Tripod suggestions.

[Joe Copalman]

I'm in the market for a big-boy tripod.  Can't imagine I'd use it all that much with my 150-500mm, so it doesn't need to be incredibly beefy.  Looking to keep it under the $80 mark.  Really only interested in using it for static stuff, so I don't need any super-smooth gimbaled mounts or anything.  If you have a tripod in this price range that you are satisfied with, please sound off.

[Jay Beckman]

I humbly suggest you stretch your budget a little more Joe...No point in putting a dollar's worth of gear on a dime's worth of tripod.

Believe me when I tell you that tripods are the most "re-purchased" accessory in all of photography because people think they can cut corners until the first time a leg fails and they're forced to buy up.

I can recommend the Induro line of carbon fiber tripods.  They're knockoffs of Gitzo and while I got mine from Tempe Camera, they're also available from B&H and for probably less cash.

[Joe Copalman]

A tripod is something I will use maybe three or four times a year, and not with my tele-zoom.  I have several modest gear gear upgrades on my list, and a corner is most definitely going to be cut when it comes to a tripod purchase.  Induro has an alloy tripod for around $160 that is worth a look though, so thanks for steering me in that direction. 

[FelipeG]

I have a Manfrotto 7322YB, it's great for general use, it's not something I use every day, but it's worked good so far. I gotta say it's not too bad for traveling, it doesn't take up too much space in the checked bag. The only thing is that the ballhead can be a bit tricky to use.

[Jay Beckman]

B&H Searched down to between $50 and $100: LINK

Load rating should be (IMO) 50% over what you think you'd mount on it...

[Joe Copalman]

Thanks Jay, I've been browsing B&H most of the night.  I'm definitely not looking for something to use every day, I just want something that is sturdy and can support the 5 or so pounds of camera and lens I'll put on it for long exposures on the occasional night shoot.  As long as it can do that and it's not made of some funky material that explodes at temperatures over 100ºF, I'm good.

Solid tip on the intended gear + 50% rule.  Sound advice for sure.

[Jay Beckman]

Given your propensity toward the "worm's eye view," you might also want to pay attention to the collapsed height and whether or not you can remove the center column or at least adjust it such that it doesn't limit how low you can go.

Nothing more frustrating than getting a nice, low collapsed height only to realize that you can't go any lower because the center column is only 1/2" shorter than the collapsed leg length...

[Joe Copalman]

I've been thinking about that as well, especially since it will be mostly for night shoots. 

I think I might take a trip out to Tempe Camera to actually handle a few. 

(Wife has been asking what to get me for my birthday and this and a new bag are the two items at the more in-our-budget-right-now spectrum of my gear needs).

[Jay Beckman]

"Budget" .. A word with which I am intimately familiar...

[Jeff D. Welker]

My 2-cents for what it is worth.

Of all the equipment we can buy to feed our photography addiction, IMHO the mantra of "buy once cry once" applies most correctly to tripod purchases. I believe there is a direct relationship between tripod stability and purchase price. While I understand you don't anticipate using it often, I suggest that the few times you do, it will likely involve a medium to long exposure; otherwise, why not hand-hold. Keeping your camera stable during these exposures is often the difference between a WOW and mediocre image. Like anything, seeking an extremely stable tripod can get out of hand and end up in the expenditure of thousands of dollars. While I'm not suggesting you only get a $1,500 Really Right Stuff carbon fiber special, I do suggest you get the absolute best you can afford.

If it helps in your budgeting, I have a very nice medium sized camera bag (Lowepro Magnum 400 AW) that I've only used one time and will be happy to trade you straight across for dinner at Burgers-n-Beer in El Centro on November 17th.

BTW, Jay's recommendation of the Induro is spot on.

[FelipeG]

B&H Searched down to between $50 and $100: LINK

Load rating should be (IMO) 50% over what you think you'd mount on it...

Factor of safety of 1.5. I like that.

[Stephen Marshall]

I'm with the others here. I got a ~$65 tripod and have been nothing but disappointed with it.

I tried to take a time-lapse of the sunset one day and with my reasonably small Tamron 75-300. I could see every frame move with the wind, made the thing useless. I will admit I had the neck extended 20-30% of its total height which was the majority of the problem, but I still wish I had gone with better.

[Joe Copalman]

Went with a Slik 330 somethin' or other.  Spent around $115 on it.  Pretty robust, lets me get down low when needed, and supports the 50D/Sigma rig with 1.3ish factor of safety, which I can live with. 

[jslugman]

Good to hear you made the purchase Joe. When addressing the topic in classes I try hard to convince them to skip the first 1-3 you think you'll buy. I have mangled examples to show as well which helps. 

FWIW I have two Bogen/Manfrotto units one with a ball head and one with a pan/tilt head (used most) and they've been through hell/Alaska/China and back and held up well over the past decade.