New DSLR Tripod - Price differences?

[Rick_1138]

Hi folks,

I am looking at buying a new tripod stand for my Olympus E410.

For years i used my Dad's steel tube tripod he has had for years he used with his OM-10, however i now need my own one, and having a look on-line prices are massively varied.

Basically i only really use the tripod for close up work of figures\miniatures for display photographs, usually in a light-box.

It doesn't get much use out and about so just needs to be of a decent quality and solid (i.e. legs don't gradually slide down when locked etc.)

However, having a look online i have seen tripods from £10 up to £200+ and i know the usual story of buy cheap, buy twice, but for my needs would a basic one be as usueful as a more expensive brand?

Cheapest i saw was this:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorder...

However this looked a little better made:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorder...

Any advice would be welcome

[nellyleelephant]

For the sort of pictures you want to take, you really want to be looking for something that has a centre column that can be used horizontally as well as vertically as it will let you get closer to your subject.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the ones you linked and go a bit more sturdier. Especially if you want to do fine focus on small subjects. The minimum I would go for is a used Manfrotto 055 but you will need a head and the price will be a fair bit higher.

[ExPat2B]

Tripods are one of those things where you really do get what you pay for. There is a pretty steady progression from cheap "tripod shaped objects" to the top end in terms of flexibility, stability and rate of vibration damping, and the amount of shutter shock they can absorb before slight blurring occurs.

Carbon fibre is also extremely useful, as it damps vibrations at roughly double the speed of steel. It makes a huge difference to workflow being able to set a delay of only 3 seconds after pressing the shutter to ensure a crisp shot every time. On a macro level, even very small vibrations are magnified so the tripod needs to be sturdier.

There is one shortcut - use a sturdy table, and a mini tripod. I do most of my static macro work on a Manfrotto Pixi, it is only 20 quid and it is very sturdy as the legs are only 5 inches long, has a built in ball head, and despite not being rated for it, takes a full frame DSLR and 100mm Macro lens without issue. It is very useful being to pick it up and move it about easily.

For everything else I use a Gitzo 3251LS as it goes completely flat and is as steady as a rock even at full height.

Manfrotto 055CX series are good - they recently upgraded their range, but the old model is still very servicable so you find a bargain there.

You will never regret buying a Gitzo, and it is worthwhile spending money on a decent tripod - as you have discovered with your dad's one, they will last a very long time and not go out of date. Considering how much of an impact they have on so many images they are actually cheap compared to the 5 cameras and 10 lenses you will go through in the average lifespan of a tripod.

[gck303]

Get a Manfrotto one. They are excellent. Avoid, like the plague, anything cheap. £50 is the minimum I would consider spending, but am rather out of touch with new prices as it is years since I bought ours.

Select the head very carefully. There are many variations and types. Do you want one with three separate controls, or a ball and socket?

Weight is a consideration. Heavy tripods will be better and more stable, but harder to carry. Hence, the appeal for carbon fibre, which is both stiff and light.

[Rick_1138]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I realise good quality is very important and i realise buy cheap, buy twice etc.

However spending excess of £150 etc on a tripod and my Mrs would leave me before we get married, as were saving for a house, and i only use the tripod now and then for miniature photography (i dont even have my zoom lens for my dslr, stupid olympus only having olympus brand products, should have bought a cannon!...anyway ).

However this will be something that will last me a lifetime so buying a bit more expensive is understandable.

However when you see folk recommending £250 CF stuff, there seems to be no inbetween. I will try ebay and see if i can find any bargains as i dont mind second hand.

Are there any second hand selling groups for old photo equipment, as i know the enthusiasts go through stuff like its going out of fashion and it can all get very technical.

My camera knowledge is a little above rudimentary but not much

EDIT: I see the Manfrotto 055CX model has a littler brother, the 190XPro. I have seen a fair few of these on ebay at about £60 with a 3 way axis head. I have also seen them new on amazon for about £120 and an 804R basic pan and tilt head for about £50 too. This is quite a lot more than i was expecting to spend BUT it does seem to be on the first rung of decent kit, that would last and be of a higher quality.

Is the tilting head the type i would be looking at?

My Dad's old tripod was similar in its design but obviously made in the 80's it was very heavy and much thicker alu tubing.

Just something to put me in the right direction. While the 055CX is nice, i think it would be overkill for my needs.

Edited by Rick_1138 on Tuesday 13th October 09:44

[Simpo Two]

The 190 is not as tall as the 055 but a fair alternative if you don't need the height and want to save a few £. Carbon fibre will be out due to cost. The head is personal choice; I like 3-way pan/tilt but some prefer a ball head.

If you might need to get down low, the 055 has legs that splay out and a centre column that can be inverted or set horizontally. Not sure if the 190 does that.

PS When you say 'overkill' I think you mean 'futureproof'

[karma mechanic]

I'll pass on a Manfrotto, I had one of theirs once and the plastic locks on the legs went brittle to the point where they would simply snap rather than lock. This was just after the warranty expired of course, and after just a few uses. I understand that this was probably just a problem with that model, but once bitten...

I replaced it with a Red Snapper with ball head http://www.redsnapperuk.com/ and it is brilliant, I'd thoroughly recommend those, and good prices. Mine is the 284 with the RSH-61 head.

I've also still got a Velbon AEF3 that's over 40 years old - rock solid but not something I'd want to carry very far.

