tripod questions

355858

355858

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Ben
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hey there,

I was wondering fi anyone can help me with the following tripod?

NEW GIOTTOS MTL9351B TRIPOD KIT MH5011 3 WAY HEAD & BAG
 
What were you wondering? Giottos have a pretty good rep. Got a link? Budget?
 
Is it this one?

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Giottos~productID~8684~categoryid~180.html

If so, it looks a decent kit especially the height without the column meaning that most people would use it at eyeheight with no centre column extension. Also a good price.

Came across this

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/76226/show.html?cm_re=081009-_-Home-_-DSLR_Accs_giotto#

which seems to be basically the same but with an adjustable centre column that will work horizontally where the other one only works vertically. For the money this looks pretty decent IMO.

They've had some good writeups in the press and heard from a few people who have bought and been pleased.
 
Cheers bostin, gd prices too.. Didn't know if they were very highly reguarded? My budget is upto £120
 
The other brands that get mentioned a lot around this money are Manfrottto (190 and 055 ranges are popular) and Red Snapper being very good value (they only sell direct I think, but not certain of that).

Think carefully about the type of head you want (ball, pan-tilt etc) and a quick release mechanism.

Personally I wouldn't get a tripod lower than about 130cm basic height minimum, preferably more, which with a head on it brings it up to around standing height. If you have to use the cenrte colum all the time you are throwing away an enormous amount of stability.
 
a vote for benbo...and a gitzo head
 
what advantages do different heads have? i need something that will support my VR 70-300mm and my d90.
 
i'm 6'2" and my 283c redsnapper tripod with ball head isn't a bad height without the centre column extended. i do need to stoop slightly, but not uncomfortably. i only need a few inches up on the column to stand comfortably and this in no way comprimises stability. i also have a d90 with 70-300 vr lens and it holds that with ease.

i'm no expert, but the ball head gives complete control in all angles without any handles getting in the way. it also lets you easily tilt round to portrait (although any reasonable head should allow this? exuse the nooob)
 
red snapper measurement doesnt include the head. i've just whipped the tape measure out and its 1440 to the top of the platform on the ball head. i assume the giottos measurement is incl head.

the rs is also 90mm shorter when closed and 200g or so lighter (cf is lighter still) and is rated to 8kg over the 4kg of the giotto. the giotto does extend 200mm longer on the centre pole, but you'de need a step ladder for that.

but if you need a horizontal centre pole then the giotto is the one for you from what i can see.

remember you'll get forum discount on the RS
 
how do i get the forum discount?
 
Thanks for the heads up on the discount - after reading a thread here last night I ordered a tripod and head from Joe on the strength of the recommendations here and I hope to be playing with it on Monday.

Imagine my surprise to find out we also get a discount!!
 
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