Tripod advice
 

As I'm into still life and portraits I've decided to head towards a tripod as my next accessory instead of another lens. I'm experimenting with the creative camera settings and lots of my photos are either blurred or have strange anomalies.

What I'm unsure of is manufacturers - who are the good ones and what one are best left alone?

My mum's hobby is video editing and she spent £150 on a second-hand one although with a video camera she wanted to make sure the picture was steady while panning, not something needed with a camera, although I know it's important to be able to move ever so slightly and have it stay there!

On a fair budget... :(

I have a Uniloc 1600 which is very versatile and remarkably sturdy. It is also relatively inexpensive. My Uniloc is 8 years old and going strong, albeit with a replacement bent bolt and locking handle. I would avoid the Benbo Trekker. I owned one and it was poorly made and not sturdy. It ended up in a land fill after 18 months of amateur use. Manfrotto get good reviews and are well priced.

You will also need a head. A Manfrotto 488 is well made and some people here have recommended it.

Check Bird Forum and you should find some good discussions on tripods.

Jamie & I have got the manfrotto 190, £109 I think, bit weighty but rock solid in my opinion. We got a shock using a cheaper lightweight pod at full extension one day, you could actually see the camera vibrate at shutter actuation! As I see it with the manfrotto range, as long as you get a decent set of legs you can upgrade the head unit at any time. Hope this hepls..
Al.

Manfrotto and Velbon are two manufacturers who have come along way in recent years. Both of these have some good models out at the mo.
If you want to go for something a little more specialist, checkout some of the secondhand units around, try out some of the later black finish Uniloc makes (the earlier brown uniloc didn't have as tight a quality control). In my opinion a good one will give many years service.
Incidentally, the Uniloc company was formed by one of the Kennett Benbo company partners who had a falling out. Benbo products are generally very good units, but do get the right model, and also checkout that quality control, which is variable at the best of times.
Slik are also a good manufacturer from years gone by, but at the mo I don't feel they offer the same value as Velbon or Manfrotto......years ago the Slik 88 and black diamond models were best sellers. Unfortunately I bought an 88! (very heavy by todays standards).

Bottom line....check any potential model out. Don't rule out the lighter weight carbon fibre ones if the budget allows. (your back will thankyou for it).
This would be one thing I WOULDN'T buy via the net. (try them out/ open them out first)
hope this helps
good luck

As Joe says, Manfrotto and Velbon are well worth looking at. The Velbon stuff is good value for money if you can't quite stretch to Manfrotto, but I would avoid the cheaper Velbon carbon legs as I think they are too light for their own good.

You do get what you pay for by and large and it's worth spending a lot on a pair of legs that you'll be happy with. The cut-price short term option is just that, short term, you'll end up disappointed and spend more in the long run as you later pay for the legs you should have bought first time. If that makes sense.

Heads are yet more cash to spend. Having a quick release plate system is essential in my mind. Faffing around trying to screw and unscrew your camera off the head without a QR is hassle and you end up being less likely to use the tripod.

The best tripod is the one you are going to USE. It can be the most rigid item in the universe, but if you can't be bothered to get it out of the cupboard, it's no use at all.

I compared the Velbon 635 Sherpa Pro (carbon) with the Manfrotto 055 (aluminium) at Bristol Camera who are offering the Velbon at an amazing pice of £130 including a Velbon head (these legs are £189 without head at Warehouse Express). I concluded that the Velbon legs were every bit a rigid as the Manfrotto and a lot lighter to carry. Bristol Camera will even allow you a discout for the free head against an upgrade - what more could you want :D

Clive,

I was tacitly referring to the Velbon 530 or 531 legs, I have a set of 530s and find they are great for indoor still-life, but take them outside in a breeze and they vibrate like a jelly in a heatwave. I've tried wobbling a set of 631s and found them to be nearly the match of the basic carbon Manfrotto 055s, for just over half the price at the time.

Not giving you a hint on name but just remember few investments in photography are for life time.

One of them is tripod.

Buy the best you can afford as anything now cheap, will cost you a lot on long run.

I have to agree with Sassan, the more you can afford now, the cheaper the outlay becomes as the years pass by, what I mean is, the longer the tripod last you the less you pay for each years use, where as if you skimp now in 5 years time might well have to replace them, also bear in mind that what may be sturdy enough today, may, as you buy bigger, longer and heavier lenses, not be sturdy enough in years to come.
Just my opinion,

John

Thanks for all the replies, it's been a very interesting read.

