Tripods

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Matt.

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I'm thinking of getting a tripod so i can do a few landscape shots, but don't know a great deal about them and don't have a huge amount of money to spend. What i'm looking for is something that will last a good few years, is stable, can be used on uneven terain (eg. fields, hills, etc...) and can support the weight of my camera. With regards to the camera weight, it's only a 300D+grip and kit lens at the moment, so isn't all that heavy, but may change within the next year or so.

I have looked at the Manfrotto 190pro, however, this could be slight overkill and when taking into account the head it comes in at around £130, which isn't that cheap!

I did breifly look at the Manfrotto digi range in the shop, and although they're suitably priced, they looked a little weedy!

What would you recommend i get? i doubt it would be used very often, but i want something of good enough quality that it won't cause problems or fall apart!

Thanks
 
Everyone initially under-estimates the value of a tripod. It's one of the most important bits of kit you'll ever buy, and if you get it right, you'll never need to buy another. Too heavy and you wont want to take it. Too light and it wont do it's job.

I'd say the Manfrotto 190 Pro is excellent. You just need to be careful in the choice of head. I'd avoid a three way type head as they're likely to add more weight than is desirable for carting the thing around. I'd get a good quality ball head which wont add much to the overall weight.

Definitely not something to cut corners on. Soz! :D
 
Have to agree with CT.

I have wasted far too much money on tripods.

The one thing with landscape work is you will do a fair bit of walking to get your shot which will involve climbing hills etc........thats when weight will become an issue.

A good balance of stability and weight will mean a little extra £'s am afraid but worth it in the long run.
 
P-E said:
I have wasted far too much money on tripods.
.
Click to expand...

Me too... I've gone through a few. My current pod is just about ideal and I think I've already used it more than than any I've owned previously. Unfortunately it comes at a price.. as you know! :D
 
So, which tripod+head would you recommend? Please take into account that it won't be used very much! and i'm not hugely serious, so no £500 Gitzo's please ;)
 
i have a velbon sherpa head, £20 posted, so the cost of the tripod/head combo i have was just over £50

i will find the company i got the head from later...
 
Obviously Matt, if you're not going to use it often, that's a consideration. Have a look at the Benbo Trekker.

Benbo Trekker.

It's a very adaptable tripod, light enough to carry around, which is what it was designed for, and comes complete with ball head I think. The only thing is Benbos are a bit different... the legs fold down side by side rather than folding together, and they can take a bit of getting used to. I have the full sized version which is big and heavy, but I think Steep and Dod both have the Trekker and like it. :)
 
Mini trekker here CT, I'm just a wee lad :lol: . More than adequate for 90% of the time for me. Benbo ballhead on it, don't think there's a position you couldn't accomplish with it.

If I wasn't going to use it often I'd tend to go the manfrotto route though, the benbo can be a pig to use occasionally even when you are used to it.
 
That Bendo is 85cm when closed! Which isn't what you want to be carrying around!

The Manfrotto 724B looks good at the moment.
 
Had a few in my time and been most happy with this one

Bid careful and you might get it even cheaper if you are patient. If you fancy a decent head then hard to beat the Manfrotto 488 RC2 which you can pick up got £60 or so. I had one but the Dynatran head did the job perfectly too so I sold the Manfrotto.
 
I have the Manfrotto MN614B tripod and 484RC2 head which I dont find too heavy to carry around - total cost from WHE is around £95 & p+p.
 
Well i tried to buy a Manfrotto 724B but Warehouse Express are out of stock! Are there any other good online stores to buy it from?
 
They don't stock it :( If they did i'd buy it from them as LCE stores are generally very good! and you can haggle quite easily there :D
 
I've been using a Manfrotto 550 PROB & basic ball head, with manfrotto carrying case - thought i got the lot for £160 or so, but def worth the investment.
 
I can only really comment on what I use, which is a Manfrotto 190 Pro - but I love it.
I use the three way 460MG head - which is squat & light, whilst still holding plenty weight for my needs (But I don't use any long lenses!).
Not a huge fan of ball heads myself, but that's just down to personal preference & shooting style.
 
I have the 724B on order now, so we'll see what happens :)
The main reasons for that over the 190 are price, and weight/size. Hopefully it'll be just what i have been after! Though knowing me i won't actually use it for ages :D
 
Oh well this is fun! Ordered with Fotosense, and i've just checked the parcel tracking and it says: Delivered, signed for by ********** using Saturn, really? well where is it then!
 
Got it now!
They sent me a 725B instead of a 724B! So i have quick release now :D
 
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