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What tripod and lens should I get?

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Easy-A
Posts: 14 - Karma: 27
So I'm hoping to find myself in Japan this coming season (if everything goes to plan) and want to get a lens that would produce some nice footage. Budget wise I probably have about $600. If you could provide a couple of options that would be great.


What I have currently:

Nikon D5500
Opteka 6.5mm f3.5
Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lense
Vivitar tripod that cost me less than $10

Thanks in advance
Aug 9 2016 3:58PM
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FishChowder
Posts: 244 - Karma: 221
What are you going to be shooting?
Aug 9 2016 7:07PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,114
$600 for lens and tripod?

You should probably spend at least that on a decent tripod IMO but you could get something decent for $300, but that doesn't leave a lot for a lens.
Aug 9 2016 7:09PM
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Easy-A
Posts: 14 - Karma: 27
GetsonWhat are you going to be shooting?


Hope to get a couple of cinematic shots and then just some flyby skiing footage if that makes sense?

eheath$600 for lens and tripod?

You should probably spend at least that on a decent tripod IMO but you could get something decent for $300, but that doesn't leave a lot for a lens.


Was hoping for a slightly cheaper Tripod because other than this trip I don't plan to use it that much.
Aug 9 2016 8:38PM
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gabew34
Posts: 500 - Karma: 497
Que the "don't even buy a tripod if you wont spend $800 or more" comments. but all else aside i have had good luck with my induro tripod, it works well for what i need it for. it seems to be a good balance between quality and price. also doesn't hurt to go into a camera store near you an get a feel for what products are within your price range.
Aug 9 2016 8:45PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,114
speedyswapper34Que the "don't even buy a tripod if you wont spend $800 or more" comments. but all else aside i have had good luck with my induro tripod, it works well for what i need it for. it seems to be a good balance between quality and price. also doesn't hurt to go into a camera store near you an get a feel for what products are within your price range.


I mean im not making this shit up, ive owned a $300 setup and a $1200 guess which one didnt break? The $300 setup broke after 2 years and my new setup has lasted 5 years of very, very heavy use. Investing in a good tripod is very worth it.
Aug 9 2016 8:55PM
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Easy-A
Posts: 14 - Karma: 27
speedyswapper34Que the "don't even buy a tripod if you wont spend $800 or more" comments. but all else aside i have had good luck with my induro tripod, it works well for what i need it for. it seems to be a good balance between quality and price. also doesn't hurt to go into a camera store near you an get a feel for what products are within your price range.

I always expect them comments... its the internet after all haha.
I actually didn't even think of going into a store and having a play with some tripods so thanks for the suggestion. (Too addicted to online shopping clearly)

eheathI mean im not making this shit up, ive owned a $300 setup and a $1200 guess which one didnt break? The $300 setup broke after 2 years and my new setup has lasted 5 years of very, very heavy use. Investing in a good tripod is very worth it.

As always eheath I appreciate the wisdom and time you have taken to reply. I personally won't be looking to put mine through heavy use as most of the time I mainly do follow cam style filming. Any ideas on a decent lens?
Aug 9 2016 9:10PM
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Colby_eubanks
Posts: 72 - Karma: 647
Rokinon cine primes. There extremely high quality especially for the price!
Aug 9 2016 10:43PM
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FishChowder
Posts: 244 - Karma: 221
Pick up a 70-300 Nikkor G lens. I am using a Manfrotto 222 joystick head. I can't remember on which tripod right now but it is tough. I will get back to ya on that one.

I am not entirely convinced you are going to need a tripod for what you will be shooting though. If you are going be shooting during the daytime it really isn't needed. The only time I break mine out is shooting abandoned places and places I need to expose a little longer than what I can hand hold steadily if my subject doesn't move.
Aug 10 2016 11:04AM
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FishChowder
Posts: 244 - Karma: 221
It is a manfrotto 190prod tripod I use. I think you would be better off sinking all of your money into a lens though. You already have the wide angles covered . That 70-300 will really compress the background at 300mm and will look great in a lot of shots.

I used to have that lens until I went to a full frame camera. I use a 70-200 lens now for 75% of things I shoot. Long is good.
Aug 10 2016 6:54PM
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eheath
Posts: 61489 - Karma: 122,114
GetsonIt is a manfrotto 190prod tripod I use. I think you would be better off sinking all of your money into a lens though. You already have the wide angles covered . That 70-300 will really compress the background at 300mm and will look great in a lot of shots.

I used to have that lens until I went to a full frame camera. I use a 70-200 lens now for 75% of things I shoot. Long is good.


This dude is doing video work, not photo. A tripod is pretty important if you're using a lens over 35mm.
Aug 10 2016 7:00PM
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FishChowder
Posts: 244 - Karma: 221
Ahh my bad. Yes, video totally different than photo that way.
Aug 10 2016 8:59PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6300 - Karma: 6,544
Just get like a manfrotto 501 or something. Nothing special. Could probably find a used one on eBay for a decent price.
Aug 14 2016 11:54AM
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pattyeiks
Posts: 265 - Karma: 885
Tripods don't matter. Any tripod will work, it just depends what kind of head you have for it. Different heads will give you different ease of motion. As for a lens, it depends on what you are shooting.
Aug 16 2016 9:20PM
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