Posted by Daniel Moore on November 25, 2007 at 1:34 AM
As some of you know already, I am a student photographer and now I am looking for a good but inexpensive tripod. I have noticed that Manfrotto, Bogen, and Gitzo seem to be the norm around pros, but there is no way that I could buy one that nice right now with my budget . I went to the mall today and look in Ritz Camera to see what they had. I did see a nice bogen for $226 but that is a little too much for me. However, I did find a nice one that I think will work for me. Its made by Quantaray(division of Sunpak) and it felt really steady. It was only 59.99 which is great for me. It has a 3-way tilt pan head and quick release. Here is a link to the item on Ritz's website: http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/291660710.htm . I was wondering if any of you had some extra time and did not mind helping me out, if you would tell me if you thought that this might be worth buying, or if I will be waisting my money. I have already done a Google search, but did not see anything of much use, however the link above does have some user reviews that seem to make it out to be a good product. I would greatly appreciate it if I could get some feedback, as I do not really know what I really need. I will be mostly shooting landscapes, and some macro. I also hope to get into some wildlife!
Unless you're shooting from atop a windy mountain with a 500+ lens, the Quantaray and other brands are fine. Manfrotto, Bogen, Slik and Gitzo are the top lines and are all expensive. Whatever you buy, remember to use a cable release when using a tripod or your camera shake will be worse than without a tripod.
Why not request from Santa a gift certificate to your favorite camera store, or your choice of an upscale model?
Posted by Bill Chambers on November 25, 2007 at 8:36 AM
Hi Daniel. Congrats on realizing the significant advantages of using a tripod, and believe me, I do remember very well the budget constraints of being a starving student, although it was 30+ years ago. After looking at the tripod you linked to, my initial opinion (without actually seeing it) is I'd stay away from it. Certainly, it's far better than nothing, but I fear you'd end up frustrated when it's not as stable as you may like. Remember, the max. height listed is with the center column fully extended which isn't very stable at all.
If you're willing to forego a few McDonald's, Starbucks, and Bud Lights over the next month you can pick up a better tripod for only slightly more. Link to a Slik model is HERE. This is still not a Gitzo by any stretch, but I think it would be much better than the Quantaray model you mentioned. Bogen also has a model that is slighter more expensive than the Slik. Link to the Bogen model is HERE.
Neither of these tripods come with a head, but if you're willing to ante up a few more bucks to get the better legs I'll donate my old Bogen 3047 tilt/pan head to you if you'll just pay the cost of having it shipped to you. I'll also throw in a couple of Quick Release plates. It's a very strudy head, and I assure you it will be MUCH better than what come on the Quantaray. The 3047 has now been discontinued after many years, but the link to it on B&H still exists HERE. My head has slightly different handles as they were modified over the years. Quick Release plates are still available, and are linked HERE. My old 3047 is not pretty, as it's seen a lot of use, but it's every bit as functional as it was when it was brand new. It will basically last forever. Besides, you can't complain about the price! The Bogen head should fit on either set of legs I listed.
You can also find bargains sometimes on ebay, but you have to exercise some caution there, of course.
Drop me an email if you're interested.
Posted by Carson Wilcox on November 25, 2007 at 9:42 AM
This may still be a little above your budget but it does come with a head so you don't need to spend extra for that. The Velbon 530 or 630 are really good tripods. I've been using the 530 for awhile now and it is extremely stable. I did pick up a Giottos ball head with a separate panning lock but still use the pan/tilt head that came with the 530 as it works better for what I do better than the ball head. One of the downsides of the Quantaray is that it does not have interchangeable heads, at least not the ones I've seen, should you ever want/need to change heads.
My single recommendation is not specific to brand, but to an important detail. Whichever model you consider, inquire about parts availability. That's the single most important issue for whichever you choose. Many of the less expensive models are pure trash once something breaks simply because you can't get repair parts. We've got a couple that are over 20 years old and still in service simply because we have been able to replace parts over the years. And parts do break.
We were able to keep the initial price down too, by selecting smaller, lighter versions of one of the reputable brands (with parts supplies), then upgrade to heavier models as our gear became more substantial. We don't use them as much today, but all this time later they're still useful when we need smaller, lighter tripods or backups.
I'd take a look at heads and legs separately too, so that you can upgrade one or the other as your needs and budget change.
Mixing and matching those criteria, look at the Bogen Manfrotto 190XDB legs as an example at just under $100. Add one of their 488 ballheads at less than $90 and you're down below $200 total while meeting my criteria. Go instead for their 3025 heads for around $30 and you're into a package that totals around $125, yet will still be useful years from now when you've gone to bigger, heavier gear.
I've picked out Bogen Manfrotto only because I know and trust that line. We use Gitzos legs and Arca Swiss heads at over $1000 per setup for our pro needs, but still have and use 20-year old Bogens as I describe. And the fun thing about our Bogens, we've replaced so many parts over the years, I honestly can't tell you which are original. Kind of like the 1954-55-56-57-58-59 Cadilac that Johny Cash sang about coming out of the car factory over time in a lunch kit.
Other brands that posters have mentioned so far have good reps for parts availability and hence durability, but so far only the higher-end models have been mentioned. I'd go back and look at the lower ends of their lines in this same spirit, recognizing that you can and will upgrade some day.
But especially when your budget is tight, you need to invest in gear that isn't going to end up in the dumpster when the first part breaks. And those smaller. lighter models will still be useful after you upgrade to beefier models years hence.
