Cheapest half decent Tripod?

Zascar

I know everyone recommends to get a Manfrotto for silly money etc, but if you absolutely had to make do with a very basic budget tripod, what would you buy? Preferabley something I can buy online....

Any recommendations?
Thanks

nilhg

The lighter your gear, the cheaper you tripod can be, what are you going to put on it?

Zascar

I have a Canon 400D with a Sigma 17-70mm, a Canon 50mm, and soon to buy a Sigma 70-300mm APO.

Thirdfox

Well you could do what I did and get a 5 euro tripod...

The centre column is *cough* shaky to say the least (in the wind) but for my purposes it's fine - I leave the VR on if I have the column raised.

I can mount my D40 with 55-200vr lens on it no problems. It's just a little short though (1.4 metres fully extended) - have to bend a little to look through the viewfinder.

Most photographers would be horrified by the prospect of using a 5 euro tripod but hey - it has nearly all the features I require: lightness, quick release plate, spirit levels etc. for an amazing price. It's a no-name tripod but I think you can find them online for 10 euro-ish.

Not the same as mine but something like this?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2532
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2518
...worst comes to worst - you lose 10 euro... if you get a better tripod you can always mount a slave flash onto the cheap tripod too (if you're into creative flash techniques).

nilhg

I have one of these, I would describe it as adequate rather than brilliant, but if you are on a budget it, or something like it will get the job done most of the time.

Spending more money gets you more stability and more flexibility.

Dades

I bought this fella from Argos to keep me going until I could splash out for a "proper" one.

Now I see no need to change it. It does the job and is light as feather.
Has the removable plate too which is important.

fguihen

I had a hama one up until recently. It wasnt terrible either, depending on the gear.I had a light Panasonic Fz7 on it most of the time with some (comparitavely) heavy close up filters ( Nikon 4T,4T, raynox), and it done fine for macro work.

It was only about 30 quid, and im sure could have been found for cheaper if i looked hard enough.

I have since bought a manfrotton and there is no comparison, but if you want something just to get you by, the hama should be ok.

trishw78

I have a Silk or slk can't remember the name. which is extremely light but when I'd put some of the bigger lens on it, it couldn't take the weight, when I was at Focus on Imaging I had a look at some of the Manfrotto and Giotto Tripods, can't remember the which Manfrotto one impressed me but it was just as light as the slk one. So that's going to be my next investment

Kazujo

I got a Hama Star 62/3 from Camera Exhange on Trinity St for €30.

Seems pretty sturdy with my 400D.

Zascar

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm after... Is this it?
http://www.hama.co.uk/portal/articleId*100477/action*2563

£20 from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Star-Tripod-Free-Carry/dp/B0000WXD1G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1205155533&sr=8-1

Borderfox

I had one of the Hama tripods with the bag, fell to bits and I ended up getting a Manfrotto 190, ya pays for what ye get.

Zascar

Yeah but you are talking ~€150 for one of them. Eventually I will buy one, but for the usage this is going to see, I think it will do me. If somehting breaks, £20 to buy another one is fine.

Any other recommendations or should I just go ahead and buy this now guys?

Kazujo

That's the one.

It's all plastic components so as Borderfox said it's not going to last as long as a Manfrotto or other more expensive oen but it seems to be one of the better tripods for the money.

Zascar

Hmmm amazing will not deliver to Ireland. Something to do with Weeee maybe?

Maybe I should just go into camera exchange

Thirdfox

It's available in Argos isn't it?

Pigwidgeon

i was in gunns last week and he reccommended the manfrotto 785b to me for €69! seems decent enough for what im looking for anyway

snellers

IMO get a tripod with a quick release system (makes life so much easier)

not sure where you are based but Calumet do a decent range of mid priced tripods. Quality very good (has had decent reviews in mags) but weight tends to be a bit heavier than the higher price models (I personally prefer heavier tripod for the simple fact it helps make it sturdier

TJM

I have one of those Hamas (special offer in Argos for €12 at the time!). Fine for very basic use, light, easy to carry. But too light to have any stability, vibrations take ages to dampen down, extending mechanism on the legs is very wobbly indeed, and extremely fiddly to adjust. Unless finances are very tight I'd pay more to avoid the frustration. I bought a Slik Pro 400DX to replace it - about €80 - which I'd highly recommend.

Zascar

Hama 42 in Argos €19! http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=30001&partNumber=5700367

I emailed the guys in the Camer Exchange - they came back with:

We do stock Hama tripods however it is the Gamma rather then the Star range, they are a slightly heavier build then the Star series but are otherwise nearly the same.
The Gamma 71 is retailing for €39.99 and the heavier Gamma
74 is €59.99 and both are in stock.

However a Manfrotto for that money might be a better option in the long run!
Here is is for £36: http://www.mymemory.co.uk/memory/Manfrotto/785B/MODO/Maxi/Tripod

What do you think?

sineadw

I bought the 785b in Camera Exchange for 89 last weekend (are they really 70 in Gunns?? They didn't have any in stock when I called for a price.. ) Its light, but it extends up full height and goes right down almost to floor level for macro stuff. That was a BIG pull for me. Most of the other cheaper end ones don't do that as far as I know. Don't quote me on that though..

Hopefully get a chance to try the damn thing out soon! Slinks back to stupid scary college assignments...

Edit: Make sure Gunns are quoting the right one to you. When I called and asked for it they said 70, but then when I asked if it extended in the central column they said no. I think it was the 785 SHB they were looking at? (I was talking to the wrong person, obviously..) It was only when I called back having double checked the model number in camera exchange they told me it wasn't in stock. Just remembered that....

Edit again: Zascar - just so you know - that's the 785SHB you have linked there too. The 'maxi'. Its 114 cm fully extended while the real 785B is 150. They should point that out a little clearer..

Zascar

Thanks, that helps. However I wonder, would I ever need 150cm or would 114cm do me? Cause I ain't tall!

Pigwidgeon

im almost sure it said 785b on the box, i could be wrong though and it was €69 i thinks

sineadw

Maybe it is the right one. I think the other one is called the 785B Maxi too though? It *could* have been that one. I'd just check before you buy

If you're 114 cm Zascar then you're teensy! That's about 3 ft 9

Zascar

No I'm 5'6, but I think 114cm is still pretty low for a tripod... Probably better paying the extra and getting the extra hight just in case you may need it one day.

sineadw

If you're ever doing portraits you'd have to put the other one on a table or something...