Suggestions for Tripod

[TT Tim]

I recently bought a new Tripod, but tbh it's crap! The head has plastic components so all that happens when using a heavy long lens is that it bounces, rather defeating the point of a tripod!

I've been looking at the manfrotto 055Pro with one of the 3-way heads. My budget is around the £150 mark. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Tim

PS: Must have a quick release plate.

[getcarter]

I use benbo

www.patersonphotographic.com/tripods/benbo.html

[getcarter]

(check they do a quick realease though)

[leszekg]

You can't go far wrong with a Manfrotto, whichever particular model you decide is the one for you. I've had one for years and they are very sturdy. Gitzo tripods are also of a similar vein - in fact I think they're now owned by the same company.

The Benbo type tripod are very good in certain circumstances but you should try one out to see if you get on with it as it's a different concept to your normal tripod. Personally I hated it and I know at least 2 of my colleagues who bought these when they were all the rage and ended up trading them in. Others rave about them, particularly for use in natural history close-ups and the like, going in water etc.

[TT Tim]

Hmm, not sure about the Benbo one. But thanks for the suggestion.

I guess a Manfrotto one it is then. I'm hoping to primarily use it at race circuits so I can get a little closer to the action.

I bought one of those suction cups and MagicClamps so I guess it would make sense to keep buying stuff from the same manufacturer.

Thanks everyone.

Tim

[meeja]

leszekg said:

You can't go far wrong with a Manfrotto, whichever particular model you decide is the one for you. I've had one for years and they are very sturdy. Gitzo tripods are also of a similar vein - in fact I think they're now owned by the same company.

Manfrotto = Bulletproof!

I used one of these on a filming trip to Estonia and Finland a couple of years ago.....



It got some serious abuse, particularly at airport customs, and from baggage handlers who do not understand the words "FRAGILE" and "HANDLE WITH CARE"

It finally returned to the UK scratched to bits, but is still in regular use, and never fails.

[andyparrott]

I have Benbo, Manfrotto and Gitzo tripods. The Gitzo is my favourite, but it is carbon fibre so very light. It feels better made than the Gitzo. The Benbo can be like wrestling an Octopus, but is good for Macro work.

[simpo two]

I find it useful to have a tripod where the legs can be spread independently as far as almost horizontal, so you can get the camera lower down and tilted forward if necessary. On mine (Cullman) I can also take the two-part centre column out and re-insert it upside down (if I ever need the pentaprism to scrape the ground!). A macro rail head is useful for close-up work but I wasn't able to get that option.

[leszekg]

TT Tim said:

I guess a Manfrotto one it is then. I'm hoping to primarily use it at race circuits so I can get a little closer to the action. Tim

If you're planning to use it for sports action pictures you may want to consider a monopod rather than a tripod.

[ehasler]

Before you buy, check the specifications of the tripod and head, as they are rated to handle different weights. Some models have interchangable heads as well, which is also something to bear in mind.

I've got a Gitzo tripod, which is fantastic and very solid, but probably a bit over your budget. It's carbon fibre too, which makes it lighter - an important factor if you're going to lug it around race circuits all day!

In my experience taking motor sport photos, I very rarely use my tripod, and when I do I just use it as a monopod with one leg extended but not splayed out.

The only reason I use it is because my 300mm lens weighs a ton, and my arms get too tired if I hand hold if for long! Otherwise I much prefer to hand hold my camera as it makes it easier for panning.

Have you thought about getting a carbon fibre monopod instead? You could get a Gitzo one for less than £150!

[Nacnud]

My experience is that the head is the weak bit.

I've got a bomb-proof Uni-Loc tripod and it was the Uni-Loc head that was causing me problems with long lenses, inparticular because the quick release didn't lock down tight enough. It was secure, but not slop free.

I now have a decent Manfrotto head on my Uni-Loc tripod and am very happy thnak-you.

[Nacnud]

Following on from the other sagas related here, most of the scars on my Tripod were gained in a single mountaineering trip. A foul weather solo trip over Sgurr Alisdair in the Black Cuillins; I ended up down-climbing a grade 4 scramble with the tripod strapped to the outside of my large rucksac. Some of those scratches are deep!

One of the advantages of the Uni-Loc/Benbo is that it locks solid and as a result is dead easy to carry collapsed in the hand or strapped up on the rucksac like an ice-axe. These days I don't bother with the tripod case, it just gets in the way!

[te51cle]

I have a Manfrotto 055 tripod with the 141RC head and while it is stable it is also very heavy, you won't want to carry it very far. Fine for studio and short distance from car use, but I'm not inclined to take it far otherwise.

When I'm out and about I use a Velbon Sherpa 450 which is light enough to carry around all day, extends to a decent height, but isn't as strong. It has needed a couple of nuts and bolts replacing when they fell off - no big problem.