As a professional photographer, the biggest mistake I notice amateurs make is not investing in a quality tripod and tripod head. Nothing can improve someone’s photography more, not even a better camera or expensive lenses. If you don’t have a sturdy foundation for your gear, it doesn’t matter which camera or lenses you have!

Most tripods sold at big box stores and even camera stores aren’t constructed well enough to survive typical use, aren’t sturdy enough to prevent camera shake, and are so heavy that they discourage you from using them. For these reasons, you are better off investing in a good quality tripod so you’ll only have to buy one and not have to constantly replace it or upgrade.

The bare minimum tripod I recommend is the Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod. It is the least expensive tripod that anyone should buy and the Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head makes a good pairing with it.

For a limited time and while supplies last, order the Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod from Amazon.com for as low as $129.95 shipped! (Up to 27% Off!)

The Manfrotto 190XPROB three-section tripod is ultra stable, flexible, and easy to use, making it a great choice for professional photographers everywhere. The tripod is distinguished by its Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column, which has been completely redesigned to create a more user-friendly feel. By extending the column to its highest vertical position, users can now swing the tripod round to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself. This makes switching between framing and positioning setups more convenient than ever. In addition, Manfrotto improved the ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick-action leg locks, making it a breeze to open, position, and close the tripod in just a few seconds. The tension of the locking mechanism is even user-adjustable, so you can find the right tension for your comfort level.

The tripod’s unique design allows the photographer to use the center column horizontally as an extending arm or vertically (both right-way-up and upside-down). When used horizontally, the center column can be turned 360 degrees around the tripod, making it useful for macro work, low-angle shooting, extreme balance points, and off-center work. This also makes the tripod a helpful accessory for chair-bound photographers, who can sit beside the tripod instead of behind it, putting them much closer to the camera viewfinder.

Should you need to balance the tripod on an uneven surface, you can set each of the legs to a different spread angle over the tripod’s center of gravity–a must for nature shots on outdoor terrain. This also allows you to adjust the tripod to several different heights, with four preset independent leg angles and a spring-loaded step mechanism for extra stability.

Get the Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod at Amazon.com with FREE Super Saver Shipping on qualifying orders over $25.

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