[markmullen]

If it is just for indoor use I'd look for something old, heavy and sturdy. As photographers get older the novelty of carrying a big old monster of a tripod around wears off and they often upgrade to carbon fibre for its lower weight which means the market gets beautifully made but older kit.

Gitzo legs, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Gitzo-Gilux-of-P...
Manfrotto head http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manfrotto-029-3-way-pan-...

Less than £100 and it'll last forever.

[Rick_1138]

Seen a few on ebay, second hand, lost out on a 190 by £7 but there are lots.

I prefer the axis head over ball head, as i like the lever control, i feel its more controllable.

Some good tips here, think i will scour ebay to see if i can get 1 of the 2 talked about here.sure will be more than enough for my needs so far.

[ExPat2B]

markmullen said:

If it is just for indoor use I'd look for something old, heavy and sturdy. As photographers get older the novelty of carrying a big old monster of a tripod around wears off and they often upgrade to carbon fibre for its lower weight which means the market gets beautifully made but older kit.

Gitzo legs, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Gitzo-Gilux-of-P...
Manfrotto head http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manfrotto-029-3-way-pan-...

Less than £100 and it'll last forever.

Holy cow, buy those Gitzo legs, they are an epic bargain. I am tempted to buy them myself......

[Rick_1138]

markmullen said:

If it is just for indoor use I'd look for something old, heavy and sturdy. As photographers get older the novelty of carrying a big old monster of a tripod around wears off and they often upgrade to carbon fibre for its lower weight which means the market gets beautifully made but older kit.

Gitzo legs, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Gitzo-Gilux-of-P...
Manfrotto head http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manfrotto-029-3-way-pan-...

Less than £100 and it'll last forever.

Just out of interest, that Gitzo set, will it take a variety of head attachments or do i need a specific one, as i dont want to get a tripod i then cant find a head for.

[markmullen]

Rick_1138 said:

Just out of interest, that Gitzo set, will it take a variety of head attachments or do i need a specific one, as i dont want to get a tripod i then cant find a head for.

They're universal. I use, for example, Gitzo legs, with a Manfrotto geared head, a Manfrotto levelling base, a Novoflex panorama adaptor, a Hejnar Arca Swiss conversion and Arca Swiss plates, five different brands and they all work together.

[Pickled]

Have a look at http://www.3leggedthing.com I've just ordered a 'Roger' (yes all their tripods have christian names ).

I've got a CF Manfrotto which I managed to pick in Jessops a few years ago for £99 (I'm sure it was mis-priced) which is great for taking out and about, but does need a bag hanging on it to keep it rock steady.

[Rick_1138]

markmullen said:

Rick_1138 said:

Just out of interest, that Gitzo set, will it take a variety of head attachments or do i need a specific one, as i dont want to get a tripod i then cant find a head for.

They're universal. I use, for example, Gitzo legs, with a Manfrotto geared head, a Manfrotto levelling base, a Novoflex panorama adaptor, a Hejnar Arca Swiss conversion and Arca Swiss plates, five different brands and they all work together.

Chers,

That makes shopping a lot simpler then

[ExPat2B]

One thing to be very wary of with pan and tilt heads with an arm that locks it off, is that on the cheaper heads the action of locking it down tends to move the head slightly. This is why generally, the cheaper ball heads are preferred as they tend to be slightly move awkward but easier to get perfect framing on.

[markmullen]

In time for the kind of thing you're doing I'd aim to get a geared head, they enable very accurate adjustment of each axis on a gear, rather than unlocking it and hoping to get it accurate enough.

[Rick_1138]

markmullen said:

In time for the kind of thing you're doing I'd aim to get a geared head, they enable very accurate adjustment of each axis on a gear, rather than unlocking it and hoping to get it accurate enough.

Things to look into as i build up.

However, with regards to post above about ball heads, are they stiff enough when locked, i would have thought getting them to where you want your shot to be a right faff, as the levered axis head would be more controllable, Non?

[markmullen]

Rick_1138 said:

Things to look into as i build up.

However, with regards to post above about ball heads, are they stiff enough when locked, i would have thought getting them to where you want your shot to be a right faff, as the levered axis head would be more controllable, Non?

A good ball head won't move when tightened up. A bad ball head will.

[photosnob]

As I can't sleep. I'll throw this into the mix for those who are look for a decent light tripod at a reasonable price.

MeFoto Roadtrip. Quite expensive on Amazon and places like Wex. But that can be had for about £115 on ebay. I got mine from a friend for £80, practically new. I got it for travelling.

It can hold this much:



To note that's a 5d iii, a 2* extender, a 70-200 2.8 is ii, zoom h4n recorder, rode video mic pro and an LED video light... And it's perfectly solid. Although I should apologise for living like a womble.

And it's this big/small compared to the Manfrotto 055 which has been recommended:



I purchased it to be a cheapish travel tripod and wasn't planning on using anything heavier than my 24-70 lens on it. But I'm blown away with just how good it is. It will be my main tripod from now on.

(Side note - I don't like CF tripods. If you bash them they break. And they don't save that much weight. But that's just a personal thing.)

Edit - forgot to add. It also doubles as a monopod. Which I won't use but it's nice.

Edited by photosnob on Friday 16th October 03:30

[ExPat2B]

Just for curiosities sake, what happens when you load it up like that with the center extended, and give it a nudge, how long does it take to stabilise afterwards ?

Is it possible you could post a video showing how long ?