Tripods

[alistair1234]

Hi everyone.

Looking to buy, or receive as an xmas present, my first tripod. Had a DSLR for just over a year, and i'm looking for a decent'ish tripod.

Currently have a Canon 600D, 15-85mm and a 70-300mm. Next year i'll probably get a 6D and a 100-400L or 70-200L 2.8 to replace some of my existing equipment.

The tripod will be mostly used in my own garden to take long exposure sky shots or taken away to scotland/wales for some landscape shots, maybe occasionally abroad skiing.

I cam across this http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/manfrotto-190xb-804rc... or very similar, in Costco for £115, my girlfriend has just found it online via that link for £99. Is it any good, or is it worth getting one of these instead?

http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/bags-tripods-straps/t...

There's 3 others on that link, £115 and 2 for £120.

Thanks in advance.

[steveatesh]

Hi after starting with a cheap one ( which is functional apart from windy days!) I too have started looking at Mancrotto etc. I examined the one in Costco on Monday and found that the head- shaft would move, which is exactly the problem on my £9.99 one - I compose the shot, let go of the adjuster and the head tilts down a mm or two but that is sufficient to throw the shot out of focus.

I picked up a Manfrotto tripod in Jessops around £200 and the head was solid as a rock. It was another Mancrotto, can't recollect the model but personally I'm going to try one of the models with the click release legs as per recommended by Karl Taylor.

Be nice to know which model you go for and a Review if possible after a few weeks of use?

[Simpo Two]

steveatesh said:

Mancrotto... Manfrotto... Mancrotto...

I'm struggling to keep up here...

That's 2: in favour of Mancrotto. A Chinese knock off?

[Mr Will]

Simpo Two said:

I'm struggling to keep up here...

That's 2: in favour of Mancrotto. A Chinese knock off?

No, that's a Manflotto...

[RobDickinson]

I've had manfroto 190's for years and they always do the job.

[Simpo Two]

Or if you're taller than Rob, the 055 model (wot I have). Rather heavy for carrying all day but for your tasks some mass is good.

[RobDickinson]

Have just got a new feisol tripod weighs next to nothing seems solid and is taller.

The 190 wasn't quite tall enough for me without the center column and having extra leg length in reserve always helps

[RobbieKB]

Is thread dedicated to how many variations of Manfrotto we can muster?!

Another vote for Manfrotto. I had a multitude of cheap unknown brand tripods and then finally went for a Manfrotto that was on sale and it was a fantastic decision. Very sturdy and very compact.

[Russ T Bolt]

I have Manfrotto, Gitzo and Benbo. I use them for different things, but overall the Gitzo is my favourite.

[CommanderJameson]

Vanguard Alta here. Solid construction, lots of features, reasonably light.

[beancaker]

How do full size Giottos compare with Manfrotto? They do a very neat travel tripod.

[RobDickinson]

The Giotto's I've looked at have seemed very good. Hard to really tell until you've got them out and used them in a field.

Looking good in a store doesnt mean vibration free solid support for your gear in the field.

MeFoto are a decent looking cheaper brand, similar to 3 legged thing but cheaper know a few people who like them.

[paul911]

I use a CF Giottos now, and am very pleased with it. Light enough to carry on a back pack, and strong enough to take a FF camera and lens.

[Turn7]

Red Snapper here, more than happy with it.

[ian in lancs]

I have a Manfrotto 055PROXB workhorse and it's fantastic.

The Manfrotto befree? I nearly threw it into the arctic ocean several times on a recent trip. I bought it to travel light and hated it. Whoever designed the leg position levers and the QR clamp needs feeding to polar bears. Dreadful! obviously never tested outside the design office.

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 24th December 07:42

[ruaricoles]

Turn7 said:

Red Snapper here, more than happy with it.

+1

I've not got much experience of the other leading brands to know the difference, but my Red Snapper seems to have plenty of good features and is very sturdy for much less cost. Worth considering.

[Janesy B]

Happy Red Snapper customer here, got a RSF-284 with a RSH-12 head. Does the job.

[creampuff]

Manfrotto does sound like some kind of unusual sexual practice.

Anyway I think you can buy a cheaper alternative, just make sure it has a ball head. I have a Benro (Chinese) tripod and it is fine for the relatively infrequent use it gets.

[Crafty_]

Another vote for redsnapper, was wary when I bought it in case it was a bit naff, but the quality is really good and I much prefer the twistlock legs to the snap clasp that manfrotto have.