which tripod for a digital SLR?

[Yinger]

while i'm waiting for my xti to arrive, I've been browsing around for a good tripod. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good tripod for a decent price. Also, do you guys recommend a monopod or a tripod? thanks for the help.

 

[faded1004]

just make sure you get one from a good popular company. i shopped around alot for one. replacements parts availability and stuff is always a good feature.

i got a velbon dry carbon one... here is the link to mine... i have the 540 one...

http://www.velbon-tripod.com/sherpa_pro01.htm

anwyays, make sure you look at how much your tripod can carry. i had to make sure it would handle my 10d, "L" series lens, and 550ex flash... cause it can get heavy. i feel like the twist tighten legs are more safe and durable then the clips ones.

i use my tripod as a mono pod everyonce in a while. hahaha... kidna weird but it works. been hiking, traveling, and a tripod that is light is worth the money for me. look at portability if you need it..

try going to calumet photo cause they have alot of tripods there. also you can rent them if you want to try them out. it is good to try them out for a day. i rented lenses there before i bought them and it was very helpful... i didn't buy my stuff there but they got good stock and stuff. kinda like a best buy where you get to play with the stuff...

i didn't get an expensive pan head, i got the velbon PHD-41Q, and it is very easy to maneuver. has a quick release and stil sit stable with the quick release on the bottom, well not with a heavy lens...

haven't had any problems with my velbon, so i woudl totally recommend it...

 

[cthetoy]

It depends on what you are going to use the tripod mostly. I got the Slik Sprint Pro because I dont want to lug a heavy tripod with me during travel and dont want to spend $$$ a for carbon fiber tripod. First the Slik Sprint Pro weighs less than 2 pounds INCLUDING the ballhead. Also an important feature is that this ballhead is removable and you could switch it out with a better ballhead to support heavier lens. With this tripod and a Bogen 486 ballhead it supports my 70-200L lens.
This tripod fits in my backpack as well if I remove the ballhead.

Lastly its only $79 including the Slik ballhead. Amazon carries them
http://www.amazon.com/Slik-SPRINT-Travel-Tripod-Ball/dp/B00009R6QP

 

[faded1004]

yea totally... try to look for a tripod you can get your own pan ball head. it will help you while your photography grows. you can get a simple one and as you learn buy a new one if needed...

 

[Yinger]

thanks guys. lots of good information. Didn't know there was so much to look into for a tripod haha. I went to bestbuy today and almost bought the sunpak platinumplus tripod/monopod, but it was a little on the heavy side i think. but then again, I'm not sure if I'll be lugging it around anywhere, but I guess its always good to have options.

 

[jokercykoe]

I second the Slik if you don't want to dish out the cash for Bogen/Manfrotto. Great tripods for the price.