Sturdy, portable tripod

Kell

Kell

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Kell
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Over the years, I've upgraded my lens and camera bodies to the point that the cheap £30 Jessops tripod I bought years ago simply can't cope with the weight.

Every shot has to be taken on a 10 second timer as it takes that long to settle.

I know you can spend several hundreds of pounds for some top-quality kit, but I have a budget of around £200.

Needs to be light enough and small enough to take walking, but sturdy enough to support a full-frame camera and something heavy like a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.

Any and all suggestions gratefully received.

(I do already have a decent head, so that doesn't need to be included in the price.)

Thanks

Kell
 
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A lot depends on your definition of ' light enough and small enough'
Personally I've always use Manfrotto 055s when out the studio. I don't have an issue with weight or size, and I'm also aware that buying a cheaper / lighter model isn't going to be as sturdy and hardwearing, both of which are extremely important to me.

If I had any niggle, its that I'd want it to be taller sometimes.
 
riddell said:
A lot depends on your definition of ' light enough and small enough'
Personally I've always use Manfrotto 055s when out the studio. I don't have an issue with weight or size, and I'm also aware that buying a cheaper / lighter model isn't going to be as sturdy and hardwearing, both of which are extremely important to me.

If I had any niggle, its that I'd want it to be taller sometimes.
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Good to know about the height thing - this is exactly the sort of first-hand experience I'm desperate to get.

I know it's a trade off between weight and folded size versus ultimate stability. Hence hoping to get direct feedback from someone that bought one thinking it would be perfect only to find they never use it, or that they'd wished they'd got one with a specific feature.

I'm hoping that I can get away with just buying one rather than my usual trick of buying something, realising it's not right, selling it, and buying something else.
 
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Have a think about whether you prefer twist or clip locks... I have a Manfrotto Elements tripod and HATE the damn twist locks. YMMV. Also bits randomly drop off the tripod occasionally.
 
Another recommendation for the Manfrotto 055B, I use the aluminum version as its only marginally heavier than the carbon fibre version but a lot cheaper, its had a decent amount of use, over 10 years or so, has got wet in salt water and as long as its taken apart and washed in fresh water its ok, and should last at least another 5 perhaps more.

There's always a compromise between a sturdy and light tripod, you cant have both but the 055B is close enough for me.
 
chrism8 said:
Another recommendation for the Manfrotto 055B, I use the aluminum version as its only marginally heavier than the carbon fibre version but a lot cheaper, its had a decent amount of use, over 10 years or so, has got wet in salt water and as long as its taken apart and washed in fresh water its ok, and should last at least another 5 perhaps more.
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I've got to admit I don't get carbon fibre tripods, much more expensive, weaker and often shorter than equivalent aluminium model, all for a minor weight saving.

I used a 055B very heavily for 10+ years, professional use. i.e. constant, virtually every day. Lots of abuse, and only just recently wore out. (and the parts are available to repair as well) I brought another 055
 
Have a look at a 3-legged thing 'punks billy', I bought one for taking on holiday, very lightweight,compact and holds my Nikon D500 and 500 PF with teleconverter very comfortably,it's also within your budget (just).
 
I use a Manfrotto 055B ( carbon Fibre) its a superb bit of kit and copes very well with weight-I use a Gimbal on mine supporting a Sony a7Riv and Sony 200-600mm FE lens

Les :)
 
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

I think that the Manfrotto one looks good, but the closed length is a little longer than one I already have.

So while it would be a lot sturdier, I don't think it's going to convince me to take it more places.

At the minute, it's a toss up between the 3LT Travis or the Vanguard VEO 3GO 265AH.

I've just returned a 2x Extender to MPB so once that money is refunded, I'll make a decision.

The Vanguard one appeals as it's slightly smaller, but if I went for the 3LT version which is a lot cheaper, I could also get a 40mm Pancake lens. GAS and all that... ;)
 
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Hi all.

Decision made.

Went for the Vanguard VEO 3GO 265HCB Ultra-Tall Carbon Fibre version.

It was a little more expensive than the Alu version, but came bundled with a Vanguard camera bag worth (or at least, priced at) £99.

I needed a new bag, so it made sense to do it this way around.

Once again, thanks to everyone for the pointers.
 
LeeRatters said:
I use a 3LT Travis for longer walks. Does the job well, arca Swiss, I have added spikes, well under budget....
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I've been looking at the 3LT Punks tripod recently as I want something a bit smaller I can put on my bag properly when walking. I've ruled out the Corey (5 section legs), the Billy and the Brian (weight saving not big enough to need CF), and the Patti (flip locks), which just leaves the Travis.

How sturdy do you find it? I have a Manfrotto Befree as my travel tripod atm (one of the cheaper aluminium ones) and at full height, it's pretty wobbly even with a mirrorless camera and a smallish lens. For the price, the Travis seems to be a really good option!
 
Carl Hall said:
I've been looking at the 3LT Punks tripod recently as I want something a bit smaller I can put on my bag properly when walking. I've ruled out the Corey (5 section legs), the Billy and the Brian (weight saving not big enough to need CF), and the Patti (flip locks), which just leaves the Travis.

How sturdy do you find it? I have a Manfrotto Befree as my travel tripod atm (one of the cheaper aluminium ones) and at full height, it's pretty wobbly even with a mirrorless camera and a smallish lens. For the price, the Travis seems to be a really good option!
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Once I've found it a little unreliable & that was stood on top of a hill on Christmas Eve trying to manual focus magnified at 200mm with a side wind...... The actual shots were okay, it was just the manual focusing bit - it was very jumpy.

Aside from that I've never had any issues. I do have spikes though as I mainly shoot woodland/landscapes.
 
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