Tripod suggestions?

pg333

pg333

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Hi all, I have a Nikon D90 and my heaviest zoom lens is a Tamron 70-300mm which is a total weight of just under 2kgs, I believe. Can anyone recommend a good, but cheapest tripod - I'm ideally looking to get one that extends to at least 140cm. This Jessops Velbon seems OK - anyone had any experience with it? The linked "revoo" page seems to be currently down... http://www.jessops.com/online.store.../products/Velbon/DF-40 Tripod-77483/Show.html

Thank you for any suggestions!
 
I have/had the Camlink TP-2800 from Jessops which looks similar. The quality if awful, it is not that secure for long exposures and last night I used it for the thrid time and the centre lock as threaded so now can't close the legs fully!!!

Will be looking at RedSnapper when funds allow as highly recommended products for the price and has some specials on at the mo.
 
Redsnapper with ball head if you can afford it. Failing that, the 3-way head. You get a 10% TP discount with Redsnapper....
 
I use the Velbon DF-50. I looked at the one in your link above first, but for an extra £10 the DF-50 felt a lot sturdier.

I can't comment how it stacks up against other brands, as this is my first tripod, but it's been fine for my needs so far (I've used it with Canon 350D with either the 18-55 or 80-200mm lens, so not sure how that compares weight-wise with your set-up).
 
I've just bought a Redsnapper tripod - RS-283, with RSH-24 head - and am more than pleased with it. Build quality is excellent and it comes with a quality carry case, all for 50 notes :thumbs:
 
TheNissanMan said:
I have/had the Camlink TP-2800 from Jessops which looks similar. The quality if awful, it is not that secure for long exposures and last night I used it for the thrid time and the centre lock as threaded so now can't close the legs fully!!!
If you can get the pro version of the TP2800 (TP2800PRO) the quality is far superior. I have one and use it confidentally for long exposures with a 70-200F4 L mounted in it.

Think it only costs about £60-70 depending on where you purchase it.
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I have the Camlink TP-2100 and it has been absolutely perfect for me, i can understand why TheNissanMan has had problems with his though, the build quality is fairly cheap, and i can't see it lasting too long. But its fantastic for what i need it for, quick steady shots and a cheap tripod (i have no money); depends if you want it to last for over 2 years, as i can see myself needing an upgrade when i get a proper DSLR.
 
gavinl1967 said:
I've just bought a Redsnapper tripod - RS-283, with RSH-24 head - and am more than pleased with it. Build quality is excellent and it comes with a quality carry case, all for 50 notes :thumbs:
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+1

Received mine today and I am VERY impressed with the quality for £50 !

Can't go wrong IMO.
:thumbs:
 
I've got a DF-40, and can honestly say its awful!. With the lens out it'll creep no matter how tight you tighten the knobs, portrait mode even with my 50mm 1.8 on can't quite overcome gravity, levelling is a nightmare and the legs don't lock into position so its a bit wobbly, even with my bag tied (there isn't a bag ring) onto it.

It is quite light though, and good for when a tripod is better then no tripod.

When funds allow I'm going the redsnapper route, the £50 one with the three way head seems pretty good - plus its a 3-way head vs the DF-40's 2.
 
Thanks for the help guys - I'm now interested in the Redsnapper tripods as there's quite a reputation on here for good quality after looking around and I'm expecting great things.

On the special offers page, I can see 2 £49.95 deals - one is the RSH283 and the other is the RSH284 - both with the 3 way RSH-24 heads. The only difference I can see in the text is that the RSH284 has 4 sections and the RSH283 has 3 sections, but I have no idea what the extra section is for. Does anyone know?
 
I assume it is for smaller increments of height adjustment?
I am looking at the redsnapper too, for £50 (-10% discount) sounds like a bargain
So would be interested in your review if do buy
 
pg333 said:
I have no idea what the extra section is for. Does anyone know?
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The 4 section version folds up just that bit smaller, it will fit into a case or backpack more easily, in theory you sacrifice some stability. I have a 3 section version, whilst it is an excellent tripod. I have more trouble persuading the OH that it is essential, when we go away.
 
I can recommend the Giottos series. They run roughly two hundred dollars (head included - I went with Manfrotto). Tough and sturdy, which is what you want. Wish I had a model name, but I sold mine about two months ago.
 
