Budget tripod for a scope
Discussion
Didn't get much response on the animal pages so wondered if this topic might sit better in here...
Short story long, we have a nature reserve down the road from us and when taking a casual wander a couple kindly let us use their monocular to see close up two grebes in the wetlands. And an egret.
Other half loves all things feathered and really liked the idea of one (monocular, not an egret), we've also got some good forests and even zoos round our way so figure it would get some use. As a surprise I've managed to pick up what I believe is a good value second hand monocular (HR 66) with a couple of lenses for well under £100. Seemed a good deal and from what I can tell it weighs about 1.3kg and has a mount fitted underneath. And I reckon that you must need one with a scope otherwise image would be akin to the view from a rollercoaster?
Just want a tripod to try it out with now, happy to go second hand and to be honest doesn't need to be amazing, not going to be using it every day but want to avoid anything that might tip over easily. Any suggestions to look at? Also, is it worth having something with a swivelly handle (technical term!) on the side to make adjusting the angle easy?
Haven't actually got said monocular yet, is coming later this week, but are most tripod screw threads the same size? As you can tell, not an area of expertise for me...
Short story long, we have a nature reserve down the road from us and when taking a casual wander a couple kindly let us use their monocular to see close up two grebes in the wetlands. And an egret.
Other half loves all things feathered and really liked the idea of one (monocular, not an egret), we've also got some good forests and even zoos round our way so figure it would get some use. As a surprise I've managed to pick up what I believe is a good value second hand monocular (HR 66) with a couple of lenses for well under £100. Seemed a good deal and from what I can tell it weighs about 1.3kg and has a mount fitted underneath. And I reckon that you must need one with a scope otherwise image would be akin to the view from a rollercoaster?
Just want a tripod to try it out with now, happy to go second hand and to be honest doesn't need to be amazing, not going to be using it every day but want to avoid anything that might tip over easily. Any suggestions to look at? Also, is it worth having something with a swivelly handle (technical term!) on the side to make adjusting the angle easy?
Haven't actually got said monocular yet, is coming later this week, but are most tripod screw threads the same size? As you can tell, not an area of expertise for me...
mikeyr said:
Didn't get much response on the animal pages so wondered if this topic might sit better in here...
Short story long, we have a nature reserve down the road from us and when taking a casual wander a couple kindly let us use their monocular to see close up two grebes in the wetlands. And an egret.
Other half loves all things feathered and really liked the idea of one (monocular, not an egret), we've also got some good forests and even zoos round our way so figure it would get some use. As a surprise I've managed to pick up what I believe is a good value second hand monocular (HR 66) with a couple of lenses for well under £100. Seemed a good deal and from what I can tell it weighs about 1.3kg and has a mount fitted underneath. And I reckon that you must need one with a scope otherwise image would be akin to the view from a rollercoaster?
Just want a tripod to try it out with now, happy to go second hand and to be honest doesn't need to be amazing, not going to be using it every day but want to avoid anything that might tip over easily. Any suggestions to look at? Also, is it worth having something with a swivelly handle (technical term!) on the side to make adjusting the angle easy?
Haven't actually got said monocular yet, is coming later this week, but are most tripod screw threads the same size? As you can tell, not an area of expertise for me...
I think your idea of needing a tripod depends on the magnification. I use a monopod in the main for anything up to 600mm focal length lens on my camera and get decently sharp image. My tripod tops that for quality, but it can be cumbersome at times.Short story long, we have a nature reserve down the road from us and when taking a casual wander a couple kindly let us use their monocular to see close up two grebes in the wetlands. And an egret.
Other half loves all things feathered and really liked the idea of one (monocular, not an egret), we've also got some good forests and even zoos round our way so figure it would get some use. As a surprise I've managed to pick up what I believe is a good value second hand monocular (HR 66) with a couple of lenses for well under £100. Seemed a good deal and from what I can tell it weighs about 1.3kg and has a mount fitted underneath. And I reckon that you must need one with a scope otherwise image would be akin to the view from a rollercoaster?
Just want a tripod to try it out with now, happy to go second hand and to be honest doesn't need to be amazing, not going to be using it every day but want to avoid anything that might tip over easily. Any suggestions to look at? Also, is it worth having something with a swivelly handle (technical term!) on the side to make adjusting the angle easy?
Haven't actually got said monocular yet, is coming later this week, but are most tripod screw threads the same size? As you can tell, not an area of expertise for me...
