Tri Pods!!!!!

[CanonGrunt]

Hello!

So I have had horrible experiences buying tripods... My last one was this $120 Rocket Fish one that was advertised as heavy duty. I've barely used it, and the metal locking mechanism on one of the legs sheered right off. Not it won't stand up on its own for more than a minute or so before the leg kicks out. Too hazardous for my Canon.

So, what tripods do y'all have experience with? Top Pick? Most Economic Pick? Most Convenient? Ect...

Thanks!

[Don Haines]

Manfroto.... Still using my 30+ years old model 190 tripod.... It has been backpacked, canoe tripped, been to all the provinces of Canada and the arctic territories, seen VERY cold temperatures and been set up in waist deep water and snowbanks.... It is a bit heavy ( now have carbon fibre version for hiking) but like said in the old timex watch commercials, "takes a lickin' and keeps on thicken'"

[ChilledXpress]

Tripods are one of thoose items that it really does pay to go big. You'll end up buying loads of trash tripods trying to save pennies and then eventually... you'll lay out the cash for quality. I own one RRS and 3 Gitzos ( 1 - 2 series and 2 - 3 series). Highly recommend them... others to look at Induro, Benro. Once you use something of quality you'll never look back... or even worry about your pod (and this is the way it should be).

Gitzo, RRS, etc... Pricey but worth every bit of the entry price.

[Artifex]

I have bought a 30 years old used Manfrotto a few years ago in a yard sell, for 35$. Best bought I ever did! It's very steady and seems close to be indestructible. I would definitely recommend you to pay a bit more and go with a high quality product, like a Manfrotto, since a tripod can be easily use for more than 30 years. I am no expert in tripod but from my experience, Manfrotto really stands out, both in term of build quality and effectiveness. I live in Québec, so I can tell you that snow, water and cold temperature don't affect the tripod at all!

[Zen]

I agree with Chilled Express - buy top line the first time and avoid going thru half a dozen cheaper ones and discarding all of them. After going thru 4-5 of the cheapies, I finally went with RRS and wish I had done it long ago. Rock steady; top quality; light carbon fiber; easy to set up; positive quick release; top quality good fitting cam plate, etc., etc.

Check out their web site . . .

Good luck.

Zen

[Oupstd]

Totally agree with what has been said before...
Buy quality. This is also valid for the (ball) head. I've ended paying more for the head than the actual tripod (micrometric one from manfrotto), but it really worth it.

[Oupstd]

For the tripod experts, I'm looking for a very light and small but steady tripod for travelling with a 5D + 16-35+ filters... what do you recommend?. Heard about benro travel angel.
really need to be under 2kg (with head), ideally under 1.5 kg.
I already have a good carbon fiber tripod but over 2.8 kg with (light) head...

[fonts]

I will testify for the RRS. Just got the Compact Series Kits (23 + BH-40LR) and it is just AMAZING. My friend and I are urban explorers and today we had to climb an 8ft+ wall. He got up no problem, but I on the other hand didn't. He used my tripod to hoist me up (5' 9" 155lbs). At first try it pinched him and he lost the grip which made me drop from that height backwards (wrist still hurts, and a story that we'll never forget). The second time we were successful. The tripod was still rock solid only leaving with a few scratches from the wall. After this incident I'm glad I went with this purchase, the pictures were worth the fall

[nonac]

I've really been happy with my Manfrotto 055CXPRO with a RRS ball head. A couple of years ago I had an accident and broke a piece on one of the legs. Great parts list and a call to service and I had a new part purchased and on its way.

[brad-man]

Manfrotto       sturdy & heavy for small $

Induro CF       sturdy & medium weight for middle $

Gitzo or RRS   sturdy & light weight & expensive

[Drizzt321]

I'll second spending some good money on a quality tripod/head. I'm going to diverge a bit from the pack, recently bought my first 'real' tripod, and while it's not a bunch of money like the RRS (really want one!), it was still $400+. I got the Benro C-0681 travel tripod. 4 section legs, they fold up around a fully extended center column w/head so it's small enough to fit into a fairly small suitcase. Pretty light, 1.1kg/2.5lb, and feels pretty solid with my 5d3. I've been using it with my Mamiya RB67, which is probably 8-9 lbs with lens and film back, and while it works fine, I have the feeling I'd like a bit of a heavier duty head, possibly with a more solid 3 section tripod. Works fine though, even if it's closer than I'd like to the max rated weight of the head and tripod (6kg/13.1 lbs).

[JBeckwith]

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB and I can't complain.  It's plenty sturdy and wasn't very expensive.  I don't require anything crazy light and my camera doesn't weigh 50 lbs so it does the job for me.

[bwfishing]

Hi CanonGrunt,

FEISOL Traveler Tripod CT-3441S Rapid

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-p-38.html 

or

FEISOL Traveler Tripod CT-3441S Rapid - Birthday Edition

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-birthday-edition-p-109.html

[jasonsim]

I have three Gitzo tripods and they all serve me very well!  They have a tripod for every situation and photographer.  They often times have rebates running, so be on the lookout.  Amazon has had the best rebates, since it is money back.  The rebates from BH and Adorama are typically a Visa or AMEX card. 

[infared]

Hi CanonGrunt,

FEISOL Traveler Tripod CT-3441S Rapid

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-p-38.html 

or

FEISOL Traveler Tripod CT-3441S Rapid - Birthday Edition

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-birthday-edition-p-109.html

I wholeheartedly concur....and add a Photoclam ball head:
http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/PC-33NS.htm

.super light, very sturdy, VERY tall, very compact, Arca/Swiss compatible....and extremely reasonably priced considering the quality of both head and tripod.  Great setup for under $600. I really need the lightweight and compactness.