Tripod buying advice

[icecavern]

Right I'm looking to buy myself a better tripod as the one I have is as old as the hills and only cost £20 years ago :lol:

So I'm looking for something about £150 or so including a ball head as they seem like the things to go for.

I'm also interested in buying some quick release kit to go with it.

The low budget is mainly as I don't use tripods much, but I am keen on doing a bit more ladnscape and some night shoots so need somethign a bit more sturdy than the one I have.

Any suggestions?

[daftbugga]

manfrotto 190 or the newer version, xb , xb pro

ball head 486 rc2 can be had for £ 150

[icecavern]

190XPROB + 486RC2 comes under budget at WE, need to find out the RRP as a local shop is doing 15% off manfrotto I think so might be cheaper than WE.

:)

Other suggestions welcome though. :)

[StewartR]

First Rule Of Tripods:
Light. Sturdy. Cheap. Pick two.

I'm not qualified to comment on specific models, but I think the First Rule can be very helpful. Think through how you will trade off these three criteria, because you do have to trade them off. In the original post you said that you wanted sturdy and cheap, so what you'll get will probably not be light. Is that OK? If not, how would you prioritise? Try drawing a triangle, labelling the three corners Light Sturdy and Cheap, and them putting a blob somewhere in the triangle to show what you want. It can be an instructive and helpdul exercise....

[inaneredstripe]

ah. done this one before. manfr 055 if your over about 5,10, as the other one is a bit shorter.we got the 055 pro. we got a cheap ball head off photoskill on ebay. but SHE fancies the flash grip head when funds allow.

[andrewc]

Buy Toms 190PRO -

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=34845

May not be the latest and greatest, but there is little in it.

Then choose a head. 488RC2 is a good sturdy ball head.

[tom]

cheers for the plug andrewc :) Yea, the 190XProB that replaces mine gives VERY little over this, just a quicker way of changing the column to horizontal instead of vertical.

It's a very good tripod for the money tbh, if I hadn't come into this Gitzo carbon fibre I would be keeping it.

[tom]

sorry for messing anyone around, i've decided to withdraw the tripod from sale to keep as a backup / for use with off camera flash

[icecavern]

Just got back from one of the local shops. They're doing 15% off Manfrotto so I just bought myself a 190XPROB and a 488RC2 ball head :)

Just need to get myself another couple of the plates for the quick release at some point.

[antihero]

Just got back from one of the local shops. They're doing 15% off Manfrotto so I just bought myself a 190XPROB and a 488RC2 ball head :)

Just need to get myself another couple of the plates for the quick release at some point.

sorry to be a bit off topic here.....but are you the same icecavern that frequents a certain seat forum?

[icecavern]

Yup that's me.