tripod for XT w/battery grip

Hello. I'm looking for a sturdy, light and most importantly "affordable" tripod that will hold my XT with battey grip and 420ex flash. I looked into tripods a little bit but there are way more options than i thought so i was hoping i could get it narrowed down with a few recommendations on brands or stores or something. looking to spend

Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you!

You probably will not be happy with an inexpensive tripod. A good tripod costs $200 or more. My first tripod cost less than $100, and it was pretty worthless. So you choices are to save up for a good tripod or spend your money and prove me (and lots of others) wrong.

Jerry
--
http://jchoate.zenfolio.com/

I have the Slik Pro 700DX for use with the XT and battery grip (now replaced by the 40D):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131427-REG/Slik_615_315_700DX_Pro_Tripod.html

An excellent, extremely sturdy tripod. Look for user reviews here and over at photography-on-the-net. It's $129.95 with a pan head but you can get the legs alone for $84.95. I use a Bogen ball head on it.

Dave

I'm with Dave here. Very impressed with my 700DX. Sturdy and reasonably priced.

Remember a tripod has three properties Sturdy, Light and Cheap. You can have any two.

Ian

--I have been very happy with the Silk 300DX. You can get it for a hundred or less…J

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/104984-REG/Slik_615_310_Able_300DX_Tripod.html

http://www.picturetrail.com/pa-paw

RE> A good tripod costs $200 or more.

What kind of dollars? Where?

In North America, with Canadian and American dollars, there are lots of good tripods well under $200.

Sixty bucks may be more of a problem, but there's lots of Manfrotto tripods and heads that work fine with small lenses, digital single lens reflex cameras, and flash units.

I've got a Velbon 343 Maxi, with a little ball head, and it works just fine for holdingthe camera in position for lots of shots, and when the lengs are not extended, it's very solid for long exposures, too. And small enough to carry easily.

Used it yesterday for a video project, with the camra on top of a board room table.

Will use it next week for help in framing a photo for the top half of a newspaper page.

Anyway... back to the original psoter: you really do need to just go to a big camera store and pick something that feels pretty good. Simple as that, other than trying to decide between the various head styles.

BAK

BAK

wow. thanks for all the responses. I would love to get that SLIK 700 for $130, that seems perfect but i just dont think i can spend that much right now. On a really tight budget.

I do have another question... how much load capacity do i need for the equipment i have? my camera is in the shop getting a tune up so i dont have access to it for another week or so.

Thank you!

I bought the most expensive SunPak tripod they sell at Best Buy and have been very happy with is so far. Is it perfect? No, but the price was only $70-$80 dollars. As a bonus, the center comes out and it doubles as a monopod.

I am eager to get a nicer tripod someday, but this one is very steady and will work for now. I have used it repeatedly with my XTi, Tamron 28-300 VC lens, battery grip, and flash and it is solid as a rock. Good luck in your choice.

Chris
--
My Blog: http://chris-photo-journey.blogspot.com
My Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisof4
John 3:16 - Yep, I believe.

Chris

is this by chance the tripod you bought? it has a ball head and says it holds 11lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-620-331-Tripod-Medium-Ball/dp/B00009UT2C/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1209575065&sr=1-42

Thanks!

No, but that looks like a nice tripod. Here is the one I bought.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/538299-REG/Sunpak_620_750BB_7500_Pro_Platinum_Tripod_with.html

There are two models of 7500. One has a handle which you turn to raise and lower the camera and does not have the built in monopod. The other one you adjust up and down manually, but it has the built in monopod. Personally, I could care less about the monopod, as it is not something I use, but that was the one they were selling locally.

One of the really nice things about the Sunpak 7500 is that it is TALL, like me. No more stooping over unless my subject is low.

Chris
--
My Blog: http://chris-photo-journey.blogspot.com
My Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisof4
John 3:16 - Yep, I believe.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Tall would be good for me too.

One question tho... Is there any advantage or disadvantage to having the support arms coming off the center pole to the legs? Thats one difference in the two tripods and I feel like not having those would be better but i have no real experience to base that on.

I can't really answer that as all the ones I have ever had (cheaper) have had legs that connected to the center. It seems like all the more expensive ones are just connected to the top, so I can't believe there is any advantage to the ones connected to the center. Maybe a vet or two that has both can jump in with their opinion.

Chris
--
My Blog: http://chris-photo-journey.blogspot.com
My Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisof4
John 3:16 - Yep, I believe.

Chris

Anyone?