Help on tripod.

[xtin88]

Hi guys, i'm intending to get a tripod and my budget is 150 dollars.

Here's my gear: D90 with kit lens(18-105)

Went to SLR-REVO last week to take alook and the sales person recommended a velbon tripod that cost at 69 dollars. He said it's a decent tripod which can last.

Would like a tripod that is stable and can last for a long period. Any advice guys?

 

[giantcanopy]

u also gotta look into the tripod head as well ( which will be another science and expenditure ). Folks will tell u a good tripod/tripod head setup will last u many many cameras and years. I would recommend to get carbon fibre ones for a good weight : stability ratio. The other materials such as aluminium will be cheaper but heavier to lug ard.

Get something that gives u adequate height when the camera is mounted. Preferably to the eye level. I am not referring to even extending the central column since u dun get best support from there. But of course if u r really tall then good luck :sweatsm:

Here is a link with good read : http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-tripods.htm

Try out other tripods and see before u finally get one within ur budget. My velbon is still in good shape like the first time i bought it, and am still in love with it. There are many other good tripod makers as well

Ryan

 

[ijnek]

unless u can provide the model of the tripod, otherwise i think most of us can't comment much on it as we do not know the spec.

top up ur budget.
get a manfrotto 190 xproB + 488rc2(for panning shots).
now this should las u for a long long while...

 

[astrorion]

Hi guys, i'm intending to get a tripod and my budget is 150 dollars.

Here's my gear: D90 with kit lens(18-105)

Went to SLR-REVO last week to take alook and the sales person recommended a velbon tripod that cost at 69 dollars. He said it's a decent tripod which can last.

Would like a tripod that is stable and can last for a long period. Any advice guys?

I have the same equ as u, i got my travel angel at Peninsula shopping, benro tripod. You can check out here http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541791

 

[astrorion]

things to add on, the tripod is a reasonable prices and most important is stable. It can prevent ur camera from little shake or vibrate during windly period to take a good photo. I personally tested on windly day on jurong hill, all my night photo is quite clear.

 

[yc2005]

The best is to "buy it once, buy it good". Tripod is not something that spoils easily or is there a need to keep up with technology like camera bodies and lenses. So my advise is to buy one that is of good quality which can last your entire photography lifetime. Dont try to save some money now, only to find that it is not good enough and upgrading again in the future

 

[chuanzuya]

digieye profesionnal tripod 288, $98sgd. folded 50cm min 20cm max more den 170cm.

 

[Dream Merchant]

stable and can last a long period

There's a very relevant equation when it comes to tripods:

Cheap no light and stable
Stable no light
Light and stable no cheap

Try to set aside at least $200 - $400 for a decent used tripod/head combination of acknowledged brand like Manfrotto or Gitzo, but I suspect Gitzo would cost even more. You may think it's super expensive, but such an approach will save you hundreds or even more than a thousand dollars in the long run.

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Also consider used 3-way heads instead of ballheads. They are usually significantly cheaper used, and are usually far more stable than similarly priced ball counterparts.

 

[xtin88]

Alright Thanks for all ur replies guys. Was pretty busy so replied late.

Just another question, if i buy a tripod should i get a remote along with it?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

There's a very relevant equation when it comes to tripods:

Cheap no light and stable
Stable no light
Light and stable no cheap

Try to set aside at least $200 - $400 for a decent used tripod/head combination of acknowledged brand like Manfrotto or Gitzo, but I suspect Gitzo would cost even more. You may think it's super expensive, but such an approach will save you hundreds or even more than a thousand dollars in the long run.

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Also consider used 3-way heads instead of ballheads. They are usually significantly cheaper used, and are usually far more stable than similarly priced ball counterparts.

Your 2 points contradict each other...
If something stable can't be light, then something can't be both stable AND light, am I right to say so?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Alright Thanks for all ur replies guys. Was pretty busy so replied late.

Just another question, if i buy a tripod should i get a remote along with it?

What does a remote have to do with a tripod?
I've not seen a remote-operated tripod... yet...

If you're talking about remote for your camera's shutter release, then it's entirely up to you.
Depends on what the tripod is used for. If night long exposures, you can use exposure delay or timer delay to reduce the possibility of shaking when the exposure is triggered.

If you want to photograph yourself, then a remote would be a good idea. I think it's not too expensive anyway.

 

[Numnumball]

Hi guys, i'm intending to get a tripod and my budget is 150 dollars.

Here's my gear: D90 with kit lens(18-105)

Went to SLR-REVO last week to take alook and the sales person recommended a velbon tripod that cost at 69 dollars. He said it's a decent tripod which can last.

Would like a tripod that is stable and can last for a long period. Any advice guys?

Would suggest if pop by TK Foto in Shaw Towers, their friendly staff will be able to advise. Generally prices more attractive and choices extensive.

With ur budget, u shd look at sirui, benro and manfrotto though the latter wil stretch ur bucks a bit..

 

[Dream Merchant]

Your 2 points contradict each other...
If something stable can't be light, then something can't be both stable AND light, am I right to say so?

Stable tripods made of aluminium are usually not light.

Light and stable carbon fiber tripods are usually not cheap.

This was where I first saw the equation (from Dennis Kee's thread on choosing tripods):

Saw this quote posted by catchlights, but he told the originator should be ortega

Most people want 3 things when looking for tripod.

Cheap, light and sturdy,

But most of the time people will settle for twos..

Light and sturdy tripod won't be cheap

Cheap and sturdy tripod won't be light

Cheap and light tripod won't be sturdy

If you decides to risk thousand dollars camera setup kissing the ground should you decides to use the 3rd combination, well, all I can say is, it is you call.

 

[RezzShaz]

as u might already realised brands like manfrotto and gitzo would cause damage of a few hundred dollars, taking into account of a matching brand of ballheads. so if u going into that direction, u might need to increase ur budget, i recommend the same set-up i normally use ...manfrotto 055CXPRO4 carbon fibre + 488CR4 ballhead. light and sturdy...

 

[Dream Merchant]

Just found this very detailed and helpful link on choosing tripods:

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384016

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Stable tripods made of aluminium are usually not light.

Light and stable carbon fiber tripods are usually not cheap.

This was where I first saw the equation (from Dennis Kee's thread on choosing tripods):

that's not quite the same as "Stable no light", don't you agree?

 

[ahbian]

that's not quite the same as "Stable no light", don't you agree?

Think its just a typo.

How about this? Cheap, light, stable- choose any 2.

 

[Dream Merchant]

Thanks Ah Bian for trying to help.

It wasn't a typo. It was incomplete or perhaps I've gotten too used to colloquail phraseology. :embrass:

... but I already put up the complete equation as well as a link, so I don't really see what's the problem, if there was one to begin with.

CHEERS!

 

[xtin88]

Alright will take all ur replies with consideration! Thanks Guys!

 

[heshanj]

i just bought my first tripod last week, for my 500D - manfrotto 190XProB + 496RC2 ballhead
very happy with it, took my first good night shots the day after very stable, and i definitely recommend it.. i got it for $320, so its well over ur budget, but i think its better to spend now and get something good, so u wont need to upgrade any time soon..

i was planning on getting the 488, but the 496 was cheaper, lighter, and its pretty much the same except the 488 has the panning option

just my opinion, having been thru the same situation as u