Best Tripod

[eddo]

I need a tripod for general use,not one of the mini ones but a full size job. Fair bit of weight with my 450D + flash + grip and extra battery. I read reviews on the Manfrotto785B but at full stretch its meant to be a bit wobbly,any ideas?
ta Ed

[The Tea Boy]

cant really comment but funnily enough, my mother just turned up with a tripod from asda was about £14ish seems ok for my Sony A200 and was playing about/trying to see if it will break but its still in one peice, its not full size circa 46" so not a bad starting point for me (doing allsorts of pics, and a newbie to the DSLR malarky)

Hope this might help just a bit, even if its not to buy one like mine from asda!

Matt

[Zod]

I have a Manfrotto ( this one It is stable at full stretch, but needs a weight to hang beneath, such as your camera bag, if there is any wind. Mine is made more unstable by using a geared head, but the camera is probably the main, unavoidable factor. Your 450D is much lighter than mine, so with a normal head, it would e pretty stable.

[Bee_Jay]

I have this Manfrotto : http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cach... and use it with a 5d2, Battery grip and 70-200 2.8 no problems, I have the 484RC2 head and like Zod I would recommend hanging your bag from it for stability, though it is pretty solid on it's own!!!

It is VERY light (1.6kg) and packs down to about 50cm so is fab for taking anywhere...

Buying these off the web is tricky, best thing is to go and try some - If you can't find a retailer with a good range try and make it to Focus on Imaging in a month or so - http://www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk/ - all the manufacturers are there (Manfrotto, Gitzo etc.) so you can try every model available and then get a good deal at the show like I did...

Edited by Bee_Jay on Wednesday 14th January 00:32

[Scott328i]

I assume nobody has bought a pod out of argos.

I purchased one last year when I had my old camera for £15 and its stillgoing strong. It hs quick release, and looks the same as the £45 jessops versions.

It goes up to 160cm iirc and has no problem supporting the 450d with my 70/300mm tamron at full zoom.

[eddo]

Thanks for all your help.
ta Ed

[smack]

Gitzo. I prefer the screw type leg locking mechanism, as it won't snag on things like the leaver type tripods.

I have a carbon 3 leg one, can't remember which model but can check later, with a Arcatech head, and it is fine with up to weights up to 4kg on it (ie. Pro body and 300 2.8). It goes on every trip with me, and handles bumps and abuse like a trooper.

[curtisl]

eddo said:

I need a tripod for general use,not one of the mini ones but a full size job. Fair bit of weight with my 450D + flash + grip and extra battery. I read reviews on the Manfrotto785B but at full stretch its meant to be a bit wobbly,any ideas?
ta Ed

I just brought this tripod purely for it's size and weight which i cannot fault. The only thing i would say is that the clamp for the head is a bit weak when i have a larger lens on and when taking portrait shots it just gives up the grip and flops down.

[mas99]

what about redsnapper?

Seem to get good reports and have an xmas offer on until Monday for this :
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_3193393.h...

I dont own one but I know a couple of people who do and they say that they are great.

[R8BWT]

I got a redsnapper tripod and head for christmas, Think it was £71 including delivery if they're still doing the offer. Although I don't have alot of experience with tripods, I am extremely pleased with the quality for the prce. It knocks the socks of anything for sale in Jessops and is literally half the price.

I haven't used as much as i'd like to, yet. But initial first impressions are excellent and I would definitely reccommend it.

[KarlosFandango]

I've been looking for a tripod but can't justify the prices some of them go for. The Redsnapper one linked looks very good vfm, I might give it a bit closer inspection

[onomatopoeia]

mas99 said:

what about redsnapper?

Seem to get good reports and have an xmas offer on until Monday for this :
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_3193393.h...

I was round at a friend's house last night and looking at the Manfrotto he had recently purchased which convinced me I "needed" to upgrade my tripod (a super cheapy Jessops own brand). Your post came along at just the right moment so I've ordered one .

[CVP]

smack said:

Gitzo. I prefer the screw type leg locking mechanism, as it won't snag on things like the leaver type tripods.

I have a carbon 3 leg one, can't remember which model but can check later, with a Arcatech head, and it is fine with up to weights up to 4kg on it (ie. Pro body and 300 2.8). It goes on every trip with me, and handles bumps and abuse like a trooper.

Gitzo carbon fibre for me too with a Markins ball head. I've been through so many tripods & heads over the years, if I'd just lashed out in the first place and bought the Gitzo it would have been cheaper.

I'd say defintiely worth the investment in a quality tripod if you can as it'll save you money and frustration in the long term.

Chris