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I'm looking for the best quality complete tripod for around $100 for my 30D.

Any suggestions?

How 'bout this one?

www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=32140&BCPID=1595

Thanks!

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I'm using a Slik Pro 340DX. It's not too heavy, yet very strong. It has vertical and horizontal tilts. It also fits in most of my suitcase, and it has the option for a short centre column if you want to do really low shots. The legs also flip out at various angles which is great for macro photography. And it doesn't need extra heads - at least not yet. And it's also in the right price range...

http://www1.shopping.com/xPF-Slik-S...R-www.google.ca

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Suzan...
www.photoswithfinesse.com

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I'm also looking for a tripod, but one for sightseeing so it needs to be as light and compact as possible to fit in my backpack. I realize you sacrifice build quality when you want light weight so I'm looking for the best compromise here.

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I have three Slik's in my collection of tripods. My U212 which is still being sold after all these years, I retrofitted with a new ball head which is worlds better than the original pan tilt head. The only thing I don't like is the fact that I can't remove the center column which would allow me to really get close to the ground as Suzan's allows.

I also have a Slik Traveller which is a great lightweight tripod, but it won't support a Canon 20D even though I used it while vacationing in Hawaii and worked out pretty well, but I had to be very careful as the Canon 20D makes it extremely top heavy. I also have a Slik table top model for shooting with my Canon Powershot G3. I have one other tripod, which is a Majestic tripod with gearhead, but that one is extremely heavy as it was manufactured to hold a 4x5 monorail view camera.

I hope this information helps you decide. There are many models out there, so do the research before you take the plunge. Good luck!

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Anybody tried this one:

www.adorama.com/BGNGTT1.html (sorry no direct link; I have less than 15 posts)

Bogen Manfretto, less than 2 lbs! Susan's seems nice but tips the scales at 3.5 lbs. I saw a carbon fiber one on the site but $600! And it came in just above 2 lbs.

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I ended up buying this one by Sunpak because it folds down to 13.6 inches and weighs 1.6 lbs. I like the leg design as there are no bulky leg locks. I need to fit this tripod in a daypack. It should be adequate for my small DSC-V1 camera. I'm not biting on a Canon or Nikon DSLR unless they come up with in-body stabilization.

www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5711&A=details&Q=&sku=366413&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

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I own a Hakuba
Its very sturdy, carbon fibor and is light.
Its just under 4lbs which to me is just fine.
I wouldnt want a 1lb tripod holding my equipment that I paid $2000 for.

It lets you get low to the ground.
Also the legs are covered in a spongy type material which is great when you are using it in very cold weather because a lot of times you might take your goves off temporarily to toake a picture and if you touch your metal tripod legs in icy cold weather, your hands can stick to the metal.
The foam prevents that.
I think its very well made.
I've been using mine since Aug 2004.

This was another suggestion by the same friend that suggested the Novoflex miniconnect.
He kept buying tripods and eventually finding things that it didnt do then would go out and search for another eventually buying the Hakuba.
So he told my husband and I all that he learned from all the mistake purchases which helped us make a more informed decision on lots of my camera equipment.


http://www.adorama.com/HAHG503MX.ht...a&item_no=2

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Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

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One other technique for making your own foam legs (if the models you are interested in don't have them) is to take foam pipe insulation (very cheap), cut it down to fit and duct tape it around your tripods legs. (Not completely elegant, but very effective.)

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Suzan...
www.photoswithfinesse.com

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I use a Velbron Sherpa 250R which I find sturdy enough (I wasn't up to paying the higher prices for the Manfrotto) and at just over 1 kg. quite portable. I have carried it in its convenient carry case on public transport (buses and trains) without much trouble.

And the night shots I've posted in this week's contest have been taken using it.

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Don't forget to look at used tripods and heads.

Keep in mind, many photogs rate in order of importance:

1) The glass you use
2) Tripod/Head
3) Camera Body....

Carolyn

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