What is a reliable and sturdy Tripod for a beginning photographer?

Question

I bought a Canon Rebel XSi with the Kit lens and I took it out to a park late at night to take some pictures of a river with a long shutter speed. The first pictures I took turned out a bit shaky so I enabled the Mirror Lockup thinking that this is what was causing the shake. After this I realized that it was the tripod that was slowly sagging down. Do you have any suggestions for a tripod that would remain steady for these long-exposure shots?

Answer 1

well, the tripod i use now cost about $120, and the head cost another 35 or 40 bucks, promaster system pro 2 is the name of it.  for the money i spent it's a good tripod, heavy sturdy and it doesn't drop or sag or shake in the wind...i could have spent more for something better i think, i suspect some plastic internal parts and eventually i will have some problems with it. but it is so much better than anything that can be bought a wallmart or the likes and yes it costs more. but you get what you pay for. go to a camera/photography store (i bought mine at wolf camera in topeka)

Answer 2

Go with a trusted brand. Don't buy something from wal-mart that was made in china.  I got a Bogen Manfrotto based on photography instructors' recommendations. It's been doing great going on ten years now. The one I have is model #3046. You will not have a problem of slowly sagging down with this tripod.

Answer 3

Manfrotto, Velbon, Slik, Gitzo, Giottos, Benbo are all good choices. Plan to spend 25 to 30% as much as you spent for your camera and lens to get a good tripod and head.

Choosing the head (usually sold separately) depends on what you shoot. For sports/action, a ball head might be a better choice. For nature and scenics a 3-way tilt/pan head would be a good choice.

Make sure the tripod "fits" you - if you're 6' tall and the tripod only extends to 5' you'll quickly tire of stooping over to use it. Don't listen to anyone who suggests extending the center column more than an inch or two. Why? Because doing so creates what is called a "moment arm". A 4 or 5 pound weight (camera and lens) sitting atop a thin column becomes unstable. Think of a heavy door on stiff hinges. Trying to push it open close to the hinges is difficult. The farther away from the hinges, the easier it is to push the door open. The slightest breeze can cause your camera and lens to sway if the center column is fully extended. Just moving the camera will cause vibration. So keep that center column retracted.

Remember, quality doesn't cost, it pays. A cheap tripod will be replaced much sooner than a quality one.

If you're seriously into night/low-light photography, you might find the FotoSharp (http://www.fotosharp.com) Day & Night Exposure Guide useful.