Tripod advice please

[Gavstar]

I have a Canon 400D. I'm going to Thailand and Cambodia next month, and think a tripod will be pretty handy for capturing good sunrise/sunset shots of the temples etc.
Which would you recommend? I am thinking I don't need to buy brand new, so 2nd hand on eBay might be a good option. Is this true or do tripods not make good 2nd hand buys?
There's a make that a couple of people have recommended to me before but i can't remember what it is....any ideas?
I guess I'm looking for lightweight, telescopic, and quick release? I'd like it to be useable for Motorsport photography too, so might need one of those swivel top things too, but I can buy that later can't I?
Thanks chaps.

[chris.mapey]

I'd question whether you want to carry one around at all...

I had a light wieght one (less than £20 from ebay delivered) when I had the D70 - it's OK but is a bit flimsy (no surprises given the price) but I never can be bothered carrying a tripod when on holiday...

Long exposure shots are easy to do, balance the camera on something (like a wall, or hang it off a branch on the next strap), use a wider field of view than you expect and rotate & crop the image when you are home

Use the self timer to remove any camera shake and job's a good 'un - saves faffing about carrying extra kit when on hols...

I'd also steer you towards a monopod for motorsport use (makes panning much easier than using a tripod head) but it's personal preference...

HTH (if I have!) and have a good trip

Chris

[fluffnik]

I have a Cullmann Magic tripod which packs down quickly, small and light, and converts to a monopod too.

It's not very tall and its not very rigid either but it's better than the big one you left at home...

I paid ~£35 on eBay.

[CVP]

If you're not 100% certain of carrying one, how about the Gorillapod in SLR size?

Chris

[Gavstar]

Hmm maybe you have a point about taking one at all. Gorillapod's not a bad idea.
Maybe my money's better spent on a wider angle lens? I've got the std 18-55 that it came with. What do u think?

[CVP]

If you're doing sunrise / sunset then shutter speed & stability may be the most important thing.

Instead of the Gorillapod, how about gettign a 50mm f1.8 or f1.4 lens? Could be hand holdable at the times of day you mention and is a great quality lens

Chris

[Gavstar]

What's the benefit of the lens u mention? The low f number/wide aperture? Are these fixed length lenses particularly good as I am put off by no zoom capability but I'm probably not thinking along the right lines.

Eta - that lens costs a grand! That's out of my price range I'm afraid! Any other suggestions?

Edited by Gavstar on Thursday 11th September 21:41

[Simpo Two]

There's no doubt a tripod is an encumberance - it depends how keen you are to get that killer shot. As has been said, you can get a long way using bracing and good technique (and perhaps higher ISO), but there are always some shots that simply do need a tripod. Then again, you might cart it with you all the time and never find a scene that warrants it.

You can go as a holidaymaker, or as a photographer, but not both... my pragmatic approach, if you are serious, is that it's better to have some kit and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

ETA The lenses CVP mentions are beneficial because the larger aperture means you can have a faster shutter speed, thus reducing the need for a tripod. However if you want the 'blurred water effect' then you actively NEED a long shutter speed and hence a tripod. Easy really

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 11th September 21:43

[fluffnik]

CVP said:

If you're not 100% certain of carrying one, how about the Gorillapod in SLR size?

Gorillapods are great; I usually pack mine along with the Cullmann and one head for them to share.

It's the Cullmann I tend to carry with me though...

[CVP]

50mm f1.8 should be way less than a grand, should be in the 100-200 range max. The key benefit for low light is the ability to have a wider aperture (lower f number) so to keep shutter speed up whilst not having to crank the ISO right up. The downside to this is lower f number = less of your image in sharp focus.

Lots of creative potential with such a small light lens. One key bonus is that the design has been aroudn for ages and gives very good quality for a relatively low price.

As for it not being zoom, you can always walk about

Agreed ont he Gorillapod though, I have a little one for our compact and they are really useful compact devices and way lighter than carrying a full size tripod.

Chris

[Steve Evil]

I paid £55 for my F1.8, everyone should have the nifty fifty.

[Gavstar]

Steve Evil said:

I paid £55 for my F1.8, everyone should have the nifty fifty.

Why?

[Simpo Two]

Gavstar said:

Steve Evil said:

I paid £55 for my F1.8, everyone should have the nifty fifty.

Why?

See my post above

[Gavstar]

Simpo Two said:

Gavstar said:

Steve Evil said:

I paid £55 for my F1.8, everyone should have the nifty fifty.

Why?

See my post above

OK, I understand now (and after doing a little research - always helps!). The reviews say this is a good lens for portraits...what about landscapes and buildings etc?
I'm very tempted by this http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00006H1R6/ref=... now.

[Steve Evil]

Gavstar said:

Simpo Two said:

Gavstar said:

Steve Evil said:

I paid £55 for my F1.8, everyone should have the nifty fifty.

Why?

See my post above

OK, I understand now (and after doing a little research - always helps!). The reviews say this is a good lens for portraits...what about landscapes and buildings etc?
I'm very tempted by this http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00006H1R6/ref=... now.

Yeah that's the one! Being fixed it forces you to think about how you're composing your shots more, plus you can get some very nice shots with small depth of field using it wide open, and as Simpo says you often don't need a flash in low light, plus it's so tiny that there's never any excuse for not taking it with you.

[Gavstar]

So, is it suitable for landscapes and buildings/temples in low light? Or is it too zoomed in?

[Simpo Two]

Gavstar said:

So, is it suitable for landscapes and buildings/temples in low light? Or is it too zoomed in?

Let's try to get the terminology - 'focal length'. That's what the 50mm refers to. It relates directly to angle of view, which is what you need to have a grasp of. Set your 18-55mm to 50mm and that's the angle of view you will get, but the viewfinder will be brighter, you will be able to work in lower light and the image will be better quality. 50mm is neither wide angle nor telephoto, but in the middle - a 'standard' lens if you like. Neither is it a 'zoom' because the focal length does not change.

I'd say that for landscapes you want to be in the 18mm region, but a fast 18mm is going to cost a lot. Then again, the wider it is, the less camera shake shows up anyway.

[IanMorewood]

I wouldnt take a tripod on holiday with me simply down to size and weight, there really is little you need a tripod for unless you fancy capturing some movement blur from traffic or shooting with a long lens in fairly low light.

[Gavstar]

Just bought the Canon 50mm f/1.8
Thanks for the advice guys!