There are, generally, two sizes of screw mounts: 3/8" and 1/4". Those in the base of a camera are mainly 1/4, but I'm unaware of the mount for a monocular. You can get cheap 'converters'.
I bought a new, unused1/4" Velbon 640 for pennies over £11 on Ebay, which included a pan/tilt head. The legs are braced. It's very steady, except when the centre extension is raised over half way. If that is not what you want, then there are all sorts of cheap swivelly things you can bolt on the top. The Velbon is 1.75 kgs. There are hundreds of s/h tripods on ebay.
I used a Manfrotto tripod, 190 (I think), for years. That had a 3/8" mount. Decent quality, a bit on the heavy side.
I'm not entirely sure about the question being asked, but in relation to the reply, a monopod might well be worth considering.
In my very humble opinion it comes down to whether you want something to take the weight, or whether you want something that will stand up on its own.
The much lighter weight of a monopod is very handy, as is the fact it makes for a great way to carry your gear.
In my case: Monopod whenever I'm using a 500mm lens to take the weight, tripod for when I'm occasionally doing video, or equally occasionally, timelapse/long exposure photos.
In my very humble opinion it comes down to whether you want something to take the weight, or whether you want something that will stand up on its own.
The much lighter weight of a monopod is very handy, as is the fact it makes for a great way to carry your gear.
In my case: Monopod whenever I'm using a 500mm lens to take the weight, tripod for when I'm occasionally doing video, or equally occasionally, timelapse/long exposure photos.
as per my reply on your original thread
You state out for a ‘casual wander’ as opposed to say settling down for a day’s bird watching in which case I would suggest that you are better off with a monopod as:
it’s easier to carry, certainly be lighter, most collapse these days.
Faster to use, you don’t need to deploy three legs, potentially on uneven ground, trying to get them all the same length, then adjusting the scope to the right direction.
You may be beter off with a trigger grip opposed to a swivel head as they easire to use to use though you may find find you can atttach the scope derectly to a monopod
I have both a tripod and a monopod, the former I use with binoculars for stargazing, the latter for the same purpose as yourself except with a camera.
They both use the same plate connector.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sequpr-Release-Compatible...
Velbron are good for the price I use one of their monopods, my try tripod is Manfrotto, better build quality but can be quite expensive. Other makes are available try some of the camera or astronomy forums.
As for where to buy, you try these.
I’ve heard good reviews of Wex photographic, new and used
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/monopods/?p=category...
I’ve been using my local branch of LCE for forty odd years, again the have new and used,
https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/?SHMa...
You state out for a ‘casual wander’ as opposed to say settling down for a day’s bird watching in which case I would suggest that you are better off with a monopod as:
it’s easier to carry, certainly be lighter, most collapse these days.
Faster to use, you don’t need to deploy three legs, potentially on uneven ground, trying to get them all the same length, then adjusting the scope to the right direction.
You may be beter off with a trigger grip opposed to a swivel head as they easire to use to use though you may find find you can atttach the scope derectly to a monopod
I have both a tripod and a monopod, the former I use with binoculars for stargazing, the latter for the same purpose as yourself except with a camera.
They both use the same plate connector.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sequpr-Release-Compatible...
Velbron are good for the price I use one of their monopods, my try tripod is Manfrotto, better build quality but can be quite expensive. Other makes are available try some of the camera or astronomy forums.
As for where to buy, you try these.
I’ve heard good reviews of Wex photographic, new and used
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/monopods/?p=category...
I’ve been using my local branch of LCE for forty odd years, again the have new and used,
https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/?SHMa...
Hi,
This is my go to lightweight tripod.
It'll be suitable for your needs.
I bought my first Benro tripod almost 20 years ago and it is still virtually as good as new.
They are very well built from excellent materials.
I use the carbon version, there's an aluminium identical version that is usually around £25 lower in price.
Aluminium version -
https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Benro/Benro-Tr...
Carbon version -
https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Benro/Benro-Tr...
Take a look and see what you think.
This is my go to lightweight tripod.
It'll be suitable for your needs.
I bought my first Benro tripod almost 20 years ago and it is still virtually as good as new.
They are very well built from excellent materials.
I use the carbon version, there's an aluminium identical version that is usually around £25 lower in price.
Aluminium version -
https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Benro/Benro-Tr...
Carbon version -
https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Benro/Benro-Tr...
Take a look and see what you think.
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