Answered: Camera Tripod Recommendations

I'm looking for a long-lasting camera tripod. I've just thrown away a tripod that lasted maybe a decade of very infrequent use. I threw it away because the crank that winds the tripod head up and down seized in the "up" position, I couldn't move it at all. I tried oiling it and waited 24 hours, but it was still seized, and my attempts to make it move just broke the crank's plastic shaft.

So now I'm looking for a new tripod, which I'd like to last a lot longer, and hopefully be under $100 but can stretch to $150-ish. Given the failure of my old tripod, I'm very wary of tripods with plastic parts, and I see there are some tripods with twist-locks on the legs, although I'm uncertain if the working parts of those are metal or plastic.

I'd like to have a simple tripod - no ball head, I only use pan and tilt-up/tilt-down adjustments. If the tripod is 180cm tall or more, I probably won't need a crank up/down mechanism either. I only used the crank to get the extra height.

I'm intending to add an alloy quick-release adapter to the tripod, like this one, so the tripod doesn't need to have its own quick-release mechanism: https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Professional-Camcorder-Comp…

My previous tripod had quick release, but the plate was so small that I couldn't sit the camera straight on a table, the weight of the lens made it topple over. I suspect the Neewer plate is long enough that it will balance.

If it helps, my camera weighs 1.3kg with 18-200 zoom lens fitted.

So tell me, what should I avoid or look for, if I want a tripod with a long life? Is my fear of plastic parts well-founded or incorrect?

Comments

  • +2

    Camera Tripod Recommendations

    I recommend them.

  • +3

    Get yourself a second hand Manfrotto or Gitzo, those things should last forever.

    • +2

      x 2…. did this about 10yrs ago, its never let me down… bit heavy to carry round, but worth it.

    • +1

      agree. manfrotto…. get from ebay 2nd hand

    • +1

      My 20 year old Gitzo agrees. I did have to have it serviced after the first decade though- the shim material in the twistlock mechanisms needed to be replaced.

      If the tripod is 180cm tall or more, I probably won't need a crank up/down mechanism either. I only used the crank to get the extra height.

      180cm tripod for <$100 seems a bit optimistic though. At least, one that's not going to be terrible.

      I'd like to have a simple tripod - no ball head, I only use pan and tilt-up/tilt-down adjustments.

      I'd still get a ballhead. Those 2-way pan/tilt mechanisms always seem to be garbage- flexy, need overtightening, prone to failure. A decent ballhead seems much more elegant and less failure prone.

    • +2

      x3 for Manfrotto
      Got myself an openbox manfrotto tripod for $160 from digiDirect (This one, even cheaper now: https://www.digidirect.com.au/open-box-manfrotto-mt290xta3-t…) and a fluid video head (MVH500AH for $66) second hand from ebay. Super happy with them!

  • Thanks everyone, your unanimous recommendation of Manfrotto and/or Gitzo is very encouraging. I had wondered if they would break where their legs meet at the bracket, as it looks like their latches will experience a high torque loading. As nobody has reported a failure, I'm going to assume that part is very well built.

    Thanks again!

  • +1

    Ifootage monopod are decent enough as well, can consider their range as well.

  • Perhaps a Joby.

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