Value for money tripod

[hokkaido88]

Which tripod has the best value for money?

Heard that a cheap tripod is not durable and would vibrate( or less stable).

Does the China equivalent brand like Benro(heard it's improving), Induro,Vanguard, Velbon could perform the same as Gitzo?

 

[h0usefly]

For me, seems like the Benro is good enough..Not that heavy though and had brought it around with me, even on my overseas trip. I bought it for about $120 few months back and served me well..

 

[Diavonex]

For tripod - if you pay peanuts you get monkey.

 

[hokkaido88]

For tripod - if you pay peanuts you get monkey.

That's a good deal. So it's okay to go for China made one?And among all the China brands, Benro is the best?
h0usefly, which model you've purchased?

 

[chalib]

How do you define value for money?

Basic rules for tripod:
cheap =/= light =/= stable

Some ppl would go for price
Some ppl would go for weight
Some ppl would go for stability

We don't know your max set up weight, difficult to advise.

Is Gitzo value for money? Yes if you can afford and willing to spent this kinda of money on tripod. :bsmilie:

China tripod? you get what you paid

 

[Jukon]

That's a good deal. So it's okay to go for China made one?And among all the China brands, Benro is the best?
h0usefly, which model you've purchased?

Just bought a Benro C269 for RMB 1,800.00 yesterday. Very light 1.6kg can hold up to 12kg load.

 

[night86mare]

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?cPath=48&products_id=203

 

[jnet6]

Why will gitzo wants to continue to make tripods made in Italy if China made are the same as them??? :think:

like what others said you paid what you get for and the price of the "cheaper" tripods are not really that cheap if you done your calculation.

 

[daredevil123]

Which tripod has the best value for money?

Heard that a cheap tripod is not durable and would vibrate( or less stable).

Does the China equivalent brand like Benro(heard it's improving), Induro,Vanguard, Velbon could perform the same as Gitzo?

If a cheaper china brand can perform like the Gitzo, then...

1. Mazda RX8 will be faster than Lamborghini. (Benro is Mazada. Cheapo free tripods are QQ).
2. Handphone camera will have better IQ than DSLR.
3. Pigs will fly.
4. Fish will start talking.

Ok, seriously, you get what you pay for. But, thing is, What do you need? What is your tolerance for stability. If there is some shake, will the shot cost you money? Will it tarnish your reputation as a photog? Or is this just a hobby for you? Are you using this tripod in very extreme situations? Or are you using it on, say, top level of the Marina Barrage? Or by the walkway of Lower Pierce reservoir, or on a exhibition hall?

Ask yourself what are you needs and make the decision based on your answers. If you list everything down, things will become clear.

And for a one line answer: NO, cheaper brands do not perform like Gitzo.

P.S. I do not use Gitzo btw. I have been using a $40 (USD) tripod for years which I got on discount. Same tripod now probably cost around 100 in Singapore. And oh, I finally caved in and bought a 2nd hand 190xprob+488rc2

 

[jaRv1s]

Just bought a Benro C269 for RMB 1,800.00 yesterday. Very light 1.6kg can hold up to 12kg load.

insanely overrated... other manufacturers normally state max load at 6kg for 2kg+ aluminium tripod... and state 8kg for +-2kg CF tripod... if you believed the numbers they provided, and load that load onto that tripod you're definitely sending your lens / body to repair...

 

[daredevil123]

Just bought a Benro C269 for RMB 1,800.00 yesterday. Very light 1.6kg can hold up to 12kg load.

Did you get the M8 version?

You are based in China too. Which city did you buy it at?

There is a promotion where you get the C269 PLUS a B-1 head for 1980 RMB. But it is in Beijing only. http://dealer.zol.com.cn/d_74817/market_1898826.html

 

[yhphotography]

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?cPath=48&products_id=203

Second that~ i got one too~ For 88 dollars, it is the best tripod for value!

 

[daredevil123]

Second that~ i got one too~ For 88 dollars, it is the best tripod for value!

It is quite a good tripod for the money. Made by Wei Feng tripods in China, one of the biggest volume manufacturer of cheaper tripods.

 

[daredevil123]

insanely overrated... other manufacturers normally state max load at 6kg for 2kg+ aluminium tripod... and state 8kg for +-2kg CF tripod... if you believed the numbers they provided, and load that load onto that tripod you're definitely sending your lens / body to repair...

Actually, manufacturers often grossly underquote the max load. So if they say 8kg, you usually can pile on 12-15 kg. I've seen pictures of a person suspended on a tripod. But the person is not super big size like me, but a normal thin dude. But it is still impressive.

And for people looking at Fancier tripods, here is how much it is being sold in China. People who already own it, better not see. Don't want you to feel all sad or something.

http://detail.zol.com.cn/tripod/index133610.shtml

 

[Cartman2000]

Lol. Not even half the price:bsmilie:

 

[night86mare]

And for people looking at Fancier tripods, here is how much it is being sold in China. People who already own it, better not see. Don't want you to feel all sad or something.

http://detail.zol.com.cn/tripod/index133610.shtml

no need to feel sad, also need money to bring over.

when you think of the "arbitrage" concept you won't feel sad... i don't feel sad that big macs cost cheaper in china compared to here, same goes for tripods.

 

[Jukon]

insanely overrated... other manufacturers normally state max load at 6kg for 2kg+ aluminium tripod... and state 8kg for +-2kg CF tripod... if you believed the numbers they provided, and load that load onto that tripod you're definitely sending your lens / body to repair...

They would be to far off and the load (camera & lenes) is not that heavy you are not likely to send equipment for repair.

Did you get the M8 version?

You are based in China too. Which city did you buy it at?

There is a promotion where you get the C269 PLUS a B-1 head for 1980 RMB. But it is in Beijing only. http://dealer.zol.com.cn/d_74817/market_1898826.html

Ya C269M8 with B1 head at 1800 RMB in Shanghai, I am not based here.

 

[limwhow]

If you look at the face value, quite a lot of cheaper tripods do look impressive. And Benro is really not bad.
Of course if you buy a Gitzo, you know you get two things: 1. you get to pay a premium for the branding, 2. you get the reassurance that all the fine details and functionalities have been thought through and accounted for so you can't be far wrong.
Therefore, like buying a Ferrari, you know you got a damn good car. But you will have to pay for it.

 

[h0usefly]

That's a good deal. So it's okay to go for China made one?And among all the China brands, Benro is the best?
h0usefly, which model you've purchased?

I got the A200EX

 

[Calahan]

The term "value for money" is subjective. So are the terms expensive, cheap, etc. For tripods, stability, heavy, light are also be subjective terms.

TS, why do you need a tripod? DO you need to carry around? What cam system are you using? Post these answers and the pros in this forum can give you more accurate suggestions. If not you will find a lot of "suggestions". More info may lead to more confusion.

Just my 2 cents worth. BTW I am not using tripod cos I do not need one.