Need help choosing a tripod please

ab2012

ab2012

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alan
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and I don't understand the differences between different kinds of heads.Wouldn't a tripod come with a head? Looking to spend no more than £100 or is that unrealistic?Second hand or new.Thanks.
 
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Heads are a preference thing and generally are purchased seperate, i personally prefer a ball head just because i find it easier to use , i have a redsnapper tripod which i'm happy with very sturdy for the money, there used to be an offer of 10% off for TP members using a code but if you google redsnapper tripods it should come up.
 
I considered 2 types of heads when looking to buy, a 3-way and a ball head. reading up originally i found that 3 ways offered more control, so i bought one of these. After a few months using it, i really wished i had a ball head instead, they allow much quicker framing at the expense of not being able to create panoramas so accurately.
 
I recently bought a Red Snapper tripod and ball head after reading many recommendations across the web. It's a smudge over £100 inc. postage when bought using the discount code.

I'm no expert but it seems really good, very stable and easy to use, and comes complete with a handy carry bag.
 
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Make sure you get one that you would be happy to lug around otherwise you will just waste your cash

To slightly change an old adage, the best tripod is the one you have with you

Buy the best you can afford and that goes for the head too, personally prefer ballheads, but sure both popular types have their merits.
 
I bought the redsnapper and ball head.really pleased with it.a little, over the hundred but only just.
 
Good advice and words of wisdom here.The Redsnapper 284 and ballhead seems a good buy.
I don't think there is TP discount on Special Offers.
 
ab2012 said:
and I don't understand the differences between different kinds of heads.Wouldn't a tripod come with a head? Looking to spend no more than £100 or is that unrealistic?Second hand or new.Thanks.
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Tripods come with heads in the same way that cameras come with lenses.

Cheap tripods have a built in head, like a compact and built in lens.
Many Mid range tripods come with a detachable head, like a low end DSLR and kit lens.

Really good tripods are generally sold without a head, very few people buying a high end DSLR would buy a lens with it.
 
Many dealers offer good tripods and heads as a package, or separately, so that you can choose what you want. As Phil said, the very best - and expensive - tripods are normally sold without a head. People buying at this level often have a head already, or know exactly which one they're going to buy.

Ball heads seem to be more popular, but three way heads have a following too. I prefer them, but it's a personal choice. If you buy a decent one, you can probably sell it on without losing too much, if you decide you'd prefer something else.

I've never used, or even seen, a Redsnapper tripod or head but they get good feedback here. You might get more for your money buying second hand, with the usual caveats.
 
Rapscallion said:
I considered 2 types of heads when looking to buy, a 3-way and a ball head. reading up originally i found that 3 ways offered more control, so i bought one of these. After a few months using it, i really wished i had a ball head instead, they allow much quicker framing at the expense of not being able to create panoramas so accurately.
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I would echo that sentiment about the difference between ball-head and 3-way pan-head.

I went for the Redsnapper RSH-12 ball-head (which I am very happy with) to go with the set of Velbon legs that I already had. It has two knobs to control the ball-head - one sets the tension/resistance and the other locks (by tightening) the ball - so with a standard lens on the camera, I can move the camera and it will stay wherever I move it to without locking the ball (heavier lenses need a bit more care - especially if the balance point is off or the camera is being tilted to extremes).

Another thing I like about the ball-head is that it works very well with a monopod - where being able to point the camera freely is (imho) an advantage.

Unless you go down a specialist route (such as macro or video work) then I'd say that a ball-head will give you more versatility.

If you go for an 'arca swiss' type (the RSH-12 is such), then you might find the standardized fitting between manufacturers a benefit (spare QR plates, racks etc.).
 
Phil V said:
very few people buying a high end DSLR would buy a lens with it.
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Well, after careful consideration I have just ordered my first DSLR, a Canon 5D2 with a 24 – 70mm f2.8L USM lens.
What’s wrong with that?
:thinking:
 
Papajoe said:
Well, after careful consideration I have just ordered my first DSLR, a Canon 5D2 with a 24 – 70mm f2.8L USM lens.
What’s wrong with that?
:thinking:
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There's nothing wrong with that. As I said 'most people'.

