Which tripod to get for boyfriends bday?

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tripod-girl

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I dont know a great deal about photography. My boyfriend is just starting out really (though has sold some shots) and I want to buy him a tripod for his birthday. Ive asked him what he would want from a tripod but to be honest he doesnt seem to know that much more about tripods than me and just said hes sure whatever I pick will be fine! From spending hours reading around on the internet (I was initially horrified by how much choice there is) Ive kind of worked out the very basics of what to look for and have been looking alot at the following tripods:

VELBON SHERPA 600: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Sherpa-600R-Tripod-3-Way/dp/B000A1T0VE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top -

VELBON LUXI-L: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Ultr...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279745520&sr=1-1

SLIK400DX or SLIK300DX or SLIK 2PRO

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-Pro-40...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279746317&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-Pro-33...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279746317&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-Sprint...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279746317&sr=1-2

MANFROTTO 785B - http://www.amazon.co.uk/manfrotto-7...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279746566&sr=1-3


Im kind of looking for a compromise between something that will be sturdy enough for a NikonD40 with a medium sized lens, yet isnt too heavy to carry about all day. I like the look of the Velbon Sherpa 600 and it seems to have good reviews and like the fact it has independent positioning legs but wondered if 2kg would be cumbersome to carry about. Hence why started looking at the Velbon Luxi-L, but then I have read that anything less than 1.5kg just wont be sturdy, plus if its mainly meant to be travel tripod is this not good enough quality to use all the time. I did like the fact that this has a spirit level though (is this an imporant feature?). The Slik tripods I mention also all seem faiirly ok in terms if sturdiness but not sure which one looks best. Really just ended up looking at the Manfrotto one as lots of sites say its a good make. The ball head versus panhead dilemma also confuses me as there seems to be pros and cons of both i.e. more positions with ball but less precise and stable? He likes to shoot scenery or very close up images.

As you can tell a little confused what i should go for. Only been seeing him 4 months so think £85 would be my limit, but since he only has a mini one right now I reckon anything I buy has to be better than what hes working with at mo. Could anyone recommend from those which would seem the best or can comment on any of them and help me rule any out?
 
Personally i would say have a look at Redsnapper (http://www.redsnapperuk.com/) and go for the 283 Tripod and RSH-528 3-Way Head Kit it can hold 8KG and for £70 its a steal also if you say your a TP member you get 10% off so overall will only be £63.
 
I have the Manfrotto and it's pretty good for the money, I also have a smaller/lighter one, the Manfrotto is quite tall and it's fine with longer lenses, just a bit bulky for flying. If he knows he is getting a tripod why not take him shopping and see which one ge prefers?
 
Thinking ‘out the box here’,

Why don’t you get yourself along to your local ‘La Perla’ stockist and get yourself kitted out with some gear that YOU like. Wrap it up, give it to him and tell him you want some pics taken!

He’ll be chuffed and you get to keep the pressie.
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Que all the gents on here doing a Google on ‘La Perla’
 
I'm a big Manfrotto fan personally.
 
tripod-girl said:
From spending hours reading around on the internet (I was initially horrified by how much choice there is) Ive kind of worked out the very basics of what to look for and have been looking alot at the following tripods:
Click to expand...
You're boyfriend is lucky. For some reasons my girlfriends are always completely devoid of any photographic knowledge or even the slightest motivation.

Don't buy too cheap. Besides the fact that they legs might be a pain to handle, there is also a chance of them breaking prematurely and the resale value is terrible.

Anyways, there is a Manfrotto 055XB with a 804RC2 on sale in the classified section. Or maybe you want to buy legs alone first and your boyfriend can chose the right head?
 
Manfrotto are very good and if you have a large budget, Gitzo. They're hand-made in Italy and have had the gentle touch of some burly Italian called something like Paolo. ;)

I have a Manfrotto 190CX Pro4, full carbon fibre construction, very light weight, packs down small but costs around £210. You need a head on top of that too... A ball head will do the trick like the 496 RC2 which is around £60. I have the older version of this head and it's great. Sturdy for what you require and I've done all sorts with this set up, dropped it, had it in water and the column goes horizontal and vertical too!
 
For around your £85 budget, I honestly don't think there is anything to touch RedSnapper - the RS-283 with RSH-12 ball head (it's made by Slik BTW). The head in particular is extremely good for the money. I bought one last week for a friend. Here http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripod-283+RSH-12ballhead.html If you phone up and ask for Joe, he'll give you 10% off for being a member of TP, so that's just £90 plus postage :thumbs:

Jim, shame on you. What kind of girl do you think she is? She's only being seeing him four months :nono: On the other hand, La Perla perfume... :love:
 
Yes I did the serch, La Perla sounds like the best suggestion;)
 
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