tripod for newbie

[The_Cheat]

I personally think that if you're not planning to use your tripod often, a cheapo one like those you could get from Carrefour, or 2nd hand through B&S here or Yahoo auctions would suffice. These tripods are usually more than enough to hold compact cameras, though they may be less "agile", or not as tall as the higher ends one.

Even though the most sensible advice would probably be to get the best tripod that you could afford (since it's one of those item that you'll least want to change if you got a good one in the first place), tripods to a lot of people are simply white elephant. Seriously, a lot of people won't even bother to bring their tripods out most of the time, relying on their proficiency to hand hold the cameras under well-lited condition. Most see the tripod, not as an essential part of photography, but more like a accessory needed only under special circumstances, like low-light (night photography), sports or landscape. That's fine really... and if you're having the similar line of thought regarding landscape, then would it really be wise to invest so much to get a high end tripod?

FYI, my camera is literally welded to my tripod.

 

[Hitman]

I personally think that if you're not planning to use your tripod often, a cheapo one like those you could get from Carrefour, or 2nd hand through B&S here or Yahoo auctions would suffice......(snip)

(snip)....Seriously, a lot of people won't even bother to bring their tripods out most of the time, relying on their proficiency to hand hold the cameras under well-lited condition. Most see the tripod, not as an essential part of photography, but more like a accessory needed only under special circumstances, like low-light (night photography), sports or landscape. .....

Fully agreed

 

[nextreal]

I'm not exactly a newbie to photography. I've been using my SLRs for many years now. But I had been relying on my cheapo tripod (from camera shop) since. :thumbsup:

I wanted something more prosumer. Can anyone recommend a good tripod and head. My priorities are weight (lugging 2+ kg is no joke), price, followed by fully extended height (at least as tall as my cheapo tripod).

I'm quite puzzled why some tripods and heads cost more than some cameras. What functionality do I look for? Aside from Cathay, where else has a good selection of what I'm searching for? Does MS or TK carry enough range?

Thanks and Happy :heart: Day!

 

[Winston]

Define "prosumer"? :dunno:

Anyway, u mentioned SLR. So I rule out the possibility that ur using s Prosumer digicam, like Sony's 828..etc

SLR means...LENS...long and heavy ones....hmm..
Whats ur heaviest lens?
50mm f/1.8 :bsmilie:
or 50-500mm f/4-6.3
or 120-300mm f/2.8 :think:

The key question is what is the weight u Expect ur Tripod to be supporting?

Questions to start off
1) LOAD
(that is what ur tripod has to support, remember to include ur head into the calculation. Oops, I meant tripod head. :sweatsm: )

2) Height of Tripod.
(You wont want a tripod only to know u have to bend down and look thru the viewfinder to compose each time)

3) Weight of the Tripod
(Since ur looking for something that's <2kg, i think ur looking at Carbon Fiber tripods (ard 1.6kg)....which err...aint cheap, lets say...start thinking $700+)

4) Number of Leg Sections / Height of tripod (closed)
Determines how "compact" the tripod will when kept.

5) HEADs HEADs HEADs
Ball or Pan?
Ball Heads are axial-free and can move freely in any direction once the knob is loosen.
Pan heads have 3 axis of movement each controlled by its own knob and allows better "control" over panning. Useful in taking landscapes since u need the shot to be level with the ground.

5a) Load
That "Load" question again. yes this time....its the Load the HEAD has to take. Add the LOAD of the head has to take and the weight of the Head....it will be the LOAD the poor tripod has to take.

5b) Geared?
Some Heads have Gears to make fine adjustments ..hmm..easier?

5c) Cost
Expensive brands cost more lor. and in general, the higher the LOAD the tripod head can take, the more it cost.
And a good head can cost several hundreds of $$$ too. Think Markins or Acratech....ooooh. ouch


Been to MS Color, Alan Photo, Cathay Photo, John 3:16....and so far..Cathay Photo seems to have the widest range of tripods and heads.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I had a cheapskate's Tanaka(free) and a Slik330DX and I can tell you they are really different in term of performance:sweat:

It will take hours to debate about cost and justification and you just have to use one of them to know the advantage of it :think: