Tripod advice please?

[cliff123]

Hi. I'm looking for a new tripod. Something solid and secure. I'm looking for a little bit of quality, easy of use, no silly unecessary gadgets, and nothing too excessively expensive. Needs to hold a D3 with a 70-200 without trouble. Thinking something up to about £300, though very happy to spend half that if a good suggestion is made though. Thanks, I await your input. Cliff.

[Furyous]

Manfrotto 055xprob in ally or cf with whatever head you need I would say.

[Eggle]

I have a Slik 500 pro with a 3 way head. I am thinking about changing to a ball head for more flexibility.
The Slik pod though is fantastic.

[SamHH]

Is it £300 for the tripod only or for a tripod and head? If both, then an aluminium Manfrotto or Giottos would be my recommendation. I've got a Giottos and am happy with it. I'd spend the rest on the best ball head you can get.

If it's £300 for a tripod only, then you could get a carbon-fibre version of one of the above, or possibly stretch to a Gitzo tripod which are supposedly the best, although I've never used one.

In any case I'd recommend going for as big a tripod as you will be happy carrying, both for stability and so that the camera is at eye level with the centre column down even on uneven ground.

Edited by SamHH on Sunday 27th June 21:45

[RobDickinson]

Yep find one that gets the camera to eye level without a center column, and if your going to be taking it on long walks find something light.

[paul911]

I use a Redsnapper and think its excellent value for money. With a choice of alloy or CF. I’ll be definitely getting another when the time arrives.

Whatever you go for make sure it has a hook to hang your bag from, to weigh / stabilise the camera & tripod down.

[Furyous]

Would agree with Paul, I have a Red Snapper with a Manfrotto head I bought used from TP, I would say its equally as good as a full fat 'frotto,

[Major Bloodnok]

Furyous said:

Manfrotto 055xprob in ally or cf with whatever head you need I would say.

^ Wot 'e said.

(The 808RC4 is pretty good, if you want a P&T head.)

[Oystercatcher]

For ease of use I think it's hard to beat the Manfrotto 458B Neotec. Just pull the legs out to wherever and they lock. Coupled mine with the 488RC0 head (old model now I think?)

[AndWhyNot]

Might sound overkill but use this as a shortlist then try before you buy.

I bought a Manfrotto 055xproB with 460MG head late last year and both have proven to be poor purchases. The claimed versatility of the xpro legs with the moveable centre column is lost in movement and flimsiness - I get shift between during long exposures and between images, plus mine's now broke and I'm struggling to get them to replace it. Also if you need to spread the legs to cover ground there's a lack of strength and the whole thing bows and bounces at the slightest gust of wind. Similarly the head does not hold up to its rated weight and has already been replaced after the first one broke.

Maybe I've been unlucky or am asking too much from a £170 pairing but that's my experiences of the Manfrotto.

[cliff123]

Thanks fella's. Web research is under way, with hopefully some hands on time this saturday. Will let you know the outcome. Much appreciate your input. Cliff.

[itsnotarace]

cliff123 said:

Needs to hold a D3 with a 70-200 without trouble. Thinking something up to about £300, though very happy to spend half that if a good suggestion is made though.

The best part of 5k's worth of kit hanging off a £150 tripod? You're a braver man than me

Double your budget and get a decent Gitzo and decent ball head

[muppetdave]

I just got a Giottos Vitruvian (aluminium), in part because I had a good play with one in a shop a short while ago and was thoroughly impressed with it, and the fact it folds neatly in to a relatively small package, and in part because you can use one of the legs with the centre column as a really sturdy monopod.

Used it all weekend at Le Mans, both as mono and tri and was thoroughly impressed. Feels very well engineered, and fingers crossed it will last me a good long while.