Vikas Kohli , Mar 30, 2010; 09:35 a.m.
I did do search on this forum and did not find any recent discussions on this.
I have D90 and the longest/heaviest of my lenses is 70-300 VR and I don't expect to get anything bigger than that anytime soon.
I would like to get some inexpensive recommendations for a tripod for me. Many thanks in advance.
Wade Roth 
, Mar 30, 2010; 10:24 a.m.
You should first read http://www.bythom.com/support.htm before purchasing a tripod. After that, head to http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/index.html to read up on your options. RRS is a great resource for information (they also have great products). When I bought my tripod and ball head, I called their 800 number to talk to a rep about what would work for me. He ended up recommending a tripod model that they didn't have in stock and even suggested a couple of places that might have the model in stock. I really got the feeling that they had my best interest at heart.
Good luck.
--Wade
Hans Janssen , Mar 30, 2010; 10:44 a.m.
Feisol CT 3402 + Manfrotto 486RC2 carbonfiber and too expensive and only 1.7kg.
Vikas Kohli , Mar 30, 2010; 10:53 a.m.
Wade - thanks for the links... looks like I need to shell out >US$600 Anything inexpensive ?
Hans - thanks for the pointers... Feisol doesn't look to be easily available
Bob Sunley 
, Mar 30, 2010; 11:02 a.m.
Gerald hallenbeck , Mar 30, 2010; 11:39 a.m.
Dave Lee 
, Mar 30, 2010; 11:39 a.m.
An old Tilt-All or it's identical Japanese copy, a Star-D, can be had for around $100 or less and work perfectly for you. You do *not* need to spend $600 for a good camera stand unless you want the latest carbon fiber technology, and anyone who says you do is incorrect.
Eric Arnold , Mar 30, 2010; 11:49 a.m.
kikas, there are other options other than a $600 feisol. for instance the manfrotto 190 series, which starts at under $100 for the legs. (http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190XDB-Section-Aluminum-Tripod/dp/B000N81BXO)
holds 11 lbs, weighs 3.5 lbs. just add a ballhead and you're good to go. if you dont have long/heavy lenses, and/or dont need an ultralight tripod for hiking, a carbon fiber 'pod may be a luxury you dont need.
Jay Poel , Mar 30, 2010; 12:05 p.m.
Dane Strom , Mar 30, 2010; 12:12 p.m.
Go for the $175 Flashpoint tripod, as mentioned above. You will have no regrets. I use it, along with a Manfrotto 322RC2, with my D90/70-300 combo, and it works perfectly well.
If you have $600, of course go for something else. But if you can afford to spend about $300 on a tripod and head, go for the Flashpoint and a Manfrotto head.
