Written by Stephen Ondich
Tripods are necessary gear for any serious photographer. However, many photographers like myself need gear on a budget. Taking great pictures is a point of pride but it’s not my career. Therefore, I was ecstatic to find an inexpensive, lightweight, easy to use, 72″ tripod on Amazon. I’m taking it to Acadia National Park this summer. It’s the perfect tool f0r a Cadillac Mountain sunset picture!
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Acadia National Park
Location
Acadia National Park is 0 miles from Acadia National Park.
Beware of Biased Tripod Reviews Online
YouTube is overrun with of reviews of inexpensive tripods. The reason for the plethora of reviews is that tripods are an ideal product for affiliate marketing.
Here’s why they are ideal for affiliate marketing:
- Many camera mounts are in the $50-$200 price range. That price point is too expensive for the buyer to order blindly but not expensive enough to mull over for days.
- Anyone with a camera or camera phone is a potential buyer.
- Before making a $50-$200 purchase, most buyers do a little bit of research first.Â
- If a trusted blog recommends a certain tripod, buyers are likely to purchase it on Amazon after reading.
- Accordingly, Amazon pays an affiliate commission to the referring blog.
Affiliate links do not necessarily taint a review. However, if the reviewer gains financially from your purchase, there is an incentive to focus on the tripod’s benefits and gloss over or omit criticisms.Â
My Honest Review of My Outdoor Tripod
This review contains no affiliate links. Thus, I have no financial interest in your tripod purchase. However, before you head over to Somesville Bridge or Blue Hill Overlook to take that perfect photograph, you’ll need some decent equipment.Â
The reason I’m posting this review is that I’m thrilled with what I bought. Thus, I want to share my honest evaluation with you with no strings attached,
My First Two Tripods Never Made it to Maine
Here is my consumer journey. Ultimately, lessons from my two previous purchases led me to my third and hopefully final tripod purchase.
The First Tripod
When I first realized I needed a tripod, I bought one of the cheapest on Amazon.
The Sunpak Mini-D 11 1/2″ cost about $10 on Amazon Prime. It secured the camera when placed on a flat surface. In that sense, it did its job. However, it was impractical for outdoor use. Additionally the 11 1/2″ height was limiting. It was like an easel. Taking it to Acadia National Park was out of the question.
My Second Tripod
Eventually, I sought a taller sturdier tripod that could be used outdoors.Â
By chance, while walking around downtown Pasadena I saw an unusual antique store. From the outside, I saw lots of vintage 1930-1960 era cameras, radios and camera gear.
Once inside I impulse bought a smartly designed steel tripod. The Japanese-made Sunset model was vintage 1960’s technology. It expanded to a reasonable height and collapsed into a 12″ carrying case. Additionally, it came with its original cardboard box. Â
Unfortunately, I left the tripod standing fully extended in the house. Someone tripped on it and broke a leg off.
Accordingly, tripod number two never made it to Maine, either.
Buying the Perfect Budget Tripod for Maine
For my third and hopefully final purchase, I did my homework. My criteria was as follows:
- Amazon Prime Marketplace. I wanted a large selection of tripods to choose from. However, since I could not see them beforehand, I wanted the option of an easy return, if necessary. Amazon Prime was the logical marketplace.
- Under $50. This was an arbitrary figure. However, I believe that the point of diminishing returns sets in around $50 for a tripod, at least for my needs. A $700 tripod is undoubtedly superior to a $50 one. However, it’s unlikely to be 1400% better, for example. Â
- 72″ Height. Until I shot video, I failed to realized the importance of a tripod that reaches human head height. Many tripods are 60″ tall. The extra 12″ of height really makes photography and video easier.
- Easy to set up and break down. Tripods should be easy to use. By easy, I mean quick to pop up and take down. When I’m at Acadia National Park, I take a few pictures and quickly move on to the next shot. If your tripod is cumbersome and unwieldy, setting up is not fun. Accordingly, you take less pictures and have less fun doing it.
- Easy to travel with. As I mentioned earlier, I am not a professional photographer. Therefore, when I take a tripod across the country to Maine, it needs to fit compactly in carry on. One of my checked suitcases is not going to be a tripod case. No way!
- Sturdy construction. One of my concerns about an inexpensive 72″ tall model was stability. If a tripod is tall but unstable, your camera may be in jeopardy. In that case, the extra height serves to maximize camera damage in the event of a spill. Thus, it’s critical that stability goes hand in hand with height.
The Ideal Outdoor Tripod for Under $50, Found on Amazon
The tripod that met all of my criteria is the Victiv T72. At $47.99, I came in under budget.
I am very happy with the quality, features and portability of this tripod. Â
To see it up close, check out my video below.Â
Good luck with your Acadia National Park photos!
Heidi
2 Jun 2019I had no idea there were so many Tripod options. Thanks for the info!
Stephen
3 Jun 2019There are a ton of tripods on the market. I certainly haven’t tried them all but this one is excellent for the $ so I figured I’d share. Thanks-Steve
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