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 25, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Everyone here is concentrating on new tripods. There are a ton of very good used ones on eBay, and that's where I'd go. If your biggest lens is something like a 70-300mm, look for a Bogen 3001. Make sure you get a tripod head that takes quick release plates (QR). That will make your life easier and they are worth it. You can buy a decent used tripod on eBay for the same money as newer one of lower quality. If you can wait until January that's when photo gear tends to get cheaper there. February is the low ebb of photo gear prices on eBay. Many beginners think the tripod is not all that important, but I've come to think the tripod is more important than the camera for sharpness. The tripod head seems to be slightly more important than the tripod, so don't go looking for a ten dollar head.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 25, 2007 at 1:59 PM
I use a Manfrottto 724B. It comes with a ballhead and is very sturdy, rated to eight pounds. I shoot my 30D/battery grip/100-400 lens off it all the time and at all angles and in performs wonderfully. The newer version is the 725B, which comes with a quick-release plate, too. Price? About $115.
Posted by Buck Ward on November 25, 2007 at 6:39 PM
After many years of using a tripod that my wife bought from a department store as a gift, I finally realized that it was the reason I couldn't get a sharp image with my long lens. When I came into a windfall, I bought the gold standard of tripods and it made all the difference.
The moral of the story is: you will be better off if you put off getting a tripod until you can afford a good one.
Posted by Daniel Moore on November 26, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Thank you all for the advice. This helps a lot!
Bill - I looked at the legs that you mention and I think that I might buy the suggested Silk legs, but I want to look around a little fist and also see what ebay has to offer. If I do go with the legs only, I'll drop you an email. Thanks very much for the offer!!
Once again, Thanks
Posted by Bill Chambers on November 26, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Daniel - Hank brought up a great point - parts availability. It's really hard to beat Bogen on that point. Of the two models I referred to earlier, the Bogen would be my personal choice. I still have a set of Bogen 3021 legs that are 25+ years old, and have replaced all leg locks over the years, several of them numerous times. That's not to say they are particularly fragile, but things have a way of getting caught and tangled in vines and brush, smashed against trees, submerged in salt water for days on end, etc. I still use those legs on occasion and they're just as functional as they were when I purchased them. Think long term!
Slik's have a good rep Daniel, but I know nothing about parts availability. That would be the turning point for me, and as you see, for Bill too. Not to beat a dead horse too badly, but all tripods take a stomping if you're an active photographer- no matter how "careful" you think you will be. I'm afraid our reference to parts breaking on Bogen Manfrotto models might have created the impression that they're fragile. Nothing could be further from the case. They're tough as tire irons.
But they're also easy to repair yourself as things break or wear, plus parts are cheap. If the same is true for Slik, then by all means one of theirs will serve you long and well.
Discussion
10 repliesThank you in advance!
Why not request from Santa a gift certificate to your favorite camera store, or your choice of an upscale model?
If you're willing to forego a few McDonald's, Starbucks, and Bud Lights over the next month you can pick up a better tripod for only slightly more. Link to a Slik model is HERE. This is still not a Gitzo by any stretch, but I think it would be much better than the Quantaray model you mentioned. Bogen also has a model that is slighter more expensive than the Slik. Link to the Bogen model is HERE.
Neither of these tripods come with a head, but if you're willing to ante up a few more bucks to get the better legs I'll donate my old Bogen 3047 tilt/pan head to you if you'll just pay the cost of having it shipped to you. I'll also throw in a couple of Quick Release plates. It's a very strudy head, and I assure you it will be MUCH better than what come on the Quantaray. The 3047 has now been discontinued after many years, but the link to it on B&H still exists HERE. My head has slightly different handles as they were modified over the years. Quick Release plates are still available, and are linked HERE. My old 3047 is not pretty, as it's seen a lot of use, but it's every bit as functional as it was when it was brand new. It will basically last forever. Besides, you can't complain about the price!
You can also find bargains sometimes on ebay, but you have to exercise some caution there, of course.
Drop me an email if you're interested.
We were able to keep the initial price down too, by selecting smaller, lighter versions of one of the reputable brands (with parts supplies), then upgrade to heavier models as our gear became more substantial. We don't use them as much today, but all this time later they're still useful when we need smaller, lighter tripods or backups.
I'd take a look at heads and legs separately too, so that you can upgrade one or the other as your needs and budget change.
Mixing and matching those criteria, look at the Bogen Manfrotto 190XDB legs as an example at just under $100. Add one of their 488 ballheads at less than $90 and you're down below $200 total while meeting my criteria. Go instead for their 3025 heads for around $30 and you're into a package that totals around $125, yet will still be useful years from now when you've gone to bigger, heavier gear.
I've picked out Bogen Manfrotto only because I know and trust that line. We use Gitzos legs and Arca Swiss heads at over $1000 per setup for our pro needs, but still have and use 20-year old Bogens as I describe. And the fun thing about our Bogens, we've replaced so many parts over the years, I honestly can't tell you which are original. Kind of like the 1954-55-56-57-58-59 Cadilac that Johny Cash sang about coming out of the car factory over time in a lunch kit.
Other brands that posters have mentioned so far have good reps for parts availability and hence durability, but so far only the higher-end models have been mentioned. I'd go back and look at the lower ends of their lines in this same spirit, recognizing that you can and will upgrade some day.
But especially when your budget is tight, you need to invest in gear that isn't going to end up in the dumpster when the first part breaks. And those smaller. lighter models will still be useful after you upgrade to beefier models years hence.
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Kent in SD
The moral of the story is: you will be better off if you put off getting a tripod until you can afford a good one.
Bill - I looked at the legs that you mention and I think that I might buy the suggested Silk legs, but I want to look around a little fist and also see what ebay has to offer. If I do go with the legs only, I'll drop you an email. Thanks very much for the offer!!
Once again, Thanks
But they're also easy to repair yourself as things break or wear, plus parts are cheap. If the same is true for Slik, then by all means one of theirs will serve you long and well.