Need a good tripod

I got one from a .99 cent store and as you would guess, the quality isnt that good. :LOL: Any place I can get a good one for a good price?

Also, any specific features I should be looking for when I purchase one?

The old saying still applies to tripods, "keep it steady - make it heavy". Now begins the compromise where you trade weight for portability. Define your needs and adjust accordingly. Remember that you can add as much weight to your tripod as the legs and bracing will allow to make it steadier. My Manfrotto 055 legs have served me well for over 10 years and have never given me reason to replace them for a lighter or heavier design.

Well I really only needed it for my Nikon 5900 digital camera Im getting. I wanted something with a good "leg locking" system. If it came with a QR clip for the cam, that would be cool too. I was looking up a few from Dynatran which dont seem to shabby. I guess Ill keep looking. :)

Dynatran is about as shabby as it gets. They make crappy imitations of successful Bogen/Manfrotto designs.
The quick release is part of the head design of which there are many which developed from the two main designs. One is the 3-way head that allows pan, tilt and vertical shots and the other is the ball head. The ball head relies on one very sturdy axis for steadiness and the 3-way head has three that require locking down to maintain steadiness. The more moving parts you have the less vibration is dampened by the mass.

I came up with a cheap way to get a good tripod (around 4.5' high). Get a cheap-o table tripod and a $15 folding music stand. Take the sheet music "tray" off of the stand, and just use the base and extension tube. Then, zip tie the tripod to the extension tube, and voila, you have yourself a cheap (and reasonably sturdy) tripod!

:?
A music stand? What are you putting on there? Obviously very little weight. By the time you rig up all the jazz to try and save money you could have purchased something decent. Add in how many cameras and lenses you'll replace and the cost of a good tripod isn't too bad. Adorama, B&H, KEH and a few others sell used products. You may wish to check there for a good tripod and save a few bucks. I use a Bogen/Manfrotto system myself. I've had several cheapos, they wear out too quickly and fall apart. Heh....good luck on making your camera stable as well! I don't see where zip ties and a music stand provide much stability. I'd love to see some pictures of that.

It can be a little shakey, but before I decide on dropping some good $ on tripod, it'll do me fine. I end up screwing the tripod onto the camera, and then it'll balance real well on the top of the tube. I know, sounds risky, but for my purposes, it does me good.

If it is shakey, then the tripod is useless as its purpose is for stability.

You can get a pretty decent tripod at Wal-mart for about 30-40 dollars. It's no Bogen, but it is pretty good for its price and has a built-in carry handle, and a quick release plate. I have one and like to use it in situations when I don't want to carry my Bogen.

Velbon makes some very good economical tripods which can be found at some department stores.

The makeshift tripod sounds like way too much trouble.

If you are serious about your craft, hobby, profession, whatever you may call it then invest a few dollars in a tripod. Kix named a few great places and I am sure that your local Super Warehouse store must carry at least one kind, especially if they sell cameras. If not try eBay. I have seen DOZENS on eBay that would probably cost less then a music stand & a folding table.

I think if you were a painter you would buy paintbrushes and not attempt to paint with toothpicks, so why not search out a tripod?

HEy, I'm just getting into photography, and I didn't see the point of investing in a tripod yet! Sheesh! And by shakey, I didn't mean nstable, just a little precarious (I guess that's what I mean...It keeps the camera steady, but it's just not horribly durable, tough, rugged, etc...).

A tripod is essential to photography. It's nearly as important as your lenses are. The tripod aids in your photograph taking to help provide better photos. From experience with cheaper tripods you are wasting your money. You keep buying them and by the time you replace all the cheap ones you've bought you could've easily bought your good one a couple of times.

I have several cheap ones in the attic, including 2 that were promotional gifts that have never been used.

I use a cheap tripod. It holds my flash when I set up as a slave, often to light a background or something.

A tripod is essential to photography. It's nearly as important as your lenses are. The tripod aids in your photograph taking to help provide better photos. From experience with cheaper tripods you are wasting your money. You keep buying them and by the time you replace all the cheap ones you've bought you could've easily bought your good one a couple of times.

Didn't they say they were just getting started in photography?

When I got started in photography, I got my first SLR at a pawnshop, and a flash and tripod I could afford. None of them were the best, but they worked for their purpose. As I was able to afford better equipment, I invested in better equipment. There is nothing wrong with a photographer using what they can afford. If someone cannot afford a really good tripod, should they then not get one at all until they can afford the more expensive tripod?

