Discussion
I picked up a Giottos a few months back. Somewhat more than your budget as I went for carbon on the basis of the likelihood of lugging it around all day.
Not used it often so far but when I have it has been excellent and the build quality and thought that has gone into it are impressive IMO. It was recommended to me as a budget Gitzo!
Mind you I did buy a Gitzo head to go with it ....
Not used it often so far but when I have it has been excellent and the build quality and thought that has gone into it are impressive IMO. It was recommended to me as a budget Gitzo!
Mind you I did buy a Gitzo head to go with it ....
I've got an aluminium Giottos and I think it's pretty good. Their range is priced similarly to Manfrotto's and mine seems as sturdy as the Manfrottos I've had a play with. I've had a couple of problems with the leg clamps so it's not perfect, but I've no idea how representative that is of Giottos or whether other makes are better built.
Redsnapper gets a lot of recommendations. I've never seen one but by most accounts they're equal to Manfrotto and Giottos. Plus they're a bit cheaper. They don't have the same range as either of those two though.
Whatever make you go for, I'd recommend getting one that is tall enough for the camera's viewfinder to reach your eye level without the centre column extended because having the camera elevated on the column reduces the stability. When you're figuring out what height you need, consider if you'll ever use it on uneven ground where you could be standing above the lowest leg; this can easily take 20-30cm off the height of the tripod in relation to you.
Redsnapper gets a lot of recommendations. I've never seen one but by most accounts they're equal to Manfrotto and Giottos. Plus they're a bit cheaper. They don't have the same range as either of those two though.
Whatever make you go for, I'd recommend getting one that is tall enough for the camera's viewfinder to reach your eye level without the centre column extended because having the camera elevated on the column reduces the stability. When you're figuring out what height you need, consider if you'll ever use it on uneven ground where you could be standing above the lowest leg; this can easily take 20-30cm off the height of the tripod in relation to you.
I've recently seen adverts for these http://www.3leggedthing.com/ Don't know how good they are. Anyone tried them?
Edited by Colin RedGriff on Friday 11th February 13:23
Paul911 persueded me to buy this one - http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...
Im very pleased with it. depending on what you're going to be photographing you may not want the ball head though.
Im very pleased with it. depending on what you're going to be photographing you may not want the ball head though.
This one looks like it will fit the bill, and is in budget with the head included (some don't appear to have the head??). http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...
Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
Jez O said:
This one looks like it will fit the bill, and is in budget with the head included (some don't appear to have the head??). http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...
Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
Many don't include the heads since heads can be a very personal and/or rather specialised (to need) sort of thing. One might want different features for different tasks or for different equipment.Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
The trouble is that until you have played around with them you may not really know what you are looking for - and needs may change over time. It's all good fun, though potentially rather wallet draining.
Jez O said:
(some don't appear to have the head??)
Most higher end tripods are sold as legs so you can choose what head to use, if you were a sports photographer you might use a joystick head, a studio photographer might want the exact adjustment a 3 way head offers, I use a ball head for quicker adjustment etc.Check out the Manfrotto 190 xbpro, I purchased one of these a few years ago and it is superb. Best thing to do is check out a few in your local jessops or indy.
Only downside with the Manfrotto is that with a decent head it will be £150+, but then you'll never need to replace it a few years down the line...
Only downside with the Manfrotto is that with a decent head it will be £150+, but then you'll never need to replace it a few years down the line...
Jez O said:
This one looks like it will fit the bill, and is in budget with the head included (some don't appear to have the head??). http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...
Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
Having looked at Manfrotto kits I bought this Redsnapper kit ( http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-... ) about a month ago after Redsnapper was recommended by someone else on here.Thanks for the suggestions- will be an evening in front of google choosing one!
I have not used it in anger yet but I'm extremely impressed with it compared to my old Benbo Trekker. At £57 (inc P&P) it's a bargain considering the bag alone is worth at least £15. The head is not the greatest but does the job and comes with a quick release, it can always be upgraded at a later date. The legs feature twist locks which I prefer to the potential failing of the snap locks used on most of the sub £100 price bracket legs, it even has a spirit level. It's extremely solid when set-up too although as I said I haven't used it in anger yet.
All in all, very pleased, to be honest I don't know how they can sell them so cheap!
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