re: #11 kirkspencer

Yeah, it’s the tradeoff that anyone who is doing nature/landscape photography has to figure out. Get better/sturdier equipment, but weighs more (and leads to leaving it behind when push comes to shove) or get lighter gear that is more prone to shakiness or more likely to get damaged over time.

Everyone has a different tolerance to lightweight gear, but tripods are someone you shouldn’t really skimp on. Get someone that you’re comfortable with (size does matter, especially if you’re taller). You can get lighter gear with stability if you pay more.

And then, there’s ease of use (quick connects, breaking down gear after use, etc.)

It’s best to try ‘em out in a store with a good selection before buying - to at least familiarize yourself with how they work and whether you’d be comfortable with use.

Some places will even let you rent gear.

In the NYC metro area, there are 3 places I’d recommend. Adorama and BH Photo in Manhattan, and Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ. I’ve had good experiences buying gear from all 3.