Tripod Recommendation

tracker12 · Jul 14, 2014

I have a Swaro 65 ATM and need a Tripod. I have never owned a quality Tripod but want something that will work well in the field and is packable. Don't want to break the banks but willing to buy quality.

marley · Jul 14, 2014

Outdoorsman is my favorite

GLEDEASY · Jul 14, 2014

The outdoorsmans is certainly great as far as quality and ease of packing. What I really like is that it takes up a lot less space to pack compared to others without giving up quality.

If you didn't want to go all in, due to price, I would do a manfrotto 190cx with the outdoorsmans head. The tripod isn't much bigger

SlinginLead · Jul 14, 2014

+1 on the outdoorsman.

sagebrush · Jul 14, 2014

I have two different Slik tripods, one heavy for when I'm travelling by vehicle and one light for back packing. I have been very pleased with both and you could buy both of them for the price of one Outdoorsman or Manfrotto. Both have been used for over ten years and are just as good as the day I bought them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=slik+tripod&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

tracker12 · Jul 15, 2014

Sagebrush
Thanks for the info on the Slik. Looks like a nice option for the price. What model do you use for the field.

peez3006 · Jul 15, 2014

Take a look at the Induro brand. I own two different models. High quality tripods. Price wise, middle of the road.

sagebrush · Jul 15, 2014

My back pack tripod is the Sprint Pro II. Weighs in at 2.4 lbs. The heavy model is the 504QF which weighs 5.7 lbs but that thing is rock solid in a gale and has the smoothest fluid head.

tracker12 · Jul 15, 2014

So I guess in my post I should have asked about a "fluid head" as some come with them and some don't. Seems the head ie equally as important as a decent tripod.

sagebrush · Jul 15, 2014

A fluid head has a hydraulic dampening system that allows the head to move in a smooth motion and will hold the location when you let off the pressure. You are able to keep your eye focused as you slowly pan to the next glassing area and stop without adjustment. Ball heads and tilt/pan heads without the hydraulic dampening system are meant to be loosened, moved and tightened. Pretty much impossible to maintain eye focus while moving. It's a minor feature but if you use a good fluid head, you will miss it when using a tripod without when glassing. The fluid head function was designed for video cameras where smooth movement is important when panning.