Looking for tripod??

[Meyer8043]

Anyone have any suggestions for a good tripod for a digital slr under $100. Looking to get one for my wife for Christmas Thanks

[Steve Foss]

If you go a tad over $100 (about $125) you can get a Manfrotto 7302YB (replaces the 725B), which has an integral ballhead (mighty handy) a quick-release plate (mighty handy II) and will support about 8 pounds of gear in rock solid fashion. It's black aluminum, quite light, and the legs have the flip-locks, which are easier for most to extend than the twist-locks. It also collapses up nice and short.

Any of the big online photography retailers like B&H Photo Video, Canoga Camera or Adorama will have them in stock. Not sure about the other retailers, but Canoga has an instant $10 rebate, so it's $115.

I used a predecessor of this tripod for several years in all conditions, and it is a great value for the money. I paid $112 for mine five years ago, so prices have hardly gone up at all.

[MN Shutterbug]

How about just a ball head? I have a good Bogen tripod, many years old, but it has a video head on it so it only pans, doesn't tilt. In a former life, I was more a videographer than a photographer.

[Steve Foss]

Manfrotto 486RC2, with quick-release plate included.

[Birdsong]

I'm glad Meyer8043 asked the question. I would agree on the flip-locks, so your suggestion sounds good. I hate the twist locks on my monopod. My question is, is the quick release plate on the integral ball head compatible with the quick release plate on the Manfrotto 486RC2--which I bought and like after doing a search for recommendations on this site last year? I would like not to have to switch the plate on the camera in order to move from mono to tri-pod.

[Jim Almquist]

Sarah they both use the 200PL-14 quick release plate. I went on B & H's HSOforum and looked up the 730Yb tripod and then checked the 486RC2 ballhead and they use the same one so you would be good to go.

[Meyer8043]

It has 2 different types one with a ball head and one with a 3 way head which is better

[mmeyer]

Mike, if you want a great ball head, you can't go wrong with the Bogen/Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head. It can be configured different ways and it really gives a ton of control when panning with a heavy lens.

[Birdsong]

Thank you jimalm!!! I suppose I could have figured that out, couldn't I? Well, I didn't--it was all Greek.

[Jim Almquist]

Thank you jimalm!!! I suppose I could have figured that out, couldn't I? Well, I didn't--it was all Greek.

Your Welcome

I have a lot more time on my hands so anything to keep busy.

[Steve Foss]

Meyer, the ballhead is easier and faster to use than the 3-way (called a pan/tilt) head. With the ballhead, all you have to do is loosen or tighten one lever to get the full range of action.

[ricerdude69]

+1 on the 322rc, that is one awesome head