Tripod?

Lippyx

Lippyx

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Emma
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Hi,

I am new here, and just getting into photography, after my partner renewed his D7000 to the D800 and donated his D7000 to me (result!)

So, he is having issue with the tripod he has at the moment, and when his D800 is "loaded up" with lens etc, the tripod cannot cope with the weight, and very slowly moves.

Someone I know recommended the Manfrotto tripods, but which one? He doesn't do Studio work, just goes outside for photos.

Cheers

Lx
 
For me its all a compromise between something sturdy and one that doesn't weigh alot if carrying about. Can recommend manfrotto equipment though.
 
I recently bought a Giottos 9361B with the 3-way head. It's not budging in the slightest with a D800 and 70-200 lens attached. But, I wouldn't recommend the 3-way head, it's a bit irritating to work around, and when packing up you really need to remove the handles each time. The legs ... perfect, with a good ball-head it would be much better.
 
Impossible to make any real recommendation without knowing a budget. My most recent purchase was a Manfrotto 410 geared head which cost me £145, more than many people waste spend on their first complete support system. It's a great piece of kit though and rock steady with my D700 and 70-200 f/2.8 Sigma, bolted atop a Manfrotto 190 pro set of legs (themselves about £80 a few years ago). I also have a Giottos carbon fibre Vitruvian and matching ball head - wonderfully light (the main reason for its purchase) but less sturdy than the Manfrotto system.
 
My Giottos and head combined were less than that. But it's not CF. Pretty heavy beast of t hing, certainly not ideal for trekking up mountains, if that's your thing.

I had an all-in-one manfrotto before this, ball-head perma attached. It was fine with a small lens on, but with a max [supposed] load of 3.5KG, it would 'dip' when I tried a heavy lens on. I used to have to use the AF points at all times, lock it ... wait for it to dip, then focus while trying not to upset it. You should be able to move the head, lock focus and tighten without worry. Be wary of the max load weight when buying no matter the price.
 
Have a look at Redsnapper. I've been impressed with mine.
 
Cagey75 said:
I recently bought a Giottos 9361B with the 3-way head. It's not budging in the slightest with a D800 and 70-200 lens attached. But, I wouldn't recommend the 3-way head, it's a bit irritating to work around, and when packing up you really need to remove the handles each time. The legs ... perfect, with a good ball-head it would be much better.
Click to expand...

+1 on this tripod.......superb well-made tripod and good price too!
JohnyT
 
Make sure you get a decent quality head, doesn't matter how much you spend on a tripod if the head lets the kit move

I have an ages old Manfrotto 055CB, heavy, but solid, not the best for lugging about.

Also have a Gitzo some number or other Mountaineer, light and small carbon tripod for carting about on my rucksack

Only got the one head which is a Markins M10, find it easier to carry that in the rucksack otherwise makes the tripod hang off the bag a bit

My daughter has a Manfrotto 190 4 leg carbon tripod, seems a good compromise between price, weight and stability

Make sure it's not the head letting the lens droop rather than the tripod moving and using the centre column up is another sure way of losing stability. Can also weight the tripod down by hanging your camera bag or any old bag filled with stones or something similarly weighty from the hook many come supplied with.
 
My red snapper tripod is great, not the lightest thing but definitely "carryable"
 
Hi,
Thanks for your posts. I'm afraid I am totally new to all this, so what is meant by "head". Is this where the camera attaches to the tripod? We went out the other morning to catch the sun rise and the camera as on the tripod with a 70-200 lens and the camera was actually tipping backwards. It was so slight, you couldn't see it happening, but when it got past the centre of gravity, it would go back and almost tip the tripod over. With regards to budget, I don't mind spending a few hundred as long as its worth it!
 
Sounds like the head (the bit between tripod and camera that alters the angle in all directions)

Bit more description on what you are using would help please, tripod might be ok if used with something that locked the kit up properly

With that sort of gear it's crazy not to spend an adequate amount to ensure its both safe and can be used to it's full potential
 
Tijuana, what is it you'd like to know? The camera is a Nikon D800, the biggest lens at the moment is a 70-200 the tripod is one called Titan. My dad picked it up second hand (bless him) when I first started. Structure wise, its pretty good, just the head is not very good. I would like to get my partner a better, newer one anyway.
 
