Tripod advice

[AceOfHobbes]

I am currently looking to replace my old Slik tripod with a new one.

I am on a bit of a budget approx US$300 and found one that might fit my needs.

1) Ball head
2) Articulating Arm to help with macro.

I mainly do Nature/Landscape but I am now venturing into macro and I like the arm to get up close and personal.

Is anyone here familiar with the VELBON VS443D?

http://www.velbon.biz/product/VS/index.html

[Polar01]

Ron: took a look at your link and it looks interesting, however as you do mainly nature/landscape I do not believe that it will be what you are looking from in the long run. I suggest that you save up to double that amount to get a good study tripod. Let me put it this way Silk ($100.00 guess)+$300 (velbon)= $400 (not happy)+$550.00 (another tripod)=$950.00 (still not happy)+$900 (another tripod)= $1,850 now happy with the tripod and gear. Most photographers buy at least 5 tripods in their life until they find the one they like, also they do not always sale the old one as they might need a backup. If you save and then spend on a high end tripod, one the the options will be the ability of attach an arm for with a holder for macro rails as this, more of what those who are into marco are using (the rails). If you were wondering I am on my 3 tripod I bite the bullet early, tripod and head about $900 CDN so I saved compared to others. So if you really get into photography do not look at a tripod for what it can do, but what it can not do. Hope this was of some help.

Cheers:

Allan

[AceOfHobbes]

Thanks for the advice. Going to look into the rails.

[Polar01]

Ron: Try RRS Really Right Stuff, do to their web site and down load their cataloge some very good stuff check out their drop down be a gear head.
Looks like you are just up the road a bit from me.

Cheers:

Allan

[keith201]

FWIW, my main tripod is a Benbo Trecker with a Manfrotto 222 style head. Very stable and can be put in any position. I also have a Velbon macro focusing rail which is very precise