Used Photo Tripods

[firestorm]

It seems there's a good number of photographers on here, as well as many budget minded folks that share my desire to find good products for low cost.

I really killed my photography budget in the spring when I bought my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, so I resigned myself to going without a good tripod for a while longer.  That is, until I came across an ad on Craigslist.  Bogen/Manfrotto 3011 legs with a Bogen 3029 (Manfrotto 141) pan head for $75.  Supposedly in excellent condition.  Anybody have any thoughts on this.  It seems worth it, even without a quick release.  Adorama has a used set of the same legs and head for $89.

I wasn't really looking to buy one now, especially since I rarely wish I had one.  But when I do need one, I hate using my cheap freebie tripods.  It's not everyday that Pro tripods appear on Craigslist either.

[mike]

I've no idea what the going rate for a second-hand tripod would be, but that's a reasonable set of legs. Not so sure about the head (I prefer ball-heads myself), but it'll add up to a reasonable tripod - better by far than anything cheap and flimsy.

It is rumoured to be quite heavy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - tripods are tricky to carry whether they're heavy or light. You might start getting close to the maximum load limit with some of the more extreme lens options out there - for instance a Canon 600mm with a heavyweight camera may be a little too close to the maximum load.

[instantkamera]

ditch the head, get a ball.

[Rajagra]

Yes. A good ball head is awesome. One that takes Arca Swiss compatible mounting plates. I have a Markins myself.

[firestorm]

I might pick it up, just as a good starter set.  I think I'd even be happy with the legs, at least when not traveling (i.e. vacation.)  I would definitely upgrade the head at some point.  Weight wouldn't be an issue right now.  My heaviest combo would be my Rebel XT (350D), Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, with my 430EX II flash.  I believe that's about 5-6 lbs.

On the other hand, I may wait.  There was a Benro Travel Angel TRA269 set on Craiglist last night for $125.  That had a ball head, folds down into a smaller package, and supports considerably more weight.

"Budget minded" is relative here.  I meant more in terms of finding the best deal, not going cheap.  FWIW, I have always planned to spend at least $300 on a new "cheap" set, depending on how serious I get about photography.  I'm always willing to spend more if it is justifiable, otherwise I wouldn't own the Canon 70-200mm.  At this point, I'm considering used because the option presented itself and I've been blowing through money much too fast this year.  

That... and I want a photo backpack more than I want a tripod.  I think I'll have more trouble choosing one of those.

[Rajagra]

I'd post recommendations but the budget minded part doesn't apply.

Then he posts a pic of his Gitzo carbon fibre tripod! :smile:

I kept quiet about mine.

+1 on the Really Right Stuff. Well worth defining an eBay search for their mounting plates if nothing else.

[firestorm]

That "stuff" looks incredible!  I'm not sure if I could justify that expense as a hobbyist, 'though I would love carbon fiber legs.  Of course, that may be all the more reason to buy the cheap Bogen to tied me over for now.  I just don't like that it doesn't have a quick release.

[patrickgeekhack]

Whatever you do, try getting a "fairly" good one since a tripod usually last a long long time and you will not be buying many.

[instantkamera]

I have 4.

I have 1.


edit:


and it's a POS. But it gets the job done. I don't generally like to bother with a tripe unless absolutely necessary (self p)

[patrickgeekhack]

I have 4.

Recall that I said usually last a long long time and you will not be buying many.

Exceptions to this rule are inevitable.

[firestorm]

I would consider anything from Bogen/Manfrotto to be "fairly" good.  These legs and head in particular would be significantly better than anything you'd find a Best Buy.

I guess I'm more concerned about other shortcomings than the quality of this unit.  $75 is nothing I'm worried about.  I've only used a tripod a few times since I started 3 years ago, mostly because the ones I have are clunky (they were both free.)  That Bogen/Manfrotto 3011 has a max height of 54" (71.3" with column extended), closes to 24.1", weighs 4.9lbs, has wing nut locks and the legs fold out to only one position.  

So... it's a bit short for me (~6'1"), it's not super compact and not particularly light.  At the same time, at least I wouldn't fear it toppling over with my rig on it and I don't expect to go back packing with it or anything.  

I'm trying to decide if that's enough to get me to actually use it.  Unfortunately, most of my shooting has been chasing kids around, where a tripod is nearly useless.  I've only made it a point to go shoot landscape, or anything else, about twice a year.