Hi

I have never used a tripod or even a monopod for my photography. I can understand the benefits though. My "problem" being that I move around too much with my photography (wildlife, birds etc) so I am not likely to carry and use one often.

We are planning to take a road trip soon and wondering if its worth me buying a tripod or monopod in time for the trip. I use digital SLR cameras with lenses up to 400mm.
But I would be more likely to use the pod for scenic and macro - not so much birds.

Advice sought on pod/head combos that would suit me please? I would not be able to justify getting high end equipment at this point though. Thankyou :-)

go on ebay and buy a good used bogen 3020 and a bogen 3025 three way head - they are cheep! this set up will get you going. most people end up with about 600-1000 bucks into their tripod and head - without plates!

Here's an example.

http://cgi.ebay.com/L-K-Bogen-3020-Tripo...1QQcmdZViewItem

As Tony says, put $40 or $50 into a decent tripod and see how much you use it and what you'd need to make it better.

Over time, as you use it, you'll get into looking at carbon fiber and ball heads, quick release plates, etc. But if you've never used a tripod, start slowly and cheaply. There's no need to invest $300 to $500 or more in something you aren't going to use much.

Jim

I agree with the above advice - no need to spend millions of dollars at first - particularly if you are not sure that you are going to use it often. I am including some links to some decent carbon fiber/alluminum tripods that are being sold on e-bay - not for a ton of money, either. The heads stink, and you will have to replace them, but the bodies are quite nice and get the job done. Not a bad pair of legs for under $100.00.

James

PS They are the same tripod, just different prices.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-CARBON-FIBER-MAG...1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-CARBON-FIBER-MAG...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thankyou for that information. I have heard people sing the praises of carbon fiber legs and ball heads but I guess its something I will look into if I know I will get good use from the equipment.

How low to the ground do those Carbon fiber legs go? (not necessarily the ones on ebay)

I would read this first. Tripods
If you buy a cheap tripod, you will not like the tripod and tend not to use it. A tripod is supposed to give you a steady support. Good tripods do give sturdy support and cheap tripods are sometimes worse than no tripod at all. A tripod does more than support weight, it also dampens vibration. At the very minimum, I would recommend a Bogen (Manfrotto). I used a Bogen 3221 for 8 years and still have it. I upgraded the Bogen ballhead with a Markins M20 and could not believe the difference the Markins made. I then upgraded the Bogen to a Gitzo G1325. The Bogen is aluminum and the Gitzo is Carbon Fiber. The Gitzo absorbs vibrations much better than the Bogen and my photos are sharper as a result. I am the kind of person that uses a tripod for everything unless tripods are not allowed, then I use a monopod. I only shoot handheld with my 18-70 lens. Anything larger goes on the tripod or monopod. I also use a Wimberely sidekick on the Markins/Gitzo combination for my dog agility action shots. It makes my 80-200 or my 300 lens float. You have to try one to understand!!

Agreed. The best lens I ever bought was a tripod.

Thanks for the links/advice people.

Knowing my style of photography and making some further enquiries I have decided a monopod (with seperate head) will be more practical for me - for now.