Tripods

[hazzel_frazzel]

I'm looking to get a tripod soon, as a friend let me borrow his budget tripod recently for some night shots, and I absolutely loved it!

I know the wisdom is to buy a proper one and it will last you a lifetime, but seeing as I would still very much class myself as a beginner (total gear cost of less than £600), I can't afford buying a £200 quid manfrotto. I had been looking at this on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Profil-Duo-III-Tripod... and this is the updated model of the one my friend let me borrow, which wasn't too bad at all. The wisdom on this seems to be that it is great value for money.

But then I also saw this one recommended in one of the amazon reviews. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hahnel-Triad-40-Profession...

Obviously the Hahnel costs nearly twice the price, and each have their own good features. The Hahnel can be inversed to take macro shots (which I don't do at the moment, but might start in the future), and seems like it can get down far lower due to the leg construction, and has a hook to attach weight to, as well as having a ball head, which seems like it would be far better.

On the other hand, the Hama is much cheaper, has a spirit level on the base and on the head, can be made into a monopod to take out walking, and it has a pan handle which could be great for video? (Again I don't use my camera much for this at the moment, but this is mostly because it is hard not to get shake when handholding).

Any advice from the more experienced members? Is the Hahnel worth double the outlay? Would I miss the extra spirit level and the pan handle?

Thanks a lot

[Simpo Two]

I wouldn't say a spirit level is much use - it's what's in the viewfinder that counts.

However a centre column that you can invert, and possibly remount horizontally, could be very useful and allow you to get shots (eg macro or studio) that you otherwise couldn't. Legs that can be unlocked to splay out flat are very useful for low shots.

I'm not a fan of ball and socket heads, preferring a lever like you, but heads can be changed or perhaps you can find the same bottom section with a head you prefer.

I know budgets are important, but I think that limiting your possibilities for the price of a pub lunch is not a sensible idea

[hazzel_frazzel]

Simpo Two said:

I wouldn't say a spirit level is much use - it's what's in the viewfinder that counts.

However a centre column that you can invert, and possibly remount horizontally, could be very useful and allow you to get shots (eg macro or studio) that you otherwise couldn't. Legs that can be unlocked to splay out flat are very useful for low shots.

I'm not a fan of ball and socket heads, preferring a lever like you, but heads can be changed or perhaps you can find the same bottom section with a head you prefer.

I know budgets are important, but I think that limiting your possibilities for the price of a pub lunch is not a sensible idea

As a student that's more than a pub lunch to me

What would you suggest as an alternative without blowing the bank?

[jmorgan]

I used a Velbon for years. The plastic spacers in the legs went but that was eight years or so of use. It had a video head on it that I quite liked. £70 odd when I bought it all in.

[Speed addicted]

Have a look at redsnapper. They have one for around 50 that's plenty sturdy enough.

[LeighW]

I bought this a short while ago, and I'm very happy with it. It's sturdy, feels well put together, easy to adjust etc, overall excellent VFM I think.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...

[markmullen]

Simpo Two said:

I wouldn't say a spirit level is much use - it's what's in the viewfinder that counts.

It is useful if you're doing a stitched panorama but to be frank that's not an everyday scenario.

Lots of the guys on Talk Photography rave about Redsnapper tripods, worth joining TP and having a look, they also do a discount for TP members. (Edited to add, ha, beaten to it)

Also have a look on fleabay for a used Manfrotto.

[38911]

Manfrotto Compact MKC3-H01 - £49 in stores or £40 online. Small and lightweight enough to attach to my slingshot bag and thus be carried around all day without being a pain in the backside - and capable enough for everything I've asked it to do to-date.

I think it's primarily for video cameras but it suits me just fine.

[tenohfive]

If you're not in any rush then set up a saved search for second hand Manfrotto's. I picked up a basic Manfrotto (190D with 390RC2 head) which does exactly what I need it to for £35 delivered. Took me 3-4 weeks of checking ebay every few days but it was worth it.

[hazzel_frazzel]

markmullen said:

It is useful if you're doing a stitched panorama but to be frank that's not an everyday scenario.

Lots of the guys on Talk Photography rave about Redsnapper tripods, worth joining TP and having a look, they also do a discount for TP members. (Edited to add, ha, beaten to it)

Also have a look on fleabay for a used Manfrotto.

