Any newbie tripod to recommend???
- Thread starter m1kid
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Having been in this exact situation a few months back, let me share some points..
1) 150-200 is a good budget range for a beginner's tripod. This allows you to choose between brands such as Slik, Benro, Gitai and Fancier. I wouldn't recommend the Manfrottos at this price if you foresee your setup getting heavier in the not too distant future.
2) The good old theory applies:
Cheap thing is light but not stable
Cheap thing is not light but stable
Expensive thing is light and stable
3) Do not underestimate weight. I bought a Slik Pro 400DX(2.5 kilos) thinking that I wouldn't mind the weight. In the end, it was the weight that deterred me from bringing it out often. However, it is well built and stable for the price(I paid $185). I have since defected to Benro. Recently picked up a Benro A300EX setup for $158, which weighs about 1.1kilos.
4) I'm sure that there will be suggestions for you to top up your budget a bit more and get a Manfrotto 190XProB with a 486/488RC2 ballhead. This is a good tripod which will last you until you need to load more onto the tripod. However, it is not the lightest tripod around.
1) 150-200 is a good budget range for a beginner's tripod. This allows you to choose between brands such as Slik, Benro, Gitai and Fancier. I wouldn't recommend the Manfrottos at this price if you foresee your setup getting heavier in the not too distant future.
2) The good old theory applies:
Cheap thing is light but not stable
Cheap thing is not light but stable
Expensive thing is light and stable
3) Do not underestimate weight. I bought a Slik Pro 400DX(2.5 kilos) thinking that I wouldn't mind the weight. In the end, it was the weight that deterred me from bringing it out often. However, it is well built and stable for the price(I paid $185). I have since defected to Benro. Recently picked up a Benro A300EX setup for $158, which weighs about 1.1kilos.
4) I'm sure that there will be suggestions for you to top up your budget a bit more and get a Manfrotto 190XProB with a 486/488RC2 ballhead. This is a good tripod which will last you until you need to load more onto the tripod. However, it is not the lightest tripod around.
It is sufficiently stable to me. If you are worried about the stability, try the A500EX. It has thicker legs.
slik 400dx is good for the price, to be honest, not too heavy.
it is after all, only singapore. i have carried a 2.5kg tripod around europe by hand (to the point that the 3 way head knob became er, slightly bent because i kept swinging it around when bored).. and it wasn't too bad, really.
so worth considering, unless you really think it is too heavy.
what is your heaviest gear combination that you will use on a tripod? that is important to know.
it is after all, only singapore. i have carried a 2.5kg tripod around europe by hand (to the point that the 3 way head knob became er, slightly bent because i kept swinging it around when bored).. and it wasn't too bad, really.
so worth considering, unless you really think it is too heavy.
what is your heaviest gear combination that you will use on a tripod? that is important to know.
Weather here is much Hotter than Europe :sweatsm:
TS..... Benro is a good brand to go for using one myself. - http://www.benro.com/main/
i would maintain that walking 20-30 minutes max in hot sun carrying a tripod, is nothing compared to walking for 8 hours in moderate sun carrying a tripod, along a beach, at that.
I am using a Gitai Travel Tripod costing abt $180.
Quite stable and good for travelling. Able to accomodate my setup of 70-200mm lens + 580EX II & 5D Mark II without any issue
Quite stable and good for travelling. Able to accomodate my setup of 70-200mm lens + 580EX II & 5D Mark II without any issue
I took a 2 kg tripod up Huangshan (Yellow mountain in China), it was 15 deg C up there, and I almost died. In Singapore, I can carry a 4-5kg tripod with no issues, since I put it in the trunk of the car, and at most carry it for 20 minutes to my shooting location. Very different.
Benro is good. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot make myself buy one, because I know how cheap it is in China.
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The 190xprob is good, and I am looking at one paired with a 488RC2. However, I am a tall guy (around 1.78m with no shoes), the 190xprob seems somewhat short. I generally take landscapes, and would try not to extend the center column for added stability in the wind. I am thinking of the 055xprob but that thing is massive and not to mention heavy... I really don't know what to do now. In the meantime I will continue using my old lousy aluminum Velbon (cheapo $40 USD on sale) and let my pictures suffer, not that it is any good to begin with.
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Well.... not everyone can take a trip to China just to buy a Benro could they ?? :bsmilie::sweat:
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