Choosing a Tripod

Howitzer

Hi,

looking for buying advice on a tripod.

I was out on sunday with my cx300 (http://www.velbon-tripod.com/cx.htm)
and it was shaking in the breeze as it is quite light.

I would like a heavier tripod with a low min height for low-level.
Mainly it would be used for outdoor landscape work and possibly macro.

What kind of head should I go for? Or just get an all inclusive kit?

can someone tell me the main manufacturers to look for?

I know of manfrotto. But also know of their price!

Are there any good quality cheaper manufacturers aiming at entry level users?

Any sites worth checking?

Is there a 2nd hand market for tripods?

All advice appreciated.

GristlyEnd

I have 2 Manfrotto tripods. The 718B and 055PROB. The 728B is a great starter tripod, very sturdy and comes with a travel bag. The head cannot be changed on them but the one supplied is more than up to the task.

I will be putting the 718B up for sale on adverts soon if you are interested. Since I got the 055PROB, it's no longer used.

mervifwdc

Get the best one you can. Most folks end up upgrading a few times, and that's even more expensive than just biting the bullet at the start. Base your decision on what's the heaviest camera and lens you hope to have within the next 2 years. buy something that will handle that.

Merv.

thebaz

Get one that is easy to assemble quickly -- my cheapo , takes an age to setup properly -- so hate using it !

mtracey

Whats your budget like ?

Fenster

I have this weedy little tripod. It's not the biggest, but it has a solid feel. When you're travelling between (and around) the US and Ireland, you need something small that can fit in baggage.

JMcL

mervifwdc wrote:

Get the best one you can. Most folks end up upgrading a few times, and that's even more expensive than just biting the bullet at the start. Base your decision on what's the heaviest camera and lens you hope to have within the next 2 years. buy something that will handle that.

Merv.

That's good advice. I have a Velbon Sherpa, which I'm not too happy with. It has rubber feet which tend to get left behind if you plant it in a river, soft ground etc, among other things. Manfrotto are very nice from what I can see, and should meet all your requirements. Feisol have a good reputation if you're in the market for a cheap, relatively speaking, carbon fiber tripod (Roen - I still have to take you up on the offer of a test drive of yours)

Howitzer

thanks for all the tips.

anymore for anymore?

Cheers

rymus

I had a cheapo I got to tide me over for a year or so too.. It eventually broke and I bit the bullet and bought a manfrotto neotec with a quick release head. Pricey, but very happy with it. Hopefully it'll last me a good number of years.

Roen

JMcL wrote:

That's good advice. I have a Velbon Sherpa, which I'm not too happy with. It has rubber feet which tend to get left behind if you plant it in a river, soft ground etc, among other things. Manfrotto are very nice from what I can see, and should meet all your requirements. Feisol have a good reputation if you're in the market for a cheap, relatively speaking, carbon fiber tripod (Roen - I still have to take you up on the offer of a test drive of yours)

Only ever a PM away!
I second the Feisol recommendation, good stuff, you won't go wrong with a Manfrotto (my nickname in college) either though. I had one for years and only passed it on recently to a mate recently.

magicbastarder

god bless you - a mate gave me his manfrotto - he's a travel photographer, so traded up to a very posh carbon fibre gitzo, which is much lighter.
anyway, the manfrotto is the business.

Morlar

rymus wrote:

I had a cheapo I got to tide me over for a year or so too.. It eventually broke and I bit the bullet and bought a manfrotto neotec with a quick release head. Pricey, but very happy with it. Hopefully it'll last me a good number of years.

Just been going through the manfrotto neotec brochures and it looks pretty cool alright, I reckon I may get one with the horizontal grip head next time I go on a kit spree.

FreeAnd..

I have a Manfrotto 055PROB (804RC2 Head) which is a class Tripod but I am looking to downsize to a sturdy travel ttipod suitable for jungle trekking etc. The 55 is great for limited travel but its a bit bulky for my future needs and I am trying to minimize size and weight of my kit for mobility. Anyone have any good recommendations? (Not to be pimping but I may be placing my own for sale in the near future if interested...)

Also if anyone have any good reccommendations for a travel bag for all my gear + laptop it would be welcome..I currently have a crumpler shoulder which fits all my gear perfectly (except the laptop) so I am researching the best way for me to organize my kit..

rymus

it'd have to be a computrekker plus. So comfortable, even with a load of gear, a laptop and a hefty tripod.

FreeAnd..

sounds Rymus, that looks like the perfect bag for me, should get everything into it without too much hassle. Any reccommendations for a place to buy bags online? I recently bought a bag in Conns, its great especially for the city but Conns are hardly known for their great pricing...

GristlyEnd

Try Gunns on Wexford Street. I picked up a Lowepro bag last weekend from them and it was the same price as the online stores.

abetarrush

Hey

Im lookin to buy a tripod too

whats a good one to start with and whats the RRP on them?

Wheres good for buyin them?

Thanks

JMcL

Morlar wrote:

Just been going through the manfrotto neotec brochures and it looks pretty cool alright, I reckon I may get one with the horizontal grip head next time I go on a kit spree.

The Neotecs seem really nice - I had a quick play with one in a shop before Christmas. They are pricey, though should last for years.

Fionn

i have a very shakey Ambico tripod which i acquired ever before i owned a camera - the 1DS seems very insecure perched on it so i'm thinking of getting a good tripod that'll last
what i've been looking at is the Neotec 458B from Manfrotto and a 322 RC2 head.

where would the best deals on something like this be found? would irish prices be way over the top?