Originally posted by bdery ...
Thanks for the responses so far, I appreciate the fact that you decided to share your opinins. I do understand the facts that make the Dolica attractive, and if I think about why I don't want to purchase it, I think it's more of an illogical reason.
First of all, I have a budget, although very limited at $150, and I'd like to make use of the most of it. The first posters said about how you get what you pay for, and that the $30 ballhead can't be great because it's so cheap, and that I should buy the most I can afford, so it'll last for a long time and I won't outgrow it and want to upgrade sooner rather than later. This I could understand.
But I
FAIL to understand why the Dolica would make any exception to this rule.
I mean just look at it. It looks kinda cheap, everybody in the know says it's not the most stable of tripods and that sand can easily protrude between sections, so I will definitely outgrow the legs soon and want to upgrade them.
The ball head looks mediocre as well, no panning at all so no easy filming, small ball and just a lever to tighten it, and the quick release plate is proprietary. That means that I won't be able to get some macro rails later for it, and I already purchased some wireless flash triggers especially for macro photos.
Ok I see, it's cheap and offers a lot of stuff. Yes, for $40 it's great, but I want the most for what I can afford. And what's the point in getting this tripod and then replacing its head, when I'm not even content with its legs.
Of course I'm only talking from incompetent online reviews, but that's all I can get without spending any money to actually try stuff. So don't be surprised if I pass your advice and go my own route, but all the advice I received here is really incoherent and confusing.