What Tripod Magazine?

[aprisa]

I've started playing with my new 20D and 70-200 F2.8

As the lense is roughly the same weight as my car I fancy trying out a tripod for a few of the horsey shots I am being told to take by the rest of the family.

Trouble is what to get? I have just received one I bought from ebay and it's complete Tat so will probably collapse under the combined weight of camera and lense. They vary so much in price (up to £300 ish)

Any recommendations for a good compromise on quality/Price for mainly sporting type work?

Cheers
Nick

[350wedge]

I use Manfrotto, very good and sturdy but can come at a price if you go for the carbon models. I've got a carbon 1 model which I find very good.

check out the secondhand section of www.ffordes.co.uk they have a few good manfrotto's in stock including an ex demo MN440 carbon which is the same as mine.

Giotto are very good but again pricy. Velbon are'nt too bad either. I've got a Velbon CX-300 which is a base model tho seems fairly sturdy. Selling on ebay at a start price of 15 quid !!!

[Bee_Jay]

I also use Manfrotto, they have the best range and combination of heads etc and a very good, solid quick-release locking mechanism. However, I would stick with the cheap one until you find it doesn't do what you want it to.

To be honest, I think you may be better with a monopod if you are just looking for something to take the weight off while taking pictures of horses etc. I use my monopod much more than my tripod, mainly because I tend to take pictures of 'things that move'

[simpo two]

For fast-moving subjects you might find a tripod cramps your style.

Try bracing your supporting arm against your chest; that might help.

[350wedge]

Bee_Jay said:

To be honest, I think you may be better with a monopod if you are just looking for something to take the weight off while taking pictures of horses etc. I use my monopod much more than my tripod, mainly because I tend to take pictures of 'things that move'

I'll second that as well, a monopod is much more portable and flexible for moving subjects. I prefer to handhold tho where i can. So long as its a bright day and you keep a fast shutter speed you will probably find you wont need to use any form of support.

[anonymous-user]

Bee_Jay said:

To be honest, I think you may be better with a monopod if you are just looking for something to take the weight off while taking pictures of horses etc. I use my monopod much more than my tripod, mainly because I tend to take pictures of 'things that move'

350wedge said:

I'll second that as well, a monopod is much more portable and flexible for moving subjects. I prefer to handhold tho where i can. So long as its a bright day and you keep a fast shutter speed you will probably find you wont need to use any form of support.

But that falls down when you specifically want to reduce the shutter speed when panning, although the movement can help I find a get much better panning shots using a monopod. But that might just be because I'm a wuss and the 100-400 gets a bit heavy.

[350wedge]

Know what you mean also having a 100-400L lens. I dont find it too bad over a days use. Image stabiliser helps a lot

[te51cle]

How much do you want to spend ? That's the question. A good one will last for years. I've got a Manfrotto 190 pro for lightness and flexibility but rather like the look of the more expensive Giotto Sport Series 1 in Basalt.

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

but rather like the look of the more expensive Giotto Sport Series 1 in Basalt.

Well if you will have one hewn from volcanic rock you can expect it to be heavy!

[V6GTO]

I think a few of you need to get down the gym! I carry my 20D & 100-400 all day without a thought. You obviously need more practice!

The best makes of tripod, IMHO, are Manfrotto, Velbon and Benbo. Try them all before you choose.

Martin.

[te51cle]

simpo two said:

te51cle said: but rather like the look of the more expensive Giotto Sport Series 1 in Basalt. Well if you will have one hewn from volcanic rock you can expect it to be heavy!

They're supposed to be 20% lighter than aluminium equivalents but I've never seen one in a shop to try it out. The weight looks to be almost exactly the same as their Mountaineer carbon fibre tripods but only 2/3 the price. It also appeals to my desire to stand out from the crowd !

[simpo two]

Another option, perhaps not in the same league as Manfrotto but no doubt better priced, is Cullmann:

www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/index.htm

I have the older version of this one:

www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/special/3335.htm

- and the independently-angleable legs have been essential at times.

In fact, this might be an option for you?

www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/special/2702.htm

>> Edited by simpo two on Wednesday 31st August 22:37

[ehasler]

For sporting type work, a monopod would probably be more sensible, as it's much easier to move the camera around, and do panning etc...

They are also still quite useful for stabilising the camera if you wedge the monopod between your legs, or against something solid.

The other option is to go for a tripod, but use it with only one leg extended when you need the extra mobility, but it's heavier and bulkier than a monopod.

The best makes are Gitzo and Manfrotto, and while they're pricey, you do get what you pay for. A decent (sturdy) tripod is one of the best things you can buy if you're serious about photography.

Take a look at the tripod section at www.warehouseexpress.com - they've got lots listed, along with weight and size.

Personally, I'd recommend the Gitzo G1568 monopod, which is what I've got. It weights virtually nothing and will easily take the weight of a 20D + 70-200 (I use mine with a 1Ds II + 300mm f2.8 - about 5kg all in!)

If you do decide to go for a tripod, then I'd really recommend a carbon fibre one if you are intending to carry it around long distances - you'll regret not spending the extra money about 1/2 mile into your first walk with a metal one slung over a shoulder!

The final thing to look at is the head - most decent tripods come without heads, so you'll need to factor this into your budget too. Again - there are several types of head, and the Warehouse Express site is a good place to start, as it lists various types with weight, capacity and the type of movent it offers (ball head, panning head, geared head etc...).

HTH

[Podie]

One of the photography mags is doing a deal at the moment - subscribe and get a whoopie-do tripod free... might as well subscribe (it's about £50 and the same value as the tripod).

[ehasler]

Some of the Velbon tripods are on special offer at WHX - carbon fibre one is 1/2 price @ £125

www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?binsandscopes/Tripods/velbon.html?cd=20051814

[gopher]

Podie said:

One of the photography mags is doing a deal at the moment - subscribe and get a whoopie-do tripod free... might as well subscribe (it's about £50 and the same value as the tripod).

That's how I got mine (delivered yesterday). it's a Velbon CX-300 (as mentioned above) and seems fine to me (1st time tripod user )

Paul

oh - Magazine was Digital Photo, I like their photoshop tutorials

[t0ny99]

I was bought a Velbon Sherpa 250 about 3 yrs ago - seem to be about £70 now. Quick release platform is great, but at 2kg (which doesn't sound like much), it can be a bit heavy to trudge around with.

If I was going to replace it, I would look for something a lot lighter, per the comments above.

>> Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 1st September 14:34

[te51cle]

I had a Velbon Sherpa 450 and found the weight was fine to carry about all day and I'm a bit of a lightweight myself ! What I would say about the Velbons is that they do rattle themselves to pieces after a while. You can do running repairs on them but after a couple of years they ain't pretty. They seem particularly averse to running around on motorcycles...