5 Reasons Why You SHOULD Buy a Cheap Tripod

January 24, 2013

in Articles,Gear

Cheap_Tripod

 

I can already here the cries… “But Caleb! Vincent Laforet and Philip bloom told me to spend a lot of money and get a good tripod!” Yep, and I am going to say I disagree to an extent. Yes, tripods are important. Yes, they are the base and root of your camera’s sensor. But I don’t think you “need” a really really nice and expensive tripod. Especially when you are just getting started. So I am going to go against the grain on this one.

All that said, here are 5 reasons you should get a cheap tripod:

1. You’re Broke

Lets be honest here, you aren’t made of money (if you are, you should check this place out). A lot of you probably just got your camera, and don’t have a lot of money to spend on a super nice tripod.

2. You’re Not Shane Hurlbut

You might be like Shane someday, but if you are just starting out you don’t need a super expensive tripod to film flowers, your kids, snow or all those test shots we all shoot when getting started. Don’t spend a ton of money on something you won’t appreciate until you start filming “legit” work. I can feel the hate mail being written…

Like all gear purchases, you should ask yourself WHY. Do you do this for a living (and actually make a living and not just say so on twitter)? Will you be shooting on your tripod for 8+ hours a day? Or are you only filming personal projects on the weekends? Do you need something that can handle a heavy workload? Or are you just looking for something expensive to sit in the corner of your room? Be honest with yourself and Count the cost.

3. You Need Other Stuff

Chances are there are a lot of other things you need. Especially if you are just getting started. Lighting, audio equipment and lenses are important too. Why spend $500-$2000 on a “real tripod” when you can get a decent working one for $70-$200? That way you can use that extra capital on some sexy Nikkor primes, and some other gear.

4. Two is Better than One

Backups are good. Imagine this, you are on a shoot and you just realized you left all of your tripod plates at home and have no way to mount your camera to you’re awesome tripod. Wish you had a backup now eh? I keep a Pearstone VT-2100 with my light stands. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to break that little baby out.

5. It Works

I can’t speak for all cheap tripods, but for $70, the Pearstone VT-2100 is a fantastic little tripod. I use it for my 2nd camera all the time.

My Cheap Tripod Recommendation

Pearstone VT2100

727498Product Highlights

  • Supports 15 lbs (6.8kg)
  • Quick-release Plate
  • Extends 25″ to 64″
  • Mid-level Spreader
  • Carrying Case
Amazon B&H

What are your thoughts? Think I am wrong?

Related content:

  1. 10 Great Gear Purchases for Under $100
  2. 10 Best DSLR Gear Purchases for Beginners
  3. Episode 35: Top Five Video Monopods For HDSLRs Compared
  4. A Tale of Two Tripods
  5. Wednesday Rigging: Solo Podcasting Setup

Tagged as: Gear, Pearstone, Tripod

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=633245206 Eric Morgan

    Would you be able to switch the head out on this tripod? I got a few velbon heads I like but need a set of legs I can switch them around on

  • Tom Okins

    I rarely even use a tripod at this point. The Manfrotto 561 monopod is just more versatile So much of what I shoot is event coverage or run & gun, quick interviews. Also, many of my clients always seem to want a little movement in the picture vs. a static tripod shot and the monopod gives me this.

  • http://www.facebook.com/robbie.passell Robbie Passell

    I agree you don’t need an expensive tripod, however, just make sure whatever tripod you buy it has a bowl mount. I started with the Manfrotto 190xb and that thing was a pain in the ass to try to get leveled if you were on uneven ground.

    I never used the Pearstone but it looks way better then the 190xb. I’d recommend the Sachtler Ace for people looking for a tripod with professional features but don’t want to spend 1k on one. I just recently upgraded to one and got one used on Ebay for 400.

  • Marc B.

    +1. My first tripod was an undersized Manfrotto Bogen without a ball mount, and it was way too small for my XL2 despite assurances from the salesman (it was just barely enough for the PD150 I shot with at the time of purchase). It was used occasionally for a field laptop stand until I started shooting with DSLR’s, but it mostly sat in my closet.

    If you get spend extra on a solidly built ball head tripod you can put always upgrade with a professional head later on. Tripods like the Manfrotto 3192 line or comparable are a lot of tripod for the $$$. And the heads that come with them are good enough to use for paid work until you can afford a truly professional fluid head.

  • http://twitter.com/EEwing390 Elizabeth Ewing

    You are right on the money! I do have my heavy-duty tri-pod for major work gigs, but whenever I travel/shoot personal work I always take my cheap tripod that I got way back in high school. I know it so well now that I will probably cry when I actually have to retire it.

  • http://twitter.com/TeddyJuras Teddy Juras

    I can agree with this. Usually much lighter and easier to use in small places. Wouldnt use it for elaborate tilts and pans but stable. I often use a cheap tripod to mount my LED light in a pinch as well.