Originally posted by Infinite Ascension I am looking to spend at most $200 CAD, on a good tripod that wont break.
Buying used is hit or miss: IF YOU have experience, youʻll know what to look for and whatʻs a good deal or a bad one. But as a first tripod, itʻs a gamble and you have to ask yourself why are they selling it?
For $200 CAD (or $160 USD) I have a few Iʻd recommend new:
MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod $149 USD.
Pros? Arca-type quick release plate on a ball head, twist leg locks, 18 lbs. load capacity, 15"-62" min/max height, retractable spiked feet, hook on center column for additional weight, foam grips, comes in 7 colors (!), converts to monopod, weighs 3.6 lbs., limited 5-year warranty, and case with pockets and shoulder strap included.
MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit (Red) A1350Q1R B&H
Oben AT-3585 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod with BC-226T Ball Head $150 USD: (on sale from $190)
Same as the MeFOTO but only in black, 27 lbs. load capacity, 8"-67" min/max height, weight 4.6 lbs.
Oben AT-3585 Folding Aluminum Travel Tripod AT-3585/BC-226T B&H
If I was in your shoes, and Iʻm not, I would spend just a bit over your budget to get this:
Davis & Sanford Traverse TR684C-36 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Dual Locking Ball Head $169 USD (on sale from $199):
Same as above but carbon fiber instead of aluminum (better weight to strength ratio, not burning hot or freezing cold like aluminum, transmits less vibrations, wonʻt bend), 9"-68" min/max height, weighs 4 lbs, the dual locking ball head allows you to lock the pan function separate from the ball movement which aids in shooting panoramas, and 10-year limited warranty.
Davis & Sanford Traverse TR684C-36 Carbon Fiber Tripod TR684C-36
Of course Gitzo and Novoflex are amongst the best, but even a silver spoon in your mouth wonʻt pay for one.
---------- Post added 02-15-18 at 11:06 PM ----------
Originally posted by Infinite Ascension currently looking at
Velbon neo carmagne 540 tripod with a
Bentro BH2 ball head
would this fit my dlsr and am I to understand that, that little knob thing is what im panning with?
My first tripods were Velbons and I liked them because they were affordable, and they were in the LA area, so every time it broke, theyʻd fix it for free as they used to have a lifetime warranty if you were the original owner. But after too many locks breaking and being inconvenienced with a broken tripod on a trip, I simply donʻt trust their products anymore. I need something that isnʻt going to be in the shop; even if itʻs a free repair.
Benro makes solid tripods and heads, and the ball head is ok. The knob is for locking down the ball movement. I prefer and recommend a ball head that has two locks; one for panning and one for the ball.