Looking for a good tripod... suggestions?

I've never owned a great tripod before, and I'm looking for one now, for a reasonable price. Looking around, I see a lot to choose from. I'm looking for a full size, lightweight, so that I can take it backpacking and hiking with me without adding too much weight, but it also needs to be strong/stable. I probaby wont want to spend over 60 dollars. So, what can you suggest to me? Thanks.

60 dollars won't get you much. But, for hiking and backpacking, I use a Gorillapod which runs about $50 for the SLR Zoom model. I also bought a little Giottos ball head to go on it from Adorama for $12, and it holds up to 6 pounds.

I know 60 wont get me the best, but it will get something better than what I have now. I'll look up what you suggested.

Gorillapod looks nice but I already have a small tripod. I'm looking for something full sized, maybe 60 inches tall or so. The one I have now is 52 inches tall, and lightweight (2 pounds) but it broke, so I need something a bit stronger.

So far I have found this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ipod_with.html

any of the respected names like Manfrotto, Gitzo, Slik, etc should have something to meet your needs. If you have a good local camera store or two, I would wander down there and get some input from the folks in the store. You also will get a chance to compare the different brands. HTH.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Just a followup, if you do go to a store, take your camera with you and you test out how it feels with the tripods and heads that you look at.

Bogen is another reputable brand.

I have a good tripod a Bogen/Manfrotto (payed $150 for in 2000). But with only $60 check you neighbor hood camera stores for a used tripod as this Last September I went tripod shopping with daughter and the cheapest tripod of any quality that we saw was in the $90 price range.

Thanks for the help, I'll be buying one soon. What do you think of the one I posted a link to in my second post in this thread? I know it's not one of the good brands you named, but it looks pretty good to me. Let me know what you think, and I'll keep looking.

Here's another: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...od_with_3.html

Or this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Rail_100.html

For me I would want to try the tripod in the store before parting with my cash. For my camera work personally I do not like quick release tripods. I guess the ones I had, the quick release plate is one more thing to get lost and if I left it on the camera, the plate became a device to hit my face when I wasn't using the tripod. Beside if I'm using a tripod It's not a quickly snap shot.

Before you buy a tripod you might want to read this article.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

This is the road that far too many people seem to follow with the exact same results. You don't need to spend as much money as Thom Hogan is talking about, but the point he makes is a very valid one.