What's a good tripod? :)

jmmtn4aj · 24th April 2007

I'm going to Shanghai sometime in June.. I think, so I'd like to have a good tripod so I can use my telephoto lens properly. I'm wondering what a good tripod is for the price between $100-200? Something light with quick release latches for the leg extension would be neat. Also, could anyone enlighten me on the pros and cons of panning heads versus gear? I've only ever used tripods with the panning mechanism, so I don't know how much easier or more troublesome gear heads are to use..

miniUltraman · 24th April 2007

benro carbon tripod

jmmtn4aj · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by miniUltraman

benro carbon tripod

How much from where, and with what head? Thanks!

tony_teo · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by miniUltraman

benro carbon tripod

Will be way over his budget.

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

I'm wondering what a good tripod is for the price between $100-200?

For that price, my recommendation is one of the SILK Pro series. You can take a look here, www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/index.html to get an idea of what you need.

Cathay or TK Photo should have the physical items for you to see.

jmmtn4aj · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by tony_teo

For that price, my recommendation is one of the SILK Pro series. You can take a look here, www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/index.html to get an idea of what you need.

Cathay or TK Photo should have the physical items for you to see.

I was thinking along those lines too, cause my friend said he got a really good deal on a SLIK from CP. No good ones in this pricerange from Benro, Giottos or Gitzo? Also does TK offer better prices than CP?

ExplorerZ · 24th April 2007

You want it light(=1kg? with ballhead?) + good + cheap($100-200)... im sorry to say none in the world fit in..

jmmtn4aj · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ

You want it light(=1kg? with ballhead?) + good + cheap($100-200)... im sorry to say none in the world fit in..

I never mentioned ballheads

ExplorerZ · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

I never mentioned ballheads

be it ballhead or pan-tilt head... they both have weight and cost...

and also define how "light" is your light... 3kg might be light to you but heavy to other or vice versa..

jmmtn4aj · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ

be it ballhead or pan-tilt head... they both have weight and cost...

Eh? This is a pan head, it's the kind found on even the cheapest of tripods..

Quote:

and also define how "light" is your light... 3kg might be light to you but heavy to other or vice versa..

Yeah, below 3 kilos with the head attached would be awesome

mtunlinn · 25th April 2007

Slik pro 330DX. Only 1.5 kg with 3-way head. Can support 4 kg. The pan head is quite solid for that price (used the head before). But your load must be balanced.

ExplorerZ · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

Eh? This is a pan head, it's the kind found on even the cheapest of tripods..

Yeah, below 3 kilos with the head attached would be awesome

you can say that, but not all tripod comes with any head... lots of manfrotto, gitzo, benro tripod doesn't comes with default head.
some that comes with cheap tripod ain't event good enough for a dSLR + a 500g+/- lens...
so thats where all the cost comes in.

as for 3kg and below, i think basically all tripod fit in even the heavy manfrotto 190prob, for travel i a gree with mtunlinn, slik is one of the lightest. personally i use the 330/340dx, no problem holding any of my lens including 80-200 and flash

tony_teo · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

I was thinking along those lines too, cause my friend said he got a really good deal on a SLIK from CP. No good ones in this pricerange from Benro, Giottos or Gitzo? Also does TK offer better prices than CP?

I'm using the Pro 330/340DX without any problems (gear: 30D with battery pack and upto 200mm lens). I think this is a good compromise between cost, weight, usage and quality. A pan and tilt head is standard, but you can change it to a ball-head, if you want later on. Anyway, I perfer using a pan and tilt head (as least at this point in time) so I have no problems with the standard head.

Not too sure if TK or CP offers a better price, you would have to call them to find out. But it would be good to go down and get a hands-on feel for the weight. Also, remember that that you will likely have to lug it around the whole day, so factor in the weight after carrying it for a couple of hours.

While you are getting the tripod, one worth while accessory is a tripod strap. I'm using the Op/Tech one, worth ever cent!

