Cheap tripods?

[Anbesol]

Well, looking to get a couple cheap tripods to use to set up my wireless flashguns. They obviously don't need to be the best build, just to hold up a 1 lb flash, but I also don't want wal-mart's clearance version i.e. super-cheap-crap. It would be ideal to get one without the head, since it would only need to be positioned parallel to the ground, the head would even be excess, a nuisance, I'd just take it off and not use it. Any ideas where the best place could be? I'd like the price to be somewhere between $20 and $30 each, but could work with more or less.

[brmill26]

I've been using the Walmart super-cheap-crap plasto-aluminum version as my camera tripod for almost 4 years now. Still going strong after plenty of muddy creek treks.

But that said, I don't think it's high enough for off camera flash work. Check eBay. I got two 7.5ft light stands, complete w/ carrying case, for $50 shipped (from an American seller). They're fantastic and give you far more height than a camera tripod.

[Loupey]

I bought two light stands from a local camera shop for $15~$20 each. Folds up next to nothing but can extend up to 6'. Can't get that with a tripod.

[Anbesol]

I ended up picking up some westcott light stands, $40 a piece, they can extend 8' though.

Yeah I originally thought that the lightstands wouldn't come with a standard tripod mount, but they do - so I'm o-dilly-okay.

*edit - wow, I thought I paid a premium to get it at my local camera shop, I guess BH is charging the same. Link

Thanks for your input guys.

[Frog]

Why not just make something out of pvc pipe?

[Dougjgreen]

Why not just buy light stands? They typically cost around $20-30 each.

Oops, I see that you already did.

[Anbesol]

lol yup, except they weren't $20-$30 :-\ These things better earn their $80 (combined) tag!