Tripod Recommendations

King Kelly

Looking to buy a good value tripod. Don't want to spend much as not sure how much use i'll make of it. I was thinking of using it for some long exposure landscapes and some portraits.

Got an email from my memory with cheap deals on HAMA tripods. Would these be incredibly lightweight and useless?.

Any better products out there at a value price?

http://www.mymemory.co.uk/search?searchTerm=hama+star

Borderfox

They are grand to start off with so long as you dont put too much weight on it.

YeahOK

As a matter of interest, what is the tripod of choice?

I see a lot of folks here use Manfroto? Is there a particular one that is favoured over another?

City-Exile

I find Manfrotto to be brilliant!
I'm currently using the 390, which is very solid, but quite heavy, if you were to be walking around with it.



If you want a decent tripod, but less of the weight, you'd need to look at Carbon Fiber.

I would always say that it's worth spending a little extra for quality, when it comes to photography.

YeahOK

City-Exile wrote: »

I'm currently using the 390, which is very solid, but quite heavy, if you were to be walking around with it. If you want a decent tripod, but less of the weight, you'd need to look at Carbon Fiber.

Good to know. I've a cheap job that has being doing the trick up to now, but I'm thinking it might be time to upgrade as I'm starting to use it more and more and I'm seeing shall we say challenges with what I have. Not that Id throw it out, it's as light as a feather and would still come in handy I'd imagine!

stcstc

I have a Manfrotto 055XBPRO, which isnt cheap or light, but man does it make a difference.

I dont think spending small amounts on tripods is actually good money spent. I bought one for 100 euro that when i got the manfrotto i really did notice the difference.

Buzz Lightyear

I've a Manfrotto 190 that I purchased over 15 years ago (jazus I sound old ). It's stood the test of time, still get great use out of it and should last for another 15+. I've added a quick release head to it over the last while which now makes it even handier to use. This is not a lightweight pod. It can be a weight on the shoulders if your carrying it for a few hours. It's sturdy and worth every cent (penny) it spent on it, although I can't remember how much it cost.

If you want my advice, there's no point waisting your money on a cheap plastic lightweight tripod. Your better off investing a few extra quid on one that will last. There is a balancing act here. Lightweight can mean plasic or very light aluminium that won't last. Lightweight can also mean carbon fibre - which is probably out of your budget (and mine). In the middle there is a range of tripods which are sturdy, will last and also not hurt the pocket too much.

Fionn

i have this



and this


quick release is a god-send, this setup is prolly a little on the light side for my cameras but as yet i haven't moved up coz it seems to be pretty solid despite the reccomended max weights etc.

Fionn

Oops sorry for the huge graphics!!! :eek:

Borderfox

I have a 190 and a 055 both by Manfrotto and find them excellent. The 055 is much more stable but the 190 is lighter...

Lionsden

I have one of the Hama tripods of old, they're very light and they're not great.

I've been looking at a couple of Hahnel Triad tripods ( the 50 and the 100) that seem fairly solid.
Does anyone have any experience of these? Currently selling in Spectra Athlone at €69.99 and €99.99 respectively.

kgiller

Was in town in cork today, looking for a tripod too (actually sourcing a tripod to buy online). Saw those Hama Star ones for between €40-60. Thats about the extent of my budget at the moment. What are these like? I think they are Hama Star 61, 62, 63 or something

tywy

I got a hama tripod a while ago off ebay.

This one I think: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-00004161-Star-61-Tripod/dp/B0000WXD0W

I was in the same frame of mind, want to see how much I use it before splashing out on an expensive one. I have a 400D with kit lens/nifty fifty and this does fine. It is sturdy enough. It doesn't fold down that small though, but comes with a carry case thing.

It cost 20 euro off ebay incl. p&p I think there are a good few of them if you have a search.

kgiller

tywy wrote: »

I got a hama tripod a while ago off ebay.

This one I think: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-00004161-Star-61-Tripod/dp/B0000WXD0W

I was in the same frame of mind, want to see how much I use it before splashing out on an expensive one. I have a 400D with kit lens/nifty fifty and this does fine. It is sturdy enough. It doesn't fold down that small though, but comes with a carry case thing.

It cost 20 euro off ebay incl. p&p I think there are a good few of them if you have a search.

Thanks tywy, i have the same camera set up as you, and ya i was thinking the same about seeing how much id use it before splashing out (not that i could splash out with the lack of funds at the moment). I might have a go at one of these.

Cheers


Just found the tripod on ebay for €20 delivered, as tywy said. Heres the link for anyone interested.