Need help picking tripod

just picked up this tripod:
http://www.shopxscargo.com/product_c...ry=Accessories
$19.77 as listed on the site. Not bad, but definitely a cheap one. I can definitely see the crank breaking off, so I'm going to see if theres a way I can buy a different metal crank or something stronger at least.

 

Heres the tripod:

And, I really want to figure out a way to strengthen this crank or find a stronger one. It's held in by a pin so I may be able to find something else.

 

I use this tripod: BlacksPhoto - Product (Giottos VT-809 Tripod)

If you wait, Blacks puts it on for $29.99 every once in a while. I purchased one but it was run over by a car. Thankfully the next day, it went on sale again! I liked it so much that I went and grabbed the same one! Very sturdy and has nice feet at the bottom.

 

That looks almost identical to the one i have. Mine was only $19.77 canadian. Any ideas for strengthening the crank?

 

Congrats xfactor...can't wait to see some of your shots using your new tripod.

A bit off-topic, but does anyone know if a head made for videocams will also work well for dslr's? I suspect the D90 paved the way for combi still photo/video, so it would be nice to invest in a "hybrid tripod" if you will.

 

Well, the tripod just took a sh*t on me. The head part stripped and is loose. I wasn't hard on it at all... I guess I'll order the one liverbomb suggested. That or go with one of the ones from london drugs.

 

Work yes, work correctly no unless you use really heavy lenses. The balance on even an ENG head will be for much heavier equipment. Also video heads typically attach via a "plate" which will not only be too big, the threads are different so you would need to source a different screw for a DSLR. Video heads are designed to move, a head for a still camera is designed to lock in place. A video head has more adjustments for drag to control pan and tilt and unless you buy a specialty head will seldom gimble. A head for a still camera usually has a much greater range of motion but no control for moving smoothly from one position to another.

EDIT: I suppose you could buy one tripod and two heads, but then you would likely end up with a really heavy tripod for still work and a under weight tripod for video work (that might make you reconsider walking further than arms length away from your video camera).

 

Well the tripod I got I use for both video and taking pictures, it works quite well. I haven't used too many tripods my self but I would assume that what ever tripod you purchase should be able to do both video and pictres but that's just my guess.

 

I own, and quite like, one of these:

Tiltall | ST01 Tripod with Head (Silver) | STO1 | B&H Photo Video

I bought it at a local camera store, the kind of place where the whole staff is photographers. When I gave them the ~100 budget, they all unanimously said "buy a Tiltall."

It's super stable and will go to basically as tall as me! Easy to adjust too. If it's something you plan to carry around a lot on foot though, look elsewhere. It's not the lightest one in the world (but for its size, IMO, not unreasonable).

 

I'm really confused on what to do now. I was really counting on this $19 tripod to work for me, but it's already stripped two parts now. I'm definitely returning it. I'm probably going to end up paying atleast $30+ for a tripod. That money could be used for detailing supplies as well. I really don't know which route to go. If I buy a tripod, it would be the Velbon (#2) I listed in the first post. If I don't buy it, that money could be used on detailing supplies. UGH

 

This is just my opinion, but I would encourage a purchase of a quality tripod, a good quality tripod will last you a life time. I got this advice from a co-worker who's a photographer on weekends. Sure it may cost a bit but just think of the long term, you've already seen what a cheap tripod will do for you...but just my opinion.

 

If you are earning money from detailing, then it makes sense to me to buy supplies first and postpone your purchase of a tripod temporarily. I don't have as much experience with tripods as others who have posted on this thread already, but it seems that you get what you pay for -- you just need to find the sweet spot in price vs quality.

 

The Velbon DF50 is still a cheap tripod, but when I looked at it. It felt a lot better than the one I bought and will soon be returning. I read some mixed reviews and some say it's durable and others say flimsy. I'm just a point and shooter so nothing special. I think I may just end up buying the Velbon. It should work for me. And from now until I order all my detailing stuff, I need to start saving!

 

Funny thing is, none of that is happening. I'm doing all the detailing for my family. Why, because I guess I'm crazy. Even though I don't even own a car, nobody else in my family really has a passion for cars. But I do enjoy detailing so I get some help the odd time with buying products but when I order my makita and pads and all. That would be my money. I'm only 16 and I dont make much from working so I cant say that I need one more than the other which makes this more confusing to me than it really is. I can probably afford to get the tripod but I'll just have to watch what I spend.

 

I hope tripod manufacturers understand that demand for hybrid heads will increase as newer dslr models beyond the D90 come to market. The ability to shoot video at 720p or 1080p with a dslr and all of the corresponding lenses will provide incredible artistic avenues.

 

While I can see some crossover, the basic uses of a video and still camera head are fundamentally different. The video head is designed for repeatable fluid movement with drag controlled tilt and pan adjustment


For still work maximum flexibility to position the camera is most important


While I can see using the same tripod, it would be difficult at best to use a still camera head for video and a video fluid head is a heavy solution that is limited in movement for still work.

At least that is what I have found.

 

Alright, I've narrowed it down to two tripods. The Velbon DF-50, and a Vista Explorer. They're both around the same price and I may end up buying online. My friend whose into photography says go for the velbon because of the brand, but the review on amazon say Vista Explorer. Need help narrowing it down. Any help would be great!

Vista Explorer:
Amazon.com: Vista Explorer 60" Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag: Camera & Photo

Velbon DF-50:
Amazon.com: Velbon DF-50 Deluxe Dual-Function Tripod with 3-Way Fluid Pan Head: Camera & Photo

Brendan

 

i know im pul;ling up a post from page 2 but i was going to recomend them as well. I have a manfroto tripid and absolutly love it, its not heavy, it is very stable and the head moves easly but no to easily. i would def recomend them

 

Thing is, I'd love to buy one of those, but a low end one is around $120. I could get a rotary for that price almost. That and thats more than my camera.

 

you can find them for cheaper. here is one at vistek (so 10X's what it should cost) for under 100

Manfrotto 785SHB Modo Mini Photo-Video Grip Head Tripod Consumer Tripods 20785SHB Bogen - Vistek Canada Product Detail

Here is the tripod i have, i picked it up for 100bucks at blacks.

Manfrotto 718B Digi-Mini 3-Way - Black Consumer Tripods 20718B Bogen - Vistek Canada Product Specs

i absolutly love it. im not saying manfroto is the only brand but i have one and love it, i have no hesitation in recomending one to theres :shrug: