tripod help

[michael_JCWS]

Hi all,

I've a Nikon D80 that I've been playing around with for a few months now, seems about time to purchase a tripod, any suggestion, had a look on http://www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/ but just too many to choose from. I'd like something quite compact that can fit in my camera ruck sack

any thoughts or suggestions would be great, also why do the differ soooo much in price, is it just to do with weight ?

cheers

Michael

[GetCarter]

michael_JCWS said:

Hi all,

I've a Nikon D80 that I've been playing around with for a few months now, seems about time to purchase a tripod, any suggestion, had a look on http://www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/ but just too many to choose from. I'd like something quite compact that can fit in my camera ruck sack

any thoughts or suggestions would be great, also why do the differ soooo much in price, is it just to do with weight ?

cheers

Michael

Speaking as a sad git with three tripods - you need to decide what you want it for. If you need it for the top of a Scottish hill, then you need SERIOUS stability (and light). If you need something that will give good support but will be no problem to carry around anywhere you go, then you need SERIOUSLY light. If you need neither of these, then you just need your bog standard Manfrotto or Benbo.

Much more to add, but not sure what you take pics of, so will shut-up.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 28th December 17:59

[michael_JCWS]

Thanks getcarter, I will mainly be using it for night shots and landscapes. Do you need to get different heads for different cameras or are they universal ?

Cheers

Michael

[Matt H]

once you have chosen the base it then goes into which head to use (then which bag)!

I have just bought a manfrotto 190x & a 488rc2 head. Not a feather but is very stable and the head it great because its a ball leaving you with loads of options quickly.

[Simon Pullan]

Can only speak for one tripod, which is my bog standard Manfrotto Modo. It packs away small and enough to be able to attach it to the side of my lowepro slingshot bag and is light enough to trundle around with me all day. Probably wouldn't be much good up the side of a mountain though.

If you want to get arty with it then you can turn the column upside down and it goes almost flat to the ground as well. All in all, I'd say a good starter tripod.

[DanH]

Are the light carbon fibre ones stable as well? I only ask as I guess some stability in the wind etc comes from weight.

Any recommendations for a CF construction one, or something of similar light weight if they can do it in ally or whatever?

[ae111sr]

I was looking for a new tripod last year to support my Nikon D200 with Sigma 70-200. I found the advise given on the Nikonians website helped me decide, especially the Tripod FAQ link on that page. I eventually bought a Manfrotto 055MF3 with Kirk BH3 ballhead. Not cheap, but good kit that should last a good while.

Quote from Nikonians
"Light, Cheap or Sturdy. Pick Two".

Edited by ae111sr on Monday 31st December 13:54

Edited by ae111sr on Monday 31st December 13:55

[stigmundfreud]

ashamed as it is to admit to, I own one of Jessops very very cheap tripods but it is very very light and stable enough in upto moderate winds. Not fancy, no features that I'd like but it does the job and for venturing out into the world of tripod its a good starter.


I Have the tp220 (I think) = cheap as chips but they have soem good deals on others upgraded stuff now.

[V6GTO]

I have this one and think it's the nuts...

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cach...

Martin.

[fluffnik]

I have a Cullmann Magic II which is neither tall nor stable but very portable, and a Manfrotto 055 with a 322RC2 head which is both tall and stable.

The Cullmann is by far the better tripod when it's in your bag and the heavy one's at home...