Which Tripod

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asdf205

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I've recently purchased a cheap tripod from eBay and it is really flimsy. It isn't very sturdy at all. Can anyone recommend me a sturdy tripod? I see a lot advertised as lightweight but I feel they could end up being just as flimsy as the one I already have. I don't mind too much about the weight as I won't be carrying it around much. Im looking to spend up to £50 for something half decent.
 
http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Special_Offers.html

I'm fairly happy with the legs of my red snapper, however my 4 way head (which is different from the one in this offer) is a bit naff. Certainly much better then any of the cheap plastic tripods I've used.

Also if you're buying a tripod it might be worth getting some sort of remote release as well. There are loads of cheap clones on ebay, I got Yongnuo's version of the Nikon IR remote for less then a fiver.
 
crofter said:
I've just ordered one of these,I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Profe...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320271387&sr=1-14
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This arrived today, very quick delivery,very sturdy all metal construction, I've never used one of the more expensive Manfrotto or equivalent makes so I can't compare but for those on a budget this is very good, doesn't pack up very small so it wouldn't suit the traveler but it will fit my needs very well.
 
Is there a compact fold up one you can get which you can put into a bag please?
 
I dont think sturdy and £50 go together sorry. £100 ish perhaps
 
crofter said:
I've just ordered one of these,I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Professional-Aluminium-Camera-Tripod/dp/B000M342TK/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320271387&sr=1-14
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Bought one of these a few years back. Aside from a bit of tightening of the screws every now and then (plus some rust due to it doubling up ad a beach fishing rod rest) I haven't a bad word to say about it. Granted, its not ad slick as my works manfrotto 190 but it is very good nonetheless.... evidently, contrary to some opinions, sturdy CAN be had for £50....

BTW, I carry mine in a hockey stick bag. About a tenner from sports direct, useful also for lightstands and brollies :)
 
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specialman said:
Bought one of these a few years back. Aside from a bit of tightening of the screws every now and then (plus some rust due to it doubling up ad a beach fishing rod rest) I haven't a bad word to say about it. Granted, its not ad slick as my works manfrotto 190 but it is very good nonetheless.... evidently, contrary to some opinions, sturdy CAN be had for £50....
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Or £40 even
 
delboy1969 said:
i was bought this one seems ok so far but i am new to it all £50
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5693917/Trail/searchtext>TRIPODS.htm
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Beware of the weight limit, only 1.5kg so won't be good for large lenses

The Amazon link looks similar to the Red Snappers.

I had a Velbon tripod which I thought was OK, I then bought a Red Snapper for £55 including 3 way head and realised how crap and plasticy the Velbon was.

So I will recommend Redsnapper tripods
 
Dale_d3100 said:
Beware of the weight limit, only 1.5kg so won't be good for large lenses

The Amazon link looks similar to the Red Snappers.

I had a Velbon tripod which I thought was OK, I then bought a Red Snapper for £55 including 3 way head and realised how crap and plasticy the Velbon was.

So I will recommend Redsnapper tripods
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I need a decent tripod. I have a very cheap and weak one at the moment. The Red Snapper ones look like something I could go for at a good price.

Thanks for the link! :)
 
Another vote for Redsanpper, I have had mine a couple of months and it is great value for money.
 
Both the Redsnapper and Calumet tripods are great value for money and if you're not bothered about buying new I bought a 2nd-hand Gitzo tripod with head from SDS for £50, it's enormous and weighs a ton but it's perfect for my 4x5 Toyo monorail. Oh, and it's so well built it can also double as an Acro prop :D
 
I bought the redsnapper and although not the lightest in the world it is very sturdy and for £56 a bargin.
 
asdf205 said:
I've recently purchased a cheap tripod from eBay and it is really flimsy.
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You may of bought a mini tripod. Good decent tripods have a reach of atleast 160cms and have legs that are over an inch in diameter. Mini tripods are best used at around a meter height or so. After that the legs are like chopsticks and they just fly around in the wind.
 
A lightweight, cheap tripod becomes very expensive when it topples over and takes your prized camera and lens combo with it.
It is worth (my opinion) to also look at the head. A poorly made head will not lock in place properly, or shift as you tighten it. One with a quick release plate is handy as it makes removing and setting up the camera alot easier.
 
Quick Hijack..

Thinking of getting a manfrotto 190 CXPro3 and a giottos 5011 pan and tilt head. Would be used mainly for fair weather landscape and coastal pics.
Was umming and ahing betwen the 190 and the 055. The 055 is higher without the column extended at 140cm compared to 122cm. But 190 is only 1.3kg compared to 1.65 of the 055. I think maybe the low height of the 190 may not be an issue as not many 'scapes Ive taken have been at eye level anyway.

Wonder what people thought?

Oh and can spiked feet and foam wrappers for the upper leg bit be bought as extras for manfrotto?

Thanks
 
RaglanSurf said:
Both the Redsnapper and Calumet tripods are great value for money and if you're not bothered about buying new I bought a 2nd-hand Gitzo tripod with head from SDS for £50, it's enormous and weighs a ton but it's perfect for my 4x5 Toyo monorail. Oh, and it's so well built it can also double as an Acro prop :D
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My dad got a Kodak tripod from a jumble sale in the 70s for 50p. It's that sturdy, I used to use it as a stool in the garage. The ball in the head is nearly the size of a tennis ball, and the whole thing is made of steel. You need 2 hands to move it around safely, it weighs a ton. I've tried the 20 quid Velbons, and I've gone back to this old Kodak now.
I'm ashamed to say I still use it as a stool as well!
 
asdf205 said:
I've recently purchased a cheap tripod from eBay and it is really flimsy. It isn't very sturdy at all. Can anyone recommend me a sturdy tripod? I see a lot advertised as lightweight but I feel they could end up being just as flimsy as the one I already have. I don't mind too much about the weight as I won't be carrying it around much. Im looking to spend up to £50 for something half decent.
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given your budget I'd recommend looking for a secondhand Manfrotto - you should be able to pick up a decent one for under £50 if you shop around... here's one to start you off - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manfrotto...22?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item3f10131ca6
 
I found the cheap tripods to be just that Cheap! I ended up with a Slik tripod. This is a good sturdy tripod that I have used a few time and is a good trade off for price and weight. It was about £100, I also have the same style monopod which has been used a lot more and is faultless in my opinion. I have heard a lot of good things about the redsnapper tripods as mentioned above bit never used them.
 
postcardcv said:
given your budget I'd recommend looking for a secondhand Manfrotto - you should be able to pick up a decent one for under £50 if you shop around... here's one to start you off - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manfrotto...22?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item3f10131ca6
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I'd second that approach. I bought an ex-display, but new, Manfrotto 190 with head and quick release for £80 plus delivery off eBay. The head isn't the best Manfrotto offering, but not bad at the price.
 
check out Ffordes - usually has a good used selectiom

got my Manfrotto from there, and a Giottos 3way head from here total <£100

not fancy but both built like the proverbial out-house....:D
 
Hey there, I use a Manfrotto Tripod, 501 head with 525 legs, its adjustable, easy to set up and is really sturdy, not too heavy either! You could probably get a second hand one for atleast £50 maybe even less! :)
 
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