Looking for a Tripod Recommendation

I'm in the market for a floor-standing tripod for my point-and-shoot camera (Canon A550). Up to now, I've used a table-top tripod (Vanguard VS-86), which has treated me well. However, I no longer have a light-box, nor a large table on which to place one. So, in order to best use my kitchen counter-top with backdrop, I need a "real" tripod (one that'll give me a ≥ 3-5 foot distance from my shaving setup).

Suggestions? I prefer one that's available on Amazon, but first-things first: What's good? Are those collapsible ones with 4 or 5 sections any good? Who's on first? What's on second? I dunno...

Help me out, here, guys (or whomever identifies as a "guy").

I thought about where to post this: The Workshop? SOTD? Show and Tell? I'm about as confused as a chameleon in a sack 'o Skittles.

Man, I could recommend getting an old used one. TBH, I don't think most were used much, if at all.
Bought mine on Ebay for 10 bucks. Forget what shipping was. Pretty substantial thing. 2 more leg extensions come out.

Attachment 323430

Like anything else, older ones are made better, IMO.

Look on the Bay!

Here....https://www.ebay.com/itm/TELESAR-DEL...8AAOSwITVeco6S

When you extend the other two leg extensions, how tall is it? I'm looking for ~42-48 inches.

Mine goes to 54 inches cranked all the way up.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Look on the Bay!

Here....https://www.ebay.com/itm/TELESAR-DEL...8AAOSwITVeco6S

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Good enough for me. Just pulled the trigger. Thanks much! I didn't even make a "Best Offer"... reminds me of the sign in "Louie Lombi's Tattoo Paradise":

If you think our prices are too high, bring your wife in and we'll dicker!

That one looks quality. Did you ask the seller how high that one will go?

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

That one looks quality. Did you ask the seller how high that one will go?

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You mean that's not your model??? :dropjaw: I was sure it was! :eek:

No, but seriously, I didn't ask. My kitchen counter-top is all of 36" high, so I'm sure it'll be fine.

Film at 11.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Mine goes to 54 inches cranked all the way up.

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Reminds me of the joke:

Customer: Do you have Viagra?
Pharmacist: Yup.
Customer: Can I get it over the counter?
Pharmacist: If you take two.

Well, if it turns-out to be a shorter tripod, you can still use it.
Tripod and subject on the same counter seems very efficient. Not to mention easier!

I have this Giottos Silk Road in carbon fibre, it's a very good piece of kit, take a look on eBay, there are some massive savings to be had on quality tripods.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/141706329

So, I ordered the tripod that sharptonn suggested -- and it arrived in today's mail, only 13 days after being shipped (hat-tip to the USPS).

Sadly, upon opening the carton (no external signs of damage) I discovered that the "control arm" had been sheared-off, rendering the tripod useless (unless serving as a door-stop, or similar, counts as "useful"). Ought the seller have known to remove the "control arm", prior to packing/shipping? I think so -- it's threaded, and easily removed/attached. I'm crushed, took photos, and have requested a full refund.

FWIW, the tripod is all-metal -- solid and stable and beautifully constructed -- and... :(

Attachment 323933Attachment 323932

Bummer. I could fix that. It's just a handle. You could epoxy a piece of PCV pipe or similar over the receiving end?

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Bummer. I could fix that. It's just a handle. You could epoxy a piece of PCV pipe or similar over the receiving end?

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I wish it were that simple. The "control arm" is not "just a handle"; it's designed to not only move the camera along the x- and y-axes, but also to lock it in place, once the desired position is reached.

There are two other Telesar tripods (the all-metal ones) for sale on eBay, but they're almost three times the price of this one... plus shipping. But, first-things first: the refund!

I see. Mine is same. I never needed to snug it up as it always stayed where I put it.
Still, drill and remove stub. Some more threads on the shaft? If you can get that part off and send it, I think I can fix it.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I see. Mine is same. I never needed to snug it up as it always stayed where I put it.
Still, drill and remove stub. Some more threads on the shaft? If you can get that part off and send it, I think I can fix it.

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Thanks for offering! but that's way too involved. I filed for a refund, seller wants it returned, I don't own a printer, wrote seller asking to print-and-send me shipping label, no answer, called eBay support -- they're sending it to me.

I just bid-on and bought this tripod.

Attachment 324082

For the love of SOTD/FOTD photos :) :)

Looks like a good one! :cool:

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Originally Posted by JBHoren

Thanks for offering! but that's way too involved. I filed for a refund, seller wants it returned, I don't own a printer, wrote seller asking to print-and-send me shipping label, no answer, called eBay support -- they're sending it to me.

I just bid-on and bought this tripod.

For the love of SOTD/FOTD photos :) :)

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I hope you asked this seller to make sure that everything is packed so nothing gets damaged as in your previous purchase--

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

I hope you asked this seller to make sure that everything is packed so nothing gets damaged as in your previous purchase--

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And y'know what? I did just that! Of course, I tried to do so in a less-than my normal bull-in-a-china-shop style. He wrote back, giving me a thumbs-up. I can't wait to get it! It's bad enough, shaving with shaky hands; but taking photos? Fagedaboudit! I hope future SOTD/FOTD photos will bear witness. :)