Help, or a possible link?

AimeeJ

I'm sure this is already in a thread here somewhere....but I am completely overwhelmed with all the choices for tripods. I understand the basics of materials, types of heads, etc. But when I go to shop, there are just so many, I am completely lost. I did read the sticky thread on tripods, but I still need a little bit more specific guidance. I want to get a decent tripod system that will be fairly light and last awhile. And I am looking to spend $300-400 Is there a link anyone can point me to that may help me out? Also, is there some neat little formula to help me figure out what height tripod to get? I am 65 inches and I don't want to do a lot of squatting or dipping down when I take a shot. I have a Nikon D80. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Art Scott

From where you are currently
to here.........BH Tripods and Support home..........there will still be a tone of research.......better yet.....go to your local cam store and handle some, hopefully the local is not a Ritz 1hr store....all they have are cheap, won't last you long types.........I have a Giottos 4 section with a Manfrotto 322RC2 handle ball head......I love it and others on here hate it.......I will be trading up (others hate that idea also, however sometimes we find that we are doing a different type of photo work than when we purchased our current equiptment or what we are trading up to was not available when we purchased what we currently have...............)

Check out the still camera t-pod special section first and go up one link to delve thru what BH offers......But I think you need to handle some of them..........My Giottos is a perfect fit for carrying on the side of my backpack and getting on and off busses and trains when traveling ..... also beefy enuff to handle a 2 1/4 square med. format camera with a 300mm lens or a pro 35mm cam with 70-210mm lens filipped into portrait position camera mounted to a flash bracket and sunpak 622 attached....all this weighing in ~~12 lbs.....never had any slippage or movement.....Giottos t-pod was just under $200........4 rys ago.

aktse

If you haven't found this yet, please read this:

Thom Hogan's thoughts on a tripod.

And yes, it's all true and I know of people who went through all of the stages.

My recommendation. I think there are many good tripods out there and most people don't need or can afford a gitzo. Silk, Manfrotto, Induro, etc. are all very good. The specific model depends on your needs and the depth of your pocketbook.

However, I would save pennies and spend the money on the a good tripod head (RRS or Acratech) and the quick release plates from either company. If money is really a concern, Acratech sells their seconds (cosmetic defects) on ebay at a discount.

This will make all the difference in the world.

AimeeJ

Thanks for the info. I think I feel a little better now. One more question...how compatible are most ballheads and tripods? Do I have to be very careful b/c it is tricky to match them up or, are most brands made to work with each other?

Scott_Quier

AimeeJ wrote:

Thanks for the info. I think I feel a little better now. One more question...how compatible are most ballheads and tripods? Do I have to be very careful b/c it is tricky to match them up or, are most brands made to work with each other?

I've not yet found a compatability issue with mounting a ball head of your choice to a tripod of your choice. The better tripods have a quite hefty threaded mounting post and every ballhead I've seen is able to accomodate. Some lighter weight tripods have a small mouting post and most (all?) ballheads have a treaded adapter "sleeve" that screws into the ballhead. This adapter is machined to securely accept this smaller tripod mounting post.

So, I don't think there is any reason to be concerned. Get the tripod and ballhead of your choice with confidence.

20DNoob

aktse wrote:

If you haven't found this yet, please read this:

Thom Hogan's thoughts on a tripod.

And yes, it's all true and I know of people who went through all of the stages.

My recommendation. I think there are many good tripods out there and most people don't need or can afford a gitzo. Silk, Manfrotto, Induro, etc. are all very good. The specific model depends on your needs and the depth of your pocketbook.

However, I would save pennies and spend the money on the a good tripod head (RRS or Acratech) and the quick release plates from either company. If money is really a concern, Acratech sells their seconds (cosmetic defects) on ebay at a discount.

This will make all the difference in the world.

I wish I had seen that article before I started buying crappy tripods and heads.

+1 on the saving your pennies, it's so worth it in the end.

If your not wanting to spend heaps check out Feisol for their tripod offerings if you want to go CF, from what I've read users couldn't be happier. Another ballhead option would be Markins, a bit cheaper and lighter than RRS equivalents but either brand would probably last you the rest of your life under normal usage.

In the end it'll be a touch over budget but it'll be money well spent.