Why this tripod costs so little?

max11

max11

Messages
137
Edit My Images
Yes
Also after opinions on monopods, I think I have to stick on a tripod to be able to use ND filters.
I found some good models, but I think they are quite heavy to be carried in a walk. I don't want to transform it in a phisical excercise.

Velbon luxi L £85 with quick release
Culman Magic 2 £114
redsnapper £75
SLIK PRO 340DX £99 - (Slik)

------------- £75(85)- £114 - £75 - £99
Maximum Height 161cm - 144 - 160 -147
Minimum Height 19cm - - 29 - 46
Folded Height 39cm - 34.5 - 62 -49
Weight 1320g - 1363g - 1970g -1580
Maximum Load 2.5kg - 2.5 - 8kg - 5kg

But then I found the MK1 that looks good, weights only 750 grams, max load 3,011 kg, Maximum Operating Height: approx 135cm, Folded Length: 51.5cm (a little long, but is ok).
So very good specifications, but why does it cost only £25? which is the downside?
 
I have that Redsnapper and its great, sturdy and not too heavy.

A lightweight one would be pretty flimsy
 
-I agree but, but what do I loose in quality? I'm keen to spend more if I can have a lighter tripod. But carbon ones are heavy anyway!

-Do you carry the redsnapper with you in a walk?
Cullmann 1363g £103
Velbon 1750g £75/85
Slik 2030g £99
Redsnapper 2630 £75
 
max11 said:
-I agree but, but what do I loose in quality? I'm keen to spend more if I can have a lighter tripod. But carbon ones are heavy anyway!
Click to expand...

:thinking: CF ones are lighter than their metal equivalent, but retain the strength and rigidity. By their very nature though, they are bigger sturdier models anyway, so wont necessarily be as light as cheaper less sturdy models.

Redsnapper are highly recommended round here as good value for money, decent tripods.
 
try Aspens of Hereford they sel the Velbon sherpa 550r for less than £70 and they are ultra sturdy and light I was tempted by the redsnapper and the velbon but went for velbon for guaranteed next day delivery
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
try Aspens of Hereford they sel the Velbon sherpa 550r for less than £70 and they are ultra sturdy and light I was tempted by the redsnapper and the velbon but went for velbon for guaranteed next day delivery
Click to expand...

To be honest, quite heavy to me!
Maybe as I'm not expert, the concept of weight is different.
Same question just to understand: Do you bring it with you when you go hiking?

what about this

Cheers
 
As the saying goes

Light, strong and cheap, pick two

Not liking that ballhead, looks like it could be a bit droopy and the quick release was heavy if the one I picked up and felt in a shop is anything to go by

Think you might have to pay a bit more than 70 quid all in
 
I don't hike per se, but I do often have to walk much further than anticipated, and never has the weight factor of a tripod ever entered my head.
The kit bag of camera *******s yes, but a tripod, never, its something I have to take, the end.
1kg, 2kg..:shrug:, does it really make that much difference, I mean 2kg v 10kg...now that's a difference.
I just carry it in one hand easily, not done the 3 peaks or scaled Kilimanjaro with it, and I don't think 1kg difference wouldn't change anything if I did.
 
Suggestion - why not go to a shop, a large branch of jessops for example, or calumet, or similar and have a look at the various models, how heavy they are in reality, how well made they seem and big/small they are folded for carrying. It is pointless trying to ascertain all this on the internet because as you say, weight is a relative thing. I walk round short distances with my manfrotto 055 Pro B, which is a monster, so I certainly couldnt do a hike with it, yet I know several that do quite happily. The Carbon Fibre version is considerbly lighter, but then you have to take the weight of the head into account too. FWIW, I have two of those £25 ones, and I wouldnt want to take them up mountain sides, they are just not rugged or stable enough. I once borrowed one from my dad, a few years ago, and one of the leg clips broke just dropping it from a few inches into the boot of the car, rendering it totally useless. The two I have now are used as stands for my flash guns because the QR mechanism on the head is just not strong enough to take the weight of a D300 and sigma 24-70 f2.8, it really does just fall off the minute you move it from the horizontal.
 
have you tried the camlink tppro24a its £70 and pretty much has all the functions of a manfrotto. its the one im getting but at the monet i'll have to put up with my cheap £15 argos one lol and its not good.
 
I got something very similar

I think it's this one
http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/CX300.html

it's fine but nothing special
I only use it for the odd landscape
I wouldn't trust it unattended as it would get blown away or end up with a lens on the floor

if you want to see them they were in LCE, and jacobs iirc.
you do get what you pay for though
its' not let me down yet and it is quite light which is nice
but it's not that rugged for a lot of bashing. but I don't regret buying it...it's served me very well for the purpose and the price.

everything locks in place nicely, 2D rotation int he head, quick release, everything tightens up well, and it's simple to use. Have a look at one in the shop first and see what you think
how demanding a tripod user are you?
 
Yes I'm aware that usually the heavier the better, but I'm concerned that if it weights too much I will leave it at home!

No very demanding, as I would use it for landscapes I don't think would let it...alone, so the risk would be low

Yes taking a look at them in the shops would be better.
Generally speaking I do prefer to spend more to have better quality and spend just once, but in this case the problem is not the price...is the weight!
Very complicated situation, i Know!
 
