Tripod for 100 bucks?

[Sidebyte]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Michael, did you see what I did to mine here?

The Great Ithaca Falls PhotoCamel Meetup - SHARE HERE!!!

I lost one of the feet in the river, and the RC322 doesn't like water. I dipped it once, and the ball head lost its "super sticky."

CHIPS are for DIPS, not tripods Bobo.

[cyclohexane]

did you see what I did to mine here?

Jeez. Looks like loads of fun though.

[Sidebyte]

Originally Posted by blumesan

I stand by my recommendation of the Amvona tripod mentioned in my earlier post. It is heavy, but it is not crap. I would pit its stability against any gitzo or manfrotto. I have had it for 3 years and it has seen a good bit of use, almost always in the field. I shows no perceptible deterioration. Maybe it will fall apart in the next 5 or 10 years; maybe not. But if you need a sturdy tripod now and your budget is limited, this is a good choice.

Good call Mike! This is what $100. buys, carbon fiber too.

[zero rc]

try out the slik line of tri-pods. i especially like the 700DX anf the 400DX! the 700 is a bit stirdier but weighs a ton while the 400 tips the scales at about 6lbs. plus the 400 comes with the sectional center colum that is an oppional accessory for the 700. this allows you to unscrew the center colum in half and drop the tri-pod down even further, making for interesting flower/ field shots. i just priced the 400 on amazon and it was about a buck-ten, but worth every penny. if you do alot of hiking your sherpa will love you for choosing the llighter of the two. if studio set up are where your tri-pod will see most of its use go for the 700 (about $30 more i think)

[kohr2000]

I have 5 different Amvona tripods, An they are good quality for the price and only on one did I pay over a 100$ for.

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by kohr2000

I have 5 different Amvona tripods, An they are good quality for the price and only on one did I pay over a 100$ for.

I too am a fan of Amvona tripods. However I am sure enquiring minds want to know:
What did tripod #2 do that couldn't be done with tripod #1. And how did tripod #3 improve on the capability of #1 & #2; etc. etc.?

[kohr2000]

That is a long story all I wanted was 3 .
2 to hold both my cameras so I could keep a different lens on each for what ever project I had in mind. A 3rd one so if one went bad I had a replacement
The other 2 happen because I was playing around on bids I did not think I could win on and guess what I did. So on day they may become presents who knows. And you did ask

[k9ofkaos]

A $100 tripod is much more stable than no tripod.

I'd love to have a Gitzo carbon fiber with a nice Arca Swiss ballhead, but my Bogen 3021, now about 15 years old just keeps on keepin' own.

[rossb]

A hundred dollar tripod is hard to find but you might be able to find a 3021 Bogen tripod on ebay or KEH.com for that much used. I have used the 3021 for several years and it has taken a beating from hiking and rattling around in the trunk of my car. I was trying to climb down a cliff area in Big Sur earlier this year and dropped the tripod about 100 feet. It flipped over so the ball head went first into the rocks and it shattered in three pieces but the legs suffered only a small scratch. I use the 486RC2 ball head with quick release. I stopped into Camera West on the way home and picked up another 486 ballhead for $60.00. That ball head is marginal if you have some long lenses but it's worked well for me. The 488 ball head is much stronger but it cost more. I know BHPhoto sells the 3021 with the 486 for about $225.00 so I am figuring you should be able to find a used one for half the new price. Sturdy, dependable, well made and kind of heavy for hiking. Oh, after that I stopped climbing the cliffs carrying a medium format and lenses, A d200 with lenses, plus my tripod. I now go out with just whatever will fit into my mini trekker pack and the tripod which I carry with it's own shoulder sling.

[pturton]

I had one of these "100 buck" tripods. I used it one day to hold a small light bar (couple pounds) to illuminate the work area for the chap that came to repair my furnace. After sitting there for a couple hours, there was a crash - the tripod broke appart at the head to column connection.

Get no fault insurance for your gear that you plan on using on your "100 buck" special or be sure to keep your camera neck strap around your neck.

[badpickev]

i am waiting on my amvona ball head.

[blumesan]

pturton,
First of all, WELCOME TO THE CAMEL. I'm sure you will feel at home here.

Originally Posted by pturton

I had one of these "100 buck" tripods. I used it one day to hold a small light bar (couple pounds) to illuminate the work area for the chap that came to repair my furnace. After sitting there for a couple hours, there was a crash - the tripod broke appart at the head to column connection.

When you have had such an experience with equipment it would help others if you would mention the brand/manufacturer so we could avoid it.

Cheers/Mike

[pturton]

Originally Posted by blumesan

pturton,
When you have had such an experience with equipment it would help others if you would mention the brand/manufacturer so we could avoid it.

Cheers/Mike

Thanks Mike.

The tripod that fell apart was about 8 years old at the time. Not sure of the manufacturer of the tripod since it was a store branded model that I was given as a gift. Looked like a Velbon to me.