I need a Tripod

risureshrisuresh Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
edited April 6, 2009 in Accessories
Hi Folks,

I want to buy a tripod to take some night city shots and planning to take some moving stuff like birds/animals/flights. could you please recommend a tripod for me:

What camera(s) will be used with it?
Canon Digital Rebel XT SLR 8MP
Canon SX110 IS 9MP
I am planning to buy a camcorder as well in 2 months time.

What len(es) will be used with it?
For the time being:
EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5 – 5.6
55-200 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 II USM

What tripod head will be mounted on it?
Ball Head

Will you be carrying it? How far?
Yes, of course, most of the time in the car, If I am unable to take the car, particularly inside the park, I have to carry it, if you can suggest something which I can carry it on my back very easily. If I can fold the tripod, its better.


What is/are your intended subjects?
City night shots, birds, flights, animals (definitly NOT sports activities), just nature & landscape, river, falls, from the mountains. NOT NIGHT CLUBS & CONCERTS. Something like London Eye at night, Toronto downtown......

How much do you want to spend?
NOT more than $ 200(Canadian) . I am ready to buy even used one in good condition.

Would you rather have carbon fiber or metal?
Whatever which is NOT shaky.


Will you be wanting to pack it into luggage?
Yes, of course.


How tall are you?
170CM (5' 7")


thank you so much and much appreciated for the answers.

Regards

Suresh.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
Canon SX 110 IS, Canon EOS Rebel XT
Sony CycleEnergy Rechargeable AA Batteries
<!-- / sig --><!-- edit note -->

Comments

  • ideamanideaman Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited April 5, 2009
    Have you tried the gorillapod? It is a flexible tripod.
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited April 5, 2009
    ideaman wrote:
    Have you tried the gorillapod? It is a flexible tripod.

    I think the OP is looking for something taller, especially since they mention a ballhead.
    //Leah
  • RovingEyePhotoRovingEyePhoto Registered Users Posts: 314 Major grins
    edited April 5, 2009
    risuresh wrote:
    Hi Folks,

    I want to buy a tripod to take some night city shots and planning to take some moving stuff like birds/animals/flights. could you please recommend a tripod for me:

    What camera(s) will be used with it?
    Canon Digital Rebel XT SLR 8MP
    Canon SX110 IS 9MP
    I am planning to buy a camcorder as well in 2 months time.

    What len(es) will be used with it?
    For the time being:
    EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5 – 5.6
    55-200 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 II USM

    What tripod head will be mounted on it?
    Ball Head

    Will you be carrying it? How far?
    Yes, of course, most of the time in the car, If I am unable to take the car, particularly inside the park, I have to carry it, if you can suggest something which I can carry it on my back very easily. If I can fold the tripod, its better.


    What is/are your intended subjects?
    City night shots, birds, flights, animals (definitly NOT sports activities), just nature & landscape, river, falls, from the mountains. NOT NIGHT CLUBS & CONCERTS. Something like London Eye at night, Toronto downtown......

    How much do you want to spend?
    NOT more than $ 200(Canadian) . I am ready to buy even used one in good condition.

    Would you rather have carbon fiber or metal?
    Whatever which is NOT shaky.


    Will you be wanting to pack it into luggage?
    Yes, of course.


    How tall are you?
    170CM (5' 7")


    thank you so much and much appreciated for the answers.

    Regards

    Suresh.
    <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
    Canon SX 110 IS, Canon EOS Rebel XT
    Sony CycleEnergy Rechargeable AA Batteries
    <!-- / sig --><!-- edit note -->
    I recently went through the job of selecting a first-time serious tripod/head (had a very old geared cheapie so not new to tripods/heads. just new to one that really fit my purpose). We shoot different stuff, click at bottom for my SmugMug postings, shooting mainly people and macros, not nature, but on the fly, so in that respect not different from you. I ended-up paying more than your budget. Regardless, some things learned now that I've seriously used the pod might be of value to you.

    First, I'd have big problem if couldn't get to eye level. I use sliding post section to get there, but still plenty solid, no high winds, etc, to disallow that. The same as perspective is critical at ground level, if you see a composition you like at walking height level, you won't get it if tripod won't go that high. Always can find lower level if you see a better composition there, but a lot are at eye level, that's what initially catches your eye, and sometimes that's the best level for the shot, just have to get eyepiece up that high.

    Second, being able to put your center post horizontal or upside down (or horizontal and upside down, which I do at times) is helpful not only for getting closer to macro subjects which I do, but I would think also for all sorts of non-macro shots in nature. Some of the non-macro modeled shots I've done are shot that way, couldn't conveniently get low enough otherwise. You obviously lose stability and rock-solid base, so have to be creative in how your other hand presses down on top the leg apex to solidify things, and maybe employ a mirror-lockup/delayed-shutter, but all doable. May not be able to get horizontal post capability at your budget, but I've found it helpful far more often that I thought I would. Actually, sought out this pod capability because of similar suggestion to me in answer to my question similar to yours here on Dgrin. One caution, I went for the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 to get a center post that goes horizontal without removing it from the pod, a tremendous convenience. I think if I had to remove the center post each time I went from vertical to horizontal and back, I'd not employ the feature anywhere near as much. As said, this particular model is above your budget, but in any event, something to look for.

    Good luck with your search.
    See my work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26525400@N04/sets/. Policy is to initially upload 10-20 images from each shoot, then a few from various of the in-process shoots each time I log on, until a shoot is completely uploaded.
  • ToshidoToshido Registered Users Posts: 759 Major grins
    edited April 5, 2009
    I will second Rovingeyes comments. Only real difference is I got the 190XProB. basically the aluminum version of what he mentioned. Might be within reach for you in aluminum.


    If not in a hurry might get lucky at a pawn shop. I did recently. Pawn shop had my Velbon CF-530 with the FHQ-52Q head on it. Luckily they only priced the head so I got a spotless decent head with free carbon fibre legs.

    Of course pawn shop could take years :)
  • time2smiletime2smile Registered Users Posts: 835 Major grins
    edited April 6, 2009
    JR Music has a nice selection on sale (jr.com)
    Ted....
    It's not what you look at that matters: Its what you see!
    Nikon
    http://www.time2smile.smugmug.com
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