Advice on tripod please

Dem55

Dem55

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Lorraine
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Hi,
I'm new to this forum and hoping someone could give me a bit of advice.
I use a Nikon D3100, the longest lens I have at the minute is 55-300mm. Altogether they weigh about 1.5kg
I'm looking to buy a tripod for landscape and macro shots, so I'd like something stable with the ability to do low level shots.
I've been looking at tripod/head combinations for a while and I'm kind of torn between two set ups:

Giotto MTL9361B tripod with GTMH 1311652 head,

Manfrotto055XProB tripod with Ball head 498RC2.

Can anyone give me a steer on how these compare, or if there are better options? My budget is about £200. Weight isn't too much of an issue as I'm not likely to be carrying the kit for miles.

Thanks
 
I don't have these tripods nor have I used them, I went a cheaper route with Redsnapper. I did look into the Manforrto and the reviews were great, I doubt you would have any issues with either of these.
 
Think about the weight before you buy. I have a Redsnapper legs/ballhead combo and it's extremely stable, great value for money, but due to it's weight I only use it outdoors if I'm going somewhere specific and know I will use it. For general walkabout when I don't even know if I'll need a tripod I have a Gitzo Traveler and a lightweight Redsnapper head which I can happily carry all day as it's @ half the weight of the other combo. Of course this comes at a price, but you soon forget that when you get shots you would have missed.
 
You could look at Benbo and Uniloc.

They're not to everyones taste but after endless frustration with a Manfrotto 055 I switched to a Benbo with column bracket and although I don't use a tripod much when I do there's no way on this Earth I'd go back to a conventional centre column through the middle of the legs design now. Not unless it had some sort of universal movement joint for the column.

The Benbo / Uniloc can get into almost any position and that's great for macro and outdoor shooting.

PS. Although I have a ball head I'm not a big fan of them. They are compact and cheap but there doesn't seem to be any way to avoid that dreaded "drop" and it's a killer for macro. I have a geared head for precise positioning, it's big and heavy but at least it lets you get the position you want and that's almost impossible with a ball head IMVHO.
 
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I own manfrotto xprob with 498rc2 head and it is great and stable tripod. You can go as low as you want with this tripod. Unfortunately carrying it is not too great. Went to snowdonia last year and immediately regret not taking my Velbon 600R with me, which is much much lighter tripod. You won't be disappointed it is great piece of equipment.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I haven't come across Red Snapper or Benbo, I'll take a look at them. I am a bit worried about the weight, ideally I'd like carbon Fibre, but I don't think my bank manager would!
I didn't realise that ball heads might drop a bit - is that something that happens with long lenses, or can it happen with any?
 
Dem55 said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I haven't come across Red Snapper or Benbo, I'll take a look at them. I am a bit worried about the weight, ideally I'd like carbon Fibre, but I don't think my bank manager would!
I didn't realise that ball heads might drop a bit - is that something that happens with long lenses, or can it happen with any?
Click to expand...

Good ones with a decent sized ball don't droop (and they're great to use) but cheaper/smaller ones often do (and they're a nightmare).

Cheapest quality ball head I've used is the RedSnapper RSH-12 at about £50, otherwise you need to spend well into three figures.
 
I got the Redsnapper and ball head combo and it's fantastic. Strong sturdy and has everythin I need. Was about £150.

It may not be the lightest as its not carbon fibre but I lift weights and workout so it is not an issue to carry around personally.
 
The RS-324 tripod and RSH-12 ballhead are an excellent combo. I doubt anything else can touch the build quality, stability, and ease of use for ~£150. The only downsides are that the combined weight of tripod and head pushes 3kg, and length when folded down is 2ft.
 
Hi guys,

I looked at the Red Snapper website, but they seem to be very heavy - I guess that's why they're so sturdy. Anyway, after a trial run carrying a couple of bags of sugar about (I know), I think that carbon fibre might be a better option, I think I'd rather spend a little bit more if it means I'm not going to mind carrying it about.
I was looking at a Manfrotto, but got stuck with what would be the best head.

Has anyone used/heard anything about the 460MG3D? It isn't a ball head and it doesn't have pan/tilt hadles. The reviews on the site look ok, but I thought I'd ask here too

D
 
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