I've got my camera sat on a Manfrotto 136 at the moment which belongs to mother. I've taken a few sample pics but not yet downloaded them to the PC so I'm yet to see what the quality is like. Mother has two tripods (for two camcorders) but when she goes out she only takes the digital and the smaller tripod as it's lighter leaving the Manfrotto behind - it's big and quite heavy - maybe I don't have to get one so soon afterall!

The only time she uses both at the same time is when using both camcorders like weddings or other such events.

I'm going to start saving anyway as its going to be nice to have one of my own without the worry of her sayingshe's going to need it when I do.

I'd agree with others that a cheap tripod is a false enconomy.

I started off with a cheap Velbon, it did the job, but suffered badly from vibrations. Finally I cracked and bought my first Manfrotto, what a difference it made, the legs are solid and the head stays where I lock it. I've had a few sets of Manfrotto legs over the years and have found the bigger ones (055) to be noticeably more stable than the smaller ones (190).

Last week I finally got a set of Gitzo legs... wow. They are amazing at full extent they are taller than me, but remain rock solid. At the height I use them there seems to be no movement or vibration at all. They are simply amazing.

If you can afford a set of Gitzo legs then I honestly think they are worth the high price tag. If not then get a got set of Manfrotto legs, you'll be very happy with them as long as you never try a Gitzo.

One thing to bear in mind is the fact that you can often 'mix and match' legs and heads from different makers to get the ideal combination.

I've got a Gitzo with two heads and two columns but, despite being a nominal French company, everything is 'Made in Italy' so it's probably all made by Manfrotto anyway! (I believe the same company owns them both)

I think you are right, I know I've seen Gitzo heads in the past that had Manfrotto branding on the box.

Correct, they're owned by the Vinten Group.

Yep, although Gitzo and Manfrotto/Bogen are quite separate in many was... as much as I'm friendly with Manfrotto and get bits to review, I'm not expecting any Gitzo goodies. They keep to themselves and regard eachother as competitors.

so now the golden question who sells the cheapest tripods in the U.K?:confused: :D does the manfrotto 190 come with a head? im after a decent tripod with head, i take mostly macro and wildlife shots, and am suffering badly with a toothpic of a tripod right now.............grrrrrrrr, lol

Crazee,

For the kind of use you describe, I would say you'd be better off with something a bit meatier than the 190. I've never been impressed by the basic 190 model and cannot for the life of me understand why it is held in such high regard. It's OK, but nothing special. For big lenses (wildlife) or extreme close ups, I'd say you'd be better off looking at the 055 range.

As for supply with a head, most 'high end' manufacturer's do not supply with a head as standard, but often dealers will do a legs/head bundle deal.

Take a look at http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/tripods...ryname=Tripods for some pretty good deals.

I hate to say this, but, the kind of head that will be most suitable for wildlife may not be suited to macro. Depending on which subject is going to be your main use, pick the right head. Personally, I use a head with 3 separate axes (Manfrotto 460RC) for macro, and a pan/tilt (Manfrotto 128RC) for long lens/digiscoping. Oh, and a 486RC ball head on my monopod. Horses for courses.

The other thing about the 190 is that it does not go all that high without raising the centre column which makes it more unstable so if you don't want a crick in your neck when shooting wildlife the 055 is better, the downside is of course it's heavier. I have been thinking about getting a carbon fibre 055 for ages but the money is the problem and of course persuading the wife I need another tripod when I already have a ''perfectly good one already that you have had for 30 years and you never use anyway'' :D

ha,ha,ha,ha,ha im a decorator by trade, and am currently "doing" the kitchen, ive been giving her quotes for the work done but she"s having non of it, i"ll push for a tripod "payoff" lol ive just been looking at a web site and they said the 055 is for small to medium cameras! would it be "man" enough for the 350d and a weighty lens?

My 055 plus RC128 head takes the weight of 20D 300mm F4 and x1.4TC with no problems ( combined weight about 2 kilo grammes ) or about 4.5 lb in old money.

Crazee,

I'd say the 055 is man enough for any dSLR plus 300mm lens. Don't skimp on the head though. A 128RC is good, if your lens has a rotating collar on it, or you don't mind the inability to swivel to portrait format. The 128RC is primarily designed for video cameras, but is good and sturdy for still cameras with big lenses.