Of course, It could just be that I am being presumptuous by assuming that they cannot afford the better equipment, and instead, they are just being cheap. :D

I am not talking about being cheap or being able to afford something. I am talking about a craft, a hobby, an art. I doubt that anyone would enter any field without the proper equipment, photography is the same. My first tripod was bought at a garage sale. My second one I spent a month's pay on (I was 17). So it all depends.

My point was this -- if you are going to explore something then do it correctly, you will enjoy the results that much more.

I never said it had to be expensive. But you do want something that will last. Zip-ties and a music stand ain't gonna cut it.

Zip-ties and a music stand will cut it if that's all you've got. I understand that the recommendation is somewhere along the lines of 'where you can, put the most into your equipment that you can and you will reap greater benefits'. However, when someone is starting out, should they not be encouraged to do the best with what they have available to them?

That aside, it is a good point to bring up that there is some inexpensive equipment which looks enticing due to its price, yet, in comparison to a more durable piece of equipment, the price can often be more considering breakdowns and replacements. There is also the fact that many of us have been enticed by cheap equipment to have only purchased the better equipment anyway due to our disappointment.

I would also like to hear the definition of 'proper equipment' and how to 'do it correctly'.

For any beginner in photography, I offer this little thing I wrote: You Are A Photographer (http://www.porters.com/message_board/index.php?a=topic&t=37)

Try 7dayshop.com they have a special offer on at the moment - a £39 tripod selling for £13.99 for a limited period - and it looks the business........

For £13.99 you can go wrong - if you hate it sell it on E-bay! maybe at a profit

THank you, Menard. Very eloquently stated. That's just what we needed to shut these people up. My "tripod" is what I could afford, I rarely use it, and I'm still experimenting with how much I like photography. If I decide to really pursue ti, then I'll drop a little cash and get some "better" equipment.

That's just what we needed to shut these people up

:roll:
If you don't want suggestions or opinions of others, then don't ask.

Dear Lord, some of you are just too much. I personally don't care what you use, I just think that rigging up a system isn't worth the expense when you can run to WalMart and get one for $15.99US.

And Menard, I NEVER said that you aren't a photographer if you don't own the proper equipment.

It is funny because I constantly try to help anyone who needs it. From software to giving my time to using my equipment, I never turn anyone away. I guess people are just looking for pats on the back whether it is deserving or not.

Take your craft, hobby, profession, whatevver you want to call it and do the very best you can with what you have. But lose the attitudes, you'll get further in life.

I have to realize that people don't want advice, just an "attaboy, you done good." I think that is sad.

THank you, Menard. Very eloquently stated. That's just what we needed to shut these people up. My "tripod" is what I could afford, I rarely use it, and I'm still experimenting with how much I like photography. If I decide to really pursue ti, then I'll drop a little cash and get some "better" equipment.

I wasn't trying to shut anybody up, as some very good perspectives have been given from some very knowledgeable photographers from whom you can learn quite a bit. I was just giving some encouragement which seemed to be squelched among a flurry of opinion, but certainly not of any intent by anybody.

As with any advice, use that which is applicable to your present situation, yet, keep that with you for which you may not presently have a need, as there will be a time in which you will.

When asking for advice, keep in mind that often opinion comes with that, and opinion can often be not well stated. However, don't let that stop you from asking for advice or you will never get any.

Dear Lord, some of you are just too much. I personally don't care what you use, I just think that rigging up a system isn't worth the expense when you can run to WalMart and get one for $15.99US.

And Menard, I NEVER said that you aren't a photographer if you don't own the proper equipment.

It is funny because I constantly try to help anyone who needs it. From software to giving my time to using my equipment, I never turn anyone away. I guess people are just looking for pats on the back whether it is deserving or not.

Take your craft, hobby, profession, whatevver you want to call it and do the very best you can with what you have. But lose the attitudes, you'll get further in life.

I have to realize that people don't want advice, just an "attaboy, you done good." I think that is sad.

Cleo makes some very good points (minus the line 'Dear Lord, some of you are just too much').

A particularly good point is about losing the attitude. If anything will stand in the way of learning, having a preconceived idea about one's capabilities, either about ourselves or those offering advice, will stand in the way of us being able to absorb knowledge.