Tripod buying help

cjevans

cjevans

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I know I need a decent tripod and I have heard all the advice of not having to "buy twice". I'm looking for mostly home setup with some macro and don't do much landscape so don't think I need a removable centre column but the features are a bit confusing and the model numbers make no sense to me, and that's without even mentioning heads and release plates. So if there is anyone who would like to make the process a bit more simple I'd be quite grateful.
 
cjevans said:
...I have heard all the advice of not having to "buy twice".
Click to expand...
Me too - and yet bought "thrice" (?) before learning! :D

After having a tripod with centercolumn, decided that was nothing but in the way, especially at groundlevel shooting. So it must be "systemic"...
Then I wanted some weight, deliberately looking for above 1.5kg.

Went through four different ballheads before going for a big ball > 50 mm for smoothest operations and strong grip.

Clamping system *must* be Arca-Swiss compatible! And since I do lots of panorama shots, decided to go for a panorama clamp.


To sum it up, I ended with a RRS/Gitzo combo, but the price...! :gag:

An alternative was found in Benro - as in sig below. After heavy use in all conditions after nearly a year, I'm still pleased with the purchase.
A tiny review of tripod/combo can be found in TP review section...


Good luck and Happy New Year!
 
Thanks for the reply, I'll definitely check it out. Very kind of you to take the time
 
I have just purchased a manfrotto 055XProB with ball head. The centre column rotates 90 degrees to get low or for reaching over a table.

Very happy.

I couldn't justify carbonfibre.
 
I've got a redsnapper with ball head.

Nice and sturdy, not too heavy, good quality, excellent service from the guys at redsnapper.

It comes in a nice bag with soft padded strap.

I'd rate it, I paid about £100 so reasonably priced.

TP members also get a discount
 
Or if your working at low level a gorilla pod might be good but again there £100
 
Heard a lot of good things on here about redsnapper. Are connections etc standard in the tripod world? Can you mix heads from one to tripods from others?
 
+1 for a Redsnapper. Wish I had gone for a ball head tho. As it's my first proper tripod I went for the cheapest head - It's a bit too fiddly for me, top quality tho and as said, comes with a nice bag. Not sure about mixing heads tho sorry.
 
Majority of tripods have a 3/8" thread, but some have 1/4"

Not a problem as you can easily buy a thread reducer for a couple of quid, so yes they are interchangeable
 
brad28 said:
I've got a redsnapper with ball head.

Nice and sturdy, not too heavy, good quality, excellent service from the guys at redsnapper.

It comes in a nice bag with soft padded strap.

I'd rate it, I paid about £100 so reasonably priced.

TP members also get a discount
Click to expand...

Hi, which model did you go for and which ball head, was it the RS-283 & RSH-12 Ball Head?

I quite like the look of the RS-324 & RSH-12 Head as I like the leg flip lock clips - how do you find the leg adjustment mechanisms on your tripod?

Thanks, Pete :D
 
I really don't like messing about with tripods and I hated my Manfrotto 055 with a passion as it wouldn't allow me to get the positioning I wanted. I gave it away and I now have a Benbo and although I still don't like tripods I grudgingly admit that it gets into many positions that the Manfrotto just couldn't and when upright it's much more stable than the Manfrotto too, plus it's made in Britain from real metal... a mans tripod :D if a man has to use a tripod.
 
Rocketeer said:
Hi, which model did you go for and which ball head, was it the RS-283 & RSH-12 Ball Head?

I quite like the look of the RS-324 & RSH-12 Head as I like the leg flip lock clips - how do you find the leg adjustment mechanisms on your tripod?

Thanks, Pete :D
Click to expand...

I went for the RS-283 & RHS-12 Ball Head 1 £109.00
The legs are easy to adjust with the loosening and tightening.
Definitely worth getting the ball head version.
Make sure you look at the heights of the tripods and whether that height is because the centre column has been extended.
 
If you're going to be mainly using it for macro, then I would think that a (micro) adjustable head with a rail would be of importance and more use than a ball-head. How low will you want it to go is another thing that might be of importance to you. My advice would be to think what features/specs you need in order to get it to do what you want, before deciding on a model - both legs and head.
 
Rocketeer said:
I quite like the look of the RS-324 & RSH-12 Head as I like the leg flip lock clips - how do you find the leg adjustment mechanisms on your tripod?

Thanks, Pete :D
Click to expand...

I went for the 324 & RSH 12 for the same reason. Plus its a very sturdy tripod.
I've also just got the monopod, which has twist locks.
Its a personal preference, but I do prefer the flip locks.
 
brad28 said:
I went for the RS-283 & RHS-12 Ball Head 1 £109.00
The legs are easy to adjust with the loosening and tightening.
Definitely worth getting the ball head version.
Make sure you look at the heights of the tripods and whether that height is because the centre column has been extended.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bradley, just checked the heights of the RS-283 against my old, unbranded, tripod that I've owned for 25 years or so and it is about 5 inches taller with centre column down & a few inches taller at max height. However my old tripod is not nearly as versatile as the RS-283 as legs are braced & it has a geared centre column that doesn't reverse.

Looking at the RS-324 the height of the tripod are 1530 & 1790 with folded length of 565 as opposed to the RS-283's 1345/1600/620 figures. Obviously, the weight also goes up from the RS-283's 1.970kgs to 2.390kgs unless you plump for the RS-324 Carbon fibre version that tips the scales at 1.930kgs but cost nearly double.

Maybe the RS 283/RHS-12 combo would be my best option!

Pete :D
 
Bumbler said:
I went for the 324 & RSH 12 for the same reason. Plus its a very sturdy tripod.
I've also just got the monopod, which has twist locks.
Its a personal preference, but I do prefer the flip locks.
Click to expand...


Hi Mark, thanks for your reply.

Do you find the RS-324 to big/heavy to take out & about?

I have a Manfrotto monopod 679 that extends to 162 cm, (63.75"), this too has flip locks so this is all that I have been used to.

Pete :D
 
Rocketeer said:
Hi Mark, thanks for your reply.

Do you find the RS-324 to big/heavy to take out & about?

I have a Manfrotto monopod 679 that extends to 162 cm, (63.75"), this too has flip locks so this is all that I have been used to.

Pete :D
Click to expand...

Hi Pete
I haven't carted it about much so can't comment on that. The bag has a comfortable strap, so that makes it easier. I can also fit my monopod in the bag along with the tripod, (for storage as it adds to the weight.)
Had I known how solid the tripod was, I would probably have been OK with the 283 or 284, but I'm happy with my choice. The RSH-12 complements it very well.

In the product numbers, 324 means the largest leg tube diameter is 32mm, with 4 sections. The 283 is 28mm with 3 sections, 284 is 28mm with 4 sections. etc.

Mark.
 
Honestly, i bought Gitzo tripods since 2007 and i never looked back, they are working flawlessly for me since that until forever or lifetime maybe.
 
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