Tripod help!

mom2rtk · Feb 25, 2010

Last week I asked for lens help. I think I know what I want, but need to wait until later in the year to pull the trigger.

Now I'm back to thinking about tripods again. I know there was a lot of discussion on tripods here recently, and that was all very helpful.

We're probably going to spend a day or 2 at Disneyland this summer, and I want some nice fireworks pictures over the castle. After seeing a couple of shots posted here recently on really TALL tripods, withOUT big heads in the way, it really got me thinking...

So...... Can anyone recommend a good way to even START looking for a tripod? The choices just seem overwhelming. Here's what I know:

1) I can't mortgage my house to buy it. I'm thinking under $200.

2) I want something TALL. (Did I say that already?) :lmao:

3) Not too heavy would be helpful since I'll be carrying it in the park.

4) Not too long when collapsed would be nice too, since I might want to put it in a locker at some point.

So... to recap... something tall, but small... something lightweight, but solid.... something really nice... but cheap..... :rotfl2:

I do realize that I might be looking for something that doesn't exist, but figured I could at least ask.

Thanks in advance for any help!

zackiedawg · Feb 25, 2010

I've had very good experience with my Slik Sprint Pro EZ tripod. I use it with a very heavy 500mm lens and it is stable enough, and all my night shots. It is very light, individually adjustable legs, soft padding on legs for comfortable carrying, milled pan/tilt head with single handle control, quick release head, bubble levels, compacts to a nice 19" but can extend to 64.4" or as low as 7", and cost is right around $100.

I've looked at other more pricey pods, but just not worth it for me, and I've looked at some lightweight competitors that some friends use, but the Slik was more stable. And it has the flip-lock legs which I personally prefer over the twist lock legs, because I can extend or retract it more quickly.

disneyboy2003 · Feb 25, 2010

mom2rtk said:
So...... Can anyone recommend a good way to even START looking for a tripod? The choices just seem overwhelming. Here's what I know:

1) I can't mortgage my house to buy it. I'm thinking under $200.

2) I want something TALL. (Did I say that already?)

3) Not too heavy would be helpful since I'll be carrying it in the park.

4) Not too long when collapsed would be nice too, since I might want to put it in a locker at some point.

So... to recap... something tall, but small... something lightweight, but solid.... something really nice... but cheap.....

When I was reading & doing my research about tripods, that was EXACTLY the compromise that was always mentioned: price, sturdiness, lightweight...pick 2 of 3.

For example:
If you want cheap and sturdy, it won't be lightweight. Look for those classic, old-style wooden tripods.

If you want sturdy and lightweight, it won't be cheap. Look for the carbon-fiber tripods.

If you want cheap and lightweight, it won't be sturdy. Look for the aluminum tripods.

mom2rtk · Feb 25, 2010

zackiedawg said:
I've had very good experience with my Slik Sprint Pro EZ tripod. I use it with a very heavy 500mm lens and it is stable enough, and all my night shots. It is very light, individually adjustable legs, soft padding on legs for comfortable carrying, milled pan/tilt head with single handle control, quick release head, bubble levels, compacts to a nice 19" but can extend to 64.4" or as low as 7", and cost is right around $100.

I've looked at other more pricey pods, but just not worth it for me, and I've looked at some lightweight competitors that some friends use, but the Slik was more stable. And it has the flip-lock legs which I personally prefer over the twist lock legs, because I can extend or retract it more quickly.

Thanks! It sounds right up my alley! And I also love the flip lock legs. I think even if I found everything I wanted in a model but it had twist lock legs, I would pass.

I 64" is tall, Does anyone know if that's the tallest I can expect in this range model?

mom2rtk · Feb 25, 2010

disneyboy2003 said:
When I was reading & doing my research about tripods, that was EXACTLY the compromise that was always mentioned: price, sturdiness, lightweight...pick 2 of 3.

For example:
If you want cheap and sturdy, it won't be lightweight. Look for those classic, old-style wooden tripods.

If you want sturdy and lightweight, it won't be cheap. Look for the carbon-fiber tripods.

If you want cheap and lightweight, it won't be sturdy. Look for the aluminum tripods.

Well, I have to say I'm not surprised. But I'd still love to hear how others made their decisions.

