Which Tripod?

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Jakey

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Adrian Jaques
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Hi, really new to DSLR photography. looking to purchase a tripod, not really sure where to start. keen on landscape and architectural, also hoping to include macro in this. budget around £150 (excluding head) but insure if it is worth pushing budget to a carbon Fibre option. can anyone help?

Many thanks
 
Jakey

First welcome to the site.

To answer your question get a sturdy tripod, seems the obvious answer doesn't it? but some arn't as good as they are made out to be. You need to know what weight the tripod is going to support , so weigh your camera( with batteries) -heavest lens- flashgun - battery grip or whatever gear you have as its no good looking at a tripod+head that won't support it. Then make sure the tripod will give support plus extra for any future camera gear you might get

The other thing is when you go to buy, take your gear with you into a shop, check out the tripod FULLY extended with your gear on it to see how stable it actually is. Shutter slap can actully make a tripod move in that position resulting in blurred pictures same as camera shake hand held.

It is far better to spend a bit more on a good tripod as it will serve you for which ever camera you might get in the future. Also consider if you will be carrying it about much with landscape photography as they can be a bit heavy during a days shoot. They are something you keep whatever goes onto it so its well worth getting a good one at the outset.

I had a cheap tripod and thought it was great until I spent out on a more sturdy one and I sure noticed the difference.

For some guidance I went for the Manfrotto 055XPROB with a Manfrotto 322RC2 head, it is a bit on the heavy side but it is ROCK solid even in wind. Some tripods may require a weight suspended from them to steady.

Also it has quick release plates to attach/ unattach the camera to the tripod, no unscrewing each time to add/remove camera to tripod. That head has a pistol grip for quick easy camera adjustments when the camera is on the tripod.

There are equally as good other makes out there, its just that I am more than happy with that arrangement.

Hope this is of some help as I can't see what camera/equipment you own.

Realspeed
 
Realspeed,

Thank for the response.

The only kit I curently have is a Nikon D90 with the kit lens (18 - 105mm). wanting to learn the trae before investing any further. strangely, I had looked at the manfrotto 055XPROB, but was unsure on the weight and if it would suit the long walks that I do when capturing landscapes. I have used the head you use on a photography course, and loved it, but have been advised it is not ideal for landscape photography. do you find this the case?

Thanks
 
Dogfish,

Thanks for your comment, not a brand I have heard off, but looking at the comments on here, they all seem positive, so will look into.

Thanks
 
I have a Nikon D200 and a long Sigma 150-500mm lens and could put on with my Nikon SB600 without any worries or a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens which is quite heavy

Now to answer your question

It is not one of the lightest tripods on the market by any means but as I explained but you have to weigh that up against the weather conditions you may come across out in the field, ie strong winds. As for the head that is really personal choice and what purpose it is going to be put to, something that only you can really decide. I just liked the quick camera setting angle on the tripod. The D90 has movie mode so I would think maybe
you would be looking at a head that would allow for that as well? I don't know, something you must decide on.

That particular tripod spreads right out to ground level and has a quick centre column release to go sideways without comming out of the frame. Great for low level photography (macro small plants etc)

All I can suggest is to decide on 2/3 tripods/heads and try them out in a shop to see which fits your purpose best, but don't forget to try them fully extended. Its like buying a pair of shoes, what fits and suits one person may not be right for someone else.

You are looking for lightweight for walking - sturdy for architecture -rock steady for macro, so a compromise will be the order of the day
Realspeed
 
Realspeed,

Many thanks for your advice, will take all into account when choosing.

Thanks
 
Jakey

Its a pleasure, only wish someone had passed that information on when I was looking to buy my first tripod.
One of the advantages on joining a site like this is if you have any questions someone is bound to have an answer through experience not just sales talk. Also different opinions crop up which one poster may not be aware of.

Enjoy the forum

Realspeed
 
Hi, I'm starting to do some basic architecture shots and my Manfrotto 190XPROB + 804RC2 is great. Sturdy and stable.
 
lookup said:
Hi, I'm starting to do some basic architecture shots and my Manfrotto 190XPROB + 804RC2 is great. Sturdy and stable.
Click to expand...

Hear hear!

And I've found nothing it can't do..... (other than a fried breakfast)
 
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