Fortunately we have a good family run shop in Chesterfield, I remember reading advise on here "the best way to chose a tripod is to get your hands on it" I called for a look as they had several different makes and models in stock from economy to pro gear, I did as was suggested, and with the help of a very helpfully assistant, I chose one that was right for me, without cost being to much an issue, I thing it cost under £45...more than happy
 
I carry a 475 with a 393 head,what is wrong with you all? Carrying a bit of weight won`t kill you.
 
A well meaning relative bought me a tripod which looked suspiciously like that MK1, in fact, I'm sure it's marketed under various brand names. The thing which was really bad about it was the head, which was completely moulded out of plastic. With a light camera lens combo it was barely adequate in landscape orientation, but turn the head to portrait orientation and it was incapable of supporting the camera, you could see the camera slowly sagging due to the plastic hinges. It was so bad I consigned it to the bin.

Don't be tempted, it's going to be rubbish. ;)

I regularly hump more weight around than I really care to, but the tripod is the least of my worries - I always just carry it in my hand and it's a CF Gitzo capable of supporting the heaviest lenses.
 
Max11, get over to Mifsuds in Brixham and have a look at an assortment of tripods there - they may even have something light enough for you in their 2nd hand stock.

Like others here, I don't carry a tripod everywhere with me but when I'm expecting to need it, I'll strap it onto my backpack and bear the weight. If you really can't carry the weight of a decent tripod, maybe a beanbag could be the answer? The only major downside is that they don't reach eye level when they're on the ground!
 
I had a similar experience to CT, not with that particular tripod. But I spent a reasonable amount on it, rated at 4Kg. The head and extention column were all plastic, and a plastic hinge for rotating to portrait mode. It worked ok for a Camera and short lens, but was no good with even a 400mm spotter on it (which is what I'd bought it for). The redsnapper btw, works great, I've used a 600mm spotter, with a 2xTC on the camera and whilst it wobbles a bit, the wobbles settle in under 2 seconds. The bag of the redsnapper also has a great carrying strap, I think it's a bit like those optech ones and it doesn't feel to bad.
 
Hi all! I was in London and saw a guy with a very nice tripod so I asked him and it was Manfrotto 190...fantastic quality!
Then I followed your advices and went in a shop...
to be honest I didn't feel the 2 kg and stability was excellent.

I've been impressed and so I think I'll go for a Manfrotto!
What about this?
Specifically what about the head?
In the shops very popoular was the 804.
Which one of them?
thanks
 
If I can add a question: How do you do when you travel abroad?
As about 2 kg are quite a lot in the baggage, do you carry the same or a lighter one or buy one cheaper there?
 
I put tripods in the hold luggage.
 
Don't waste your money on a cheap tripod. I think a lot of us have done it and it really is pointless as it will either fall apart, the head will droop or just shake while using it causing very soft pictures.

I've got the Redsnapper tripod with a ball head and the bag that it comes with has a neoprene section to the carrying strap which makes it feel a lot lighter than it is.
 
Ditto to the above. I really didn't notice walking about 4 miles with it last weekend in the carrying bag, especially on top of my camera bag.
 
I've got a Manfrotto 70 tripod bag which I've carried all my tripods in at some time or other but since getting the Redsnapper bag it carries whichever tripod I need (Redsnapper with ball head or my heavier Velbon with pan and tilt head).
 
max11 said:
If I can add a question: How do you do when you travel abroad?
As about 2 kg are quite a lot in the baggage, do you carry the same or a lighter one or buy one cheaper there?
Click to expand...


I don't bother with a tripod. I take a GorillaPod SLR Zoom and a little tabletop/clamp device. I also use whatever I can find to wedge the camera in the right position on top of walls, chairs etc - jumpers, lens hoods, anything can be used to get the right composition. Besides, f/2.8 and a D700 give handhoildable shutter speeds in most lighting conditions! (And when the sun's gone down, it's drinking time!!!)
 
Thanks guys.
The RS looks very good but 25% heavier.

Anyone know that head? is it a good deal?
or this one with the bag. the head looks better.I've seen a guy using that.
 
I have got an old Manfrotto 055CB with a Cullmann Magnesit Ball Head. Obviously the tripod has been superceded, but can thoroughly recommend the Ball Head
http://www.edmamarketing.com/Product/Cullmann/magnesit brochure eng.pdf

Also Cullmann customer service is great and in the past I have been sent a couple of bits for my very old Titan head for free

Interestingly they give the tolerance in how much torque as well as weight, well worth the money and the quick releases are excellent too

Cheers
Rich
 
I have the Manfrotto 190 XProb with 486RC2 ball head.

Tramped round Snowdon with it happily attached to my backpack and other places too for long days walking.

Have travelled abroad with it too - kept the ball head on and it fit diagonally in my suitcase, which went in the hold of the plane.

I went with the 190 instead of the 055 version as I knew that I wanted to travel with it and take it walking with me.
 
i got the velbon one, i picked it up from ebay for a bargain price. extremely well designed tripod, and very compact. cannot fault it. the only time i had problem was shooting at night in london after a couple of pint on empty stomach. forgot to tighten one of the legs...LOL
 
Chaz Photos said:
for a cheap trypod Aludi got this coming in on the 25th
3 way pan head
90° vertical platform
2 Quick release plates
Quick release leg locks
Nylon carry bag
Geared elevator column
Max load capacity 5kg
Weight: 1,240g
Price £11.99
Click to expand...

It will take 5kg when indoors with no breeze and the camera horizontal on all planes.

The moment you either take it outside for real world use or move the camera away from the horizontal plane you will see why it is £12
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top