A good tripod for a beginner?

[Cocohoney]

I would like to buy a tripod, nothing to complex or expensive, I don't plan to use it for anything too tricky, just a bit of studio type practice and probably family shots I want to be in! Weight isn't an issue, I won't be trekking with it. I don't mind second hand either.

I just don't know where to start, I understand there are different heads and obviously makes too. Does anyone have any reasonably priced suggestions?

 

[wontolla]

Hi! Go to the 'home page' and click on 'Redsnappers' addy. Top class gear at the right price AND you get a discount for being a TP member!

 

[me15]

I second that. Well worth the money

 

[Cocohoney]

Thanks for the pointer, but I still don't really understand the advantages of different heads or other features. It like a foreign language......

 

[grum]

If you're not trekking with it - get this

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripod-3wayhead-combo.html

Or if you can stretch to a little more - this

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripod-283+RSH-12ballhead.html

The cheaper head is ok but you will probably get fed up with having to adjust it after a while and get the ball head anyway - like I've just done

Remember you can get 10% TP discount too - I think you just order then email them and tell them and they will refund you the 10%.

 

[Cocohoney]

My friend has an Arena 3000 she has offered me free, are they worth having at all?

 

[Cocohoney]

Ah thanks, the ball head is the better one for maneuverability then, lifespan too?

 

[lauy]

I'm also a happy Redsnapper owner, I have the 284 tripod which came with the free 3-way panning head...........which was actually not that great of a head. Bulky and not fluid............I've recently just bought a Redsnapper ballhead to replace it, and it is much better build quality and much easier to adjust to position.

As others have said, if you email them and mention you are a TP member after you've purchased, they will refund you a 10% discount of any non Sale items.

 

[a1ex2001]

My friend has an Arena 3000 she has offered me free, are they worth having at all?

looks like a reasonable budget tripod and if your getting it for free I'd take it! You may find like alot of togs that you don't like using a tripod so you'll have saved money or if you do like using it you will know more about wht your looking for when it comes to parting with your cash.

I have a super cheap 7 day shop tripod that I hardly ever use, I've never really got on with tripods and find it takes some of the enjoyment and spontanaity out of my photography.

 

[lauy]

looks like a reasonable budget tripod and if your getting it for free I'd take it! You may find like alot of togs that you don't like using a tripod so you'll have saved money or if you do like using it you will know more about wht your looking for when it comes to parting with your cash.

I have a super cheap 7 day shop tripod that I hardly ever use, I've never really got on with tripods and find it takes some of the enjoyment and spontanaity out of my photography.

I think it really depends on what you're taking photos of.........for general photography when you're walking out and about, most likely you will not need a tripod. But for landscapes and night time photography, or anything involving long exposures, a tripod is an absolute necessity.......

 

[grum]

Ah thanks, the ball head is the better one for maneuverability then, lifespan too?

Not sure about lifespan but basically you can adjust it much more easily. It generally seems much higher quality. I would agree though that if you can get one for free you might as well try that and see how you get on.

 

[jabbermack]

This is an excellent tripod. I have had mine for 2 years and had no problems what-so-ever. best £55 I ever spent.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-785b-modo-maxi-tripod/p1014517

I also bought a monopod from the same manufacturers, again an excellent product.
The only drawback with this however was the grip. not spongy enough to rest on the shoulder.

 

[SMT]

Another vote for Red Snapper with the Ball Head

 

[a1ex2001]

I think it really depends on what you're taking photos of.........for general photography when you're walking out and about, most likely you will not need a tripod. But for landscapes and night time photography, or anything involving long exposures, a tripod is an absolute necessity.......

A tripod is not a necessity for landscape photography plenty of people take great landscapes without one, long exposures and night time you have a point on.

 

[lauy]

A tripod is not a necessity for landscape photography plenty of people take great landscapes without one, long exposures and night time you have a point on.

Again.......it depends what kind of landscapes........and if you are using filters/long exposures, these sort of go hand in hand with landscapes. Also for certain type of landscapes, you may want to go really low for a low angle of view..........unless you want to be lying down and trying to handhold your camera really still whilst doing so, I'd say a tripod is a necessity.

You do have a point that you can get good landscape shots hand held, but there is a lot less room for experimenting and a lot more room for stuff being out of focus due to camera shake.

 

[_andyjb]

Red snapper +1, if you're a beginner, but i do love my manfrotto.

 

[Cocohoney]

Wow! Thanks for all the help!

I think I will try my friend's one first- I really only wanted something to play around with- setting something up so I could take pictures of the children indoors in natural light, and maybe a bit of outdoor stuff too. Nothing specific really, more so I could get to know my camera and what it can do better.
If I like it I may come back to the redsnapper stuff as lots have suggested it, but that Manfrotto one is very cheap isn't it? I thought they were very expensive? Lots of people seem to recommend Manfrotto for the quality.