New Tripod

[The Moose]

I'm wondering about picking up a new tripod at some point. What's decent out there at the moment?

Don't know what I want to spend just yet - looking for suggestions.

I like the idea of a carbon fibre tripod

[Magic919]

Have a look at Gitzo.

[Speed addicted]

I've got a couple of redsnapper tripods, well made and they tend to come better specced than manfrotto etc

[ImDesigner]

I picked up a Manfrotto 294A3 a couple of weeks ago. I'm blown away by the quality of it and just how solid and sturdy it feels.

I highly recommend it.

[The Moose]

Knowing very little about these things, what's the difference (in terms of use) between a ball head and a panning head?

[RobDickinson]

The Moose said:

Knowing very little about these things, what's the difference (in terms of use) between a ball head and a panning head?

I prefer a ball head for flexability, you can tension it up just right for nice panning too.

Read this.

http://bythom.com/support.htm

My next tripod will be a feisol.

[Janesy B]

Speed addicted said:

I've got a couple of redsnapper tripods, well made and they tend to come better specced than manfrotto etc

I agree, I love my RSF-284 & RSH-12 Ball Head, doesn't get as much use as I'd like.

[Elderly]

The legs sections of one of my tripods are locked either individually or all three together from the top of the tripod;
there's no stooping down to lock each leg section individually.
Irrespective of maker, I would recommend such a system.

[AndrewEH1]

Have a look at 3 Legged Thing

http://www.3leggedthing.com/

I bought an Eric, happy chappy!

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Thursday 15th August 12:02

[JustinMinns]

I have a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 which I'm happy with, choice of head depends on what you will be shooting

[The Moose]

Maybe a Lumix?!

Using a 5D at the moment - sometimes with 100-400mm Lens (although I enjoy shooting with this handheld).

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 15th August 13:44

[PJ S]

If the tripod isn't to be going on foreign holidays, then leave the traveller designated ones out of the running.
When looking at any tripod, tube diameter is king for rigidity – weight handling is immaterial since most setups rarely ever overload a basic £50 tripod's capabilities.

To that end, have a look at the Sirui and Horusbennu carbon ones on eBay. There's a Polish camera store reseller who is the best price short of buying from the Korean sellers and maybe getting hit for VAT/duty.

The latest designs are all using 8 layers of CF as opposed to 6 (Gitzo & Manfrotto) which adds little to the weight of the tripod, but increases stiffness for the same given diameter of tubes.
Depending on height required, a 3-section tripod will be more rigid than a 4-section for the same diameter main tube.

For all but the clumsiest of users, a £300-400 CF with substantial 32mm+ main tube diameter will be a one-time purchase, so can be seen as an investment, and if needs to be sold, will likely have a higher residual percentage of original price than aluminium.

Edited by PJ S on Thursday 15th August 21:13

[Crafty_]

Another redsnapper here. Its not carbon fibre so you wouldn't want to travel lots with it but its very sturdy. I like the leg locking mechanism and prefer it to the snap locks on the manfrottos and the like.

Mine is 3 or 4 years old now and looks new.

[budfox]

I have Manfrotto monopods and tripods. More than happy with them.

Clearly there are higher quality brands out there, but Manfrotto are decent enough and in many years of photography I've never said to myself "I wish I had a better tripod"

[RobDickinson]

AndrewEH1 said:

Have a look at 3 Legged Thing

http://www.3leggedthing.com/

I bought an Eric, happy chappy!

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Thursday 15th August 12:02

A friend got one of those recently, had a good play with it and quite liked it.

[allen l]

Have a three legged thing. Find them very versatile, light and sturdy.

[markmullen]

I've a couple of carbon fibre Gitzo which serve me well, a series 1 mountaineer for travelling and when I know I've for climbing and clambering to do to get the shot and a series 2 explorer with the funky legs for jobs closer to a vehicle. Both are very well made and I suspect will last me a good many years.

[The Moose]

PJ S said:

If the tripod isn't to be going on foreign holidays, then leave the traveller designated ones out of the running.
When looking at any tripod, tube diameter is king for rigidity – weight handling is immaterial since most setups rarely ever overload a basic £50 tripod's capabilities.

To that end, have a look at the Sirui and Horusbennu carbon ones on eBay. There's a Polish camera store reseller who is the best price short of buying from the Korean sellers and maybe getting hit for VAT/duty.

The latest designs are all using 8 layers of CF as opposed to 6 (Gitzo & Manfrotto) which adds little to the weight of the tripod, but increases stiffness for the same given diameter of tubes.
Depending on height required, a 3-section tripod will be more rigid than a 4-section for the same diameter main tube.

For all but the clumsiest of users, a £300-400 CF with substantial 32mm+ main tube diameter will be a one-time purchase, so can be seen as an investment, and if needs to be sold, will likely have a higher residual percentage of original price than aluminium.

Edited by PJ S on Thursday 15th August 21:13

Something such as this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-Carbon-Fibre-Digit...?

[PJ S]

The Moose said:

Something such as this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-Carbon-Fibre-Digit...?

4-section 25mm is lightweight traveller. For the money inc a ballhead, it's good value, but it certainly won't be the last word in stability or vibration reduction for long exposure photography.

My previous comment was aimed at this sort of level:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160590743123
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251157264799
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261192039069
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261103374847

If that one you've linked to is all you can/are prepared to pay for a tripod, then check out these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004E70VO0
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004E6WEVE

Whilst not as sexy as CF, with 30mm and 32mm main tube diameter, they will be stiffer than the 25mm carbon. Stick on one of their RNB ball heads, and you're good to go.

[The Moose]

What about something not CF? Am thinking it needs to hold 4-5kgs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004OYUDG4/ref=aw_...??

Will be travelling with it also