Tripods (again) sorry :)

hashcake

hashcake

Gone to pot!
Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,943
Name
Darran, Daz or ****
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I'm after a tripod for my 450D and I am trying to stick to a budget of £50.
This DSLR malarky is turning out to be quite expensive and whilst I understand the logic of buying seperate tripod legs and a head unit, I just can't bring myself to blow over £100 quid.

I'm currentlly looking at the Manfrotto MN785B and the Velbon CX640.
I have read a few reviews stating that the Manfrotto MN785B is mainly designed for compact cameras rather than DSLR's but so far I've not found any reviews for the Velbon CX640.
I would really like to hear the views from those out there that own these two tripods.
Will either of these tripods be strong enough to hold a 450D and a Tamron 70-300mm lens?

Needless to say, if the general concesus is that I do need to invest in better quality kit, I will have to bite the bullet.
 
The advice I was once given when faced with buying a new tripod, whilst on Broadstairs beach with a guy who is down there most of the time and who had an exhibition on at a local gallery - "Its your camera, you paid good money for it, how much is it worth to you? Pay as much as you can afford to for a decent sturdy tripod, one that you can trust to hold your gear..."

10 minutes after that a gust of wind caught my then trusty £20 cheapy tripod and my 400D at the time almost went in to the sea......

I since saved and upgraded to a much sturdier Manfrotto 055XPROB and a 488RC2 head, and never had an incident since.

If you are trusting it to hold your gear, save and get the best you can afford.
 
get hama for 30quid, you cant dislike it :)
 
If you've got a budget of £50, buy 2nd-hand, or ex-demo (check out Ffordes), or start off with a monopod or other support.

It used to be said that you should pay as much for a tripod as you would for a camera body. Tripods may seem expensive and poorer value than more complex photography gear, but it's market forces and the costs of manufacturing. A metal-bodied 50mm lens from 30 years ago would cost hundreds if made today.

Manfrotto state a load capacity of only 1Kg for the MN785B. No serious tripod has five leg sections or aims to pack small.

There are some things you just have to grin and bear, and the cost, weight and size of good tripods fit that category.

I own at least seven tripods and two monopods, only one of which is utter carp (a Hama).
 
Redsnapper have tripods for £49.95 plus postage, which seems to be in your price range (though you'd still need a head for it!)
 
i have and currently use the cx 640. It can manage my 400D with grip and my heaviest lens (sigma 150mm Macro) which is about 1 kg so total wieight is about 2kg that i have put on it. It is pretty stable. You do have to make sure the centre column is locked down tight as this can wobble if not.

the head its self is plasticy. in landscape orientation its fine to use and level (considering it's hinged from one side). When in portrait orientation it does sag with my 400d and the sigma 17-70mm. its annoying as its hard to get you horizons dead on without messing with the legs. the spirit level on the legs is useless in this situation so a hotshoe spirit level is requied. Another thing to note is there is no way of setting tension on the movements of the head.

It doesnt go very low as the legs are fixed with struts. Their is no way to ankor the tripod with your kit bag ( a bit of modding and it can). It is quite light and portable, it does come with its own bag but thats not very comfy.

i got mine for £40, its better than the crappy hama tripod i have had but i have had it for 10 months and will be moving on.

Overall 6/10 - its a half decent tripod that is useable. For the prices dont expect every luxury.
 
I've just seen this on the Jessops website: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod + 390RC2 Head £99.99.
I've had a quick look on warehouseepress website but they have the same tripod and a different model head unit for £125.
Doe the Jessops deal look like a good?
 
that head loks a bit plasticy! - see if you can get to a store to see how goood it is first!
you might be better off with a ball head tbh.
 
Something like a Manfrotto 190XPROB will be about £85-90 plus a head, so you'll be about £125, however you won't be throwing it away after a year and buying another one
 
I agree with the false economy statements. I bought a Jessops 323 a month or so ago and I am already looking to change it. The ffordes ex demos are good offers as is red snapper.

But save for a better quality one.
 
Thanks all for the advice.
I've decided to go with the Manfrotto 190XPROB as it not only seems to be well regarded here, it also gets good reviews.
All I need to do now is shop around for the best deal I can get with a head unit.
 
scott1979 said:
You can get one here, with a decent head for £125, im gonna get one as soon as i've got the pennies for it!! :'(

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1027390
Click to expand...

Same price as fotosense.
Current stock level at fotosense seems a bit better than warehouseexpress.

I'm itching to add my CC details and order one but my other half shouted 'Slow down! Don't you think that £700 on the camera, two additional lenses and the bag is enough for one month?' :(

I so wanted to say 'yes dear but your try using the bloody sigma lens on the camera and steady in your hand'
Needless to say even if these places delivered to a work address I still wouldn't be able to sneak it passed her :)
 
Be realistic at the outset - are you going to add extra (heavier) lenses in the future. If you plan to stick with just the kit lens and occassional use you could get away with the Velbon type tripod. Accept its built to a price point, and be careful with siting and use in windy weather and it'll provide good value service.

IF you may extend you kit in the short term then consider the redsnapper tripod - £45 to forum members and built to fantastic spec and quality, certainly way beyond its price point. You need a head, ball heads can be bought for anything from £15 to £500 so you get what you pay for. Extend your total budget to £90 and you could get the redsnapper ballhead and the tripod, or a manfrotto head and redsnapper tripod.

I've weighed up all sorts of options with manfrotto across their range of 190 / 055 legs and various heads - i'm going with the redsnapper when funds allow.
 
another in agreement with get a decent tripod and head..it'll be worth every penny,believe me.i used to have the jessops TP323,and whilst out shooting with another tog who was using a manfrotto 190XPROB,i could see a big difference in how easy it was to adjust,how versatile it was,and how much better it was quality wise...so i got one the following week,and i'm so glad i did.....:thumbs:
 
I think I have planned ahead with regard to current and future lens purchases.
The Manfrotto 190XPROB seems like the ideal choice for me.
However, I have been looking at the redsnapper.
The are similar in weight but the Redsnapper does seem to hold double the weight of the 190XPROB (according to the specs).
Based on the feedback I have had so far, perhaps the Redsnapper is a bit too cheap?
Naturally if any Redsnapper owners want to leave their oppinons I would be more than happy to take this into account.
 
My Redsnapper has just been delivered to my workplace, and the girls in the office are certainly impressed by my massive tripod, as am I!! ;) :D
 
I'm now in a dilema!
I can't choose between the Manfrotto or the Redsnapper.
I've been in contact with Joe @ Redsnapper who is very quick to respond to my emails.
The supplied case (I believe they are supplied with a case?)with the Redsnapper is edging ahead simply because Manfrotto carry cases are quite expensive.
 
Without having seen one, I would think the Redsnapper is the better choice because it is rated for heavier gear. Ffordes are listing the Manfrotto 055CLB ex-demo at £45 + carriage, but spiked feet and a bag would be extras.
 
The bag for the redsnapper is like a rucksack type one, with a nice logo down the side.
 
I've ordered the Redsnapper :)
Hopefully it will be here tomorrow so I'll be able to give it a good test at the weekend (weather permitting of course).
 
give us a good review as well.
 
It's arrived! :)
First impression is that it's a good quality piece of kit.
I'm surprised how light it is and the bag seems good quality as well.
It'll extend more than enough for a short git like me :D
I forgot to bring my camera into work so I'll have to wait until tonight to try it out.
I'll try and post a few pics later and give my final verdict then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top