Sounds like you need something much sturdier, can't emphasise enough how important a decent head is albeit a three way type or ballhead

So many to look at and can only recommend what I have used such as those mentioned above, not impressed by the Giottos ball heads if that's any use

Widely accepted that Gitzo are the best tripods, comes at a price, not so sure about their heads though. Manfrotto are also well thought of and I did look at another make called Feisol which seemed to be good value

Ball Heads made by Kirk, RRS, Arca and Markins are excellent, the latter allows a point to be set that holds the camera rock steady, but can still be adjusted if necessary (daresay the others do too)

Have a search on here for old threads for recommendations, you will see an old adage used "light/strong/cheap, pick two" and that is often very true

Don't forget to check out the camera q/r plate needed too which attaches the body to the head, Arca Swiss is the most common amongst the dearer brands

You can buy dedicated plates for different camera models and what is known as an L Plate so it can be changed from landscape to portrait quickly and easily

Good luck and try to buy right first time, many of us haven't and that includes me

Cheers
Rich
 
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Thanks Rich! Wow, so much to consider, I actually haven't a clue where to start! I will have a look for old threads, and do some research before I buy. My OH has mentioned a few names that have been mentioned here, so I know I am on the right track!
 
Certainly is a lot to consider Emma, much depends if you intend to carry it about regularly on something like a backpack or just short distances away from home/car

Check out the folded length, you may find a four leg model is better to cart about as it will fold up smaller. Some debate if they are as stable as the three leg type, seem fine to me.

Another thing is check the height without the centre column raised, using the centre fully up just turns it into a very expensive monopod.

Carbon will be lighter than aluminium, also dearer too and then you have choice of leg locks, twist or lever type, pros and cons for both

If you do want any advice just let me know, not an expert by any means, but I did research quite well before buying last time

Cheers
Rich
 
This is what I use with a gripped D7000 and 70-200VR or 24-70 or....

Super light weight, folds incredibly small, and can carry the weight with ease...Extends super low and also super high...I compared all the measurements from all, and none do it all...Great build quality as well, super bag (although mine fits inside my backpack as well!)

http://www.3leggedthing.com/kinasale/brianblue.html
 
I use a cheapie camlink tripod from argos, cost me about £40.

It will hold my d7000 & 24-70mm quite happily, which is about as heavy as my set up will get at any one time. It's not exactly the lightest of tripods, nor is the head the smoothest of things to operate but it does the job. For me, as I don't use tripods very often, I couldn't justify spending much on one, so my camlink one suffices. It's sturdy (it's been on top of a hill in the peak district in heavy winds), and it does the job so I can't complain really.
 
This link will tell you all (and more!) you need to know about tripods and heads - specifically the Manfrotto range.

Like most people who have played the photography game for a fair while, I have 2 or 3 old, cheap tripods lurking at the back of assorted cupboards - too flexible, vibrate, not really up to supporting much more than a flashgun! My current supports probably cost as much as an entry level DSLR kit but I'll never need to replace them (unless I manage to break or lose them) so they were a good investment.

I thought one of the cheapies was quite good until one windy afternoon on a coast path, when I had the camera aimed at a particular feature (a hole in the cliff where incoming waves cause internal pressure and a fairly spectacular blowback spray) and the remote in hand. A gust of wind caught the rig and blew it over (despite the camera bag dangling off the hook under the central column), luckily directly towards me, so I caught it. Never had that problem with a heavier tripod, although it is more effort to lug it around.
 
Nod said:
This link will tell you all (and more!) you need to know about tripods and heads - specifically the Manfrotto range.
Click to expand...

Pssssst...**nudge**

You need to include the link :lol:
 
Thanks for the links. Still not sure what one to go for, its all so confusing! :/
 
Lippyx said:
Thanks for the links. Still not sure what one to go for, its all so confusing! :/
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It all depends on what you want, simple :)
 
RedSnapper tripods? they pretty cheap and very good value for money.
 
That's just it I'm not sure! I want a simple tripod that does its job properly! :D
 
Having struggled with creep on ball heads for years imoved to a Manfrotto 405 geared head. I now use my tripod far more than I used to because it holds the the camera rock steady.
 
Lippyx said:
That's just it I'm not sure! I want a simple tripod that does its job properly! :D
Click to expand...

If you don't have any specific requirements beyond that, than those cheap red snappers look good. Just check out the weight rating then.
 
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