Duncan

mrs just said would i like this as a thankyou for "doing" the kitchen? http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewPro...203-Way%20Head
would the head be suitable for my wildlife/macro/everyday snappy pictures?

Crazee,

I'd say that head would be excellent for macro and everyday snappy pics. Personally, I wouldn't use it for wildlife as by the time you'd got it pointing where the wildlife was, the animals will have gone.

Good price for the bundle though.

Duncan

be more specific please! why wouldnt it be quick enough for the wildlife thang?

The head has three knobs, each controlling one axis of tilt/rotation, each moving and locking its axis independently. You have to slacken each of the three knobs one at a time. Slacken one (say the rotation axis), move, lock. Slacken two (vertical tilt axis), move, lock. Slacken three (horizontal tilt axis), move lock. This makes it a great head for still life, macro and everyday snappy stuff.

If you have a pet octopus that could be trained, then there may be some mileage in this head for wildlife use. I suggest you find a local camera shop and try the different styles of head they have. Even if they don't have exactly the head/legs you want, it will give you an idea of the differences in operation and will help you decide if you could use this style of head for wildlife.


If you've had a good play with the goods in the shop, seriously consider giving them you business, even if it does cost a few quid more than online.

I'm trying to think of a single head that would adequately cover your range of needs. Perhaps the Manfrotto 322 grip action ball head?
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/2319?livid=80|81&lsf=81&child=2
Edit: for some reason, that link isn't directly clickable, copy and paste it into your browser address bar, it works then.

Anyone else got any ideas to help Crazee Horse find a one size fits all head that meets his needs? Some of you serious wildlife types must have an opinion.

Duncan

An area which may get overlooked is feet. Any good suggestions for a sturdy tripod for low work ( insects & flowers ) where the feet don't get entangled in long meadow grass. I find the clips on my old 055 a real pain for that.

I think the try out idea is the best option. I have a sturdy but budget ballhead, 3 way geared head and a 501 fluid head. Each has their uses, but within a reasonable budget I have yet to find a single head that could replace that lot that I would be happy and comfortable using. Leifs Markins M10 ballhead ticks the boxes but is not cheap.

Best compromise for the individual style of photography will play a large part in the decision.

Don

your all gonna slate me for this but ive just bought an arena tripod from london camera exchange................. i was shocked as to the weight of the 190 and the 055 and when i saw the arena and had the sales pitch (lol) i was sold. £99.99 inc head which looks like a basic-ish panning and up downy if you want the technical name. its weighty without too much weight and feels sturdy................ go on, rip me to pieces. i have no friends etc lol

Be gone, off to Coventry with you ... :)

Naah, enjoy the tripod. A tripod that you use is better than one that is so heavy you leave it at home. You should be fine for wide and normal lenses.

thank you lol it feels solid and does what i need at the moment, so watch this space, i have hardly been using my 350d because though i feel i have a steady hand my pictures look like i have the D.T."s............ well anything slower than 1/100

Wimp - LOL ;) you should see the gear I carry on my 3 mile walk.

But Leif does have a point.

Enjoy any tripod is better than none.

One important thing to consider when looking at tripod/head combos is the max load. I used to use a Manfrotto 055 leg set with a 128rc head for supporting my Nikon D2x & Sigma 500mm f4.5 (often with teleconverters attached). The weight of this gear is around 5kg. The 055 legs are rated with a max load of 7kg wheras the head is around 4kg. The best bit of advice i came across when selecting a tripod/head combo is to find the max weight of your camera/lens, double it & then select legs/head with a max load in that range. I have since gone the whole hog & bought a Gitzo 1548 with Kirk BH1 ball head & Wimberley Sidekick. This combo will easily cope with anything i can mount on it & the results speak for themselves. If i do eventually manage to get a Nikon 600mm, (lottery providing!) then i know that i wont have to change the legs! Seriously though, my advice is to spend as much as you can on a tripod & remember the max load.
Regards Rob.

I have used a Slik Master Classic for years. The pan/tilt head is a great design It has a rotating table for panorama use. Its rock steady. I keep looking at modern tripods from other makers, Carbon fibre etc. With the head and all the bits and pieces the weight difference is minimal. It will carry anything you can put in you bag.