I think I'm going to have to cave on the sturdiness issue since I'm usually standing pretty close by, so aluminum sounds like what I'll have to consider.

zackiedawg · Feb 25, 2010

I've heard of some serious pods that can go over 70", but those are usually Gitzo tripods where the legs are separately purchased and custom heads are used, like ballheads with pistol grips and such, that will add 10-12" just for the head alone. In fact, the Slik tripod I have can have the head replaced - if you wanted to upgrade to a ball head or pistol grip head - those heads sit higher than a standard pan-tilt head and will add 5-7 inches at least to the camera's height. As an over 6' guy, I wanted to have a tripod I could use without stooping down - this one fits the bill, as when extended to maximum length, plus the 4" height of the camera itself, it reaches pretty well right to my eye. Look at adding a taller head to any tripod you get if you want to add some more inches.

And I wouldn't worry too much on the sturdiness - aluminum pods can be plenty sturdy even with the center post raised for standard DSLR use. Really only when you are getting into 300mm F2.8 lenses that weigh over 5Lbs do you get that instability issue, where the weight on top of the tripod is unbalancing and the legs aren't sturdy enough to handle it. I use a DSLR with a 200-500mm lens at full 500mm routinely - it's about a 5 Lb combo - and the tripod is plenty stable...and the less you raise the center post, the more stable it gets (use the center post when you need the height, but you'll find you don't always need maximum height, and without the center post extended the tripod still extends to something like 55").

mom2rtk · Feb 25, 2010

zackiedawg said:
I've heard of some serious pods that can go over 70", but those are usually Gitzo tripods where the legs are separately purchased and custom heads are used, like ballheads with pistol grips and such, that will add 10-12" just for the head alone. In fact, the Slik tripod I have can have the head replaced - if you wanted to upgrade to a ball head or pistol grip head - those heads sit higher than a standard pan-tilt head and will add 5-7 inches at least to the camera's height. As an over 6' guy, I wanted to have a tripod I could use without stooping down - this one fits the bill, as when extended to maximum length, plus the 4" height of the camera itself, it reaches pretty well right to my eye. Look at adding a taller head to any tripod you get if you want to add some more inches.

And I wouldn't worry too much on the sturdiness - aluminum pods can be plenty sturdy even with the center post raised for standard DSLR use. Really only when you are getting into 300mm F2.8 lenses that weigh over 5Lbs do you get that instability issue, where the weight on top of the tripod is unbalancing and the legs aren't sturdy enough to handle it. I use a DSLR with a 200-500mm lens at full 500mm routinely - it's about a 5 Lb combo - and the tripod is plenty stable...and the less you raise the center post, the more stable it gets (use the center post when you need the height, but you'll find you don't always need maximum height, and without the center post extended the tripod still extends to something like 55").

Thanks for the additional idea. I might end up having to go that direction still.

I did decide I should measure the one I have now for comparison. It's a pretty cheap model, but served its time admirable, being toted around Disney on many occasions. But parts on it are plastic, like the handle for cranking up the center post which recently broke off in some REALLY cold weather. Since I need to replace it now, that's why I'm looking at a little better model.

My current model is around 59" fully extended (to the bottom of the platform). I would still like to find a way to get a little higher to get over some heads at Disney if possible.

Any more suggestions out there?

Master Mason · Feb 25, 2010

mom2rtk said:
Well, I have to say I'm not surprised. But I'd still love to hear how others made their decisions.

I think I'm going to have to cave on the sturdiness issue since I'm usually standing pretty close by, so aluminum sounds like what I'll have to consider.

Sturdyness doesn't just give you piece of mind when your camara is on it, if it's not sturdy, it will wobble when in use and that will defeat the purpose of having a tripod in the first place.

I have a Slick Pro 714. It does have twist extentions, but they work probably better than the flips (IMO) it is light, tall, and sturdy and will fit in a locker at Disney. I got a cheap monfrotto ball head for it. Does everything I need and didn't break the bank.

Icemann · Feb 25, 2010

I bought a CF Dolica Proline for under $200 S+H included with ballhead.Hey it works great at the World and with my set-up it's plenty sturdy.Check out their web site.I've seen a RRS tripod with a slide something mount that this guy had it was really nice but cost more then all my camera stuff combined. :rotfl2:

hope this helps good luck

MarkBarbieri · Feb 25, 2010

Under $200? I'm out.

