Redsnapper 283 & 284 tripods

Leebert

Leebert

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Hi all,
I'm looking to get a tripod and the Redsnapper ones seem to be very highly rated.

I am a little confused though. The 283 and 284 seem very similar with just a slight difference in height and more leg sections on the 284.

Have I missed something?
It seems to me that less leg sections would make for a more rigid platform. Can any owners let me know their thoughts on each of the tripods in use please?

Thanks,
Lee
 
Yep, they're identical except one has 3 section legs, and the other has 4.

More leg sections means it folds into a smaller size, but obviously more bits to tighten and loosen each time you put it up/down. It should also mean more flex and less stability, but my 4 section one is rock solid, and from what I've heard from other users the difference is minimal.
 
I have the 283 and it's perfect... although I really should get a ball head for it.
 
I'm tempted by these two models too. This would be my first tripod and I don't know which would suit my needs more?
 
smudgie49 said:
I have the 283 tripod and monopod. Both rock solid and very well made indeed. The tripod easily takes a Manfrotto 393 holding my D3S and 500mm f/4. Recommended.
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Sorry to be blunt, but I find that an extraordinary statement. You have thousands of pounds worth of just about the heaviest equipment you can buy, and you say it's rock solid on a £50 tripod.

It isn't. Redsnappers are fantastic value, but rock solid they are not. And yes, I have used one. Not even Redsnapper themselves would claim the 283 is suitable for that.

Edit: just to add, the RedSanpper RSH-12 ball head, also £50, is really rather good. Very nice to use, and comparable to heads costing at least double that. Uses Arca-Swiss compatible QR plates too, which is pretty much universal for high-end manufacturers.
 
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I recently purchased a 283, I must say I am more than satisfied with it. It holds my D200 very well. No compaints at all
 
I'm with HoppyUK.
I have a redsnapper 283. It is far from "rock solid". It is also nowhere near the build quality of a manfrotto or whatever.

On the other hand, for £50 including a (fairly naff to be honest) 3 way head it is brilliant value.
I'd recommend it for occasional use of if you want something low value to abuse but if you are serious about your kit then spend a bit more. I've tried using mine for macro work and it just isn't solid enough. On the other hand it would be great for taking up mountains for landscape work and I would not care if I dropped it over a cliff or in a lake....

Toby
 
Thanks for the replies.

I think, for me, a 283 with an RSH 528 head as I want to use it for video as well. The head is a bit more than the one on the £50 combo but the 528 head seems to have good reports on here.

The camera is a D5000 with the 55-200 lens. I quite often go walking on the South Downs so I would rather sacrifice a bit of stability for lightness.

For the money, it does look hard to beat and anything has to be better than my current Miranda Titan 20.

Cheers,
Lee
 
If you're looking at doing video, wouldn't you be better off with one of those fluid head affairs? I'm no expert on the matter, but I remember looking into it a while ago!

Chris
 
HoppyUK said:
Sorry to be blunt, but I find that an extraordinary statement. You have thousands of pounds worth of just about the heaviest equipment you can buy, and you say it's rock solid on a £50 tripod.

It isn't. Redsnappers are fantastic value, but rock solid they are not. And yes, I have used one. Not even Redsnapper themselves would claim the 283 is suitable for that.

Edit: just to add, the RedSanpper RSH-12 ball head, also £50, is really rather good. Very nice to use, and comparable to heads costing at least double that. Uses Arca-Swiss compatible QR plates too, which is pretty much universal for high-end manufacturers.
Click to expand...

I can only go by my own experience. I have used this set-up to shoot a variety sports and not had any problem. Interestingly, the quality of finish on the Manfrotto gimbal is put to shame by the Redsnapper. For the record Redsnapper claim 8kg load for the 283 - my set up somes in at 6.64kg (and balanced perfectly above the centre of the tripod).
 
chris321 said:
If you're looking at doing video, wouldn't you be better off with one of those fluid head affairs? I'm no expert on the matter, but I remember looking into it a while ago!

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. For the amount I do (and the quality that I churn out), I suspect a normal one will be fine. Although I will have a quick peek on the Redsnapper site to see if they have any ;)
 
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