Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

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bezzer
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p.1 #1 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

After having decided to move up from "toy tripods" to a decent one with a ball head, I was ready to plunk down $200 - $250 for an off brand. But since I've been reading through as much of the tripod posts here as possible, I've crossed off Benbo and Induro.

I've been leaning toward carbon fiber primarily because of the weight advantage, and the price range above, because of what I've paid for past tripods coupled with the expected future use of my current gear. The heaviest gear combo I have is Canon's 40D, 300mm F/4 L, and 1.4 TC (all of which weight in just under 6 pounds).

So far, I have not seen any negative comments about:

Dolica's Proline carbon fiber line carried by Newegg.com
OSN's carbon fiber legs
Giotto's GTMT9360

Other HEADS I've "read good evaluations about" are Giotto's Pro Ball Head with 621 Quick Release Plate sold by Adorama and Giottos MH-1001 Pro Medium Ball Head with Independent Panning Lock and Built-in MH652 Quick Release on Amazon.

If anyone has any opinion/experience about these, please feel free to lay it on me. If I'm barking up the wrong tree, and have to spend $200 more than I was expecting, I'd rather know now.

If that's the case, what does everyone think about the BOGEN 190XPROB TRIPOD, and a recommended ball head to go with it?

This is my first post in this Forum, so forgive any format violations.

On a totally different note, is there a way to preview the message before it is sent? Thanks for your help.

Edited on Aug 13, 2008 at 01:33 AM

Aug 13, 2008 at 01:28 AM

Ernie Aubert
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p.1 #2 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

I've got a Velbon CarMagne (carbon fiber/magnesium) that I got a couple years ago, and I'm quite satisfied with it. I've never had or used a Gitzo, so maybe I'm just not spoiled yet. I use a Markins M10-L ballhead, and it adequately supports my 40D with a 300 2.8 + 1.4 TC (for the limited use I've made of that combination so far, anyway). I don't know Velbon's current offerings or prices...

When you say "message" and "sent", do you mean "new topic" and "post"? I suspect so... I don't think I know the answer to that, but I don't remember any such option.

Aug 13, 2008 at 01:56 AM

MSC
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p.1 #3 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Post this in the General Gear Forum and you will get a bunch of replies.

Aug 13, 2008 at 04:46 AM

MSC
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p.1 #4 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

No, you cannot Preview first...either check it before posting, edit after before anyone replies to it, or don't worry about. I prefer the last option.

Aug 13, 2008 at 04:48 AM

mdbassman
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p.1 #5 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

FEISOL CT 33 or 34 series.

Edited on Aug 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM

Aug 13, 2008 at 09:26 AM

milanissimo
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p.1 #6 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB (a larger model compared to 190) and couldn't be happier. And for 200$ (tripod only) it's a steal. The 468RC2 ballhead seems to be a good match for the tripod (7kg max weight for tripod, 6kg max weight for ballhead), but be aware it only has one lever, so the operation might be a bit awkward.

Aug 13, 2008 at 01:27 PM

bezzer
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p.1 #7 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas. I like the idea of the Bogen 190XPROB although the wilderness model with retractable spikes appeals to me (but the horizontal center column option is lost) the most. Why don't they have one with both I wonder.

Aug 14, 2008 at 03:23 AM

Craig Gillette
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p.1 #8 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Because then they can sell the leg spike kit and keep the horizontal post model at a lower price point too..

Aug 14, 2008 at 03:44 AM

watkinssr
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p.1 #9 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

I've got one from these guys:
http://home.amvona.com/
that I've been happy with. I haven't used their carbon fiber ones though.

Aug 14, 2008 at 07:11 AM

bezzer
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p.1 #10 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

I was initially impressed with Amvona's selection, but after some Google research, found a lot of info on them which could be best summarized as "stay away!"

I'd be real interested in the experience anyone else has had with their legs and heads.

Aug 14, 2008 at 04:28 PM

watkinssr
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p.1 #11 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

When I bought mine, I found a lot of people who recomended against them, but the people who recomended against them didn't actually have one they just assumed they had to be crap because they were so cheap. The people who own them seem to love them. Mine seems to be very well built, stable, and I've had zero problems with it.

Aug 14, 2008 at 05:54 PM

LCollector
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p.1 #12 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

try dynatron tripods on amvona.com. I own their metal legs and heads.
legs: value for $, sturdy and equally good as manfrotto

head: so-so, the attachment grooves wear out with usage...and the QR plate and clamp have some play involved. It wobbles 2-4 mm when locked in a position.

Agree with the poster above: people who don't own them try to belittle amvona's products...but the metal tripods clearly are supremely built. Mine takes a decent load....now if only their frigin copycat head was as supreme, it would be a value for $.

Edited on Aug 14, 2008 at 07:44 PM

Aug 14, 2008 at 07:40 PM

WhizKid
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p.1 #13 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

I really enjoy my Manfrotto O55XB legs and my Manfrotto 488RC4 ballhead, holds my 40d and my 24-70 f/2.8 L just fine. It's a little on the heavy side, but that's what you pay for great photos. I paid $280 for my setup.

Aug 14, 2008 at 07:59 PM

watkinssr
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p.1 #14 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

LCollector wrote:
try dynatron tripods on amvona.com. I own their metal legs and heads.
legs: value for $, sturdy and equally good as manfrotto

head: so-so, the attachment grooves wear out with usage...and the QR plate and clamp have some play involved. It wobbles 2-4 mm when locked in a position.

Agree with the poster above: people who don't own them try to belittle amvona's products...but the metal tripods clearly are supremely built. Mine takes a decent load....now if only their frigin copycat head was as supreme, it would be a value for $.
which head do you have? I've the ball grip head that they dont seem to have on their site at the moment, and it's been good so far. no wobble that I can detect so far. I may wear out eventually though. For the money, you cant beat it.

Aug 15, 2008 at 12:29 AM

44lefty
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p.1 #15 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Tiltall, Davis and Sanford.

Larry

Aug 15, 2008 at 11:57 PM

Tapeman
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p.1 #16 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Look for used tripods. I bought my Gitzo used, it still was over your budget, but will remain in my kit FOREVER.

Aug 17, 2008 at 09:07 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #17 · Tripods - Are there ANY that are good which don't cost a fortune?

Slik700DX, excellent tripod. Some of the more "experienced (that's the word they will throw at you when they say the slik sucks) will say that it will drop your gear.

Using just the pan tilt head it came with (I also have a bogen 3029 head), I capture images that are just fine, with no worries of my stuff falling over.

I will "upgrade" someday, (probably 3221) but for now (and the foreseeable future) my Slik does just fine.

Aug 20, 2008 at 12:09 AM


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