I think everyone I’ve ever heard on the subject said the same thing as @JamesStaddon did:
I heartily encourage you not to skimp on a tripod.
I think the most I ever paid for a tripod was about $25.00, and it lasted less than 6 months! Needless to say, I’m not going to buy a “new” cheap tripod again. I learned my lesson, the tripod I currently have cost me $3.99 at a thrift store! 🙂 It’s actually a video tripod, which has several cons for photographers:
- It’s hard to lock it down. (It’s made for video, so it has very smooth, easy motion which makes it hard to tighten down enough to stay still!)
- It doesn’t have a vertical orientation mode. (Also a consequence of being made for video)
It is nice and heavy though, and very sturdy. It’s all I have, so I’m thankful for it when I need it!