Need new tripod

PaulieC

Hi All,

Looking for some advice. I broke my tripod the other night by tightening too hard (it was a light tripod and I was trying to compensate for it's lightness by overtightening :eek: ). Anyway, it's gone now and I need a new one.
There seems to be a dizzying array of tripods on sale, plus pan heads, ball heads yadda yadda yadda...My old tripod was very light, about 2lbs, and I always had trouble keeping it steady, but it seems to me that the more expensive tripods are even lighter. How does that work? I was thinking I need a god heavy unit to keep everything steady...
What will I get??? Heavy or light, pan or ball? I have a 30D and main usage would be nightshooting, indoor portraits and the odd nature shots.

tks

Wez

My sister got me this one for Xmas

http://www.hama.co.uk/portal/articleId*100476/picType*abb/action*2599?picURL=%2Fbilder%2F00004%2Fabb%2F00004162abb.jpg#picture

I have to admit, it's a nice enough tripod, really light for carrying and you can hook your camera bag out of the bottom of it for extra weight when opened.

It is kinda lightweight tho, I think I'll be upgrading after a while, although I had a problem with getting the head tight enough to hold a long lens but I put on another washer where you tighten it up, and that solved the problem, so maybe there's no need for an ugrade!

I'd reccomend this one tho..

http://www.hama.co.uk/portal/articleId*2334/picType*abb/action*2599?picURL=%2Fbilder%2F00004%2Fabb%2F00004274abb.jpg#picture

Found it was very sturdy and wasn't too heavy.

Hope I was able to shed some light on your situation! Just my 2c on tripods I've tried..

Fionn

i'm considering a neotec - its very steady and quick to set up and maybe a 322RC head to go with it..

bit pricey but i'm worth it

311

Cambo ,if you go down the route of a seperate head and tripod ,you can use the heads with the monopod's aswell.

Im using my monopod with the manfrotto 322RC head like fionn was saying. It's good for macro work and when balancing over things.
You can get manfrotto monopod's for less than 50 euro in gunns .

I have a pan and tilt head for long exposures at night and the 322RC ball head for landscape and during the day stuff.
The ball head works great with the monopod.

JMcL

I'd advise you steer clear of Velbons. I bought a Sherpa 250 about 18 months ago, and am very disappointed. I comes with these slip on rubber feet that get left behind almost anytime you plant it in soft ground, water, whatever. I wish I'd spent the few quid extra and gone for a Manfrotto.

rabbitinlights

Anyone fancy explaining the different heads and their uses? Or even a link?

Thanks
S.

PaulieC

or just tripods in general? I'm here trawling through about 20 pages or them in B&H. Haven't a frickin' clue what to go for...I believe Manfrotto are supposed to be the best, but even they have loads of different types...

Sebzy

I would personaly recomend the
Slik Pro 330DX



I've using it for about 2 years it's perfect for me.
very very strong, sturdy, reversable and comes with a fill metal PT head.
Oh yea should set you back about 90Euro
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This has 3-way head with quick release and the maximum height is 160cm and minimum of 26cm. When folded the tripod measures 49cm. Top leg section of the 4-section legs is 23.4mm and weighs 1.52kg.(with SH-705E Head)
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Seb.