Tripod recommendations?

[Europhyllia]

Last year I bought a tripod off ebay and it's terrible. The ratchet thing is plastic and doesn't hold and even though it's a super short tripod it's just so lightweight and flimsy I can see the day coming when it falls over and destroys my camera.
I don't have any major zoom lenses either -Just a Canon with a 18-55mm at the moment.

So I am shopping for a tall heavy duty tripod. I am not traveling with it. So if it's 60 pounds with concrete feet it's fine with me. I am looking for sturdy, tall and solid.

Any recommendations of what brands are good. Or what brands are bad?
I want to spend about 50 bucks so on top of that it also has to be very affordable.

Right now I am looking at this Ravelli (http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-Professional-Camera-Tripod-Release/dp/B004RBX0GO/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1319416966&sr=1-2) because it has good reviews and also it sounds much nicer than Manfrotto ;)

[CoryDude]

I'm getting ready to order this baby! Manfrotto 055XPROB. It is very sturdy and will let you swivel the center column (great for top down shots).


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[CoryDude]

Whoops, just saw your comment about Manfroto. I have seen great reviews for them and used one a few months back and I was sold. But, it's going to run me about $150 + I still need to get a camera head, so all in all it's going to run over $225.

BTW, thanks for starting a non-for sale thread. I saw like 20 new posts for today and about 15 were for-sale items.

[Europhyllia]

what I need to buy something else? I figured I just screw the thing on top?

top down would be nice for some of my product shots (which would make the thing a business expense! yay)

can I get anything decent (definition of decent is doesn't fall over and doesn't fall apart) for 50 bucks or am I kidding myself?

[rrasco]

I bought this one last week. So far, I like it. Pretty solid. Nothing negative about it, but I only used it 2x this weekend. The quick release for the camera mount is a little sticky, but I'd prefer that to be tight than loose. Lots of features, and if you are worried about tipping it over, use the counter weight hook.

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319467365&sr=8-1

[CoryDude]

That looks like a good tripod for the price, but I'm not an expert. The only reason I like Manfrotto is that I tried one out at Wolf Camera and it was very heavy sturdy. The model that I want is really made for heavier cameras, so I'm thinking long term with the purchase (ie hd video camera)

Personally, if I had $50 to spend, I'd give the ravelli a shot. It seems like a nice heavy duty tripod from what the reviews are saying. As long as you're not using some super heavy duty 400mm telephoto lens, you should be covered.

[Europhyllia]

Okay I'll order it. :) Ravelli. Sounds lovely. Hopefully it will live up to its name!

[Europhyllia]

I got my Ravelli today! Way better than the wiggly Ebay one I had before. So I set it up and it seemed very solid. And then I started taking pictures but my pictures are still bad! What's up with that? lol

Caribbean Zoas
http://www.dominopads.com/yellowcenterzoa.jpg

[rrasco]

User error...lol

[Regric25]

Karin are you pushing the button with your finger? If you are its possible your finger is still making it shake ever so slightly. If you dont have a shutter release remote then try using the 10 second count down for the shutter. Set it up and press the shutter release button and just step away and dont touch it until the pic is taken. Let me know if it helps...

Shutter release remotes are cool too and pretty inexpensive. You might look into gettingone. I got a basic IR remote for mine for $20.

Upon looking at the pic closer the blurryness seems uniform so either the camea might not be in focus or the lens or the tank glass has a smudge. Try all the steps above and I think you will be good. :)

[Europhyllia]

I already use a remote clicker! And I hold my breath! I think it's dirty tank glass ;)

[Regric25]

Cool I can't wait to see the next ones! ;)

[Europhyllia]

okay here's two. fish on 100 iso is next to impossible but the chalk bass likes to stare at me:
http://www.dominopads.com/hello.jpg

and the oyster:
http://www.dominopads.com/sharkteeth.jpg

if I zoom in I notice the blue dots are like completely different structures than the 'teeth'. Almost like glands or something. Wonder what they are for. I have never noticed them before until this photo :)
http://www.dominopads.com/sharkteethclose.jpg

[CoryDude]

That oyster shot is beautiful. Love it!

[Regric25]

Wonderful pics Karin! You got it! You are right about shooting fish in a high ISO with moderate light and no flash. It's a tough one but if that fish shot is in ISO 100 you did a great job!

[Europhyllia]

so on fish you should use what? 400?

[Regric25]

You can try 400 it really depends on how much light is in the tank and what your shutter and aperture is. Just play with it. I did a shoot recently for a FOWLR that had actinics only and WOW it was rough. I ended up using the flash for most of it.

[Europhyllia]

I don't mess with the other stuff Rick! I set it on 'P' just so I can adjust ISO because I read somehwere you said 100 is best and I leave the rest alone. lol
Don't make me read the manual...

[Regric25]

nah don't be scared. put it on manual and play with the settings. If you seem to make the pics worse and you dont know what you did you can turn the camera off then back on and the manual settings will reset. Plus if you change the settings in manual mode it only changes the settings for that mode. :)

[Mr Cob]

Karin, the oyster shot is crazy sweet! Nice job!

[rrasco]

Typically, the lower the ISO the better, but it doesn't always work depending on your other settings and lighting, just as Regric said. Learning about my camera, I only shoot in manual and I take a picture with every possible different setting I can. For instance, I set the ISO and then take a picture at every possible f stop, then vice versa. This way I can see what the settings actually do. If you've noticed, your computer should tell you what the settings were for each different picture too, this helps identifying the differences between what each setting actually does.

[Europhyllia]

I think it's getting better!
http://www.dominopads.com/redrocknem.jpg

and gorgeous aiptasia:
http://www.dominopads.com/aiptasia.jpg