People usually say to get a strong (expensive) tripod. I've been using the same £20 tripod for years in all sort of weather and had no problems apart from when I'm shooting in portrait when the head tends to fall/slip about 10 degree.
I really should get myself a ball head one though.

You can't really go wrong with most tripods these days but if you can help it, try to get one that you can change the head on. Might save you £100-£300 in future.
 
just a further question regarding the Redsnapper which in the general opinion would be the better for taking into the hills (eg the most adaptable to uneven terrain, the most stable and,perhaps most importantly, the most portable) I read the specs but cant translate them into how they would actually perform.

Thanks for any advice as my hand is quivering over my c/c and dont believe I can restrain it much longer......
 
I have the redsnapper with the 4 section legs (RSH284) and it seems well built and quite stable to me with the legs quite well built and no signs of flexing to me.
The only benefit is that it folds away smaller than the 3 section and i think goes to the same height.
So it's swings and roundabouts really.
 
mik0m said:
just a further question regarding the Redsnapper which in the general opinion would be the better for taking into the hills (eg the most adaptable to uneven terrain, the most stable and,perhaps most importantly, the most portable)
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I'd have thought the RS-283C carbon tripod with your head of choice would be best as it's lightest. Not the cheapest though ;) I doubt there is much diffference between performance though - I have the 4 section alloy one and the joints really are sturdy...
 
pg333 said:
Thanks for the help guys - I'm now interested in the Redsnapper tripods as there's quite a reputation on here for good quality after looking around and I'm expecting great things.

On the special offers page, I can see 2 £49.95 deals - one is the RSH283 and the other is the RSH284 - both with the 3 way RSH-24 heads. The only difference I can see in the text is that the RSH284 has 4 sections and the RSH283 has 3 sections, but I have no idea what the extra section is for. Does anyone know?
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Taken from a previous post from Joe @ Redsnapper -

"With regard to the RS-283 & RS-284 the main difference is that the 284 'folds' up to a smaller length - 490mm as opposed to 620mm, which makes it more portable. The offset for this is that the 284 is 80mm shorter at full height."
 
Thanks for the help peeps, much appreciated :) I think I might go for the 3 section variety in light of the above then as the difference between 49cm or 62cm isn't really going to be of any practical use to me, especially if the 4 section tripod is not so tall at full extension...

I was under the impression that the 10% discount was not applicable to items on the Special Offers page though suj? :shrug:
 
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No, I don't believe so - hence the lower prices.
 
arad85 said:
Redsnapper with ball head if you can afford it. Failing that, the 3-way head. You get a 10% TP discount with Redsnapper....
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oh you are joking? I got my RS-283 and RSH-24 yesterday paid full price. Though if that doesn't apply to special offers then thats ok.
Just to add..the RS tripod is awsome, bargain for such a sturdy bit of kit. Just don't unscrew the legs too far..I spent ages trying to get the little plastic things in the right place last night :bang:
 
Just to confirm, redsnapper do not offer the TP 10% discount on special offers.
 
timmygcsc2308 said:
Though if that doesn't apply to special offers then thats ok.
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Don't think it does. I just recieved a Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head to replace the 3-way head. Much happier with that (I do some static astrophotography and the 3-way is a pain for that) - £69 delivered from Jessops (of all places).
 
ah thats alright then. My only complaint about the 3-way is having to operate it left handed (unless I'm being a plank?)
 
Redsnapper is very good value for money.
 
timmygcsc2308 said:
ah thats alright then. My only complaint about the 3-way is having to operate it left handed (unless I'm being a plank?)
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well if it was right handed would be hard to press the shutter button :p
I think its to move about and shoot at same time maybe?
 
suj said:
well if it was right handed would be hard to press the shutter button :p
I think its to move about and shoot at same time maybe?
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makes sense I gues :lol: guess I will have to get used to it
 
Thanks guys - does anyone know the delivery charge on the Red Snapper products? I think I've decided on the RS-283 tripod and RSH-24 3-way head for sure now!
 
pg333 said:
Thanks guys - does anyone know the delivery charge on the Red Snapper products? I think I've decided on the RS-283 tripod and RSH-24 3-way head for sure now!
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£7.90 but thats good value considering its next day courier and the item is bloody heavy
 
I thought one of its features was that it's made of aluminium and is supposed to be light!!! Anyways, I wonder if they deliver on a Saturday? :D
 
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