Tripod Recommendations

[cjscrofani]

I'm looking to buy a tripod for my Canon Rebel T2i.

Price Range: $100-200

What should I get?

 

[gnd]

For starters, to quote Thom Hogan:

I can save you at least US$700: just buy the right stuff the first time.

 

[VirtualRain]

I just purchased a solid (and heavy) Vanguard Alta Pro for $200 with ball head that stays in the trunk of my car. I use a lighter smaller Giottos tripod for travel.

Vanguard make a variety of tripods using CF or Aluminum legs, in 3 or 4 sections, and some VERY nice ball heads, at excellent prices (great value!).

They are very well designed with nice features and extremely sturdy.

I highly recommend you check them out before making a purchase decision...
http://www.vanguardworld.com/

 

[MattSepeta]

Manfrotto

Manfrotto 55XPROB for $140:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055XPROB-Tripod-Legs-Black/dp/B000UMX7FI

PLUS

Manfrotto 496RC2 for $60:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-496...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298919820&sr=1-1

This is my setup and it holds my Gripped 5DII + 70-200f/2.8L IS rock steady (Using tripod foot on lens).

Lightweight, flexible. The ability to swing the tripod center column horizontally has been VERY helpful.

 

[fcortese]

Manfrotto 55XPROB for $140:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055XPROB-Tripod-Legs-Black/dp/B000UMX7FI

PLUS

Manfrotto 496RC2 for $60:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-496...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298919820&sr=1-1

This is my setup and it holds my Gripped 5DII + 70-200f/2.8L IS rock steady (Using tripod foot on lens).

Lightweight, flexible. The ability to swing the tripod center column horizontally has been VERY helpful.

I have the same Manfrotto tripod. It's rock solid has to option of the center post to slide sideways.

 

[cjscrofani]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

 

[JDDavis]

Manfrotto 55XPROB for $140:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055XPROB-Tripod-Legs-Black/dp/B000UMX7FI

PLUS

Manfrotto 496RC2 for $60:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-496...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298919820&sr=1-1

This is my setup and it holds my Gripped 5DII + 70-200f/2.8L IS rock steady (Using tripod foot on lens).

Lightweight, flexible. The ability to swing the tripod center column horizontally has been VERY helpful.

I use the 55XPROB as well and am very happy with it. I use the 322RC2 Joystick Head on it and am also very pleased with how solid it is and how easy it is to use.

 

[TheDrift-]

Another vote for the 55xprob, heavy but otherwise really goof.

Cant remember where I read it (might have been on these forums somewhere) but someone came out with a great quote about the..

'law of tripods'
Sturdy
Lightweight
Inexpensive

You can only have 2, the 55xprob is sturdy and inexpensive, your looking at round 3 times the cost for a carbon fibre one, of the same quality

 

[Ish]

This is where I remember reading it: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/847990/

Post no. 22 by ChrisA. I was reading that thread the other night.