Picking a Tripod

[vegasrenie]

After going through the tripod sticky, I realized that many of the suggestions were for those who are looking for professional (i.e., *expensive*) equipment. I'm looking for something that can stay put during a get-together, interview, or "man-on-the-street" type shoot. My budget says find free if possible, but obviously I would be dreaming. Looking through the posts, I got a bunch of good information and after much searching, found these three items. I won't be doing anything *creative,* but may decide to have fun from time to time. Most of my fun stuff will happen on the computer.

What do y'all think? All replies, comments, and recommendations welcome! Oh, by the way - I asked a couple of the sellers what the load capacity is of their tripods. I figured that would give me a good idea of the weight/quality.

Ebay unbranded #1

Ebay Sunpak

B&H Velbon

Remember - budget is king!

Thanks guys!

Irene

[Lightloch]

Velbon DV-7000.

[kruzer]

If ya want a good tripod then get a Matthews M-25.
It's in a better class then the rest of them and much more pro.
Go to a store and look at it.
It's a bargain for $180.00 !

[1]

I second the Matthews M25. The other one is the Libec TH-M20.
Both hover around $180, and both should serve you well for years.





Here's an old pic of an earlier Matthews tripod from one of the original posts on this forum (thread #3, post #125):

[vegasrenie]

I looked at the Matthews m-25 and don't like the fact that it doesn't have a center crank. I'm looking for a relatively lightweight tripod that's not flimsy (like the one I have now that came in a "bundle"). At nearly six feet in heels, I need something that i can crank up. I'm now looking at a Slik because of its ease of quick release. That's not the only reason of course, but keeping it closer to the $100 range is better for my budget! The Manfrotto, Gitzo, and others are just way out of my reach and my needs at this time.

Irene

[fishops]

Believe me, the m25 goes high enough. Once you learn to level with the half ball, you will never ever ever want to use a center column tripod again.

[kenkyusha]

The Manfrotto, Gitzo, and others are just way out of my reach and my needs at this time.

While the initial output is higher for something like a Manfrotto or the Matthews, it is not like you will have to repeat that purchase... It is a virtual guarantee that with cheap tripods, you will.

The bottom line is: $80 now, and in a couple of years, then again in five, before just buying a better set of sticks, or +/-$250 now?

Be well,
Jigme

[vegasrenie]

Thanks so much for the pointers. It's amazing how many posts are "lost" in other threads. I may have missed the Matthews altogether!

[tvnewsbadge]

But I'm not so sure they don't have their place.
I've not a manfrotto with a good head for critical still work, but I often find that cheap "video" pod with the bogus fluid head I bought on sale at Best Buy many years ago to use as a mike stand works just as well for video in some situations.

[tvnewsbadge]

I looked at the Matthews m-25 and don't like the fact that it doesn't have a center crank. I'm looking for a relatively lightweight tripod that's not flimsy (like the one I have now that came in a "bundle"). At nearly six feet in heels, I need something that i can crank up. I'm now looking at a Slik because of its ease of quick release. That's not the only reason of course, but keeping it closer to the $100 range is better for my budget! The Manfrotto, Gitzo, and others are just way out of my reach and my needs at this time.

Irene

You can always add a quick release, often better than the one that came on the 'pod.

[billbruford]

here is a gitzo reporter for 175
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gitzo-Reporter-T...QQcmdZViewItem

been up there for a LONG TIME probably could get the guy down in price.

here is a bunch of manfrotto legs at b and h with rebates
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=&cltp=&clsgr=

spend the most you can because you will regret it later
I have already spent 100 bucks in cheap tripods and it is a waste of money. they don't last. i have the manfrotto 055 with 701 head about 300 bucks and it is great. i combed the reviews and people dont return these things. just dont eat out for a few weeks and you will have the money.
bb

[Yzed]

spend the most you can because you will regret it later
I have already spent 100 bucks in cheap tripods and it is a waste of money.

That's imho just bs... A velbon DV-7000 is just awesome for kind of cheap. I mean not only it is incredibly good but if it was not, there would not be hundred's hvxx users recommanding it here.

Get a DV-7000, it is cheap and if later on, you think it doesnt suit your needs (which i really doubt) then resell on ebay without loosing much before spending $400 on a new tripod......

[Lightloch]

What many in this thread seem to forget is that the OP is looking more in the good "budget" range of at or around $100, and quite frankly the Velbon DV-7000 is a no-brainer in this case. It's performance well outranks its price, and it will last years upon years with proper care.