As in most people don't buy a high end DSLR as their first, so they already own lenses, clearly there are exceptions. Also some people will buy a DSLR and lens kit when they go full frame.

However, I've bought 5 DSLRs and never bought one with a lens.

I believe my analogy worked and some agreed with me, you're clearly free to disagree.
 
Hi Alan
I completely understand your question about "why...?"
I thought the same too, and purchased a relatively cheap tripod & head to start off with... and quickly found that I wanted something that would be a little lighter, and go down very low for landscapes that had impact.
So, I lost money on my first tripod and ended up buying a Manfrotto 055xprob http://www.manfrotto.com/055xprob-pro-tripod-black which I've been delighted with and haven't considered changing or upgrading at all.
I also bought a ball head to go with it, and to be honest, I found I struggled with it to start with (I was used to using something with a twist & lock handle) but now I don't think I'd go back! :)
hope this helps
x
 
Phil V said:
There's nothing wrong with that. As I said 'most people'.

As in most people don't buy a high end DSLR as their first, so they already own lenses, clearly there are exceptions. Also some people will buy a DSLR and lens kit when they go full frame.

However, I've bought 5 DSLRs and never bought one with a lens.

I believe my analogy worked and some agreed with me, you're clearly free to disagree.
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Fair point. :)
 
I got a Redsnapper with ballhead a while ago and given the quality I doubt you will get better value for money. However if I jump on a train for a day out it's too heavy to lug about all day along with body and lenses. Enter the Gitzo GT1542T. Half the weight of the Redsnapper and fits nicely under the flap of my Thinktank Retrospective10, or on a Kata 3N1-30 if I'm carrying more lenses. I'll always keep the Redsnapper for macro at home, or for a short trip into town or out the back of the car, but with the Gitzo I carry it on the offchance I might need it. Like a previous poster said, the best support is the one you have with you!
 
Like a previous poster said, the best support is the one you have with you!
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For that very reason I too bought a lightweight Gitzo because I couldn't be bothered lugging a Manfrotto 055 about with me
 
I notice there's a Benro for sale on the forum here:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=399361

I'm nothing to do with the OP but I do have one of the new generation Benros after this and as a travel/hiking tripod it's brilliant - basically a cheaper copy of Gitzo made to the same quality, Benro were actually going to Gitzos supplier until they had a fallout - well worth a look!!

Simon
 
Have a look at the Giottos range- some nice kit (y)

Les ;)
 
i have just bought the Giottos MTL9361B + MH5001 Tripod Kit and can not fault it , and got it for a reasonable price too, just over £120 , google it for best deal and specs
 
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So question is which one? I would be lugging around a bit, so light and good quality seems the order of the day.
(andyred..post noted :))
Gitzo/Giotto seems to be highly thought of (what's the difference?)
 
ab2012 said:
So question is which one? I would be lugging around a bit, so light and good quality seems the order of the day.
(andyred..post noted :))
Gitzo/Giotto seems to be highly thought of (what's the difference?)
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About £200-£300 ;) (and that's the difference - not the asking price)
 
I wouldn't rule out Velbon if you're looking for something cheaper. They do a lot of cheap naff stuff but, imho, they also do some decent stuff at a very good price. Check out the Sherpa range (I have the Sherpa 450R and I like it) and if it's lightweight and compact you're after, I've heard good stuff about the Ultra REXi L (review here). Remember to consider the sort of weight you want the tripod to support - don't get anything that has a recommended maximum that is close to the weight of your body + lens - make sure you have plenty of 'allowance' to spare.
 
Would need to support 50D and kit lens at present.Some longer lens probably.
So much choice.Will check out Sherpa range.
 
Alan,

What you planning on using the tripod for (daft question eh lol)

If you are intending on lugging it far afield, or need a horizontal center column function or no center column, or specifically in a studio or specifically for macro etc there might be a combination of tripod and head that best suits your need for a tight budget.

