First Tripod "Slick Sprint Pro" Y/N

Richiex1

Richiex1

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Richie
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Hi All
I am very new to this photography thing but am enjoying the learning curve.
I recently got my first DSLR and have spent the last few weeks reading and learning about my camera (Nikon D5000+ vr 18-55 kit lens) and its settings. Now I just need to get outside and experiment a lot more.
I've been looking for a first tripod, needs to be lightish and able to strap to a rucksack for days out in the hills and mountains.
Been looking at the "Slick Sprint Pro II", do any of you guys or gals have any experience of said pod??? Read some reviews in a mag a few months back and the reviews on amazon all seem to be quite positive.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
 
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I've got a RedSnapper as well, much more solid then the typical cheapie tripod. Also at the time I bought my one TP members got a discount.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the Red Snapper's been looking on here and they certainly get high recommendations. They are a bit heavier, I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on the Slick Sprint (reviews look good but its always better to get opinions from users)? But it is looking like Red Snapper might be the way to go.
 
Can't say I've used the Slick Sprint in honestly, however hopefully someone will be along shortly to comment.

If not base your purchase on the reviews you have already read. If others rate it highly that would be good enough for me!

Let us know what you decide to go with :thumbs:
 
Hi there

I purchased a manfrotto prox1b with 804rc2 three way head. It is a bloody brill tripod with lots of versatility. I got it from focus on imaging for just over half the rrp too!
 
Cheers for the info, whichever tripod I end up with what type of head would people recommend for general use, a three way or a ball head? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?
 
Richiex1 said:
Cheers for the info, whichever tripod I end up with what type of head would people recommend for general use, a three way or a ball head? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?
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Personal preference and your budget really a ball head is quicker and easier to use IMO, not so many knobs to twiddle for full control. A 3 way will do the same job, is generally cheaper but take a little more time to set.
 
Richiex1 said:
Hi All
I am very new to this photography thing but am enjoying the learning curve.
I recently got my first DSLR and have spent the last few weeks reading and learning about my camera (Nikon D5000+ vr 18-55 kit lens) and its settings. Now I just need to get outside and experiment a lot more.
I've been looking for a first tripod, needs to be lightish and able to strap to a rucksack for days out in the hills and mountains.
Been looking at the "Slick Sprint Pro II", do any of you guys or gals have any experience of said pod??? Read some reviews in a mag a few months back and the reviews on amazon all seem to be quite positive.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have the Slik Sprint Pro. Had a quick look at the Pro II online, and it just seems to be an update. It's quite good, and light, but the ball head isn't great. I bought it as a travel tripod, mainly for a compact and a camcorder, and it's been fine for that. Should be OK with a DSLR, providing you're not talking about too much weight or a long lens, but I think you could do quite a bit better for a similar price. Have a look at the Redsnappers, as others have said. They do carbon fibre too - very light but more expensive.
 
Original Poster said:
Personal preference in all honesty.

I do not get along with ball heads but others rate them highly and would never go back to a three way!
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Agreed. I'm not very keen on them either, but we seem to be in the minority here!
 
I've got a Slik 400DX, great, but incredibly heavy. Thinking of getting a Sprint too, not sure if I can swap my 3 way head onto it though as I couldn't live with a Ball head. Looked at redsnappers, but they're only a few grams lighter. a Sprint would be less than half the weight!

Doesn't help a lot I know!
 
I've not got that particular model but I do have a SLIK Pro 700DX. Caunt fault them.

Ended up sticking my Manfrotto heads on the SLIK legs instead.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Just looked at this:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOQz6uCBRyw

Sounds like the head is a bit of a week link! But fittings are standard 1/4 inch so I guess most heads have the same?

Really like the red snapper need to decide weather the weight saving of the Slik is worth the trade off.

It will be my first tripod and no doubt wont be my last.

Mmmmm Decisions Decisions......!
 
Well - I've got a Slik Sprint Pro II and a Red Snapper 283/528 combo. The Redsnapper is a marvelously solid bit of kit for the money. The Slik by comparison feels extremely light and flimsy. However - it is solid enough (provided it's not too windy) for a decent camera and lens - I'm happy enough with the 7D and a 17-40L on there. I modified the plug on the end of the centre column to include a hook, so I can hook a string bag with a couple of rocks in from the 'pod to stablise things a bit in higher winds. The last extension of the legs is a bit flimsy, but if you're working at 3ft or below, you can avoid using that. Top and bottom of it is, If I'm going somewhere half a mile from the car to shoot, I'll take the Redsnapper. If I'm away walking all day in the hills, then I'll take the Slik.

