[onlythefly]

Well every one must have there favourite tripod. I am blown away by the price range of these things. In some of my reading it’s been said that this is the second most important thing in photography next to the lens. I don’t know if I agree or not, but I’m not in a place to make that judgment. If this is true can some of you please make some suggestions as to which one to get? Keeping in mind I like the idea of a ball head, and I don’t want to take a loan out for this thing.
Thanks

[dabhand16]

I use a Slik 88 that I've had for years. The Manfrotto RC322 (I think) ball head is probably going to be my next purchase. It will fit on any tripod with the right size thread, but the manfrotto B190 seems to be highly recommended by most people.

[P-E]

Believe me I have wasted for too much money buying tripods that just aren't up to the job .......choosing to ignore senior photography's advice.

Even when I got a Manfrotto 055PRO I soon found out this was too heavy to cart around all day up and down hillls.

In the end I decided enough was enough and bought a Gitzo Basalt G1298 + a ball head although I also purchased a pan & tilt for when I attempt landscapes

[stepheno]

Manfrotto 458B Neotec with a 322RC2 Ball Head - highly recommended.

[Markulous]

I went the Cullmann route and have a variety of ex-eBay tripods. Lost my smallest but most versatile, a Cullmann Macro, so looked for something specific to my uses (macro and landscape with hiking thrown in!) and so arrived at what I currently grabbed off eBay: Benbo Trekker with standard ball head

Must admit that it's easier it gets the closer the tripod specs come to the camera's weight and use but managed to always get shots, whatever the tripod I used (would just take a bit longer to set up). Was out with fellow 'tog who was using a Slik and joystick head - very quick to set up shots but weighed a ton!

[sejanus]

For lightness, I have a Velbon Super Chaser, which can be carried all day without strain and will support a Hasselblad comfortably. For maximum stability, plus the ultimate in flexibility, I have Benbo Standard with a Manfroto #200 video head.

Works for me

[ChrisRabior]

I found that I needed a tripod to get the results I wanted from some landscape and nature type shots. It's also a wonderful piece when you don't want to carry your camera, like for a sporting event.

I have a manfrotto 679B monopod w/ 3229 head, and a 3021BPRO tripod with the 804RC2 pan/tilt head. Bought both because they were sturdy, and had some weight to them. The light tripods are awesome to carry, but horrible if it's windy. I like the heavier units simply because they're so hard to shake. My tripod allows me to place the camera underneath the three legs, and it allows the tripod to be used as a boom (the neck can pull out and be inserted horizontally, allowing you to shoot straight down).

Get something heavy enough to not get blown around in the wind. You can also opt for a lighter tripod that has a hook for a sandbag, and weight the unit that way instead.

The big thing to remember is that you should get whatever you need to hold the most advanced lens you plan on buying. Mine currently only has to hold a max weight of the 75-300mm canon lens and a 28-75mm tamron lens, but I purchased it with the eventual aim of a 28-300mm L series, and the 70-200mm L series lenses. Best to get what you need right from the beginning so you don't have to spend money on another one later on.

[Charlotte]

Originally Posted by stepheno

Manfrotto 458B Neotec with a 322RC2 Ball Head - highly recommended.

Ditto