Tripod recomendation

[jimothy]

We're off to New Zealand in a few weeks

Whilst I'm there I'll be making the most of the 350D, but my current tripod isn't up to the job - seeing as it was free with a £20 camera bag its not the best.

Can anyone recommend a good tripod, no more than about £100?

[touchingcloth]

Anything from the Manfrotto range is excellent, keep an eye on ebay I got a cracker on there used for £40 not long ago (excluding head) - Also depends on how heavy you want to go, its always a trade off between how strong it will be and how buky it is to carry around whilst travelling. The 350 is not a heavy camera so unless you are sticking monster lenses on I would have a though a fairly lightweight one would do you - you should be able to source a decent junior Manfrotto and head for under £100 I think.

Edited to add: Just had a quick look and found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl

Which would fit quite nicely, or you could keep your eye out for a used one and probably come in under.




>> Edited by touchingcloth on Tuesday 7th March 11:20

[V6GTO]

And don't forget to remember you'll need a head too.

[jimothy]

V6GTO said:

And don't forget to remember you'll need a head too.

I've never seen tripods with seperate heads before. Whats all this about? What makes one type of head better than another? ( Vixpy1, no!)

[J1mmyD]

It's been said - pretty much anything with 'Manfrotto' on the side.

Also, ebay is your friend. I picked up a lovely lightweight pan and tilt for less than £20 a few years ago which is just great for trecking off with. (Mind you, I did spend £150 a few months later on a monopod and I've barely used the tripod since).

[simpo two]

Each man to his own, but I wouldn't want to lug a Manfrotto round NZ as a tourist.

Unless you're really serious about your landscapes, or want to do long exposure stuff, do you really need one?

[406tm]

simpo two said:

Do you really need one?

Is there a difference between needing and wanting? I only want the things I need and need the things I want

[jimothy]

406tm said:

simpo two said: Do you really need one? Is there a difference between needing and wanting? I only want the things I need and need the things I want

Its a new toy, and therefore I need it....

Anyways simpo, if you will do panorama shots of NZ, you can't complain if others want a go too...

[simpo two]

jimothy said:

Anyways simpo, if you will do panorama shots of NZ, you can't complain if others want a go too...

Except I didn't use a tripod for that, just my own two feet and a horizon.

I did take a really cheap 'n' nasty travel tripod from eBay though, which although it barely took the weight of the camera, had a 3-way head and allowed me to take shots like this (1 second exposure):



Just consider the weight, as you'll be the one who has to cart it everywhere!

[poah]

simpo two said:

Each man to his own, but I wouldn't want to lug a Manfrotto round NZ as a tourist. Unless you're really serious about your landscapes, or want to do long exposure stuff, do you really need one?

I need one to take pics of my family when we go away for the day.

[k50 del]

I use a Slik Black Diamond 88 with a lightweight head, folds up small enough to go in my backpack, but can handle the weight of my SLR easily.

[jimothy]

touchingcloth said:

Edited to add: Just had a quick look and found this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl Which would fit quite nicely, or you could keep your eye out for a used one and probably come in under.

You should charge them commision. Guess who's just spent some money...

Thanks one and all!

[simpo two]

jimothy said:

You should charge them commision. Guess who's just spent some money...

Looks good - should keep you sorted for ages (I have the 055). Aspen are a good bunch too.

But, I bet that when you need it - you'll have left it in the motel

If you want to swap notes/ideas on NZ drop me a line.

[jimothy]

simpo two said:

jimothy said: You should charge them commision. Guess who's just spent some money... Looks good - should keep you sorted for ages (I have the 055). Aspen are a good bunch too. But, I bet that when you need it - you'll have left it in the motel If you want to swap notes/ideas on NZ drop me a line.

Thanks. We're there for 3 weeks, the first 2 are spend with some of the other halves friends who are getting married, then we're on our own for a week, so any good scenic recomendations would be good!

[simpo two]

jimothy said:

We're there for 3 weeks, the first 2 are spend with some of the other halves friends who are getting married, then we're on our own for a week, so any good scenic recomendations would be good!

You'll probably have time to travel around a bit in the first two weeks as well. Where will you be based?

[jimothy]

simpo two said:

jimothy said: We're there for 3 weeks, the first 2 are spend with some of the other halves friends who are getting married, then we're on our own for a week, so any good scenic recomendations would be good! You'll probably have time to travel around a bit in the first two weeks as well. Where will you be based?

Auckland, north island I think (I know absolutely nothing about New Zealand apart from wot I was learned by Lord of the rings...)

[simpo two]

jimothy said:

Auckland, north island I think (I know absolutely nothing about New Zealand apart from wot I was learned by Lord of the rings...)

Then grab an atlas and read on
There are two great places within striking distance. The Bay of Islands to the north, and Coromandel to the east. I'm not sure that it's sensible to spend 14 out of your 21 days staying in one place, if you can help it. Nice places are generally a few hours apart, so you really need to spend at least one night and possibly two there to see each one comfortably. There are loads of affordable motels; just book them on the net. NZ is totally geared to tourism; it really is easy. I found North Island to be the most exotic - try to get to Kerikeri, Pahia and Russell. Pahia is the place where you can book trips to everywhere else, eg flights in all directions which are a great way to see lots of stuff in a short time.

I suppose no visit to NZ would be complete without seeing South Island as well. I found this to be more like a giant Lake District, but much bigger. All major towns have airports and there's a comprehensive system of internal flights. So in your one week of freedom, you can go anywhere. A hire car is invaluable and not expensive. I'd suggest you fly to Queenstown, hire a car when you get there and then you can visit Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford/Doubtful Sound and Wanaka, all just a few hours away. Queenstown is not as cheap as the rest of NZ but it's central to a lot of the best stuff. Best of all is to book motels ahead in various places, so you can do a 'round robin' tour, then drop the hire car back at Queenstown and fly back to Auckland. Amazingly, you can organise it all over the internet

Nearly forgot; samples at www.autograph.uk.com/bloke/NZ.htm

>> Edited by simpo two on Wednesday 8th March 20:54

[longers]

I was lucky enough to spend 6 weeks in NZ as part of a round the world trip and I agree with everything Simpo said about where to go.

When in Auckland make sure you do the Americas Cup sailing experience - fantastic!

Also Queenstown is a great centre but it can get busy....by NZ standards. If hiring a car drive out of Queenstown and head to Glenorchy on the Dart River for the day. This is Lord of the Rings country at it's best - stunning place - even I managed to get some good photos there, it was one of, if not THE, most scenic and photogenic part of the whole country! There's a good jet boat / canoe trip from there as well.

To save time fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound - a bit expensive but you save a very long drive and the flight was spectacular.

I suppose I'd better dig out some pic's of the trip and post them on here soon....!

Longers

[White_van_Man]

keep the ideas coming im going to NZ for 3 weeks over christmas then hopping over to sydney for new year

Current plan is to get a camper van for 3 weeks while in new zealand

[jimothy]

Thanks for the recomendations guys! I'll run the suggestions past the missus and try to plan a bit of our time there.

Whats the internet situation like over there? Will the average person have broadband so I can upload pics?

Simpo - we have to spend 2 weeks in one place as we're going for a wedding and the future MrsJimothy is the chief bridesmaid so her and the bride have lots of girly stuff to do. I'm hoping the groom will teach me to snowboard whilst the girls are looking at dresses, shoes and whatever else girlies do.

Got myself the close up filters for creepy crawlies, tripod is turning up today, got the latest John Hedgecoe for the plane. Now all I need is either some talent or luck. Luck is probably more forthcoming!