfrotto 3021 Pro & 3030 Quick Release Head. It held my F3 with the MD4 motor drive and SB-11 flash (w/16 AA batteries) steady, even at extreme angles.

[PJSEA]

I use the Manfrotto 3021 Pro with the 322RC2 Grip Action QR Ballhead for my Nikon D70.

[dinoman]

I also use the 3021Pro legs...but they are heavy.

[pnosko]

They are heavy, but so was the F3 setup. I recently sold the F3, and now use a Sony Cybershot. It hardly needs this tripod. I use the smaller Gorilla Tripod made for a point-and-shoot.

[beerguy]

I do a lot of hiking for my shots so weight is an issue. I love my Gitzo and like a Tunze stream it only seems expensive until you own one.

[palawan]

I go a used Bogen Manfrotto on Craigslist for 60.00 bucks with the quick release mount. Very sturdy. But I would not recommend it if you take pics out in the boonies, kinda heavy, unless you get the carbon fiber models.

[kfisc]

Originally posted by beerguy
Bogen doesn't actually make anything. They're distributors.

They are the US distributor for both Gitzo and Manfrotto

Wife said: "Your fish person is right about that. That's what I told you, too, but you weren't listening." To which I said: "Heck, you talk to him. Here's the computer." To which she said: "No; they're your fish people. I'm going to go brush my teeth."

[jpfelix]