« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Camera tripod recommendations?  (Read 943 times)

Angel Eyes

  • Lying dog-faced pony soldier
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 12,508
  • You're not diggin'
Camera tripod recommendations?
« on: September 06, 2013, 03:18:07 PM »
My current tripod is a troublesome POS.  I'm looking for a new one to use for both still photography and my video camera.  I'd like to keep the cost under $250 if possible.  One with a built-in spirit level would be nice.  Of particular importance is the ability to pan smoothly.

Any recommendations on which make/model to look for?  Also, brands to avoid?  Thanks.
Report to moderator   Logged
""If you elect me, your taxes are going to be raised, not cut."
                         - master strategist Joe Biden

Boomhauer

  • Former Moderator, fired for embezzlement and abuse of power
  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 14,370
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2013, 03:21:28 PM »
Manfrotto is an excellent maker.

Report to moderator   Logged
Quote from: Ben
Holy hell. It's like giving a loaded gun to a chimpanzee...

Quote from: bluestarlizzard
the last thing you need is rabies. You're already angry enough as it is.

OTOH, there wouldn't be a tweeker left in Georgia...

Quote from: Balog
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! AND THROW SOME STEAK ON THE GRILL!

mtnbkr

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 15,388
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2013, 03:30:20 PM »
Manfrotto is what I use.

Chris
Report to moderator   Logged

charby

  • Necromancer
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 29,295
  • APS's Resident Sikh/Muslim
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2013, 04:10:28 PM »
Report to moderator   Logged
Iowa- 88% more livable that the rest of the US

Uranus is a gas giant.

Team 444: Member# 536

MillCreek

  • Skippy The Wonder Dog
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 20,029
  • APS Risk Manager
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2013, 04:13:03 PM »
I have been happy with Giotto tripods and heads.
Report to moderator   Logged
_____________
Regards,
MillCreek
Snohomish County, WA  USA


Quote from: Angel Eyes on August 09, 2018, 01:56:15 AM
You are one lousy risk manager.

Monkeyleg

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 14,589
  • Tattaglia is a pimp.
    • http://www.gunshopfinder.com
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2013, 07:30:32 PM »
I bought an Induro a couple of years ago. It wouldn't be good for smooth panning, though. I like the construction.

It's not a Gitzo, but it's not $1000, either.
Report to moderator   Logged

zahc

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,813
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2013, 09:36:27 PM »
Buy a Tiltall.
Report to moderator   Logged
Maybe a rare occurence, but then you only have to get murdered once to ruin your whole day.
--Tallpine

Harold Tuttle

  • Professor Chromedome
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 8,069
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2013, 10:24:26 PM »
i have a couple cheaper libecs in my inventory
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/829361-REG/Libec_TH_650DV_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html

but i like my monfrotos better
Report to moderator   Logged
"The true mad scientist does not make public appearances! He does not wear the "Hello, my name is.." badge!
He strikes from below like a viper or on high like a penny dropped from the tallest building around!
He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"

Angel Eyes

  • Lying dog-faced pony soldier
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 12,508
  • You're not diggin'
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2013, 04:21:20 PM »
Quote from: Harold Tuttle on September 06, 2013, 10:24:26 PM
i have a couple cheaper libecs in my inventory
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/829361-REG/Libec_TH_650DV_2_Stage_Aluminum_Tripod.html

but i like my monfrotos better

Thanks for the link.  What do you find lacking with the Libec?
Report to moderator   Logged
""If you elect me, your taxes are going to be raised, not cut."
                         - master strategist Joe Biden

Monkeyleg

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 14,589
  • Tattaglia is a pimp.
    • http://www.gunshopfinder.com
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2013, 05:32:02 PM »
I miss my studio camera stand: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=187915&is=REG&A=details&Q=

Those things make moving the camera around and changing height really simple.
Report to moderator   Logged

Doggy Daddy

  • Poobah
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 5,339
  • From the saner side of Las Vegas
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2013, 10:59:17 PM »
Report to moderator   Logged
Would you exchange
a walk-on part in a war
for a lead role in a cage?
-P.F.

Marnoot

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2,965
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2013, 11:47:54 PM »


I've been happy with the couple Slik brand tripods I've messed with. Not sure how they generally compare to Manfrotto as I've never used one of them.

Report to moderator   Logged

Monkeyleg

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 14,589
  • Tattaglia is a pimp.
    • http://www.gunshopfinder.com
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2013, 02:16:32 AM »
That looks more like a Gitzo in that photo. They have a lot of automated features, like legs that will extend over the tops of buildings, and being able to move down city blocks on their own.
Report to moderator   Logged

Harold Tuttle

  • Professor Chromedome
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 8,069
Re: Camera tripod recommendations?
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2013, 07:57:08 AM »
Quote from: Angel Eyes on September 07, 2013, 04:21:20 PM
Thanks for the link.  What do you find lacking with the Libec?


the libecs work fine until you drop one and a plastic part cracks

don't drop it and it's well engineered to do its task.

you could pummel a bear with a monfroto and it will still work
Report to moderator   Logged
"The true mad scientist does not make public appearances! He does not wear the "Hello, my name is.." badge!
He strikes from below like a viper or on high like a penny dropped from the tallest building around!
He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"
Pages: [1]
« previous next »