Tripod Advice

[goslayer]

Hi,

Since upgrading my camera and lens the weight of the equipment has shot up and my poor old Velbon tripod does not look sturdy enough.

I have been looking at Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods and ball heads today but the choice is limit-less.

Can anyone recommend a good tripod and ball head please, I was looking at spending between £150 and £200.

Thanks

[ReddishSnapper]

I have Gitzo legs (GT2540) and can't fault the build quality or stability. However, in my research I found lots of complaints about the Gitzo ball head so went a different, and more expensive, route for that. However, I have heard that there is a company called Benro who make carbon fibre tripods that are remarkably "similar" to Gitzo but at half the price. Worth a google at least?

[goslayer]

Hi,

Thanks for that but that looks a bit more money than I wanted to spend. I dont often use a tripod but would like to have a good stable one that I wont worry about my camera and lens falling.

[Steve Smith]

Actually, a heavier camera will make a tripod more stable - as long as it can physically stand the weight.


Steve.

[goslayer]

This is the sort of thing I was thinking of

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-475b-pro-geared-tripod/p10861

and a ball head like this

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-488rc0-midi-ball-head/p10923

anyone got these or can recommend some like/better?

Thanks

[hsuffyan]

have you had a look at the redsnapper tripods? i have one with a ball head. cant fault it. it can take a kit weighing 8kgs. head+tripod costs £100

[goslayer]

Hi,

Thanks, they look alright. I'll have a read


have you had a look at the redsnapper tripods? i have one with a ball head. cant fault it. it can take a kit weighing 8kgs. head+tripod costs £100

[sottoig]

You should check these out

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-giottos-mtl3271b-vertical-column-aluminium-tripod/p1025878
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-giottos-mh1300-652-series-ii-ball-head/p1025891

Been getting some good press, and seems good value

check out their website and watch product demo videos

http://www.giottos-tripods.co.uk/

[goslayer]

Thanks,

They look good, might pop into WHE later today and have a play.

[cambsno]

Redsnapper are very good, and great value for money.

[Greg K]

I've got a Manfrotto 055 MF3 (now obsolete) with a 488 RC2 head, nice and stable, it's rated for far more equipment than I have (D90 + Nikon 18-200 VR is the most I've put on it).

No complaints about Manfrotto kit.