Which Entry Level Tripod should I buy

[raylee011]

Hi All,

I have a Pentax K-X and kit Lens. I am shopping for a Tripod. I mainly going to use it to take Night pictures.

Which one of this would you recommand or if you have other suggestions. I don't want to spend over $100.

Benro A-150EXU Digital Tripod Kit (Black) (Looks weak)
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head (Great Price)
Cullmann 52601 Nanomax 260 Aluminum Tripod With 3 Way Head (Don't like the 3 Way Head)
Slik Sprint Pro II Tripod in Gun Metal With Quick Release Ball Head (Don't know Much about it)

Thanks

[interested_observer]

Overall I do not know about any of these models. I do have a Benro A-168M that I use as a traveling tripod, but removed the head after one use and replaced it with an Acratech. For under $100 you are not going to get very much - unfortunately. I might suggest going to craigslist and searching for a tripod there, as they tend to be popular items to use once and then store away for years.

Another thing that I do is to take a product and search for it. Amazon sells everything, and they tend to have good reviews. I then read the reviews that rate the product as a 1 (low) to see how they can fail or what the weak points are....

hope that helps,

[shoturtle]

The nanomax is nice, but with your budget, the cullmann magnesite 519 is nicer tripod. It It is a bit better made.

http://www.adorama.com/CUM519K.html

[PeterP]

Just be careful whatever you pick, a cheaply made wobbly tripod can be worse that using no tripod at all.

One of the legs of my first tripod, which was on the very inexpensive side <60$ collapsed and badly damaged the camera & lens that was on it at the time the tripod fell over.
Camera and lens repair cost me over 300$ to get them working again.

Maybe look into a good monopod?
With practice they can perform very well, and many of them fall well within your price range.

[raylee011]

Thanks for the advise. I've been looking at Cullmann 52601 Nanomax 260, but now, shoturtle mentioned the cullmann magnesite 519. I am putting more focus on cullmann magnesite 519 or the 522.

What is the big different between cullmann magnesite 519 and Cullmann 52601 Nanomax 260.

Still thinking. Oh by the way, are they made in China or German? And if I have problem, do they have good Customer Service?

[shoturtle]

The head is all metal. I used the 519 with a canon 60d, and it is very stable, but still small enough to portable.

[PeterP]

Some people seem to think so
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/fo...?topic=35678.0

Originally Posted by raylee011

And if I have problem, do they have good Customer Service?

[raylee011]

Thank You so much. This Forum always have someone to provide Great information. That's how I purchased my Pentax K-X as well. I just click the Order button. Let's see how the "Cullmann Magnesit 519" looks after it arrived.

[raylee011]

I just received the tripod and the carry case.
Tripod-well, it is solid. It doesn't feel cheap at all. So solid that I can use it like a hammer to break my camera with it. LOL. Anyway, for the price, I really like it. The only thing is the weight, little heavier than I like. But when it is solid, it will have some weight. Operation, is not very smooth. Center column and the legs, going up and down , required a little push. Not a big deal. The only thing I don't like so far is the quick release, it doesn't have a extra safety lock.
Carrying case - well, there is not much to say. It was free as a kit. So can't ask for much. Big enough to carry the tripod, and still have room for other stuff.
Again, thank you very much for all the help and information.

[shoturtle]

There is a allen key, you can adjust the tension.