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needing an inexpensive tripod


13 years 6 months ago #3780 by samantha646
I really like playing around with zoomed in macro photos with my Tamron lens but I am finding my unsteady hands are causing the pictures to come out blurry. Is there any point in buying a cheap "starter" tripod just while I'm learning and having a play around still? I really don't know what I'm looking for with regards features, etc. It would have to be relatively portable and price-wise it would absolutely have to be under $80 and preferably under $48! I don't want something which is going to break after one use either.
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13 years 6 months ago #4114 by The Gardener

samantha646 wrote: I really like playing around with zoomed in macro photos with my Tamron lens but I am finding my unsteady hands are causing the pictures to come out blurry. Is there any point in buying a cheap "starter" tripod just while I'm learning and having a play around still? I really don't know what I'm looking for with regards features, etc. It would have to be relatively portable and price-wise it would absolutely have to be under $80 and preferably under $48! I don't want something which is going to break after one use either.


A tripod is one of those things that I wouldn't go cheap, but a good one and it will last you for years.
Photo Comments
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13 years 6 months ago #4799 by jmk-nbsc
Hi Samatha:
I have a couple of cheap & lite tripods, & I am already looking around for something a lot better. On a recent field trip tha leg support on one of them broke as I was setting up with my 70-200 f2.8 lens. I didn't break anything else but the bracket & lock for the leg, but it would have been a disaster otherwise. In all fairness this was a real inexpensive tripod that I've had for a long time, & my camera & lens are quite heavy. I think that one in the upper price range you are thinking about should suffice for most users.

jim
jmk-nbsc
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13 years 6 months ago #4819 by Screamin Scott
Don't go cheap, you will regret it in the long run. I shoot a lot of macro & I can tell you from experience, that tripods in the field are a pain. They are OK for static subjects, but for bugs & other small mobile critters, by the time you get it set up , they have moved on. Better to use a flash for lighting in some cases as it allows you to use a smaller aperture, thus maximizing your DOF & the flash will also stop any movement ,either on your part or your subjects part.
Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/
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13 years 6 months ago #4848 by bhowdy
Samantha - We all understand wanting an inexpensive tripod to start with, most of us have "been there and done that". However you have been given excellent advice on not buying a cheap tripod ... you will regret the decision and if you stay with the photography hobby in time you will buy a good tripod.

I like my Manfrotto 190XB for macro and landscape photography. The center column will flip around and rotate to different positions (90 degrees, etc) which is handy for macro shots.
Amazon Listing

I would also look through the KEH listing of tripods and complete "kits". They are very helpful and you can call and ask questions about specific items that they have for sale.
KEH Tripods
Bob Howdeshell

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera" ~ Lewis Hine
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13 years 6 months ago #5028 by April77
Hi, I hope it's ok to post my question here. I need a tripod also. Don't want to go with the cheapest, but something that will last me. What do you guys recommend?
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