Buying Tripod for Widlife, Advice

djaphoto

djaphoto

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Dan
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As per title, I'm looking for a tripod that will help with my Widlife Photography, as of now I've managed with my Manfrotto Monopod but my lens is bigger and heavier and basically I just want better stability to contribute to better images.

I use a Fuji S3 Pro and Sigma 100-300mm F4 + 1.4x TC, so there is a bit of weight to be supported.

I am in no position to fork out loads, but appreciate that buying cheap ones might defeat the object and also not keep my gear stable when leaning for my bag or something!

So, can anybody offer any suggestions?

Thanks :cool:
 
I've bought a Velbon Sherpa 435R today, www.cameraking.co.uk are doing them for £69.95
I previously owned a Red snapper RS283 and RSH-528 3-way panning head.
The Red snapper is a good tripod but I found it was too heavy for taking on long walks.
I wanted something lighter and more compact and more suitable for air travel and after some research I decided the Velbon Sherpa 435R would be perfect for me.
The max load is rated at 3KG but with my 50D, grip and 70-200L and 1.4x extender, it feel quite rigid considering the legs are quite skinny.
I've been out twice today and I find the difference in weight compared to the Red snapper certainly makes it easier.
I looked at the Velbon ultra luxi L but the max load is 2KG, and I also looked at the Manfrotto 7302YB M-Y and although the max load is 3KG, the lack of a spirit level bothered me.
All three of these tripods come supplied with a head unit.
Camera king are currently £20 cheaper than the best price I could find online.
I've read a lot of negative reports about this company but as they are local to me, I arranged to collect and pay.
They give me the impression that they are quite like a previous employer of mine, another small company but fairly busy and sometimes mistakes do happen.
 
djaphoto said:
Thanks guys,

Got my eye on this at the minute: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-MANFROTTO...cessories_TripodsSupports&hash=item53e15ae65b

but also want to look into the Redsnapper with a ball head :thumbs:
Click to expand...

That's a lightweight Manfrotto travel tripod. It's not what you're looking for. Manfrotto 190 series minimum, but they're really rather short unless you extend the centre column, which is death to stability.

You should really be looking at the M'frotto 055 series with that lens. And a decent sized head. You probably need to spend a lot more than you're currently looking at and get a a good sized carbon jobbie if you're going to be carrying it any distance.

You can spend less of course, but you'll be replacing it sooner or later.
 
What's "Loads" ? IE what's your max budget?

I had a Manfrotto 055b set of legs and their £160 486RC head. I did not rate it at all and frankly have much more success with my beanbag.

Upgraded to a Markins M20 and Benro 2-series CF legs. Still don't rate the legs and wish I'd saved the money for the 3-series. (Benro is a Chinese Gitzo CF cloner, but very good product all round.) The current rig is OK so long as proper technique is exercised, but I'm still eyeing up these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260513351058&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Do yourself a favour, read this:
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Buy a beanbag for a tenner, keep saving, and then buy once. Don't waste your time and money on intermediates that don't honestly cut it.


Of course I say this to everyone. Number of times I've been listened to is probably a few thousand fewer than the number of times anyone takes Thom Hogans article to heart, but you gotta try for the sake of good karma.
 
If you fancy a Benro (I have their C-257) then for your info their 2-series range is roughly the same sort of size as a Manfrotto 055. But better made :)
 
I only have good things to say for my Giottos MTL9271B and the load capacity is 10kg

If, or when, you can afford it have a look at the Manfrotto 393 head. Makes a world of difference.
 
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