I've been delaying the purchase of a good tripod for some time now and have been relying on a rather inexpensive one for all my past shooting. Unfortunately with bigger lenses in my bag the tripod can no longer cope.
Initially it managed fine because all I had was a PowerShot A40. Nowadays I can see that the three-way head seems to 'give' a little everytime I mount my camera, and camera shake is still visible in my shots with longer lenses.
I need advice from others as to what I should buy.
So I need a new tripod, with the following being some requirements:
- budget: hopefully less than $300 with a ball head (tension control not really necessary) and quick release plate
- needs to be extendable to around 170cm or so, preferably without extending the central column, or with minimal extension
- has a hook on the bottom of the central column to attach a bag for added stability
- reasonably lightweight but stable (need it to pack well into a suitcase and not make it too much heavier during travel)
- can cope with weights of up to 4kg or so (I intend to use this for a camera body plus a lens of focal length 300mm to 400mm, but nothing heavier than a Sigma 50-500mm)
- has rubber feet on each leg capable of adjusting to uneven terrain
- needs to double up easily as a monopod so I can shoot easily in the crowds at the zoo
Well, I might have missed out something...please advise. Thanks.
Initially it managed fine because all I had was a PowerShot A40. Nowadays I can see that the three-way head seems to 'give' a little everytime I mount my camera, and camera shake is still visible in my shots with longer lenses.
I need advice from others as to what I should buy.
So I need a new tripod, with the following being some requirements:
- budget: hopefully less than $300 with a ball head (tension control not really necessary) and quick release plate
- needs to be extendable to around 170cm or so, preferably without extending the central column, or with minimal extension
- has a hook on the bottom of the central column to attach a bag for added stability
- reasonably lightweight but stable (need it to pack well into a suitcase and not make it too much heavier during travel)
- can cope with weights of up to 4kg or so (I intend to use this for a camera body plus a lens of focal length 300mm to 400mm, but nothing heavier than a Sigma 50-500mm)
- has rubber feet on each leg capable of adjusting to uneven terrain
- needs to double up easily as a monopod so I can shoot easily in the crowds at the zoo
Well, I might have missed out something...please advise. Thanks.