$200 tripod?

Clixphoto

Can anyone suggest a nice, sturdy tripod w/head? I have around 200 to spend.

Matthew Saville

Sturdy? No. Honestly, if you're abusive with your gear, $200 will most likely just be a waste. I've owned various tripods over the years, and have used many others briefly or extensively. Your best bet for $200, with an emphasis on sturdy, is probably a used old Manfrotto tripod that weighs a ton and is built like a tank. Otherwise, if you want something moderately light and yet still long-lasting, you're gonna want to just save up another $100 or two, and go for something nice.

HOWEVER, if you're actually not that abusive, then yes I can definitely recommend some of the tripods that companies like Induro, Giottos, Benro, etc. are making these days. They're light, compact, decently sturdy if you take good care of them, and affordable. Just know that, if it falls apart in 1-3 years because you opted to use the tripod as an ice & snow hacking device or something, ...I'll have to say "told you so!" (Yes, I have indeed used spiked tripod legs to carve through hard snow drifts. Not to mention, the wear and tear of being tossed around in a trunk and heavily used, often on the beach, etc...)

Currently as a wedding photographer who DOES try and avoid heavy abuse, I own a Giottos VGR tripod, because it is small and light; I got it locally for $199 and I definitely have to be gentle with it. One of the legs already fell off and I have to send it in for service. But I plan on keeping it because it's just so incredibly cheaper than a comparable Gitzo, and I don't NEED to abuse this particular tripod. However for hiking and backpacking and bigger, heavier gear, I'd recommend something more high-end.

Here's the tripod I currently own. Again, NOT recommended if you're abusive; this is a lightweight travel tripod that is small enough to fit in my suitcase or rolling camera bag, while still looking and feeling professional enough that I can use it around clients...

http://www.adorama.com/GTVGR9264M2C.html

=Matt=

JustinThyme

$200 and sturdy with head dont belong in the same sentence. There are many tripods out there to choose from, what are you planning on putting on it? Do you intend to just use the screw or are you looking for a QR type setup? How long do you expect it to last? Where do you plan on using it? I tried the cheap route, then to the mid price and ended up with high end that will last a lifetime and will take anything. Just in my Gitzo 3 series tripod setup including either an RRS BH55 ball head or Jobu gimbal head (I change depending what Im shooting) and leveling base retails around $1500. I can put a 400 2.8L on it in high wind and its stable as they come. My monopod setup including the head and clamp is around $700.

System

Check out the Flashpoint tripods at Adorama Camera. No, they are not pro quality but they won't require refinancing your house for a loan.

Art Scott

Clixphoto wrote: »

Can anyone suggest a nice, sturdy tripod w/head? I have around 200 to spend.

Can't suggest a combo for that kind of money ...but I will suggest the Giottos MT series..love mine it has worked well for the last 5 or 6 yrs .....Mine ran about $169 when I got it....well worth it.

puzzledpaul

Depends what you're after and whether buying used or not.

An old ali gitzo with a pl5 head would most certainly fit into the spec and price category - but it probably wouldn't be pretty, what you want for a head (if after a ball hd) ... or light ... but would be sturdy.

Since it'd already (probably) be severely cosmetically challenged, that's another issue you wouldn't have to worry about

A 3/4/5 series specimen also allows you to put anything you like on it, provided it's got an 85mm dia clamping 'land' on it.

pp

Clixphoto

Thanks everyone. I am looking to upgrade my old tripod (about 15yrs old) that is severely challenged by my 50D with battery grip and a few 2.8L lenses. By the end of the summer I would like to upgrade to a 5D. When I "set" my pod with my current system, it will still have some give or settling, even with the lighter lenses.
I'm very good with all of my equipment so I'm not really worried to much with durability. The sturdy I had in mind was more in the lines of heavy and something that will keep my camera where I want it.

Pupator

Yes, a really substantial tripod costs much more than $200, but the difference between $200 worth of tripod and what most people has is significant itself.

Find yourself a set of Manfrotto 190XPROB legs. You can get a used pair for under or at $100. They're quite sturdy. They aren't light. They aren't the sturdiest. But they're likely better than what you have.

For heads there are lots of options, depending on what you're looking for. Again, nothing spectacular, but you can get a decent and reliable head for $100 or so used. I have a 322rc2 that I'm selling, but that's a pistol grip and not most people's first choice. Look around for a used Manfrotto or Giottos ball head. You'll spend about $200 for the pair and they'll get the job done.