Tripod recommendations?

[The goblin]

As the title suggest really!

I had a Manfrotto 190pro thingy with the 460MG head, but I just never really used it outside of the house. It always seemed too bulky to lug around with me and the various knobs on the tripod head were somewhat annoying. A couple of times I loosened the wrong one and the camera fell forward denting the polariser attached! So I downsized to the Manfrotto Befree, watched the accompanying video with it and it was advertised by a landscape photographer. As I was moving overseas I needed something a lot more compact for travelling with and the Befree is awesome for that as it's very compact!

But roll on to Cyprus and I discover a taste for landscape photography, so now I'm needing something more sturdy. But it seems a minefield out there!

I don't really have a budget, but looking at some priced £750 upwards is just crazy!

I really need something with a hook to hang a bag on as it's darn windy out here!

Any advice/ recommendations greatly appreciated

 

[a1ex2001]

You could improvise a bag hook on the befree with some para cord and a mini carabiner for a few quid and save yourself the expense and grief of a shopping trip!

 

[The goblin]

You could improvise a bag hook on the befree with some para cord and a mini carabiner for a few quid and save yourself the expense and grief of a shopping trip!

I could certainly give it a try. I have a proper carabiner somewhere and I'm sure my hubby could 'borrow' some cord from work

 

[Stu Blackpool]

Being in a similar sort of position I have just bought myself one of these and spent a LOT of time reviewing everything up to and including about £400 and it seems this is prettyy hard to beat for overall stability, features and portability.
My problem is the head I use is heavier than the damn Tripod! (1.7KG head)

http://www.manfrotto.com/055-carbon-fibre-q90-3-section-tripod
These are being discounted all over the place now as they have just released a new version of it but it doesn't seem any better on paper and its a lot more cash so I grabbed this older version for £235 here,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-055CXPRO3-Carbon-Section-Lightweight/dp/B001EZWJTU

 

[Graham]

Or try a vanguard Alta pro 263 with a AGH trigger type head, rock sold and has a hook if you want. Mine cost 200€ maybe less on fleabay.
It will hold a big lens if needed.

 

[thomas hughes]

If you plan on spending time photographing sea scapes..water etc i would go for a benbo trekker ...the only lasting tripod legs out there ...because the.way the legs are slid ..from the knee down and not the ankle...iv trashed a half dozen tripod joints living near the sea over years... ok love or hate the benbo ...the leg bottoms are well protected compared to giottos velbon . And the rest . .. If you dont plqn shooting water or getting knee deep then ... Giottos best pound for pound ...and tough quality ..no plastic ..or brittle carbon ! Which didnt last me a.week

 

[The goblin]

Thank you everyone, I'll look at everything recommended.

If you plan on spending time photographing sea scapes..water etc i would go for a benbo trekker ...the only lasting tripod legs out there ...because the.way the legs are slid ..from the knee down and not the ankle...iv trashed a half dozen tripod joints living near the sea over years... ok love or hate the benbo ...the leg bottoms are well protected compared to giottos velbon . And the rest . .. If you dont plqn shooting water or getting knee deep then ... Giottos best pound for pound ...and tough quality ..no plastic ..or brittle carbon ! Which didnt last me a.week

Ironically Thomas my first ever tripod from moons gone by, was a Benbo Trekker mark 1! Those legs take some getting used too!

I was down the beach today and had no plans to get wet at all. Stood on a nice dry rock when the non tidal med came in! The lower sections got wet and sea spray got everywhere! I hosed it down when I got home and dried it before putting it away!

Still need to clean my camera and other stuff. It's harsh work on the beach front!

 

[karlblackwell]

I find it's very difficult choosing the right tripod, or tripods. I have 6 or 7, each of which i use, but until i bought my first giottos tripod, i was forever looking for something a little smaller, or a little lighter, or stronger... the Giottos Vitruvian VGRN8255 is a belter. Carbon fibre, so very light, very easy to erect and very stable too. I don't dislike manfrottos but i barely find an occasion to use them nowadays.
Cheers
Karl
www.karlblackwell.com