Suggestions for a decent but not too expensive tripod

SsSsSsSsSnake

SsSsSsSsSnake

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I don't want to spend more than £100 on this please.

it won't be getting any heavy use in bad conditions so stability function but not ruggedness are main points,
thank you very much
 
I use manfrotto 190 xprob. It should be within your budget from ebay outlets or with some special promotion if you go for basic head.

If you are a heavy user thinking long-term do consider the quality of leg locking clips. Most Mg-alloy / cheap steel things (as found in Manfrotto) will perish after exposure to sea water and / or sand. Engineering grade plastic or high grade stainless steel could be preferable. But even with that in mind I find one of those every 5 years much preferable to £800 Giotos.
 
I think you're maybe going to have to look for a couple of bargains if you are going for a tripod and a half way decent head.

After endless frustrations with a conventional tripod I went for a Benbo and as there aren't any dealers near me I bought a cheap used one off a well known auction site. My intention was just to test the water and then buy a new one if I was happy but I'm not a frequent user and the used one has served me well, came with the optional centre column bracket and a bag too.

IMVHO Benbo and Uniloc are worth looking at if you're going to be using them out in the field as they seem to be robust and can be found cheap used. Mine is very robust and I can imagine it outliving me :D
 
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GIOTTOS YTL9254-5011 Tripod

Price: £49.99
Quantity: 1 £49.99

What about this one,seems to be a £100 or more at most places?
 
I'm really pleased with my manfrotto befree for occasional use it's small and light enough to be used when travelling but pretty solid and the included head is of a good quality and easy to use.
 
Spirit levels are useful for landscapes, knowing that the tripod is level helps when panning to change composition with a pan and tilt head. I use one of those little cubes that attach to the hot shoe, but that only makes sure the camera is level, which is key when using a ball head.
 
thanks again,i also found over 10 free spirit level apps on my ipphone which i guess one could use.or a small spirit level ,Glenn which spirit level did you get for the hotshoe?
 
RST-283 & RSH-528 3 Way Head red snapper looks good

hmm so does this

RSF-284M & RSH-12 Ball Head
 
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thanks Glenn Ive added to my basket.

Now RSF-284M & RSH-12 Ball Head this is top of my list just want to know if the ball head has any disadvantages over the 3 way head,looking to use for some landscapes portraights and use the low down bit for basic closeup on flowersetc
 
3-way vs ball-head is a whole discussion of its own. Each has advantages and disadvantages. For landscapes I'd prefer pan and tilt, but ball heads are nice and compact. The ball head on my Redged has a pan function too, which helps..
 
thanks Glen,for general photography on a tripod do you think the ball head would be ok for me,I'm not into serious photography in fact i nearly went for the Velbon DF-61 at £30 because it got a really good lot of reviews and seemed to be ok for me but the Red Snapper does seem very good from what I've read,
 
Another for Redsnapper. as to spirit level, dependant on your camera it might have one built in. I know a lot of the Canon cameras over the last few years have had one built in
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Another for Redsnapper. as to spirit level, dependant on your camera it might have one built in. I know a lot of the Canon cameras over the last few years have had one built in
Click to expand...

if you use live view then yes. 5D3 also has some very rudimentary OVF indicator accessible as an option via menus, but it it is truly miserable and interferes with AF points display. Then there is an option of sticking £1 spirit level to the hotshoe... So one on head is not critical but very desirable...
GeeJay57 said:
3-way vs ball-head is a whole discussion of its own. Each has advantages and disadvantages. For landscapes I'd prefer pan and tilt, but ball heads are nice and compact. The ball head on my Redged has a pan function too, which helps..
Click to expand...

I have fluid video head and 3-way geared... it is a tough choice between simple 3-way and ballhead. The best advice is to go to a shop and have a play. The heavier the setup the more hassle it will give with a cheap basic head. Precise adjustments are almost impossible and will inevitably case extra leveling work in post.
 
You have the virtual horizon and a viewfinder one !
 
had a play with the Giotto this afternoon ,very flimsy ,legs didn't grip so were sliding out felt very cheap indeed.the head felt poor as well
 
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