Isaiahfortythirtyone · 25th April 2007

slik pro330dx ($130 new from CP)

Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead $80 new from CP

total $210.

i use this for 400D + Grip + tamron 28-75, tok 12-24, 85/1.8, all no prob

Panzer · 25th April 2007

I've just bought a Manfrotto 190PROB & 486RC2 combi after months of looking around. Slightly above your budget but I think it is worth considering.

Kinda regretting taking so long to decide as I've missed some opportunities during my last holidays.

YMMV,
Cheers!

calebk · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by Panzer

I've just bought a Manfrotto 190PROB & 486RC2 combi after months of looking around. Slightly above your budget but I think it is worth considering.

Kinda regretting taking so long to decide as I've missed some opportunities during my last holidays.

YMMV,
Cheers!

This is a great combination and will stay with you for quite some time.

ExplorerZ · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by Isaiahfortythirtyone

slik pro330dx ($130 new from CP)

Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead $80 new from CP

total $210.

i use this for 400D + Grip + tamron 28-75, tok 12-24, 85/1.8, all no prob

486rc2 going at $80 only? i seeing a lot 2nd hand going at that price and 1st hand going at $100-110+ now...

jmmtn4aj · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by Panzer

I've just bought a Manfrotto 190PROB & 486RC2 combi after months of looking around. Slightly above your budget but I think it is worth considering.

Kinda regretting taking so long to decide as I've missed some opportunities during my last holidays.

YMMV,
Cheers!

How slight is 'slightly'?

ParkertR · 25th April 2007

have u tried the PPCP Pro Tripod V2? might just suit your needs.

Panzer · 25th April 2007

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

How slight is 'slightly'?

Based on a MO thread in CS, you can get this combi at $245. I've bought at higher price because I am overseas now and "bo-pian". Unfortunate, his are all sold out and maybe you can PM him to see if there's going to be more stock.

Here the link.

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...=264064&page=6

Like Calebk commented, I think this combi is going to last me for a very long while.

Cheers.

Isaiahfortythirtyone · 26th April 2007

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ

486rc2 going at $80 only? i seeing a lot 2nd hand going at that price and 1st hand going at $100-110+ now...

wahh last time when i bought it...1 year ago, it was $75 brand new at CP.

24th April 2007	#1
jmmtn4aj Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 996	What's a good tripod? :) I'm going to Shanghai sometime in June.. I think, so I'd like to have a good tripod so I can use my telephoto lens properly. I'm wondering what a good tripod is for the price between $100-200? Something light with quick release latches for the leg extension would be neat. Also, could anyone enlighten me on the pros and cons of panning heads versus gear? I've only ever used tripods with the panning mechanism, so I don't know how much easier or more troublesome gear heads are to use..

24th April 2007	#2
miniUltraman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,688	Re: What's a good tripod? :) benro carbon tripod

24th April 2007	#6
ExplorerZ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Legion Posts: 6,785	Re: What's a good tripod? :) You want it light(=1kg? with ballhead?) + good + cheap($100-200)... im sorry to say none in the world fit in.. __________________ multiply \|\| deviant \|\| APAD 08

25th April 2007	#10
mtunlinn Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: west Posts: 1,089	Re: What's a good tripod? :) Slik pro 330DX. Only 1.5 kg with 3-way head. Can support 4 kg. The pan head is quite solid for that price (used the head before). But your load must be balanced.

25th April 2007	#13
Isaiahfortythirtyone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clementi Posts: 2,470	Re: What's a good tripod? :) slik pro330dx ($130 new from CP) Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead $80 new from CP total $210. i use this for 400D + Grip + tamron 28-75, tok 12-24, 85/1.8, all no prob

25th April 2007	#14
Panzer Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 246	Re: What's a good tripod? :) I've just bought a Manfrotto 190PROB & 486RC2 combi after months of looking around. Slightly above your budget but I think it is worth considering. Kinda regretting taking so long to decide as I've missed some opportunities during my last holidays. YMMV, Cheers!

25th April 2007	#18
ParkertR Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Singapore/Thailand Posts: 5,804	Re: What's a good tripod? :) have u tried the PPCP Pro Tripod V2? might just suit your needs. __________________ Budget wedding photographer :)