Beginner Bargain tripod but is it worth keeping or going for something else

teddyt

teddyt

Suspended / Banned
Messages
126
Name
Graham
Edit My Images
Yes
I picked up a slik 88-n-smdb tripod at the local car boot this morning , it is like brand new and complete with carry bag.
I already had a cheap (and Shaky) tripod but this is so much better( heavier and a lot more stable). I only paid £10 for it.

Will this do me for day to day stuff, or should I try to sell it on, and start saving for something else??
 
It depends on your set up but as long as there doesn't appear to be any danger of your camera falling off this tripod, ie it is mechanically sound, then I'd give a go.

Only after trying it will you know if it will support your gear adequately. If not, then sell it on and from what you've said you'll probably get your money back and a bit more. I don't know this tripod but if I recall correctly Slik had (maybe still have) a decent name.

Dave
 
Slik were a good brand, presume they still are. I have one which I bought 30 odd years ago and still gets regular use.
Use it, see if it does what you want it to. Probably not worth trying to sell on, unless locally, as postage would most likely be close to its value.
 
thanks guy's. As I said it's way better than what I have used before, so I will give it a good run out I think it will be ok (for now):rolleyes:
 
I remember the Slik 88 from when I started out - it's not a high quality piece of kit and lacks versatility compared to a more modern design, but is OK for a tenner. IIRC the leg locks tend to fail on those, but there's no reason you shouldn't use it until you can see a reason to buy something better.
 
Unless you are thinking of putting a camera/lens combo that you really value (I don't know what kit you have) and it is stable you should be ok, if you have e.g.EOS *0D/7D/FF or the equivalent Nikon/Sony/Pentax/etc.etc with more than just a kit lens (and a long telezoom) then I think more investment is wise
 
Early, genuine Japan made Silk 88, with 'button' quick release?
Not the most luggable pod for field work, but it's not the most cumbersome, & it is pretty steady and usefully adjustable.
Silk made their name making TV studio equipment, & the 88 was originally marketed as a cine/video tripod, and in its day, it was well regarded but considered a little 'gimicky' by purists. From memory brand name dissapeared in the '90's and was bought up in a merger, before being attached to tiwanese & korean made mid-market models, that are almost a completely different animal. But 'old' gen Japan Slik were 'good'.
Very good bit of kit, I bought mine 2nd hand 25 years ago; sore used over the years, but still going strong.
One of the extender clips did break, but I think that was because one of my kids slammed the car boot on it! (Wazzn't me Dad, honest!)
Bought another 2nd hand last year for my daughter, as she was used to it; paid £30 for that one I think.
I'd hang on!!
 
thanks mike, it is a japanese one. So I think I struck lucky with it, and it appears to have had very little use, as all joints etc are still nice and tight.
 
teddyt said:
thanks mike, it is a japanese one. So I think I struck lucky with it, and it appears to have had very little use, as all joints etc are still nice and tight.
Click to expand...

If from your post you intend to take shots of wildlife - carrying a tripod all day or for hours can be unpleasant and almost impossible if it is heavy

In the back garden, OK, but out in the field a compromise between weight and stability will always have to be made .......... I have a few tripods ......... the two I use mosts when out and about are both CF Glitz's ...... and the more I carry it the more I go for light weight
 
I had one for a number of years and it served me well, eventually it gave up on a building site, when one of the leg locks split. But in its time it was nearly as steady as my Manfrotto 055b, thanks to having leg braces. For a tenner you can't go wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top