The Tripod Balance?

[freetoroam]

I have just signed up for the course and from what I've seen, I think I'll have to buy a tripod. I've resisted this purchase because my husband has convinced me they are too heavy, bulky, time-consuming to set up, and I wouldn't use it. But I'm rethinking the decision since I don't think I'd ever get a night illuminated cityscape without one.

Now, the purchase decision...
How do you balance sturdy with weight? I need one strong enough to hold a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens, and be able to walk away from it on a windy day....yet, be light enough that I would carry it and set it up and use it. Is such a product available for under $500...oh, and I think you need something called a "head" too...and that's probably another decision all in itself...do they tilt, swivel, etc. so you can move the camera around as though you were hand holding it?

I know these questions probably sound really dumb to those of you who've been around the photography world for a while....but, I am a true neophyte so pardon me please and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with me.

Thank You.
Hannah

[sandrac]

There is no dumb question, my first tripod was a Wal- Mart special the one I have now was a little more but not that much more. You can spend a little or a lot.
They are important though. I use my quite often.
My thought is until you know just what you want go a little cheaper.
I for one would rather buy a new lens, which is what I did.

[ladyups]

Hi and welcome to the group, Hannah...never hesitate to ask questions. They are never dumb. At one time ALL of us were beginners...as far as I know, not one single human being was born knowing everything...:D We learn from asking, that is the nature of humanity.

A tripod will last you forever so don't settle for a cheap or flimsy one. Even if you discover that you won't use one, you will be able to sell a good one fast. Do your research and buy only good quality.

[jerryph]

When it comes to tripods, I am not really surprised at how little I use mine. It is because of what and the way that I shoot, however when it comes to tripods, there are only 3 factors, but you can basically only have 2 factors out of 3 for any given tripod.

Strong - Light - Low Price.

If you take strong and light, that means more money (carbon fiber)
If you take strong and lower price, you sacrifice weight savings
If you take light and lower price, you sacrifice strength

Personally I chose the strong and heavy tripod for me, but irrespective, I would think twice before using any tripod and head system that cannot fully support a camera and my heaviest lens safely. Once you get a lens that is above a certain length/weight, it is not the camera that sits on the tripod, but the lens, and those are weights, when you get to them, that you want a VERY good tripod for, don't scrimp here... the last thing you want is to be picking up a tipped over tripod and thousands of dollars worth of camera and lens pieces from the ground.

Like with any purchase, I do a lot of research, look at my needs and level of commitment and then never look at the 2nd best in my list, I go for #1. To buy anything twice is a waste of money. I would rather do without for a while, save longer, work a little harder and get the absolute best that I can afford. When in doubt... wait.