I use the Manfrotto 055XProB with the 322rc trigger ballhead for general and a 410 geared head for macro and landscape. I also bought the short center column for the 055xprob so I can get very low without having to place the column horizontally which is particularly useful with the geared head.
 
hi Andy
First and foremost landscapes.General really, but spend most of my time at Rutland Water shooting boats and lanscapes.Haven't got into macro yet.
Don't quite understand centre columns.
 
Alan.. give yourself a day on the North Norfolk coast or The Broads and nip into WEX in Norwich. Leave your credit card in the car ;) They've a good range of legs and heads to have a play with.
 
So which is lighter,Manfrotto. Giottos or Redsnapper?Thanks. And why a centre pole?What's the function?
Thanks,Alastair :)
 
ab2012 said:
And why a centre pole?What's the function?
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I *think* although I could be wrong, that on tripods less than about £400 the centre pole is the (only) bit to which you can attach the tripod head, so without the centre pole your tripod would be useless as you couldnt attach a head.

On the expensive tripods I believe you can attach the head somehow even without a centre pole.

Someone who knows better may come along and correct me however...

Obviously extending the centre pole allows you quicker selection of heights than adjusting all the legs individually also. Although if you extend the column too high it then starts to become a less stable monopod on top of a tripod. If that makes sense. Not sure how much effect it really has in practice though.
 
Very useful link,Adrian.Thanks :)
And Keith,thanks for your input.Perhaps best without centre pole as I've NEVER used a tripod before.
It's a bit of a minefield out there.
 
You really don't need to be over-thinking a tripod. Not yet.

If your budget is around the £100 mark a lot of what's been discussed so far is academic (too many responses have ignored your budget and seem to be only adding potential confusion), and the odds are that you're first tripod won't be your last. But you can always swap heads and legs about later.

A tripod can be:
  • Stable at a greater height
  • Lightweight
  • Cheap
Pick two from three. And you've already chosen cheap as one of the options ;)

I only really know the Manfrotto range with any reasonable level of experience, in that price bracket you're really looking at either the 055 or 190 legs (the difference is mostly in the height), in either the standard configuration or the XPROB configuration (the centre column can swing down to a horizontal position which is handy for low shots and macro). With a choice of ballhead (seems to be the popular choice) or pan/tilt (best for video) head with quick-release plate.

Weight-wise they aren't the lightest or the heaviest.

If you look at Giotto, Redsnapper, Three-Legged Thing or most other manufacturers you'll find broadly comparable models and broadly comparable prices.

If you think you need a tripod, bit you don't yet know what for until you start using it.. then tbh pretty much any tripod will do to get you going. £100 is where the serious tripods start, £400 is where the ultra-serious tripods start. How far above budget do you want to go?
 
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Leaning towards the Manfrotto (055 xprob as recommended on here).
But I'd need a head.
I could go up to 150 and realiise I won't get the Manfr plus head for much under that.
I'll look out in classifieds.I'm probably being too fussy :)
 
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This one is up for sale again and is a splendid lightweight tripod that can be split off into a monopod - two products in one!
It's in tip-top condition, has a very useful ballhead with quick release plate attached and is constructed of carbon fibre. It looks like it is well suited to your needs with DSLR and kit lens. I used it with a large D3 and some large (though not ultra-heavyweight) lenses e.g. 14-24, 24-70.
 
ab2012 said:
Leaning towards the Manfrotto (055 xprob as recommended on here).
But I'd need a head.
I could go up to 150 and realiise I won't get the Manfr plus head for much under that.
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Ive been dithering about which one to buy for months now but I think I will eventually go for the Manfrotto carbon fibre 190CXPRO3, the one with a swing out column like the 055PRO but shorter and lighter. I'll also probably get a Giottos 3 way head with and spend about £240 in total.
The 190 is shorter than some but it is very light at 1.3Kg and to me that is more important than height when Im lugging it across the dorset countryside.
 
If youv'e got the budget look for a s/h Gitzo 1127 or 1128 cf easy to carry about and sturdy
 
I've just purchased a redsnapper with ball head
Your needs appear to be;

Budget £100
Landscapes
Carry bag included

And it meets all of these plus discount for TP

Their service and delivery was exemplary

Don't forget you'll also need a remote release for the camera

Hope this helps

David
 
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