how to choose a tripod?

topcat07

topcat07

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I know this sounds daft but where do you start? Is there specific things I need to look for which make tripod X better than tripod z?

Looking for one I can carry around when I go exploring maybe the gorilla pod Slr zoom? Only concern was if the legs was not wrapped quite right that would be the end of the camera

Your thought are appreciated as always
 
Stability, weight, size, build quality and ease of use are all important, second and third points moreso if you are wandering about with it

Choice of head is equally important and a poor one can render a decent tripod useless

Much also depends on budget with carbon being lighter albeit costlier, a search should produce much discussion and some recommendations of brand
 
You really have 3 factors to look at Carrying Weight, Stability and Reasonable Price you have to pick which is the most important to you, you often cannot get all factors covered so you can get light weight and stable but it's not going to be cheap...you can get cheap and stable but it's going to be heavy, you really have to decide what you'll be using it for and what your willing to spend if your only using it occasionally its probably not going to be worth spending £500+ on it...also what are you going to use it for too as say you can get tripod heads that are say better for panning or one that is for landscape etc
 
Bought myself a manfrotto today, it's much much harder choosing one than it was paying for it! Seriously is a mine field! There's loads of info out there, google is your friend! :) all the best!
 
I bought a cheap one for £29, it should teach me all I need to know about buying a decent one :)
 
When purchasing a tripod there is a very good saying that is "buy cheap, buy twice". You should be looking for stability, weight bearing (how much is the tripod rated to use), max height and tripod head. A good tripod is nearly as important as the camera you use and "cutting corners" with regards to price will only end in tears!

Personally I use a Manfrotto 055CX03PRO with a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head. This set up suits my landscape photography just fine. Off the top of my head it cost me in the region of £300 two years ago and was the max I could afford. If I was loaded then I would have seriously considered the Gitzo range of tripods.

With all due respect a £26 tripod is not suitable for much and I would be worried about the safety of my camera and lenses if I were to venture outdoors with such a beasty.

My advice is to save up for a few weeks and look at something from manufacturers such as Manfrotto, Redsnapper and Velbon to name just a few. Leave the cheap rubbish found on Fleabay well alone.

Andy
 
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Whilst my Redsnapper legs and ballhead were fantastic value for money, and are very good quality and very solid and sturdy, the weight is just too much to lug around if I'm out and about for a day. Enter a Gitzo 1542T plus a Redsnapper RSH-61 ballhead, half the weight of my other rig and I can carry it no problem on the off chance of needing a support. Not cheap mind you. If I know I will definitely need a support I take the heavier set up.
 
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