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Starter tripod - what to get?

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netsi42

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Yikes! This is "scarier" than buying a lens for gosh sakes. I've read (and re-read) the recommended Support article by Thom Hogan. I get his message, but there is also a financial reality; plus, I'm not making a living from this. The article was very informative, but I'm a beginner enthusiast just starting to build my equipment. So far D40 with 18-55 and a 35mm. Not even a zoom yet, but if I get one nothing bigger/heavier than likely 55-200 or 70-300 at most. Will be upgrading to D90 or its replacement though. There is no way I will be spending $500 on a tripod, let alone $1000. Well maybe eventually. ;) I'd like to start by spending no more than, say, $200 if possible. Used is OK.

I'm not so concerned with weight, although something slightly more portable would be nice. Really the #1 concern is finding a quality/price balance. It can be heavy and big, that's ok. I'm unsure whether tilt/pan is really that much worse than a ball head. I will be doing 90% camera, maybe 10% video.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
You can buy a decent tripod and then never have to buy another one. That's my suggestion. For $200 you can get a pretty good tripod new and an even better used one. I think you'll use tilt and pan mostly and you will want to be able to easily raise and lower the head. Weight is good as it stabilizes the tripod. The main thing though is the material of all the fittings and adjusting knobs and levers. Make sure they are high quality and you won't have any trouble with them ever.

A cheap, flimsy tripod won't last long.
--
John
 
That's a good point about the quality of fittings. thx.
Skatterball said:
You can buy a decent tripod and then never have to buy another one. That's my suggestion. For $200 you can get a pretty good tripod new and an even better used one. I think you'll use tilt and pan mostly and you will want to be able to easily raise and lower the head. Weight is good as it stabilizes the tripod. The main thing though is the material of all the fittings and adjusting knobs and levers. Make sure they are high quality and you won't have any trouble with them ever.

A cheap, flimsy tripod won't last long.
--
John
Click to expand...
 
I agree that a solid support system can be had for around $200. The tradeoff is weight. Expensive tripods are usually carbon fiber and weigh less.

A support system has three parts, the legs, the head and the quick release system. The head and quick release are usually together, but if the legs come with a head, normally it is not so good. Besides, for general use, you want a ballhead and cheap combos come with 3-way pan heads. Pan heads are good for video panning, hense the name.

I suggest you get a quick release system you can live with into the future so if you buy a new lens that has a lens collar, you can get an extra plate for it easily.

I think you should be looking at the Manfrotto 190 series with a Manfrotto 496RC2 ballhead. RC2 refers to the release system and it's probably the most common there is at that price range. You can always get plates for it. You can always add a monopod later with the same clamp.

IMO, this is a minimum system and that ballhead does panoramas quite well.

A step up would be the Manfrotto 055 XPROB and the 498RC2 head. It will put you a little over $200 though.

This is the older 488RC2, but notice the RC2 clamp. That's a bit of a standard.



Ballhead and plate



The plates go on each lens with a collar and each camera.



I know you don't have but one now, but it's nice to think about the future. For example, you'd want a monopod later with the same RC2 clamp.



The handle quite a bit of weight when need be. Notice one plate on the lens in the clamp, but there's another plate under the camera if you look. That's used when you have a regular lens on that has no tripod collar.



Here's a cheapie eBay with 3 way panhead next to the Manfrotto system.



--
Cheers, Craig

Equipment in Plan via Profile
 
Wow you're awesome - thanks. That's really helpful. My local camera store's tripod section is a real jungle. It's not that they're not friendly and full of advice, but it seems better to go in a bit prepared and looking to the future.
 
I also have the Manfrotto 055XPROB and the 488RC2 Ball Head. It works very well now and I expect it will work well into the future, I use it with my D90 and 18-105vr and 70-300vr, My brother used it with the Sigma 120-400 and D90, it worked but if I get a lens that large I would consider a different Ball Head.
--
Have a great day
Brian Jennings
Nikon D90, 18-105vr, 70-300vr, sb600, Velocity 7x
Bogen Manfroto 055XPROB, 488RC2 ball head.
Life's fast good thing there's burst mode.
My Pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/gonzopics07
 
If you make a smart purchase NOW, you’ll not have to upgrade for a very, very long time … if ever.

That means more $'s for lenes baby!! :)

055 Tripod, Manfotto , $180

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Aluminum_Tripod_Legs.html

Ball Head 498RC2, Manfrotto , $130

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660311-REG/Manfrotto_498RC2_498RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

Come on...you can come up with the extra $110. By the way, a nice feature of the Ball Head is the ability to pan about it base.

