Tripod / Flash to add to my kit

Seajay

Seajay

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Cathy
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Morning all I have been searching threads for advice on both the above but have now got myself a little lost.

I am hoping to add a flash and decent tripod to my kit
My little cheap tripod is driving me nuts and would like a flash that s easy to use for a beginner.
The flash units by yonugo look ok but I also read within the forum Nissin Di-622 Mark II may be better?

So please if you have any suggestions I would be happy to listen.
Budget 150.00 most use some landscape and family pics.
 
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Hi Seajay...

I cant offer much advice here, but I can certainly pass on what I've discovered from other people since being on the forums for only a couple of days now...

I've been looking into tripods, and the general rule of thumb seems to be 'dont buy a cheap tripod'. I guess there's logic in not putting a £400+ piece of kit onto a flismy tripod! People here seem to favour 'Redsnapper' tripods, but you might be looking at around £50+ for a decent tripod.

Cant give you any info about flashes as I'm not there yet myself, but I hope the little I can share helped!
 
Huge question which tripod? ask yourself do you want one for static work or to carry about.
Next what type of tripod head , ie fluid for video work. what weight can it hold, so you need to find out the weight of your kit.

My tip is to go to a camera shop and with your camera and see which suits your needs is the easiest answer. Remember to try out the tripod fully extended for stability, you don't want one the moves in the wind, even shutter slap can affect a bad tripod, also will it work at ground level.

All I can say is what I use, the best tripod head I have found is the Manfrotto 804RC2 for still work on a Manfrotto 055XPROB for indoor work.

For a carry around tripod with a fluid head for video (and stills) is my Velbon C-400. But thats my choice others will prefer something else

Realspeed
 
Seajay said:
Morning all I have been searching threads for advice on both the above but have now got myself a little lost.

I am hoping to add a flash and decent tripod to my kit
My little cheap tripod is driving me nuts and would like a flash that s easy to use for a beginner.
The flash units by yonugo look ok but I also read within the forum Nissin Di-622 Mark II may be better?

So please if you have any suggestions I would be happy to listen.
Budget 150.00 most use some landscape and family pics.
Click to expand...

On a tight budget, RedSnapper tripods are great value, like this 283 for £55
http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/283_Alloy_3-Section_Tripod.html Then put this ball head on top, also excellent value, RSH-12 £60 http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RSH-12_Ball_head.html Phone Joe at RedSnapper and he'll give you 10% off as a member of TP :)

Yongnuo flashes are unbeatable value too, though Nissin are also good. These are the top models on the link, and I'd go for the 568EX, with high speed sync, from e bay or Amazon about £100. If you fancy a bit of off-camera strobist flash work some time, get a set of E-TTL Yongnuo 622 triggers for about £70.
http://www.lightingrumours.com/yongnuo-yn-568ex-is-first-speedlight-in-china-with-hss-2718
 
The 7-day tripod looks very much like the ones Aldi have been selling recently for £11.95 and which I am initially very impressed with - made by Hama btw.
 
Cheap tripods are the epitome of false economy.

The heads can't handle a decent DSLR/lens combo and aren't particularly sturdy which can be easily knocked or blown over. As alluded to above, sitting an average £1000 (for example) worth of kit on top of that is asking for trouble.

I'm probably at the higher end of the budget tripods with the Manfrotto 055xProB but it is quite solid, secure and quick flick-lock leg levers, legs can be splayed unlike the cheaper ones with the inner strut setup and ability to flip the centre column horizontally. You might consider the smaller but similiarly built 190XProB which is relatively lighter and cheaper than the 055x too.

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Thank you all!

I have taken on all your ideas and I will check out the links again in the morning

I know from being here that the tripod has to be my first purchase and then the flash will be next.

I missed out on quite a few shots because I could not place my cheap tripod on the wet rocks as it was way too light.

Many thanks
Cathy
 
Maybe you can get more funds for the tripod. It's something worth the money and you won't regret it. Don't save couple of pound when you screw your kit in it.
Had the experience (50D back then) and will never do that mistake again.
 
Yes you are right and I have managed to get a Giottos MTL9351B Tripod + 7001 Head so hopefully this will be suitable.
Cathy
 
My cheap Hama tripod quickly got relegated to a light stand for a speedlight because it was that bad. I just haunted ebay until the right decent tripod came up as 'pick up only' for not a lot more than the cheap one cost. Another vote for a Manfrotto 055.
 
I'd also recommend the Manfrotto 055xProB or 190XProB as a first decent tripod
 
Make sure you also get a good quality head otherwise you will have wasted your money on a decent tripod
 
Thanks everyone I have now ordered my
Giottos MTL9351B Tripod + head this one will be so much better t Han my flimsy cheap one.
Cathy
 
Wuyan thank you . I understand what you mean.

The tripod came with the head so I will try it out and see how it goes and if required I will get a better head layer.
 
Many thanks everyone I now have my tripod and flash unit ordered

I would not have been able to decide without all the help given to me on the forum
Cathy :)
 
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