I'll say this, though. You need to think about your compromises. For example, packing smaller means more leg sections. More leg sections mean more work to set up and take down and less stability.

tori.bh3 · Feb 16, 2017

Has anyone used a pistol grip handle? I want to use one to stabilize my camera for video but I'm not sure if they are allowed in Disney Parks. Please help!

saturndb · Feb 18, 2017

I have used a cullman magic 2 tripod, it goes up to 57 inches and with my pistol grip and battery pack on my camera I can get it up to about 63 inches. it folds to under 8 inches as I recall and is lightweight and can hold about 9 pounds of weight. if it is windy this would not be my go to tripod. I have two of these, they no longer make them, but you can find them on eBay or craigslist. I've gotten mine for about 60-70.00 each with ball head that comes with it. i also have a Velbon Ultra LUXi L II, you can find them on eBay. for about 130-150 shipped. Also, a inexpensive tripod alternative is the green pod bean bag, you can place it on the ground or trash can or even a post. You would want to use the self timer or a shutter release cable with this.

So, if you look around you could get a few different use tripods for around 200.00 that can be used for different needs and have varying weight.

link for cullman magic 2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/14703-REG/Cullmann_CU_2722_Magic_2_Tripod.html

link to green pod
https://www.amazon.com/POD-Green-Ca...sr=8-2&keywords=The+Green+Pod+Camera+Platform

saturndb · Feb 18, 2017

tori.bh3 said:
Has anyone used a pistol grip handle? I want to use one to stabilize my camera for video but I'm not sure if they are allowed in Disney Parks. Please help!

I've brought one into the park... at different times I had a smaller one and a larger one... no worries....

KVH · Feb 18, 2017

To the OP, you've gotten some pretty fair advice. But think about this - you'll be CARRYING whatever you buy around a LOT. In the summer, that REALLY sucks. If you don't carry it, why did you buy it? So you feel obligated to drag yet another 4-5 pounds on top of the rest of your gear. Not to mention closed length might be almost 2 feet. Remember that when you are deciding what to buy. Yes, the other factors are important but size and weight is where the rubber really meets the road here.

mom2rtk · Feb 19, 2017

I just realized this is my very own zombie thread. Not to worry, I found a great tripod. I think I might have even updated to a newer version since then. If I recall properly, I went with an earlier version of the luxi-l initially, but eventually had some issues with the twist lock legs, probably after using it in the sand at the beach. Anyway, I loved that tripod so much I replaced it with the luxi-l iii and have been very happy with it since then.

KVH said:
To the OP, you've gotten some pretty fair advice. But think about this - you'll be CARRYING whatever you buy around a LOT. In the summer, that REALLY sucks. If you don't carry it, why did you buy it? So you feel obligated to drag yet another 4-5 pounds on top of the rest of your gear. Not to mention closed length might be almost 2 feet. Remember that when you are deciding what to buy. Yes, the other factors are important but size and weight is where the rubber really meets the road here.

That very much depends on the tripod. My Luxi-l iii is 2.68 pounds and 16.5" long when folded. Regardless, a locker is the way to go for a tripod. You can leave it there all day then get it out when you're ready that night.

boBQuincy · Feb 19, 2017

Think a tripod is sturdy? Attach a laser pointer to the flash shoe, aim the spot at a wall 20' away, and trigger the camera with a remote. Watch how much the spot moves and think about how much the image sensor is moving. Consider that a pixel is less than 1/1000" (much less).
Try it with the center column raised!

Tripod help!

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

zackiedawg

WEDway Peoplemover Rider

disneyboy2003

DIS Veteran

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

zackiedawg

WEDway Peoplemover Rider

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

Master Mason

<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/" targ

Icemann

Dis Vet

MarkBarbieri

Semi-retired

tori.bh3

Mouseketeer

saturndb

I'm Dave and I approved this Post.

saturndb

I'm Dave and I approved this Post.

KVH

DIS Veteran

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

boBQuincy

<font color=green>I am not carrying three pods<br>

Share this page

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

New DISboards Threads

Latest posts