Looking at tripods and would like some advice on the difference between
the redsnapper and manfrotto 190xprob apart from price that is .. would be used for close up mainly ... thanks
Thanks Dogfish_magnet
Just returned from the closest camera shop and the 190 is rather light would need the 055 at least ...
you have some very nice photographs on your site ..
the redsnapper site could do with some more info on it
hi Jimc how is it for getting down low for close ups?
This is the first time I've heard about Redsnapper Tripods and I'm very curious how they compare with the usual Manfrotto/Bogens (190 or 055). Unfortunately, a Google and forum search doesn't provide comfort and I could only find a single review of the Tri-293 model.
Can someone talk a bit more about how the Redsnapper tripod stands up against the 'tried and tested' Manfrottos?
I suspect you're not going to find many reviews as Redsnapper is a fairly new brand name. I think I was the first person on TPF to buy a Redsnapper product.... the TB-32A ball head, which is really a copy of the Kirk Ball Head at about a third of the price. The quality is very impressive!
The proprietor of Redsnapper is now a member of TPF and operates here as a trader. He may well see this thread and comment.
I have no knowledge of Redsnapper tripods whatsoever, but in the interests of fairness, I'd have to say that reversible centre column is a PITA compared to a Manfrotto etc with a rotating centre column. While the camera can be mounted at the bottom of the column, you end up crawling between the legs to get your eye to the viewfinder, if indeed you can in some situations.
That said, if the tripod gets low enough with spread legs, that may not be a big issue for many people, as long as the tripod is sturdy and easy to use which it seems to be in the view of those who've tried it.
Also, since Redsnapper is a new company, the resell value will plummet, I assume.
Well, a tripod is something you just can't give enough thought to, and hopefully, if you get it right, you'll only need to buy it once. I don't doubt the quality of Redsnapper products from what I've seen, but the trouble with a centre column like that one is that once the bottom of it hits the ground , that's as low as you're going to get, and if you raise the centre column to get lower, then the camera just goes higher anyway.
how much are you expecting to sell a £45 tripod for S/H???
i think it comes with a short centre column as well, although appreciate it wont go below the floor. but if your that low, surely you would carry something like a beanbag for that purpose?:shrug:
The center pole is reversable allowing your camera to be positioned close to the ground OR you can change to the optional short center column that is included to get you 'low down'. It also has a sprung loaded hook to hang a weight from to give more stability to the tripod.
i think it comes with a short centre column as well, although appreciate it wont go below the floor. but if your that low, surely you would carry something like a beanbag for that purpose?:shrug:
One or two things to remember about Redsnapper "in the interests of fairness" ... ... and I expect Joe to correct me if I am wrong here ... :shrug: ... they offer a significant discount to TP members on an already exceedingly good value for money range that are, by all accounts extremely well built and eminently suitable for the job (I too have one of their Ball Heads and have been very impressed with both its quality of build and its usability - I was probably the second TP member to buy pre-discount ... ) ... and I also believe Joe offers a satisfied or send it back philosophy ...
What have you got to lose ... :shrug:
BTB ... if you do a forum search on their name you will find a number of threads containing helpful stuff on their products ...
The question is, will it last like a Manfrotto. I had a Calumet brand tripod which looked like another "copy" and it snapped on the first day. Luckily I'm only around 10 min. drive from one of Calumet's warehouses so I just popped in, they offered an exchange but I said no no!
CT thanks for photos and input is the Gitzo similar to the 190xprob in size weight and load capacity? the 190xprob has a weight load up to 4kg
like you say its going to be a very important part of kit and I want to get it right.
I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure!!
I appreciate that, CT. Hopefully, more people will be able to chime in. Also, I noticed there isn't a TB-32A model on the site, anymore. Is the TB-12 comparable to yours?
Well I have dived in CT thanks for taking time to help me with my choice ...
I have just ordered the manfrotto 190xprob with the 804CR2 head from Morris Photographic who have the best deal going that I could find
also got the micro positioning plate MN454 all for less than I was quoted for just the tripod and head ... and will be here tomorrow ...
Very friendly and helpful people at Morris Photographic ...
Its very reassuring to know you can come to TP and get valuable input and sensible replies to questions ....
Thanks again
Mine is the Gitzo Explorer G2228 CF, which is discontinued now, but there'll be replacement models in both CF and aluminium - the latter being cheaper and probably just as good. I think the max advised weight is 6 kg or 13 lbs. I'm just inside that tolerance with the 500mm and the heaviest other bits, flash etc, I'm likely to stick on it. The whole concept of the Explorer series is that they're very light portable tripods. There are certainly tripods which will take more weight if you need it, but of course there's a trade off then in portability, and I'm loathe to add more weight to the gear I already carry around, when this pod does everything from bird togging with the 500mm, to macro down low, and even fits on a table top for table top photography. It's definitely the best pod I've ever owned, and while no tripod is perfect, this one comes close - for me.
The problem with investing in a tripod is you need to try to anticipate what your needs are likely to be in the future, to avoid redundancy and expensive changes, and that's well nigh impossible. The Manfrotto 190 is a well respected tripod and I can't really see you going far wrong with it unless your future plans are likely to include real monster tele lenses, in which case you may need to look elsewhere. Have a look at the Warehouse Express site where they have pretty well all models listed with full specs.
LOL It's a nightmare I know, but while you're not diving in, you're not making a mistake.
Hi Dani. I've no hands on experience of this Velbon tripod so it's difficult to advise you. In advising on a tripod we'd really need to know what camera/lens combos you're likely to stick on it.
It does look though as though that three way head is made of plastic? If that's the case, try rotating your camera to portrait orientation (90 degrees) and see how stable it is when the whole weight is hanging on those plastic hinges. Usually plastic heads are virtually unusable in portrait mode with even a moderately heavy camera mounted.
Having said that, used in landscape mode it could serve your purposes for a while, but you don't get a very sturdy tripod and three way head for that sort of money is the honest truth.
Don't be in a rush - research all you can, there are are loads of threads here on the subject, but the conventional wisdom is, buy the tripod legs and the head separately, depending on your particular needs. Both items need lots of thought.
I asked at a camera store and they advised I would need the 055xprob for my kit (5d with 100mm macro) then checked the Manfrotto Configurator and it says the 190xprob with a 804RC2 pan head is a balanced system ... gota think of the extra weight for the wife to carry ..lol