Tripod for under $200?

[IBIubbleTea]

Just wondering if there are any good tripods for under $200, I plan on doing video work and photography with a D7100 or maybe even a D7200 when it comes out, Also would I need to buy a separate head? Sorry if this isn't enough info as I'm new to photography.

[Quest]

I use this one.

[DoubleY]

I use this one.

I think he wants something a little more sturdy... 

[Dredgy]

For filming, if it's just sitting in one spot, it really isn't *that* important. I use a $10 one that mounts my camera, and a $60 Inca Pro for other accessories -. The only reason you'll need a special head for basic video work is if you want to mount more than one thing to the tripod and have a whole rig thing going. You don't need to be spending anywhere near $200.

[Quest]

I think he wants something a little more sturdy... 

I have 5lb weights that I tie to the feet if need be. I do both film and photo, works for me

[IBIubbleTea]

For filming, if it's just sitting in one spot, it really isn't *that* important. I use a $10 one that mounts my camera, and a $60 Inca Pro for other accessories -. The only reason you'll need a special head for basic video work is if you want to mount more than one thing to the tripod and have a whole rig thing going. You don't need to be spending anywhere near $200.

welp, I just want something that will last me, That doesn't feel cheap. I will be doing panning to in video soo and soon more advance stuff.. Something that is sturdy. 

[IBIubbleTea]

I think he wants something a little more sturdy... 

Do you have any recommendations? 

[DoubleY]

Do you have any recommendations? 

I have something similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-VGR9265-M2N-5-Section-Aluminum-Ballhead/dp/B00IFE51BG/ref=sr_1_161?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1404353941&sr=1-161&keywords=camera+tripod

[IBIubbleTea]

I have something similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-VGR9265-M2N-5-Section-Aluminum-Ballhead/dp/B00IFE51BG/ref=sr_1_161?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1404353941&sr=1-161&keywords=camera+tripod

Stupid question but just wondering but how would I do the panning, it doesn't seem to have that handle..  

[DoubleY]

Stupid question but just wondering but how would I do the panning, it doesn't seem to have that handle..  

It uses a different method of swiveling. You'll figure it out by messing with all of the dials  

[IBIubbleTea]

Any other suggestions? 

[Torand]

I personally use this:

 

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-mefoto-roadtrip-a1350q1t-tripod-titanium/p1537719

 

http://www.mefoto.com/products/roadtrip.aspx

 

It's bloody brilliant for the price, highly recommended across the photog community.

 

MeFoto are owned by the same parent group (MACGroup) as Benro (who are competition for Manfrotto) and you can certainly see it in the quality of the MeFoto stuff.

 

One of the reason I chose it over the equivalent Manfrotto was the fact that you can take the centre out and attach it to the foam handled leg (which un-screws) to create a monopod. The tripod and monopod are nice and tall, but retains sturdy at all heights, the tripod folds into itself for compact storage, also comes with a padded carry case (which has internal pockets for things as well, which I have found uses for already, lol) and the legs can be placed in any angle. To top that all off, 5 year warranty.

 

A real versatile, resilient, light, tough and sturdy little thing. 

 

Only gripe with it is the quick release mechanism, for the calibre of tripod that it is, the plate design they use isn't very, well, quick. It grips well when its in, but its not exactly the easiest thing to use, so I may at some point upgrade the head. But for my usage, its fine for now, just irritating.

 

You may spend a little more, but if you are like me, I invest in products that will last. From the design and build, I can certainly see this lasting me a long time and was well worth the investment.

 

Hope that helps!

[IBIubbleTea]

I personally use this:

 

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-mefoto-roadtrip-a1350q1t-tripod-titanium/p1537719

 

http://www.mefoto.com/products/roadtrip.aspx

 

It's bloody brilliant for the price, highly recommended across the photog community.

 

MeFoto are owned by the same parent group (MACGroup) as Benro (who are competition for Manfrotto) and you can certainly see it in the quality of the MeFoto stuff.

 

One of the reason I chose it over the equivalent Manfrotto was the fact that you can take the centre out and attach it to the foam handled leg (which un-screws) to create a monopod. The tripod and monopod are nice and tall, but retains sturdy at all heights, the tripod folds into itself for compact storage, also comes with a padded carry case (which has internal pockets for things as well, which I have found uses for already, lol) and the legs can be placed in any angle. To top that all off, 5 year warranty.

 

A real versatile, resilient, light, tough and sturdy little thing. 

 

Only gripe with it is the quick release mechanism, for the calibre of tripod that it is, the plate design they use isn't very, well, quick. It grips well when its in, but its not exactly the easiest thing to use, so I may at some point upgrade the head. But for my usage, its fine for now, just irritating.

 

You may spend a little more, but if you are like me, I invest in products that will last. From the design and build, I can certainly see this lasting me a long time and was well worth the investment.

 

Hope that helps!

It seems to be a pretty good tripod, Thanks!

I might just be the noob but how do I do video work with it, Like panning and such. I really dont get the controls

[Torand]

It seems to be a pretty good tripod, Thanks!

I might just be the noob but how do I do video work with it, Like panning and such. I really dont get the controls

 

Ah, this is more a photography tripod, thus the ball head. 

 

It might be worth picking up a "pan and tilt head" (in which are for video) if you would like that. Although for panning on that tripod, you can lock in the ball and pan using the angle adjuster, its really smooth as it is a fluid mount, you just don't have a handle.

 

For a pan and tilt, one of these:

 

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-391rc2-head/p1031027

 

You simply un-screw the current head and screw that one on. Most/nearly all tripods support interchangeable heads (unless its a really cheap one) and 3/8" mount (screw) is mainly an industry standard, you get the rare ones that need a step up/down thread converter, but it is very rare.

 

You should then be good for photo and video. You can also just swap the heads around depending on what you want to be doing as well, nice to have the options.

 

[Harryejp]

For video i would recommend a tripod kit with a fluid head. The Davis and Sanford tripod kits with the fm18 heads in the 150 to 200 dollar range are durable and would be something to consider.