Regards, Mike

--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

 
Thanks! Those are good suggestions. The legs have useful sounding features, and the Ball Head panning would be great for those panoramas. Funny - that's what got me started on this whole equipment buying thing. I found out about Microsoft's free panorama software ICE - which I tried and really liked.
Port Royal Dad said:
If you make a smart purchase NOW, you’ll not have to upgrade for a very, very long time … if ever.

That means more $'s for lenes baby!! :)

055 Tripod, Manfotto , $180

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Aluminum_Tripod_Legs.html

Ball Head 498RC2, Manfrotto , $130

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660311-REG/Manfrotto_498RC2_498RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

Come on...you can come up with the extra $110. By the way, a nice feature of the Ball Head is the ability to pan about it base.

Regards, Mike

--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

Click to expand...
 
Also, across the various forums you may begin to read about varying differences of opinion surface on personal preferences to use a Ball Head or a Pan and Tilt Head.

For all practical purposes they do exactly the same things. Ball Heads just don't have the long lever arms, getting in the way, and are more compact. But it boils down to your personal comfort level.

My first tripod/head was a Christmas gift. A $30 combo from WalMart. ;) The head was a cheapo-plastic pan and tilt. I didn't care much for the long handles and twist knobs because my camera and lens combo was always slipping. But I loved the pan ability.

I later upgraded my head to the Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action. I loved it, but it was a mistake for me because I realized that it lacked the ability to pan "independently" about it base. I kept it a few years, and sold it, using the money to finally get a real ball head, with a panning base; mine is the Kirk BH-1 by the way.

And so for me anyway, a Ball Head, with an independently panning base is the way to go.

Good Luck, Mike
netsi42 said:
Thanks! Those are good suggestions. The legs have useful sounding features, and the Ball Head panning would be great for those panoramas. Funny - that's what got me started on this whole equipment buying thing. I found out about Microsoft's free panorama software ICE - which I tried and really liked.
Port Royal Dad said:
If you make a smart purchase NOW, you’ll not have to upgrade for a very, very long time … if ever.

That means more $'s for lenes baby!! :)

055 Tripod, Manfotto , $180

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Aluminum_Tripod_Legs.html

Ball Head 498RC2, Manfrotto , $130

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/660311-REG/Manfrotto_498RC2_498RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

Come on...you can come up with the extra $110. By the way, a nice feature of the Ball Head is the ability to pan about it base.

Regards, Mike

--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

 
Interesting...but what would a community be without differences of opinion on things, right? I'm strongly leaning towards getting something used, so I can get something nicer with what I can afford. Not that I don't want to support my local camera store, but they get enough of my money already. :)
Port Royal Dad said:
Also, across the various forums you may begin to read about varying differences of opinion surface on personal preferences to use a Ball Head or a Pan and Tilt Head.

For all practical purposes they do exactly the same things. Ball Heads just don't have the long lever arms, getting in the way, and are more compact. But it boils down to your personal comfort level.

My first tripod/head was a Christmas gift. A $30 combo from WalMart. ;) The head was a cheapo-plastic pan and tilt. I didn't care much for the long handles and twist knobs because my camera and lens combo was always slipping. But I loved the pan ability.

I later upgraded my head to the Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action. I loved it, but it was a mistake for me because I realized that it lacked the ability to pan "independently" about it base. I kept it a few years, and sold it, using the money to finally get a real ball head, with a panning base; mine is the Kirk BH-1 by the way.

And so for me anyway, a Ball Head, with an independently panning base is the way to go.

Good Luck, Mike
Click to expand...
 
If you can find a good used Bogan 3021, that's what is now called a Manfrotto 055 basically. Bogan and Manfrotto are the same. The Bogan 3021 will last a lifetime and can often be found used.
--
Cheers, Craig

Equipment in Plan via Profile
 
It's built incredibly well. As long as I don't drop it over a cliff, or out of a 747 jetliner, it'll probably be buried with me. :)

Regards, Mike
Guidenet said:
If you can find a good used Bogan 3021, that's what is now called a Manfrotto 055 basically. Bogan and Manfrotto are the same. The Bogan 3021 will last a lifetime and can often be found used.
--
Cheers, Craig

Equipment in Plan via Profile
Click to expand...
--
B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)

 
+1 more for the Manfrotto 055XPROB and the 488RC2 Ball Head. A lot of people have this setup. It is probably the best bang for the buck that you will find new. It is very stable and as Guidenet said, the mounting plates are a standard and you will find that later on, you will have several of those plates. One for the camera and one for each of your big lenses. That reminds me. I need to order 3 or 4 more myself.
 
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