Tripod

Renn

So you've got around €200 to play with for a tripod, what do you go for? Not for myself so I'm out of the loop here!

Thanks.

DotOrg

there is no perfect tripod, as it depends on what the user wants from it, strength, weight, quick to move the camera, height etc etc....

also, the tripod and head are normally bought separately so they need to decide on the type of head they want

i use a manfrotto tripod and head but best way to choose is to go into somewhere like Gunns Camera shop and try them out, see which one feels right

i use: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-190XPROB-Tripod-Legs-Only/dp/B000MQFQU6/
and
the head: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-804RC2-Basic-Quick-Release/dp/B000K86664/

TinyExplosions

I have a Slik Tripod and ball head I picked up in Berminghams for 150ish that does me grand

Heebie

One with 3 legs! That's important!

I have a super-ultra-mega-cheap Vivitar ($29.95 from Wal-Mart in the U.S. about 10 years ago.) and a nice tripod that's out of your budget.

There ARE good tripods within your budget.. look at Manfrotto (Bogen), Slik and a few others. Be wary of the cheapie-cheapies.. they're not very stable. I only still have mine so that I don't have to let friends borrow my Manfrotto if we're out shooting together.

I have a Slik Pro 400DX that I got in Maher's Chemist(?) in Drogheda for €100. Suits me down to the ground. Every time I've used it it's been grand, but admittedly, it hasn't seen too much use as of yet.

Fireman

I have the same set up as DotOrg, good solid set up good weight in windy conditions, good head for panning if thats you field !!!

ThOnda

190XproB is just a beast. Sturdy, light(ish) and very versatile. I got it a bit pricey from DML, but I love it and would not like to change it.

dave66

It has been said that the best tripod is the one you have with you, but that said, I do think it's worth investing in a tripod, get the best (that suits you) that you can afford. I have a manfrotto (from Halls in Talbot street) have it about 13/14 years now and it's as good as the day I got it. It might be a little heavier than some more recent models but I like and it suits me.

Bring you camera to some where like gunns/halls and try it out on different tripods, if you have a long lense make sure to bring it they are often the heaviest glass we have. Just take your time about choosing the tripod.

stcstc

well 3 or even 4 legs :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/tripods/quadropod/212_0c.html

sineadw

I have the 55XproB



And an 808RC4



The head is HUGE and a bit slow to set up (I'm getting a pistol grip for the primes) but it'll carry 8kg, so I can shoot medium format on it without having to upgrade the head at all. So, depends a lot on the weight of your gear, and what you see yourself shooting in 5 years time.

Heebie

I have the same tripod as you, but with the 410 Jr. Geared Head:


This head has quick-releases for getting things around where you want them quickly, but it also has the gearing for precision.

sineadw wrote: »

I have the 55XproB

sineadw

"The 410 also incorporates a unique feature that allows you to instantly disengage the gears and rough position the camera by hand, then instantly reengage them for ultra-precise final alignment"

Nice!

ThOnda

sineadw wrote: »

...
Nice!

But the price difference :eek:

sineadw

ThOnda wrote: »

But the price difference :eek:

Yeah.. and it holds 5kg max. still though, I do get a bit frustrated at how long my yoke takes to set. Maybe it's just more practice though..

irlirishkev

Only this afternoon I went down to Bermingham's and picked up the same Tripod and Head as DotOrg (I hadn't seen this post at that point).

I've just been messing around with it in the apartment since I got it, but so far am well impressed with it. Very sturdy, usable, and quick to set up. I'm using them with a D80 and a 55-200 lens.

The tripod itself is a nice weight, and actually it's full height is taller than me (5'8"), which I wasn't expecting either.

magicbastarder

i have one of these:
http://www.epinions.com/Bogen_3262QR_Midi_Ball_Head_w__Quick_Release_Plate__Black___Camera_Accessories_3262QR
on one of these:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=detailsdisc&sku=BG3001N

does the job nicely, i like the ball and socket head; one control to control the angle the camera is pointing in all three axes. handy to have more than one quick release plate if you've more than one camera, though. they're about 12 quid each.
actually, one caveat i have is that sometimes, the 'feedback' from the paddle controlling the ball and socket is deceptive, and you think it's tighter than it actually is. i think it's adjustable, though.