Author Topic: Tripod Recommendation (Read 1173 times)

pretzston · « **on:** November 14, 2011, 08:44:40 PM »

What do you guys use/recommend?

I use an el cheap $20 one. Which, works, but my camera is light.

I would like to upgrade at some point to something that works great but also can handle a future larger DSLR.

I have heard some positive things about the manfrotto pistol grip head and manfrotto legs.

pretzston · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:46:48 PM »

I do a lot of abandoned stuff which is low light and requires a tripod btw so light enough to carry and hook onto a Low Pro Flipside 300. Which is my bag. Large enough for a DSLR but holds everything I need in m43.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-300,2083,14.htm

lisandra · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 11:53:42 PM »

pistol grip tripods are a gift from heaven

voyager · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2011, 12:58:53 AM »

I really need a better tripod too, I lost the plate to my large one somewhere at the Golden Gate Bridge (remind me to find that someday) so I've been using my mini tripod, which works horribly bad sometimes (and amazingly other times), and although it's more convenient, I really need a bigger one.

sschoen1 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2011, 08:15:05 PM »

Look at the Velbon UT-43D. It weighs just 2.5 lbs. Folds to under 12 inches, and opens in 10 seconds.
There is nothing in the world like it!

voyager · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2011, 08:15:24 PM »

You have one?

pretzston · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:25:18 AM »

Quote from: sschoen1 on November 15, 2011, 08:15:05 PM

Look at the Velbon UT-43D. It weighs just 2.5 lbs. Folds to under 12 inches, and opens in 10 seconds.
There is nothing in the world like it!

tell me more! Can it handle a DSLR? I see it is rated for 5.5 pounds...

lisandra · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:32:22 AM »

Quote from: pretzston on November 16, 2011, 08:25:18 AM

Quote from: sschoen1 on November 15, 2011, 08:15:05 PM
Look at the Velbon UT-43D. It weighs just 2.5 lbs. Folds to under 12 inches, and opens in 10 seconds.
There is nothing in the world like it!

tell me more! Can it handle a DSLR? I see it is rated for 5.5 pounds...

then yes it can. The vanguard gh 100 handles my a55 with a heavy 70-200 or the gh2 with the 100-300 and a hotshoe flash easy.
http://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-GH-100-Pistol-Grip-Ball/dp/B003XDE8TK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321459857&sr=1-2] [url]http://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-GH-100-Pistol-Grip-Ball/dp/B003XDE8TK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321459857&sr=1-2 [/url]

pretzston · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:44:16 AM »

Nice! That one looks a little less than the Manfrotto ones.

What legs do you recommend Lisandra?

pretzston · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:45:03 AM »

Keeping in mind I want it to handle a future DSLR, but will use it with the EP3 in abandoned places etc something that fits well with the Lowpro Flipside 300 (linked above) and is light is good!

Handheld · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:45:34 AM »

If you use a tripod routinely, you owe it to yourself to get the best platform and head you can afford. It's an investment that will probably outlive all of your other camera gear and never gets obsolete. Even the reluctant tripod user--I count myself in that group--benefits from a tripod that they will actually use and enjoy.

The best tripods and heads I have seen are made by Really Right Stuff. Unmatched quality, design, durability and customer service. They are really expensive, though, and even their smallest tripod weighs over 3 lb (but is rated at 40 lb). The other brands I recommend are Gitzo, Induro and Redged. For portability I like the folding Gitzo GT1550T Traveler. I prefer a Really Right Stuff ballhead, though, because they are smooth and dependable in the worst conditions. Fiddling around with a cheaper head is not worth the savings. If you cannot afford new, look for a good used one.

lisandra · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:18:55 PM »

I bought the gh 100 based on what I saw with a 5d user with a 70-200 (heeeeeeavy) plus its not easy to find a pistol head that gilts that much or does verticals.. It can be attached to petty much any tripod and its affordable (sorta) . It's also more versatile than the manfrotto pistol head. For a tripod itself really right stuff does make the sturdiest of the sturd, but the prices are mind boggling. Get something within your budget from manfroto or vanguard themselves. Vanguard is still a bit unknown, but I've yet to see a product from them that doesn't leave me impressed. You can't go wrong with manfrotto, unless you get the Sears models (and even them are not that bad. Overall my vanguard head/ manfrotto legs doesn't go over 400$ and my beach setup doesn't go over 225$.

count_zero · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2011, 02:45:50 PM »

I have an el-cheapo tripod that I never use. The only reason why I bought it is for shooting portrait occasionally. On second thought, I wish I would have bought a gorillapod instead. More often than not, I find something to place my camera on rather than unfolding the tripod. It really depends on your style. Outdoors with a lot of wind potentially, then high quality tri-pod. Indoors, for some occasional portrait stuff, then el-cheapo. Light weight carry along at all times, then gorillapod.

lisandra · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2011, 03:10:28 PM »

Quote from: count_zero on November 17, 2011, 02:45:50 PM

I have an el-cheapo tripod that I never use. The only reason why I bought it is for shooting portrait occasionally. On second thought, I wish I would have bought a gorillapod instead. More often than not, I find something to place my camera on rather than unfolding the tripod. It really depends on your style. Outdoors with a lot of wind potentially, then high quality tri-pod. Indoors, for some occasional portrait stuff, then el-cheapo. Light weight carry along at all times, then gorillapod.

gorillapods are great too

AmstelBright · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2011, 03:30:30 PM »

I have a Gorillapod and a Velbon Ultra Luxi M; both shown in this video:


An Introduction to Tripods with Photo & Video International

The Gorillapod is very nice and very portable, but I am starting to appreciate the Velbon more and more. It's light and relatively compact, yet stable and versatile.

But that's based on my limited experience with tripods - never had anything more substantial than this.

tamoio · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2011, 06:10:43 PM »

Quote from: voyager on November 15, 2011, 12:58:53 AM

I really need a better tripod too, I lost the plate to my large one somewhere at the Golden Gate Bridge (remind me to find that someday)

This is how I first acquired poison oak-looking for tripod stuff in coastal California. I get itchy just thinking about it now.

voyager · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2011, 06:12:06 PM »

Thankfully I lost it right off the road, somewhere. Too bad it's a very long road.

Tripod Recommendation