 Shannon Whit |
Purchasing a Tripod I am in the market for a tripod. Can anyone recommend a decent and affordable one? Is there a go-to online store where photographers love to shop? I've gone to the local photography store and the rep there showed me what was available. It was nice (I believe titanium) that could be purchased with a second piece that rotates the camera in all angles. Price tag for both is $400. I have no idea if this is priced well or not. I'm just starting out. I do not want the cheapest but want something mid-grade quality for long term, if this is possible. Thanks in advance.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Look at Adorama, Calumet, and B&H websites for prices and different brands. Manfrotto, Gitzo, and Slik are good and popular brands. But also you need to determine what you'll be using it for. If all you plan on doing is using it so you can include yourself in family photos, than you may not even need one that's made of metal. Titanium is lightweight, but more expensive than aluminum, and you can find a very good, sturdy made from aluminum. So somebody who wouldn't be carrying a tripod around on hikes wouldn't really need one made from titanium.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Shannon, You really need to go to a camera store and look at the tripods and see how you like them. Some have twist tightened legs, others are flip lock and then ball heads are also something you need to handle and see what fits you. I have a cheaper but sturdy Manfrotto 3021 Tripod w/322RC2 Pistol grip head that I use for indoor portrait shoots and a Manfrotto 676B monopod w/Manfrotto 3229 head (great for Zoo/Aquarium and tight places) and last but not least is the one I carry everywhere - the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod and Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead. I do a lot of hiking and carbon fiber is light and sturdy, and I have 4-section legs that collapse down that fit well on my backpacks. Be sure to check out Really Right Stuff ball heads and Gitzo tripods as well. As Greg said, B&H and Adorama are priced right, have great return policies and are trusted by pro photographers. I have bought a tripod from Amazon as well when I knew the model I wanted. Hope this helps.
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Shannon Whit |
Gregory and Carlton, thank you so much for your responses. I truly appreciate it. Manfrotto is the brand the gentleman at Pitman Photo showed me. He showed me carbon fiber and aluminum. I'm pleased to know that you mentioned that same brand and material. I've heard of B&H and will look at them as well as the others. One of my lens is a Canon 4.5-5.6 100-400L IS USM. I need something for my 15-year-old's basketball games as well as trips to the zoo and fun shots on Miami Beach as this is a heavy lens. Thanks again for your input!!
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
The 100-400mm is one of my oldest and favorite L lenses. Turn IS "OFF" when shooting from a tripod and keep your shutter speed up above 1/400 if possible if you are shooting at 400mm. My 100-400 is very sharp though a bit of a light hog so I often have to set my ISO a bit higher. This lens also works well with a monopod and I can keep IS "ON" with the monopod. If I had the $$ right now, I would go for a Gitzo carbon-fiber tripod and Really Right Stuff ball head but that will have to wait till after I get a 180mm macro lens :) Here is a pic with my 100-400 (handheld) at a local Zoo. Cheers.
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