I have had a look at the Redsnappers, I would only be able to get the basic one at a real stretch, any idea how much the TP discount is?

Only possible issue I see with it is that it is quite short? Only 134 without the centre column. 160 with it extended sounds much better, but is this going to be a tad unstable with the centre section extended?

Have had a look on the bay for used manfrottos - nothing at the moment but I will keep my eyes peeled.

The Manfrotto MKC3-P01 doesn't really look up to the job of supporting a DSLR and lens I'm afraid, it only supports up to 1.5kg apparently!

[paul911]

Redsnapper gets my vote for good value for money too. The TP Redsnapper discount is 10%, use offer code “RED10”

[...Mole...]

I got one of these recently http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...

The tripod itself is very sturdy which is exactly what I need it for, I'm not a massive fan of the head as it makes it a bit awkward to get the camera in to a vertical position. Other than that it's been good value so far!

[Torquemada]

What area are you in? Drop me an email if you are interested in a Velbon Sherpa 435 to pick up Hampshire/West Sussex area, price negotiable.

[hazzel_frazzel]

Torquemada said:

What area are you in? Drop me an email if you are interested in a Velbon Sherpa 435 to pick up Hampshire/West Sussex area, price negotiable.

That's very kind of you, but I am currently in France, not due back in the UK until June, so online stores are preferred for this reason!

The 110 quid redsnapper posted above is unfortunately way out of my budget. If I really stretch it I can afford the RS-283 tripod and RSH-24 head for 60 quid. Is this still going to be decent? Worth the extra outlay over say the Hahnel Triad 40 I posted earlier in the thread?

[Craikeybaby]

I've also had a Redsnapper, for about 3 years now) and stability isn't a problem, even when the centre column is extended. the build quality is fine, it has outlasted the Manfrotto head I got to go with it.

[hazzel_frazzel]

Oh really? Sounds great! Which model was it that you got?

[Simpo Two]

Second-hand (eg eBay) is a sensible option - you'll probably get twice the value for money and there's not much in a tripod to go wrong.

[38911]

hazzel_frazzel said:

The Manfrotto MKC3-P01 doesn't really look up to the job of supporting a DSLR and lens I'm afraid, it only supports up to 1.5kg apparently!

Supports my DSLR + 300mm lense outdoors in a strong breeze just fine. Also worked faultlessly for a 2 hour star trail with no movement whatsoever. Also worked spot on yesterday for a 2 min waterfall shot where the feet were actually in the water on soft ground!

At the end if the day, for me, its a trade off between compact/portability and bulk/weight. Im happy to be able to strap it to the side of my slingshot and carry it all day without noticing the extra weight. That way its always readily available.

It was only a suggestion...

[hazzel_frazzel]

38911 said:

Supports my DSLR + 300mm lense outdoors in a strong breeze just fine. Also worked faultlessly for a 2 hour star trail with no movement whatsoever. Also worked spot on yesterday for a 2 min waterfall shot where the feet were actually in the water on soft ground!

At the end if the day, for me, its a trade off between compact/portability and bulk/weight. Im happy to be able to strap it to the side of my slingshot and carry it all day without noticing the extra weight. That way its always readily available.

It was only a suggestion...

Sorry mate if it seemed like I dismissed your suggestion, I really am glad of any opinions and suggestions, no matter what they might be.

I know exactly what you mean re the size and weight of the thing, and the manfrotto is half the weight of the red snapper. I guess also the manfrotto is probably under exaggerated in terms of weight bearing ability, whereas I am sure that many cheaper tripods tend to over exaggerate.

In any case I was back out last night with the borrowed hama tripod, and although it did the job, I really did feel it wasn't sturdy enough to be suitable for any possible situation I might want it to perform in. So it looks like the PH logic has come through, I think I am gonna have to bite the bullet and up the budget to get something I won't later regret spending money on. One thing I didn't like about the borrowed tripod was that I couldn't get it down all that low! Do the manfrotto and redsnapper have adjustable legs so that you can get down really low?

[tenohfive]

I daresay it depends on the design, but the legs on my Manfrotto bend out to almost horizontal (think microphone stand) which get's it pretty low. If you want to go much lower you could consider a GorillaPod - they're about £20.