LukeUSDreamer

Thank you very much, Gerry. I appreciate your advice, and I know I'll have to go through a learning curve. I know a good head is expensive, and I am planning to buy it separately (possibly used). As for the tripod, would you recommend Sirui over Giottos in terms of build quality? Are they both an equally good choice? Thank you.

Thank you all very much again - you have been really helpful. After lots of research, I am considering spending a little more and buying one of the two tripods below, adding a good head. As you had pointed out, the Slik Pro 700DX was probably too heavy for my needs, and unfortunately many other good tripods you had recommended were either not tall enough for me, or wouldn't fit in carry-on luggage. Both the two tripods below seem to satisfy my three main requirements - and I discovered there aren't many tripods out there that have all these three characteristics at this price point: size under 21.5 in (to fit in carry-on luggage) not as expensive as carbon fiber ones, but still light enough to be carried during walks tall enough for a six foot three person (subtracting height of head and camera). Giottos Silk Road YTL9214 Aluminum Tripod With Classic Lift Center Column: Price: $199 Accessories: just Allen keys Load Capacity: 22 lb Max Height: 73.2" Max Height without center column: 61" Min Height: 7.1" Folded Length: 21.3" Leg Sections: 4 Weight: 4.8 lb Sirui W-2004 Waterproof Aluminum Alloy Tripod: Price: $180 Accessories: Case, Shoulder and Monopod Straps, Steel Spikes Load Capacity: 39.7 lb Max Height: 70.9" Max Height without center column: 57.9" Min Height: 6.1" Folded Length: 20.5" Leg Sections: 4 Weight: 4.6 lb The Giottos is a bit heavier, not waterproof and includes less accessories - on the other hand, it's a bit taller without center column than the Sirui. I would really appreciate your advice before buying one of the two, in terms of quality and aspects that I might not have considered. Thank you very much again!

Thank you very much, Gary. That's helpful.

Thank you all very much! I really appreciate your help. Gary: Your criteria make a lot of sense and I will keep them in mind. I agree that there is no such thing as an all purpose tripod. Wouter: Thank you, I will consider how much legs extend without raising the center column. I had been considering only the maximum height until now. Hector: Thank you for your advice, I think I’ll go for a 3-way head then. Matthew: I will be doing landscapes, so a 3-way head seems to be the right choice. Thank you for confirming the good quality of the Slik Pro line. Joseph: I agree the tripod is huge, but being six foot three I’m afraid I will need something around that size. A larger tripod would be ideal, but would probably be not as portable. All: Based on your advice, I would say that the Slik Pro 700DX (and, in general, a tripod with a 3-way head) seems to be the better choice for my budget. I seem to understand that good ball heads are expensive, and that a cheap 3-way head might be a better choice than a cheap ball head. I will also try to see if I can find a good used tripod online that matches those characteristics: may I just ask you which brands I can trust, in terms of quality?

Hello everyone, and thank you very much for your help. I'm looking to buy a tripod for my Nikon D80. My budget is $100-150 for now (hopefully, I'll upgrade to a better one in the future). I am 6'3" tall. I enjoy hiking, so good portability would be a plus. I am undecided between these two tripods: Slik Pro 700DX: $100 alone or $140 with 3-way Pan head, supports 15 lbs, maximum height 74", weighs 7 lbs, folded length 30', 3 leg sections with flip locks. VidPro At-72 Venturemaxx 72": $105 with 33mm ball head and Arca-Swiss style quick release system, supports 20 lbs, maximum height 72", weighs 4 lbs, folded length 20', 4 leg sections with twist locks. The VidPro At-72 seems to have better specs and a lower price, but is it good quality? The Slik Pro 700DX has good reviews online: would you recommend buying this tripod for $100 and then adding a ball head, or going for the $140 version that includes a 3-Way Pan Head? Thank you very much!