My birthday is in a couple days and my gf asked me if I wanted anything since she had no ideas. Even after telling her not to get me anything, she insists, so whats a guy to do

Soooo, I said I really would like to get a good tripod. I have a cheapy that has worked ok for me for the most part. I don't love it obviously, and am nervous about putting my D7000 with a larger lens on it. I also just picked up a used cheap superzoom lens to play around with. It is not a great lens, but fun to play with. It requires no movement at all, and needs a lot of light, so with the slowed down shutter, you can imagine how hard it is to get decent pics on a tripod that struggles to support it with no shake.

I know that Manfrotto is regarded as making great tripods. So in researching them I see many different models/designs. I am not sure I would need a Carbon Fiber. I guess the only real advantage is they are lightweight. I don't hike or do anything in which I have to worry about the weight too much. Unless its a 50lb tripod I think I would be ok. I really want something that offers smooth motion which is something the cheapy I have really lacks. Strong of course, and very stable. Also, please talk to me about the advantages of a ball head. TIA guys. Everyone here has really helped me learn quite a bit.

 

I have two tripods, I have two tripods and Gitzo with a RRS ballhead and a Induro with a RRS ballhead. They both have their purpose, Gitzo for when I pull out the big glass and the Induro when I just need a tripod.

Both are GF, but both are good. You can buy Induro's with a ballhead. But I prefer RRS (Really Right Stuff), they use Arca Swiss camera plates.

Check out what's at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...Induro&x=0&y=0

 

I have an Induro. I think an Induro with a ball head would be a pretty solid tripod that won't break the bank.

 

something like the Induro AKB1 Tripod Kit that jupiter linked.

 

Thanks. I was reading the reviews on Amazon of the AKB1 earlier. Looks like a definite possibility. I am still wondering what the benefits of the Ball Head are.

 

I have both and I'd say the biggest advantage of a ball head is that it isn't a pan head.

Pan heads are larger and take more to adjust (several adjustment knobs)

I ball head is simple, loosen the knob, adjust and you are done.

I think the only benefit my pan head might have is taking panoramas and being able to control a single axis, but that being said I take a ton of hand held panos and never run into an issue lining things up (using PS CS4+)

 

Cool. Thanks for the info

 

I had a pan and tilt head and it took too long to get adjusted since each knob controlled one axis so I had to make three adjustments every time I wanted to change my shot. I switched to a ball head and it's MUCH easier and faster to get it adjusted. I got the Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head. It also has the ability to pan separate from the ball head which is a nice feature. I highly recommend it!

 

Thanks again guys for your help. I ended up ordering the Induro AKB1 Kit. It just arrived. I've only had time to unpack it and extend it, but haven't gotten a chance to use it yet. Will try it out later. I can already tell I love the thing though. So much more solid and steady then the one I already have. Can't wait to use it.

 

Got to play around with it a little, and yup, I love it. Very stable, very maneuverable, and lightweight. I put my Opteka 650-1300mm superzoom and D7000 on it and no creeping. I could not get it to stay on my old tripod, making it difficult to aim. It also continued to shake on the old tripod making it damn near impossible to get a decent shot. So I figured the superzoom was the best test. Within a second of taking my hands off the camera, there was zero shake. I use my IR remote to snap the pictures. I was able to get these shots:





I put the arrow in the first pic to show the tower shot at 18mm. You can barely see it. I shot the second one at 1300 mm and it stayed steady. It still will take some practice focusing that monster, but its a fun toy and finally useable with this tripod. Again, thanks so much guys for the suggestions.

 

I call BS.

There is no giant zoomed-in-on red arrow in the second pic...

 

Sure there is. You can clearly see the red arrow is about 10 feet to the right of the tower. I just zoomed passed it. It was too distracting.

 

I dont often come to the c+p section but I came looking for info on a new tri pod and this thread was conveniently displayed on the first page for me. I may end up getting the very same tri pod.

 

I am very happy with the tripod, I love it. It is very lightweight, yet sturdy. One simple turn of the knob locks the ball head in place with no movement. Simple twist of the knob and I can position the camera any which way.

 

I went on a cruise the other night..and i forgot to pack my tri pod when we went to change locations LOL. Luckily for me it was a cheap dynex tri pod from future shop and now I have an excuse to buy a real one.