First Tripod Advice

[danieldwashere]

I am ready to buy my first tripod. I have been doing some reading on this site and the net in general. I feel its time to get some real world opinions from people that are not trying to sell me something.

I understand the idea that you actually save money by getting good quality in the first place (poor man buys twice) and a good tripod will give you many years of service.

I have asked professional friends and they said "moving parts.... buy new". Is this good advice? I am usually a big fan of buying from the over enthusiastic hobbyist who drops a lot of cash on sweet gear then losses interest six months later and puts everything on gumtree to fund their next fad.

Things to consider...

• Desired Budget $200-$500 (it can stretch a bit, but I don't think I NEED to spend $1000 for my purposes at this stage, nor do I WANT to!)

• I am tall (190cm)

• Mainly landscape, nature, garden photography and generally play around to improve my photography skills

• All my gear gets thoroughly used and occasionally abused

• Does not have to be light weight, but it would be nice

• No big heavy lenses or bodies yet and I lean towards a wide angle/minimalist set up (ATM canon 600d with kit EFS lenses)

• I reckon I want 3 part leg sections with flip lock but not sure

Taking all of the above the standout choice is the Vanguard 263AT (details below), there are a few favourable mentions on this forum and some mixed review online. The place where I would buy it has it as a online only product, so I can't go and check it out in the flesh. And the other reason stopping me is it is a tiny bit short. Does the max. height include the centre bar thing extended? Or will this give me enough to stand comfortably? But I imagine for the majority of my important photos, camera height will be dictated by the scene anyway...



Manfrotto MTO55XPRO3 $379 + Manfrotto 496RC2 $129

aluminium

3 leg sections flip lock

max. height 1800mm

load: 9kg

weight: 2.5kg

Benro C1580TB1 $335 Kit with ball head

• Number of Leg Sections: 4
• Leg Lock Type: Twist Lock
• Maximum Diameter: 25 mm
• Minimum Diameter: 15 mm
• Maximum Height: 1595 mm too low?!
• Normal Height: 1365 mm
• Minimum Height: 415 mm
• Folded Hight: 590 mm
• Weight: 1.57 kg
• Maximum Load: 8 kg

Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT $249 kit with ball head

aluminium

3 leg sections flip lock

max. height 1750mm

load: 7kg

weight: 2kg



Manfrotto 190XPRO3 $349.00 legs only

aluminium

3 leg section flip lock

Max Height: 170cm
Closed Height: 69cm
Weight: 2.4kg
Max Load: 6kg