Tripod advice please...

[bobtastic]

Hellooooo,

Right, I've never really understood why some tripods are expensive and some are dirt cheap.

I imagine it's because some of them are built better and are able to hold camera with massive lenses on the front?

Anyway, as I'm just a beginner (if that), I'm after a tripod but I have no idea what to buy...

My camera is an Oly E-510, and the largest lens I have is the 40-150mm.
Can anyone please give me any advise on this please?

Bearing in mind I'm on a budget here. I don't really want to spend more than £25. (Is that enough for a newbie? :shrug

Also....I'm after a polariser and a Neutral Density filter...
Can you tell me if these are fine?
Jessops 58mm Pro circular polariser
Either a Kood or a Hoya ND filter. Is ND4 enough for taking waterfall pics?)


Thanks in advance!

djs [arghhh, sorry I've accidently made this post on an old TP account, stupid cookies eh? ]:embarrassed:

 

[theMusicMan]

Hi bobtastic

I am no expert when it comes to tripods, in fact, come to think about it I'm no expert when it comes to photopgraphy either...

However, whichever make or model you decide to go for, and for your filters and any additional lenses you soon decide to buy, whatever you do - you must contact Kerso on here. Ian (username = kerso) is a long standing member here who can source all your lens, filter and accessory needs - especially for your Oly E-510. How do I know...? well, I have an Oly E-510 and have bought loads from Ian. He is also 99.9% of the time, a lot cheaper than other suppliers.

So, welcome to tp - you've done good by coming here - look out those on the dark side, Oly users are increasing in numbers...

 

[andrewc]

The expensive tripods are well made and will last a long long time. They will be sturdy and capable of taking heavy lenses. They will be a joy to use. Some may be carbon fibre or similarly advanced materials so are very strong, let very light.

A cheap tripod will be the opposite in most cases. Lower build quality, plastic fittings rather than metal, heavier yet with a lower load capability and shorter life span.

However...

Velbon tripods are quite cheap and fall somewhere between the "crummy and a total waste of money" and the "how much did you spend on a tripod?" markets. I've just bought a Manfrotto 190XPROB though.

 

[Stratagem]

However...

Velbon tripods are quite cheap and fall somewhere between the "crummy and a total waste of money" and the "how much did you spend on a tripod?" markets. I've just bought a Manfrotto 190XPROB though.

I currently use a Velbon 450R with a digiscoping setup, my equipment weight is not high, about 2.5Kg, but I find it pretty steady even using at a comparative focal length of 10,000mm, so no complaints for the price.