Tripod - what's a "necessary" cost please?

spaceriot

spaceriot

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Tori
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Hi all, I've been looking through the forum but many of the tripod threads are specific to requirements which are more specific than mine. Please could you help me buy a tripod.

I have a D300 and the heaviest lens I use is Nikon 24-70 mm F/2.8 (0.9kg). I would like a tripod and would like something that is going to be sturdy and stay put (the head won't move when I fix the camera in position!)

I'm happy to pay whatever people recommend but don't want to spend money needlessly. I completely agree with you get what you pay for, but if I don't need a tripod that holds 5kg then I probably wouldn't need to pay for one, right?

I've seen tripods and heads separate, and as bundles. I saw the giottos 9361B with MH5001 head but read several reviews suggesting the head wasn't good quality. Not sure which type of head is best, but struggling to find a review of a range of tripods and heads.

If I suggest £150 total for a head and tripod please could someone get me started in the right direction? I'd just like something that will allow me to use a remote for bracketing etc really... (and won't fall over or flop with a slight breeze!)

Thank you!
 
I have a SLIK Pro 300 (newer version now available). It is sturdy but not too heavy. It's been performing well for me for the last 3 years. Think it was about £100 with head at the time. The heaviest set up I use is a gripped D300s with 70-200 f2.8.

Warehouse express have it for £69 now and newer models well within your budget.
 
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This is the tripod I use which is very versatile and very sturdy, I use a D300 with usually the 17-55 f/2.8 or Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. I use a ball head at the moment which suits me but would still consider a tilt and pan.
 
foggy4ever said:
This is the tripod I use which is very versatile and very sturdy, I use a D300 with usually the 17-55 f/2.8 or Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. I use a ball head at the moment which suits me but would still consider a tilt and pan.
Click to expand...

I have the same one and have used it with a gripped Canon 40D with 100-400L and it was solid as a rock. I chose it on the advice that extending the column introduces a source of shake, and this tripod is tall enough for me to use without doing that (actually it's a bit taller than I can use so it's not even at full extension when I use it...).
 
Thank you for everyone's advice. With the manfrotto, it doesn't come with a head. Any suggestions on which one and which type (ball etc) please? Think i'll pop into jessops to have a feel, that might be easiest.
 
I think I got lucky yesterday in my local Curry's. Manfrotto 190xdb and 391rc2 head for £50. That's what came up at the till that what I paid. They do have this setup on their website at £79 anyway which is cheaper than most and certainly meets all my amateur/ beginner requirements. Might be worth a look as you can always sell head, which is pan and tilt, and buy a ball head.
 
Thank you, I'll check it out. Went to jessops but they didn't have much. I think I'd like a ball head though, think it will make life easier in the long run.
 
I have the giottos one you mention in your OP and I use it with a gripped 50D with a cabnon 100-400 on it, it works well and I have been useing it for the last 2 years with no problems at all.


spike
 
Ok so i'm still looking but narrowing down! I saw the 055xpro3/4 with a manfrotto offer of the joystick head free before end of jan. i definitely fancy a ball head or the joystick for ease but is the joystick gimmicky or do you think it's a good buy? I'd love to buy the cf tripod and pay more for oneif i can get the head included. Any thoughts?
 
First of all check the total weight of camera-lens and flashgun. I have exactly the same as you with a battery grip but tested with a sigma lens, the heaviest one I own, and the total weight was 7.5lbs (3.5 kilo).

Ok now to answer your question always get a tripod and head that can take more than the load you are going to put on it, for this reason I purchased a Manfrotto 055XPROB with a Manfrotto 804 RC2 head.I got this setup for several reasons . The tripod is first of all rock solid and can take even a heavier weight without drooping -it can work at ground level and fully extended still won't move, even with shutter slap.. As for the head not only has it a built in spirit level but can turm 360 degrees (marked) which when doing panning get the same amount of overlap for each shot. It also has 3 short handles for ease of control and don't get in the way. On the very top it has a quick release plate, which I think is a must.

You won't go far wrong with this setup. Forget the joystick I also have a manfrotto one (332 RC2) and you can't get the lens into every position due to the joystick design.

As for drawbacks the only thing it is is heavy if that is a drawback, I don't think so, a heavy camera support isn't going to move in a breeze which a lot of others are liable to do.

Before making ANY purchase always test with the tripod fully extended and check for movement, the slightest movement on a large lens amplifies tremendously when at its max range. Thats the best bit of advice I can give

Realspeed
 
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Thanks both for the replies. It says he pro b has a 4kg load but the carbon fibre one is 8kg. Also the pro b is 3kg and the CF one is under 2kg. Perhaps i don't want the joystick then from what you both suggest, but am i wrong in thinking an 8kg capacity is worse than 4kg in this case? More is less sort of thing? Happy to pay up to £250 total for a head and legs but other than that am a bit stumped. I thuht the ball head would be better than the handles as it's simpler and i'm easily confused!!
 
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I have the redsnapper too but yet to use it! Maybe i shouldnt have bought it quite yet!
 
spaceriot said:
but am i wrong in thinking an 8kg capacity is worse than 4kg in this case? More is less sort of thing?
Click to expand...

8kg capacity means it's rated to support an 8kg load (4kg, a 4kg load)... so in the case of the carbon fibre one, the lighter tripod can support a heavier load (the trade off is that the carbon fibre is probably more expensive and possibly more fragile in terms of what will happen if the legs are hit hard from the side - metal would dent, CF might shatter... but if you're not in a warzone that should matter little)
 
I have a Redsnapper RS324 and a Manfrotto 804RC2. Great combination and will easily hold what you have
Allan
 
I use a Manfrotto 055PROB with a Manfrotto 488RC4 Ballhead which i swap with a Manfrotto 804 RC2 3 way head. I have found this caters for all my needs, although it can be a bit heavy on a long hike. I use without any problem with my D300 and Nikon 80-200 f2.8. I have also used it with my Sigma 150/500.
 
Hi everyone, thanks for all the help! In the end I opted for lightweight so bought a giottos 8351b with the 1312-652 head. Just arrived so am now going to play :-)

Thanks again everyone!
 
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