Tripods!

DarknFuzzy

DarknFuzzy

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I have been trying a few low light shots recently which has involved me sitting my camera on the nearest wall or the roof of the 4x4. Obviously this isnt ideal!:nono:

I have been looking at tripods online and in some magazines, but with a tight budget (<£60 if possible)I am getting frustrated at the apparent lack of options. It may be that I am just not looking in the right place.

When looking for a tripod what is a "must" as far as features are concerened, obvously if anyone has any recommendations that would also be handy.

When taking low light shots or shots with slow shutter speeds, where is the line between hand held shots and having to move to the tripod?

Sorry for all the question! All this googling is making me a little :nuts:
 
For decent night shots you'll need a tripod. A high ISO and wide aperture will let you get away with handheld shots in low light, but they'll never be as sharp and good quality as with a tripod.

For me, when choosing a tripod, my main criteria were size and weight. I wanted something lightweight and not large enough that it won't fit inside my backpack - I can't be carrying around something that's about 2ft long when collapsed.

My advice would be the Manfrotto Modo Maxi, which at £39.99 is excellent value. The 'ball head' on it doesn't suit everyone, but since buying a Modo I've not used anything else. Also it's good quality construction, sturdy, goes to a fair height and doesn't weight much.
 
Love the name:thumbs:

OK - the rule of thumb for hand holding is 1/focal length. That means, if your lens is 50mm, you dont want a shutter speed of 1/50th second minimum. Likewise, 200mm = 1/200 minimum. IS can reduce these by up to three stops.

As for a cheapish tripod - depends on use but aim for £100 and you have something very solid and capable of supporting the kit you have. Most Manfrottos are very able.
 
Cheaper Option, would be a Beanbag, just to get you by. I use mine for long exposures no problems.

Allowing me to save for a decent tripod
 
I recently upgraded my tripod from a velbon sherpa 250n, which cost about 60.00. I now have a manfrotto, but went to that as I could make finer changes with a geared head, But that lot cost more than your budget. The velbon which I still have, I used mainly for night shots. I've check with my local stpore thats sells the newer version fpr 69.98.
www.digitaldepot.co.uk/acatalog/Velbon_Heads.html
hope that helps
 
Thanks for the all the guidance folks, what a knowledgable bunch you are! :love:
 
If you were just going to use a tripod in the back garden it's easy - get the biggest heaviest tripod you can get. When it comes to actually carting one about - that's where the weight compromise comes in. No perfect tripod really - it's horses for courses. :)
 
LOL. Indeedy - there's always the filthy money aspect too! :gag:
 
I just received a slik 500dx and its da nutz!

Heavy enough to prove that its capable of supporting a good bit of weight but not too heavy that it'll stop you taking it out the house. Elevation is terrific I'm a smidge under 6ft and it can go too high for my eye level (by a good ft). Comes with a decent pan head as well so no post purchasing for a head.

Got it for £81 delivered, so not too far over your budget either.

if you're interested

some people like having them but this doesn't have a spirit level :shake:
 
Thanks barry, i'll take a look. :)
 
Depends what you want to do with it. You can get cheapies for as little as £20 that will be ok for night photography as long as it isn't windy, and as long as you don't have a giant lens.
 
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