If I had to have only one or the other, I'd have to take the redsnapper - but i'd be annoyed every time I went walking and didn't have a 'pod with me when I needed it.
 
Thanks again for all the replies gives me much food for thought.

Big Yin, thanks for all that info never thought I would find someone who would be able to compare both options. Lots there to think about but as I spend a lot of full days in the hills with an allready full rucksack might be better to go for the Silk to start me off.
I can always get the Red Snapper later when funds permit. (two tripods for under £120 cant be bad)
Like the idea of modifying the plug to take a hook......!
Nice one Chris will look forward to getting one myself.
Thanks again all:clap:
 
I have the Manfrotto 190XB and the 3 way head, but never ever take it outside as it's just too heavy. I bought the Silk Sprint Pro with the ball head a couple of weeks ago, and though not as sturdy as the Manfrotto, it's one that I can manage to carry. The only thing which I did change was the ball head that came with it. Although it functions OK it does not have a secondary locking device on the quick release plate, so erring on the side of caution, (I'm inclined to be clumsy) I bought a Kood BH02 Pro ball head from Premier Ink for £24.71 inc P&P. If funds are limited though the original ball head would suffice.
 
Richiex1 said:
Thanks again for all the replies gives me much food for thought.

Big Yin, thanks for all that info never thought I would find someone who would be able to compare both options. Lots there to think about but as I spend a lot of full days in the hills with an allready full rucksack might be better to go for the Silk to start me off.
I can always get the Red Snapper later when funds permit. (two tripods for under £120 cant be bad)
Like the idea of modifying the plug to take a hook......!
Nice one Chris will look forward to getting one myself.
Thanks again all:clap:
Click to expand...

Alan Clogwyn said:
I've got a Slik 400DX, great, but incredibly heavy. Thinking of getting a Sprint too, not sure if I can swap my 3 way head onto it though as I couldn't live with a Ball head. Looked at redsnappers, but they're only a few grams lighter. a Sprint would be less than half the weight!

Doesn't help a lot I know!
Click to expand...

I can fit my Manfrotto 3 way onto mine, though you do need an adaptor as the Slik Pro is the smaller size screw thread.
 
I have a Slik Sprint Pro and think it is great as a lightweight/ travel tripod.
I got an adaptor to convert the 1/4 thread to 3/8 so that I could fit manfrotto ball head. I also fixed a small hook to the bottom of the centre column so that I can hang my bag off it for a extra bit of weight and stability.
 
dacdac said:
I have a Slik Sprint Pro and think it is great as a lightweight/ travel tripod.
I got an adaptor to convert the 1/4 thread to 3/8 so that I could fit manfrotto ball head. I also fixed a small hook to the bottom of the centre column so that I can hang my bag off it for a extra bit of weight and stability.
Click to expand...

Yes that's the one thing I think it was missing. You'd have thought they would have fitted one.
 
ordered mine one morning (I forget the time, but definitely before 12 noon) and the courier was there on the doorstep before breakfast the following morning :shrug:
 
As usual my redsnapper took over a week to arrive, but it seems to be a decent bit of kit. Certainly comparable to the silk pro 700dx and a lot sturdier than the manfrotto 190xproB
 
i have a tripod from argos for £25 and have done since i started togging and its been fabulous, i do a lot of photography in urbex environments too so it gets bashed about a lot and its took some abuse over the years... definately recommend it...
 
Have read a few more reviews and just ordered the Slick Sprint Pro II from amazon (£62), looks like a great travel tripod (and my first) may need something a bit more substantial at a later date but with summer fast approaching I will see how this preforms on the hills for now.
I will let you know what I think when it arrives.....can't wait
 
I'll stick with my Benbo Trekker, just love this tripod, gets in more positions than the Kama Sutra:lol:
 
This may be a bit obvious, but I think it's worth mentioning. Hanging a weight under the tripod can help to stabilise it - as others have said - but another easy option is to only extend the legs as far as necessary.
 
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