Discussion
My current tripod was thrown in as a freebie with my camera. Think of three 4-foot long ridiculously feeble looking telescopic straws, and a camera which wobbles precariously atop, like a bowl of jelly during an earthquake 
I need a decent tripod and would really like to get one today. I need the ability to adjust the height, without having to fiddle with each of the three legs. The smaller the lighter the better (dont like playing packmule) but I dont really know what I should be looking for/considering, the tradeoffs, benefits etc
Any suggestions or advice on specific models?
I need a decent tripod and would really like to get one today. I need the ability to adjust the height, without having to fiddle with each of the three legs. The smaller the lighter the better (dont like playing packmule) but I dont really know what I should be looking for/considering, the tradeoffs, benefits etc
Any suggestions or advice on specific models?
I recently had the same dilemma. Ended up looking at several different makes but Manfrotto were by far the best for me.
I settled on a 190MF4. Very compact, light and strong. Being carbon fibre made it a bit more expensive but worth it for me cos I'll mainly be using it away from home/car and weight is an issue when I'm walking in the hills! Only slight downside is because of it's compact size when folded, it doesn't extend to the same height as some of the other models. Not been a problem for me yet though and I'm just over 6ft.
Head was another difficult choice - ball head, pan & tilt etc but in the end I got a 484RC2 ball head. Again it's lightweight & compact but strong enough to hold my kit.
All I can say is try and think when/where/how you'll use it before deciding and have a play with a couple of different style heads . Above wasn't the cheapest kit but it fits the bill perfectly for me.
Longers
I settled on a 190MF4. Very compact, light and strong. Being carbon fibre made it a bit more expensive but worth it for me cos I'll mainly be using it away from home/car and weight is an issue when I'm walking in the hills! Only slight downside is because of it's compact size when folded, it doesn't extend to the same height as some of the other models. Not been a problem for me yet though and I'm just over 6ft.
Head was another difficult choice - ball head, pan & tilt etc but in the end I got a 484RC2 ball head. Again it's lightweight & compact but strong enough to hold my kit.
All I can say is try and think when/where/how you'll use it before deciding and have a play with a couple of different style heads . Above wasn't the cheapest kit but it fits the bill perfectly for me.
Longers
I'd suggest Manfrotto too. I've got the 718 and can't fault it. Don't buy the Jessops one though. It may be a lot cheaper but I used to have the one you've posted above and it didn't last very long. Bits kept breaking off it. The Manfrotto tripods are more expensive but the quality is much better.
rob 182 said:I walked away with the tripod above (with a tenner off a case thrown in) for only £55 which will do me for now.
I'd suggest Manfrotto too. I've got the 718 and can't fault it. Don't buy the Jessops one though. It may be a lot cheaper but I used to have the one you've posted above and it didn't last very long. Bits kept breaking off it. The Manfrotto tripods are more expensive but the quality is much better.
I dont have a problem spending £300 on the sturdiest most robust and super light weight carbon fibre tripod, but I have no time to do any reading, or to find/test various models, get opinions etc - I only learnt what a "head" is today
I need one now, and would much rather have a cheap one today, than spend £150 on a midrange tripod only to find I didnt make the most informed/best choice, and find myself wanting to upgrade that one as well.
It looks so much better than my old one, if no one will quote me saying so outside the photography forum, I'll admit that Im rather excited about using it
410 geared head...as reccomended by me and Gravy. 
_dobbo_ said:
An arca swiss cube is a good head...
At £900+ I would bloody hope so!! Unless I'm looking at the wrong thing, I'll pass on that one I think.
thats without the vat dude....
As martin says, 410 geared head is very good too if you cant quite stretch to the arca.
Matt
UKBob said:
The smaller the lighter the better
Actually this isnt really the case...your photos will suffer if you skimp here and go for the smallest/lightest one. As someone said, the 055pro is good, better in fact than the carbon manfrotto ones in terms of actually being a tripod instead of a cool piece of kit. Also worth emphasizing that if you go for a cheap non geared head (like i did originally with the magnesium manfrotto one) you will spend your whole life setting up a shot perfectly then letting go of the camera and watching it lean slightly because there is always some slack. With tripods and heads, definately buy once and buy right... its the most important piece of kit aside from the camera.
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