Tripod suggestions please

[Digioto]

Hi all,

Can anyone suggest a good tripod for around £60. Needs to be lightweight and easy to carry. Also it would be good to have a quick release for ease of use.

While I am at it, can someone also suggest a good all round filter to go on both my 18-55 and 70-300 lens for shooting landscapes. I dont know alot about filters so I dont know which one i need but I want to make sure the sky, sea etc isnt over exposed.

Thanks in advance.

Nik

 

[PD_BARBS]

Hi all,

Can anyone suggest a good tripod for around £60. Needs to be lightweight and easy to carry. Also it would be good to have a quick release for ease of use.

While I am at it, can someone also suggest a good all round filter to go on both my 18-55 and 70-300 lens for shooting landscapes. I dont know alot about filters so I dont know which one i need but I want to make sure the sky, sea etc isnt over exposed.

Thanks in advance.

Nik

Don't waste your money on a cheap tripod, look at the redsnapper ones, they are very reasonable and great quality for the money. You can pick up a tripod fand head for £90as as a TP member.


With respect to the filters, you really need to define what you want it for, for landscape, you would be best having a set of ND grads about you. As you want to use this on lenses that require different sized filters, you want want to consider something like the Cokin P set of filters, with rings for both your lenses. I suggest looking at 7dayshop as they are reasonable for these.

 

[Digioto]

Don't waste your money on a cheap tripod, look at the redsnapper ones, they are very reasonable and great quality for the money. You can pick up a tripod fand head for £90as as a TP member.


With respect to the filters, you really need to define what you want it for, for landscape, you would be best having a set of ND grads about you. As you want to use this on lenses that require different sized filters, you want want to consider something like the Cokin P set of filters, with rings for both your lenses. I suggest looking at 7dayshop as they are reasonable for these.

As i say i dont really know anything about which filters I need for which situation. All I have been told is i need a filter which stops the sky and any water in the photo being exposed - which filter does that? Sorry if it is a silly question

In regard to the tripod I cant afford to spend £90, £60/£65 is really my upper limit. There must be good tripods which match my brief of lightweight and easy to use?!?

 

[PD_BARBS]

I'm still trying to get to terms with Filters myself, so hopefully I won't give you duff advise. Anyway if you are interested in landscape, then two types of filters seem to be recommended, a circular polariser, which gives you nice blue skys and reduces the glare from water and shiny surfaces.

The other one widely recommended are Neutral denisty filters. Basically when taking landscapes, it is difficult to get good exsposure on the sky and land (or atleast it is for me). Which tends to result in blown skies. The ND grad filters allow you maintain the exposure on both by applying a dark filter over the sky, this article may give you a better explanation than I could.

http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/graduated-filters.html


Now for the tripod. I made the mistake of buying to budget and bought a Jessops 323, after a month I knew I had to change it, so it is a false economy, read some of the threads here, they will nearly all advise holding out to get a decent tripod. Failing that look at Slik, they tend to do good tripods within your budget.

Hope this helps

 

[barbs]

I'd have to agree with Peter (PD_Barbs). I also got a cheaper tripod as a gift and it is really is too flimsy and it does not give you any confidence supporting your kit (especially with a plastic quick release plate). I'm now giving a Manfrotto monopod a go to see how that works for me.

I have since used Peters Red Snapper and it is great, very sturdy and well put together. However if you have to compromise (I know the feeling of having no budget) - last months Photoplus did a feature on lightweight tripods. The Silk sprint pro GM got a great review for around £45.

However as has been said, if you think you'll use a tripod alot then save the pennies and get the Red Snapper and a decent head.

EDIT: just noticed that the Sprint does not have a quick release, it is apparently easy to use and connect the ball head - but no quick release.

 

[fracster]

Stretch the budget for a Redsnapper tripod and head, it will work out cheaper over time than a £50 all in one jobby..............