Somebody please, talk to me about tripods!

hyakuhei

hyakuhei

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Robert
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Hi all,

I currently own a Velbon CX-540 tripod, its something I have definately outgrown now, If I put a big lens on there combined with my 50D+Grip the whole thing vibrates and wobbles rather annoyingly!

So, I've been looking around at it seems to me my budget is going to be a maximum of £120.

Steve Byford (FFORDES) recommends either a MN055 XBD or a used MN055 V and a MN168 head. I'm finding it really hard to get details on these, what do you guys think of the combo?

What about redsnapper - or a combination of the redsnapper legs and a MN head?

Bogen have an offer on until the end of today: "At £99.95 for the 190XDB,390RC2 and £119.95 for the 055XDB,804RC2"

I'm really confused, can someone point me in the right direction? I need a sturdy tripod and head for studio work with the occasional bit of low light outdoors stuff... :shrug:

Thanks
-Rob
 
Search for tripod threads, there's plenty. A good Red Snapper one quite recently:thumbs:
 
How big is your 'big lens'? I doubt you'll get a solid tripod and head for anything close to your budget.
 
My biggest lens is currently a 300mm F/4L which will one day be slightly heavier F/2.8L

I also noticed that fotosense has an offer on gittoz:
"Giottos MTL9251B 3 Section Aluminium Tripod + MH5001 Fluid 3-Way Tripod Head" thats for about £84
 
Thanks for the link Natterjak.

The giottos package is interesting but at the moment I'm leaning towards a combination of a redsnapper tripod and a Manfrotto MN488RC2. What do you guys think ?
 
hyakuhei said:
Thanks for the link Natterjak.

The giottos package is interesting but at the moment I'm leaning towards a combination of a redsnapper tripod and a Manfrotto MN488RC2. What do you guys think ?
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Any particular reason you're now looking at a ball head? I have the 488RC2 and it's a brilliant head, but I also have the 804RC2 as it is better for fine tuning the camera's position.
 
I've always been open to using either. I've used a friends ball head MN at a wedding and found it very useful but my P&T hasn't caused me many issues either.
 
If it's an all -round tripod you're looking for with maximum versatility for all situations, then IMHO, don't even think about one without an offset rotating centre column. This feature allows you to get right down to ground level for low level or macro shots, and more importantly, actually get your eye to the viewfinder, without the camera hanging upside down under the tripod.

If any of the Manfrottos you mention have the feature, then they're a bargain. ;) This is my Gitzo with rotating centre column.


2489275102_c6bda4ee83_o.jpg
 
Thanks CT - Thats pretty much the only thing I'm not looking for!

At least at the moment, Macro doesn't float my boat - certainly not enough to invest in swanky things like that! Nice pic though ;)
 
hyakuhei said:
Thanks CT - Thats pretty much the only thing I'm not looking for!

At least at the moment, Macro doesn't float my boat - certainly not enough to invest in swanky things like that! Nice pic though ;)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the Manfrottos do have that functionality. My 190PROB certainly does.
 
Fair does, but I'm just being Devil's Advocate here. Buy it once and buy it right - you may not see a need for the feature now, but if you do in the future you're going to be in the market for another new tripod.

I've made all the mistakes with tripods! ;)
 
Thanks CT - Its good advice.
 
CT said:
Fair does, but I'm just being Devil's Advocate here. Buy it once and buy it right - you may not see a need for the feature now, but if you do in the future you're going to be in the market for another new tripod.

I've made all the mistakes with tripods! ;)
Click to expand...

this man made the mistakes for us ..
so i got a man 055 prob does all i need also..

worth getting somthing like this imho


mine was 2nd hand @ about £100 i think


md:wave:
 
Rob, I use the Manfrottos 055ProB and the 486RC2 head, with my Sigma 120-300 2.8, very good solid tripod, but over your budget by about £50.00.

Your only 5 miles from me, call over if you want to check it out.
 
For studio work I have just paired a sturdy old set of second-hand Linhof legs (£20 clear out from local photographic shop), with a Fomei MH-0110 Head (£35 complete with two quick release plates). The arrangement is rock solid and all for silly money. I understand that the head is as good as the much more expensive Manfrotto equivalent.

http://www.photomart.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=28861

Good luck
Sam-D
 
Thanks Martin,

I think what I'll do is go ahead and get the Xmas deal from red snapper. If I'm not happy with the head well, at the deal price its only cost me £15 I'm sure I'd get that S/H and I'll go ahead and get a better head then. The only thing I don't like about redsnapper is that their Quick release system looks rather crap I much prefer the manfrotto RC2 system.
 
Like Martin, I have the Manfrotto 055ProB coupled with the 486 RC2 head, and find it excellent with my 1D Mk iin and 70-200 f2.8l lens.
 
i've got a cheap tripod which i got with my nikon d40 when i brought it, worked fine.

but now with the new kit, grip, heavier lens, etc. looking for something a bit more secure
 
I use a Bembo mark 1 , totaly bombproof, however you need t0 be very well built to carry it around as it weighs a ton...
 
Holden Caulfield said:
I use a Bembo mark 1 , totaly bombproof, however you need t0 be very well built to carry it around as it weighs a ton...
Click to expand...

LOL. I have an old Benbo 2. Built like an outside toilet. I love it to bits but I wouldn't want to carry it far. :D
 
Yeah a friend of mine has a big benbo - great toy to have but as you've said not the most portable of things!

Right, I've just ordered my Christmas deal from Redsnapper. I have the tripod + P&T head coming.

I've decided to give that a try before shelling out on a ball head, if I do get one it will be the 488rc2 with a couple of spare plates!
 
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