Trying to buy a Tripod for D90

[Aquapin]

its my frd's birthday in 2 weeks... I plan to buy him a tripod for his Nikon D90 Camera... I'm looking at Black's for the tripod which is close to where I live.

Here is the list of Tripods available....

http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/cat...80010&show=all


I know nothing about Tripods, but I would like some suggestion from all you cool people...
I don't plan to spend a lot of money but I don't want to buy him something that he can't use and just have to return them.

Thank you all for helping

[StevieDgpt]

Originally Posted by Aquapin

its my frd's birthday in 2 weeks... I plan to buy him a tripod for his Nikon D90 Camera... I'm looking at Black's for the tripod which is close to where I live.

Here is the list of Tripods available....

http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/cat...80010&show=all


I know nothing about Tripods, but I would like some suggestion from all you cool people...
I don't plan to spend a lot of money but I don't want to buy him something that he can't use and just have to return them.

Thank you all for helping

What is a lot of $?

Budget is everything.

Ok, all joking aside.

The best tripod sold by Blacks:

http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/product.jsp?prdId=5014

is the STARTING point for a good tripod. And personally the above linked tripod is just slightly too small (short) for a man of average height. But the 190 is a good tripod and sometimes a taller tripod is not the best.

What makes a good tripod? Stability. Stability from vibration. Stability from tipping. Stability from camera weight (ie good locking legs and center column locks into place).


Most of the cheaper tripods:

http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/product.jsp?prdId=5798

will use supports from the center column to the legs. Why? To make up for the weak support structure of the leg design. Besides Hobby customers will be impressed by the extra stability appears to be gained from the extra supports. BUT those extra supports limit the range of motion of the tripod and limit the stability of the tripod on level ground.


Other features that makes a good tripod? Adabilty, such as being able to accept different heads.

Need a head for Manfrotto 190 tripod? Sure do. The unit does not come with a head.

Here is a head:

http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/product.jsp?prdId=5078

The linked head is popular with many people who like ball heads (I don't, but that is a very personal issue) and should be considered the starting point for a head. The head will work with all but the biggest professional type lenses.


By the way, most of the cheaper tripods are going to have a built in head because such design saves $. But built in heads are usually the worse garbage of head possible and seldom are strong enough to handle a hobby type zoom lens (such as the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6).


OH, and notice the QR plate on the head. QR (Quick Release) plates allow the camera to be mounted to the plate and the plate locked down on the head. The QR allows the camera to easily and quickly dismount the tripod. Never buy a head that does not accept QR Plates.

[Mark1616]

I'm guessing as you buying this for a friend that your budget is not as high as has the tripod suggested.

It is a difficult thing as if your friend has some specific needs then a cheaper one might not do the job so without knowing that it could be difficult and obviously we don't want you to waste your money.

I have a carbon version (well similar) of this which might well do the job, it's unlikely that your friend will have very heavy lenses so it should be strong enough.

It might be worth seeing if the store does gift vouchers so your friend can pick something that meets their needs.

[Aquapin]

Thank you all for replying thx StevieDgpt for your deep insight.. and Mark1616... I'll check Black's for Gift receipt or something...

or perhaps it could be easier to just get a gift card from that store um...