Tripods

[dkippen]

I need to get a new tripod and wonder what the rest of you use. I have looked at Manfrotto(sp?) and while shiver at the price, also overwhelmed by the selections.

What does everyone else use and recommend for taking pictures in the wild?

Thanks so much.

[gjtoth]

I need to get a new tripod and wonder what the rest of you use. I have looked at Manfrotto(sp?) and while shiver at the price, also overwhelmed by the selections.

What does everyone else use and recommend for taking pictures in the wild?

Thanks so much.

I'm totally sold on Amvona stuff, Deb. They are, of course, knock-offs of Bogen/Manfrotto's but are not anywhere NEAR as expensive. I own two - one for my stationary home set-up (it's a tad to heavy to be traipsing through the fields with) and the other is my portable. Mary has one also... although I don't know which model.

[dkippen]

Gary - that's good to know. I found out this weekend that the one I have isn't very stable under a heavy lens and camera - time to spring for something better.

[gjtoth]

Oh... I forgot to mention, I use one of their heads on my monopod. All of their heads are excellent, too.

[jerryph]

I have three tripods and 2 monopods. :)

- A small and very light Optiplex Travelpod (portable tripod, but not as stable, used mostly for my off camera flash when height needed is not more than 4 feet)

- A Quantaray tripod (quality and portability in between the Slick and TravelPod and when height needed is not more than 6 feet)

- A Slik tripod (can you say "heavy but stable"?) I use this one to hold my D200. Solid as a rock and quite heavy.

- Two Optiplex Monopods with a swiveling head for dark places where I am not allowed a tripod.


If I had to get a heavy/stable tripod, it would be the Amvona ones, they are the Manfrotto look-a-alikes and are about 30-40% cheaper. I would stick to aluminiun and not carbon fibre.

[LensBaby]

I need to get a new one as well. I was something sturdy but not to heavy to carry around with me. Thanks for the advice.

[ladyups]

Hi, Deb...I have an Amvona too...my model number is AT-3050 in the professional series. It's made by Dynatran. I bought mine off e-bay and love it. It has a ball head and comes with a really nice carrying case. Weight wise? I'd say it weighs in at 6.5 lbs and will extend up to 68" tall, something I was really needing cause my old one was way too short. I was tired of bending over to look in the viewfinder and if I cranked up the extender pole, it was way to unstable. I've been looking at the monopods but haven't committed to one yet. I'm hoping my ballhead off my tripod will work on the monopod too. When I'm walking, I'd like to take the monopod with me.

[dkippen]

Jerry, Gary and Mary - I've been checking out the Amvonas and I can't believe how much cheaper they are. I'm on the fence about those or just springing for a Manfrotto. I'm one of these people that will spend 6 mos. on research and reviews before I make a decision. My hubby, however, would just go buy the best one.

[jerryph]

I love to research a lot as well, but I've heard too many people say the same thing about the Amvonas for it to be a coincidence.

One thing I would suggest... before you plunk down your money, try to see one in real life.