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If you are looking for a tripod, look for sturdy ones. I wont suggest a cheaper one and risk your equipment fall off.

Folks,
Was on the lookout for a long lens for my D5100 and just found out that Nikon has released updated version of the 55-200 called VR2. Any updates on this lens? I cant seem to find it on sale on any of the sites.
http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/product...89544215158117

By cheap and best, I did not mean something which will be unstable :)
I have no experience about this..please suggest a few decent ones.

Why buy cheap when a good one can last you a life time? Unlike cameras, tripods can last forever.

I bought a Manfrotto 190DB tripod with 486RC2 head in 2005. It is always in my car/Jeep, bouncing on every bad road I have taken in 10 years. It is still as sturdy as it was when I bought it.

As Samurai said, I did not mean "cheap" stuff. You get tripods for 2000/ and also for 20K. I just meant buy some thing in the 15-20k range. As Samurai said it will last a lifetime. Just wanted to set a perspective for the budget you have in mind. Also note tripod alone is not enough. If you are getting into serious photography like macros, you will also need a good ball head. And ball heads also cost a fortune starting from 5-6K for the basic one.

As regards to flast 430 EX II is about 15-18K. Worth a buy. Because you can get very good portraits without use of costly glass. (I referred to portraits, because I only use flash from that point of view). Its a very good buy.

Never buy an inexpensive tripod. You will end up buying an expensive one later. Manfrotto makes some of the better ones. Here is the updated model of what I use. Been with me for more than 10 years.

http://www.amazon.in/Manfrotto-MT055...55xprob+tripod

Apart from the tripod, invest in a robust ball head.
http://www.amazon.in/Manfrotto-498RC...otto+ball+head
is a reasonable head, but if you can afford it, get this one
http://www.amazon.in/Manfrotto-468MG...otto+ball+head

The pair will last you a life time and are sturdy enough to support heavy bod and heavy lenses.

I'm deliberately omitting the Rs 800-2000 featherweight (junk) tripods we tend to get in online stores and some retailers as well.

Depending on your budget here's how I'd classify tripod brands going from Medium price upwards:

Medium Price (Chinese/Taiwanese):
a) Benro
b) Sirui
c) Vanguard

Medium-High (European/British):
a) Manfrotto
b) Three Legged Thing (online orders only)

High End (European/US)
a) Really Right Stuff
b) Gitzo

High end tripods can get VERY expensive. Stay away.

I would say you should give serious consideration to Benro, Sirui, Vanguard, or Manfrotto. All are available online and at local retailers. Get a good quality tripod that costs about 15K and match it to a good quality (read Manfrotto, Sirui, Benro) ball head with a quick release plate + clamp.

My choice is Manfrotto in the medium price category. Don't compromise too much. Believe me, a tripod that topples over and takes your precious kit with it is a heart breaking experience. Plus shaky/flimsy ones wont do your pics an ounce of good.

I got an Acratech GP-s to go with my Manfrotto 055CXPRO3. Really impressed with the ball head. Amazing precision.

That's a very good BH and tripod. But it would probably be out of the OP's budget. The BH and CF tripod (I had the CX4 version) would probably fall in the medium-high end category. :)

But seriously, one of my favourite ball heads remains the Manfrotto 468MG. Just cannot bring myself to sell it off even if it has a proprietary clamp/plate when I have 'migrated' to the Arca Swiss format.

Of course way beyond the range. But I am realized the importance of both the elements of the combination once I started with macros.

^^

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I never expected a tripod to be so costly. And frankly, I was not aware of the thing called ball head. I definitely need to reset my budget in that case or else, postpone buying one till I have enough budget.

Currently, this is what I have -
Canon 600D + 18-55 + 55-250 + 50 mm
....

My 1st priority was to replace the kit lens with a better quality one with a better sharpness, faster aperture and focusing. (considering 15-85 from Canon and 17-70 from Sigma).

2nd priority was to get a tripod and 3rd a flashlight.

Looks like at this point of time I can get only one.
Which one do you suggest? Do you think the order of priority is correct or should I get the tripod first?

I would suggest:
- First Update glass to 24-105. (Yes I would say take the budget hit) I went in stages year by year. Y1 : 70-200, Y2: 10-22, Y3 : 100mm macro, Y4: Extra gear. like tripods etc.
- Second get flash for interior portraits. Thats where it comes in handy.
- Lastly look for tripods/ball heads. Because where are they used maximum? For low light landscapes, long exposures, macros etc.

Take that as later stage. I got a good tripod and ball head in stages. Also I got into that mode, only after I started taking macros. For most out doors I rely on hand held means. It also helps for early or evening landscapes. You should also get a good travelling bag. A low pro which can carry lots of stuff. A 5K investment will help you in a long way.

PS: In my case I paid more for the ball head than the tripod! :)

Regarding the toss-up between flash & tripod:

In low light, you can possibly substitute the tripod by keeping the camera on something. But you cant substitute the functionality of a flash ..

Have you tried non-banded flash or do you have an opinion? With TTL + wireless compatibility and 10k pricing, these do look interesting.

No. I have the regular Canon flash. 430 EXII. Got it here in Bangalore from the regular dealer at about 14-16K (I think). It was almost a year back.