Any tripod Recommendations?

[Cabana]

I'm currently using a big hulk of a thing that my Dad bougt sometime in the 80s and while it is very good, it's hugely sturdy and extends to a nice height, it's not particularly compact when folded down and is a bit unwieldy to carry around.

So does anyone have any recommendations for a light-ish, compact tripod that extends to a decent height and is solid enough to hold a DSLR?

[Jenx]

Anything that starts with "Man" and ends in "frotto"

ETA - I've got an 055CLB and love it when I can be ar5ed to use it.

Martin.

Edited by Jenx on Saturday 5th April 16:05

[EmmaP]

Manfrotto! There is a wide range of designs, bases and heads to choose from, also a few different finishes.

Best thing to do is go into a big supplier and have a feel. Mine's huge and weighs a tonne. It had to go in excess baggage last time I went on holiday

[Cabana]

Jenx said:

Anything that starts with "Man" and ends in "frotto"

EmmaP said:

Manfrotto!

There seems to be a theme appearing here

Cheers guys, I'll go and take a look at them soon.

[Simpo Two]

Cabana said:

So does anyone have any recommendations for a light-ish, compact tripod that extends to a decent height and is solid enough to hold a DSLR?

'Light', 'height' and 'solid' are not usually compatible! (unless you're going for mag/carbon fibre)

055ProB here - does Height and Solid but not Light!

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 5th April 22:37

[trackdemon]

Another vote for Manfrotto here, you simply cant go wrong.

058B married to Bogen head here, absolutely brilliant tripod but not the most portable @ 6.1kg

[hawkaye]

Did someone say Manfrotto

190CL Tripod + 390RC2 Head here.

[EmmaP]

trackdemon said:

6.1kg

Sissy!

[Famous Graham]

Another 055B here, with an RC2 head I think. Can't remember, it's all in storage back home. Rock solid.

Although I've got a Velbon Ultra carbonfibre thing wedged into my rucksack as the 'frotto would have been faaaar too heavy and that copes just fine with a 1D and any lens I've bunged on it (although I only have average weight ones, like 77mm 5.6s and 4s, no massive 2.8s)

Edited by Famous Graham on Sunday 6th April 05:38

[RobDickinson]

MF 190b with mf ball head here....

[trackdemon]

EmmaP said:

trackdemon said:

6.1kg

Sissy!

Who needs a gym!

[sidaorb]

Been using a 55ProB and 141RC for a number of years......am just about to change over to Giottos, was very impressed with the new range that I saw at Focus.

[Cabana]

Simpo Two said:

Cabana said:

So does anyone have any recommendations for a light-ish, compact tripod that extends to a decent height and is solid enough to hold a DSLR?

'Light', 'height' and 'solid' are not usually compatible! (unless you're going for mag/carbon fibre)

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 5th April 22:37

I realised that after I'd posted it but was too lazy to go back and edit it

The weight isn't too much of a worry as long as it's compact enough for me to carry around, thanks for the advice everyone.

[andyparrott]

I use a Gitzo G2228, but I don't particularly like the locking mechanism on the legs. However it is light and versatile as the column can be adjusted for macro photography.

[EmmaP]

trackdemon said:

EmmaP said:

trackdemon said:

6.1kg

Sissy!

Who needs a gym!

I do so that I can lift my tripod

Its only 7.5kg - just weighed it. It feels heavier than that.

[Elderly]

How sad ..... I've just been to weigh my tripods too

My Manfrotto 058 with head is almost 10Kg!!!
My ancient ali. Linhof tripod is about one third of that
(I hate its leg locking mechanism).

As Simpo Two says; "'Light', 'height' and 'solid' are not usually compatible."
but a good way to improve the rigidity of a light tripod is to carry a few supermarket carrier bags with you and fill them with something heavy found at your location (stones for example),hang a bag or two from the top of your tripod for the shot and then disgard the 'ballast' before moving on to your next location.

[robinhood21]

Thought that I might as well list my tripod, though it will be of no use to the OP as it must be all of forty years old.
Daiwa SV Tripod with a Pyramid head.
Weighs about four pounds in old money, but is very stable when erect!

[trackdemon]

EmmaP said:

trackdemon said:

EmmaP said:

trackdemon said:

6.1kg

Sissy!

Who needs a gym!

I do so that I can lift my tripod

Its only 7.5kg - just weighed it. It feels heavier than that.

lol

Hey, the 6.1kg is from the manfrotto website and is minus the bogen head (which is quite a piece in itself), maybe I should get pumping iron too so I can manage the beast more effectively! Have to say though, for what I do this tripod absolutely rocks: super stable, ultra quick to setup (quick release everywhere) and feels like it'll last forever, which is a boon given the use it gets.

[Andy M]

I'll buck the trend, and recommend Benro tripods: http://www.benro.com/

They're basically Chinese copies of Gitzo tripods, but just as well made. I bought a carbon fibre tripod a couple of years ago, and it still looks new, despite having to suffer abuse (being submerged in water etc).

eBay often throws up a few bargains.

[EmmaP]

trackdemon said:

...feels like it'll last forever, which is a boon given the use it gets.

I've managed to dent mine. Not sure if it was me or sleazyjet. I'd be lost without the quick release aspect and the bag to carry it in. It really is superb.