Tripods

[freddiebear]

Who makes the best and most versatile tripod for the money?

[brian.austin]

There's a loaded question.

Need more info:

1. What is your budget?
2. What is the typical use? Are you hiking with this thing or just pulling it out of a trunk and walking 50 feet?
3. What is the maximum load that will be mounted on it?
4. Are you looking for a combination tripod/head or separate?
5. Does it need to put up with abuse or will it be treated relatively gently?

[hotrod4x5]

I prefer Gitzo.

[Gary Mayo]

Bounce around on ebay. There are some good values.

Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan

Originally Posted by freddiebear

Who makes the best and most versatile tripod for the money?

[freddiebear]

I want something light to carry on my camera backpack, but strong enough to hold my camera . I like to take nature shots. My budget would be around $400.00 for tripod and head.

[Gary Mayo]

I just dropped 1300 + on a tripod/head. Yikes! I needed something for large lenses.

EBay is my first choice when it is time to go shopping.

Here is 66 choices under "Carbon Fiber Tripods"

carbon fiber tripod, Tripods, Monopods, Cameras Photo items on eBay.com=

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by freddiebear

I want something light to carry on my camera backpack, but strong enough to hold my camera . I like to take nature shots. My budget would be around $400.00 for tripod and head.

What type of camera/lens? A Canon 400D with a 18-55 lens is about 3lbs. A 1DIII with 70-200/2.8 is closer to 7-8lbs. That changes the load requirements.

Assuming you'll need at least a 10lb coverage, I see a number of packages available on B&H for under $400 that would do the trick, including a few Bogen/Manfrotto combo kits with carbon fiber for under $400. Velbon is a decent budget brand. Adorama's line of tripods has received some good reviews as well.

The less money you pay, the heavier it will be. Carbon fiber will be the lightest and aluminum the heaviest, with basalt in between. From there, it's all about compromises.

I'm not an eBay fan but some people get good deals there, too.

Good luck.

[richardpcrowe]

I recommend that whatever tripod you buy, you purchase a head that is Arca Swiss Compatible in order to use a really Right Stuff L-Plate. I consider the Really Right Stuff L-Plate (mine is for my 30D) the absolute best way to mount a camera on a tripod when using a lens that is not equipped with a tripod collar.

Really Right Stuff ... Quick-Release Camera Body L-Plates

[hotrod4x5]

Originally Posted by richardpcrowe

I recommend that whatever tripod you buy, you purchase a head that is Arca Swiss Compatible in order to use a really Right Stuff L-Plate. I consider the Really Right Stuff L-Plate (mine is for my 30D) the absolute best way to mount a camera on a tripod when using a lens that is not equipped with a tripod collar.

Really Right Stuff ... Quick-Release Camera Body L-Plates

L plates are great, kinda pricey, but great. Kirk Photo makes them too, and they are just as well made and usually about 10 bucks cheaper than RRS.

Kirk Photo: Quality Photographic Equipment for Outdoor & Nature Photography

[w7apd]

One caveat: the absolutely worst tripod you can buy, is the one you spend so much money on that you're not willing to subject it to the knocks and scrapes that are a tripod's lot. Remember that the tripod is the thing that gets stuck in the sand, salt water and mud (or worse.) It's a tool...

Since you mention "for the money," I'll assume that you'd like to conserve funds if possible? In that light, forget about carbon and basalt; aluminum is the material of choice where money is any factor. I recommend a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 legset for 35mm cameras with up to 600mm lenses, as well as 4x5 field cameras and anything smaller. Choice of head is going to depend on your personal preferences and shooting style; ballheads are fastest but generally less precise in adjustment (it's hard to adjust in one dimension without changing another one.) Geared heads are best (IMO) for large format cameras and for landscape work in general, but are slow to adjust.

There are three degrees of freedom in tripod selection: strength, weight and price. You can select for any two of those.