First Tripod question

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mrhoddy

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Hi all

On the lookout for a tripod my first for a 40d as I'm looking to try and start doing some night shots. Anyway I've read that there are three things to essentially consider cost lightweight or sturdy.

Anyway I remember using tripods at work years ago for another application and they always blew over so this is my fear, what should I look for for best stability? Would I be looking at a heavy tripod then in that case.

Knowing little about tripods, do I then need to buy a head, 3 way and all this jargon, any good threads?

Budget maybe about 100 to start with for suggestions, looked at those red snappers.
 
You can always add weight to a tripod, if it has a ballast hook you can hang your camera bag, sandbag or water container from it for extra stability providing you stay within it's load capacity.

Tripods can be:
  • Cheap
  • Sturdy
  • Lightweight
Pick two from three.

Usually budget plays the biggest role in deciding, have you got a budget in mind?

How sturdy does it have to be? What is the maximum weight (body and lens) you plan on using?

How do you plan on using it? is weight critical? eg. will you be hiking a long distance from your transport with it?

You need to consider all of these questions.


There's about two threads per day on tripods, with suggestions on makes and models (usually a list of what tripods people own themselves). Manfrotto, Red Snapper, Giotto, Three Legged Thing all have their supporters.

Choice of head style is more a personal thing based on use, some prefer ball-heads/3-way/pan-tilt/etc.
 
Personally if I wouldn't blow your money until you have around £200.

£100 will not get you much in the way of a good tripod and head.

See if you can get your hands on a new or second hand Manfrotto 190xprob with a pan and tilt (I use Manfrotto 804RC2).

A truly solid tripod and for the price you can't go wrong.

The latest model also has a built in pivot boom.

You could pick up this kit second hand for around £180.

Alternatively the 055prob legs are also good and a bit cheaper.
 
I assume you will be shooting landscape stuff?

Otherwise don't bother, I have 2 tripods and never use either, then again I shoot everything except landscapes.
 
Now, I'm no expert, but I have a Velbon Luxi L tripod that I picked up for £67 last year, now £77 on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Ultr...GPB4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326024217&sr=8-1 and that is very sturdy compared to what I used in the past.

For over 20 years, I used a £30 tripod with a film SLR and standard zoom, and 75-205 tele-zoom, and have had pictures published in books and magazines from using it, so cheap is not necessarily bad; just make sure it will support the load you have on it.

I also used my cheap Jessops tripod, before I got my Velbon,with my 450D and Canon 10-22 for photographing the Northern Lights with exposures of 1 minute plus, so don't think that you need to spend £200 to get a useable tripod.

I do fear that there is often an element of snobbery that cheaper is rubbish, but that is not always the case; it is just that it is not always as good as the more expensive stuff.

Have a feel of the tripod and firmness and make your decision based on that. That's what I did, and I am happy with it.
 
As others have said you need to consider what is important to your needs, sturdyness or size. My first tripod was a £50 Cullman Nanomax, gave good height, was light at 1kg and was reasonably sturdy but I sold it as I wanted something more compact and easier to carry around. I don't do long exposures so was willing to sacrifice on sturdyness and replaced it for something more compact but still sturdy enough for my needs.
 
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