Tripod Suggestion

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Archive 2009 · Tripod Suggestion

ctrlcctrlv
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p.1 #1 · Tripod Suggestion

Hello, I am somewhat new to photography. I was wondering what is a stable tripod that costs less than $30 that can reach a height of 3-4 ft?

Jul 25, 2009 at 08:14 PM

justruss
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p.1 #2 · Tripod Suggestion

Step ladder + large bean bag.

I'm not familiar with anything else that would meet your requirements. The only other thing I can think of would be to luck out and find someone trying to get rid of an OLD, HEAVY set of legs just to clear them out. Not great chances.

You might be able to get a really low (6 inches) setup in the $40-60 range with some stability. Not sure.

Jul 25, 2009 at 08:43 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #3 · Tripod Suggestion

I would also like to have a stable tripod for less than $ 30

Jul 25, 2009 at 08:58 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #4 · Tripod Suggestion

Just this once, I will agree with Lars.

Even my trusty Dynatrans were a bit over 50 bucks plus shipping, and that was when Ebay actually auctioned stuff. Now the same tripods go for about 145 or so.

For 30 bucks you can get something made of extruded beer cans that is about as stable as stacked marbles.

Justuss may have the best idea. I used to have a 3 foot wooden ladder that would hold me easily. A beanbad on top of that would be really good. Heavy, though.

Jul 26, 2009 at 04:19 AM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #5 · Tripod Suggestion

Good one Lars. That nailed it.

basically, no such thing exists. Tripods in those price ranges are sometimes worse than handholding and are basically junk.

J.

Jul 26, 2009 at 09:58 PM

SSISteve
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p.1 #6 · Tripod Suggestion

Buy a 6x6 post and stick it on the ground. That would be the only thing I can think of that would under $30 and stable.

Steve

Jul 27, 2009 at 09:30 PM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #7 · Tripod Suggestion

SSISteve wrote:
Buy a 6x6 post and stick it on the ground. That would be the only thing I can think of that would under $30 and stable.

Steve

I like that one even better than the one from Lars!

You met all the criteria - low cost, stable and even relatively light. No one asked about set up time, however.

J.

Jul 28, 2009 at 09:57 PM

jhom
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p.1 #8 · Tripod Suggestion

ctrlcctrlv wrote:
Hello, I am somewhat new to photography. I was wondering what is a stable tripod that costs less than $30 that can reach a height of 3-4 ft?

Being new to photography, you will learn very quickly that a stable tripod at less than $30 doesn't exist in this dimension. I would suggest you do a search on this forum for tripod. You will see more information than you can absorb in a lifetime. After you read some of the postings, if you still have questions then it would be worth a post.

Jim

Jul 28, 2009 at 10:29 PM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #9 · Tripod Suggestion

In re-reading my post, I thought it could be taken poorly and I certainly didn't intend that (the 6x6 is a great mental image though). I'm with Jim on this one - tripods are a well discussed topic here. Sadly, there are no good common testing or specs of tripods so what one would think is a simple evaluation and purchase, really is quite the opposite.

Here are some links to get you started:

http://bythom.com/support.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/tripods_&_heads.shtml
http://markins.com/charlie/report4e6.pdf

J.

Jul 28, 2009 at 10:49 PM

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