Tripods.....

[Woza]

I think before i get a new lens i should invest in a tripod.

I dont want to spend a fortune and have read a few threads on here but how does this one look?

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?c...
or this one
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?c...

Max height of 166cm, i cant ever see myself needing anything higher than that, i assume the fixings are universal? I have a sony alpha!

Woza.

Edited by Woza on Monday 21st September 13:48

[SamHH]

I have got one like those and it's pretty crap. Very wobbly. Also, 163cm isn't that high, plus that'll be with the centre column up, which you want to try and avoid. You'll almost certainly find yourself wanting a better one.

Having said that, it's only £13 and in circumstances where you need a tripod, it'll be infinitely better than no tripod at all.

Edited by SamHH on Monday 21st September 13:58

[Nick M]

SamHH said:

I have got one like those and it's pretty crap. Very wobbly. Also, 163cm isn't that high, plus that'll be with the centre column up, which you want to try and avoid. You'll almost certainly find yourself wanting a better one.

Having said that, it's only £13 and in circumstances where you need a tripod, it'll be infinitely better than no tripod at all.

I was going to say something similar, in that it's a false economy to buy a cheap crappy tripod, unless it's really only for very occasional use.

It may be possible to 'stabilise' them by hanging a weight from them, like a camera bag, to try and reduce some of the wobblage. But if a passing mouse should sneeze, expect all bets to be off

[anonymous-user]

Have to admit I paid for a quality Manfrotto tripod and it's worth the money for the stability!

[GetCarter]

yep.... buy quality.

[14-7]

Having purchased a cheap crappy tripod years ago and now starting to get in to macro stuff I'm left wanting a better one. The cheap ones simply aren't sturdy enough.

I find that once I've adjusted settings on the camera I have to leave it a few seconds for the wobble to stop due to the crap tripod. Annoying when the subject is moving.

[bigfoot7]

I bought a cheap tripod from Jessops years ago and while it was ok with a compact camera, it wasn't up to the job of keeping my DSLR steady. I bought a Manfrotto 055XB Pro with a RC322 ball head from the Focus on Imaging show at the NEC a couple of years ago. I paid £160 for the outfit which sounds a lot but as others have said, it pays to buy quality. I used it last week to hold my Nikon D80 plus Sigma 150-500mm and had no problems at all.

[sidaorb]

Might have an older Manfrotto 055 still at home with a Q/R head, I'll check in the morning and drop you a PM if its there.

[KarlosFandango]

Redsnapper are worth a look.

[beano500]

Woza said:

i assume the fixings are universal?

Well yes and no. And I always used to find this confusing because it's not easy to find info.

The Whitworth Bush is universal but differing methods of Quick Release are around. The high end stuff all conform to a standard called "Swiss Arca" I think. Means it's expensive when you come to buy an "L-Bracket" or a replacement "foot" for your telephoto lens. That's the way I went mated to a Kirk ballhead and then on an old Manfrotto 055C.

However, a good quality system is a joy to use - which means that when you do bother to lug it round you know that you'll get good results and you'll use it. Something cheap and cheerful will never be given the seriousness that it doesn't deserve and will not improve your photography. 30 years it's taken me to realise this! I don't use anything bigger than a 70-200, maybe with a TC, on the old Brick (D2X), but it's as stable as it needs to be: i.e. solid!

[Woza]

sidaorb said:

Might have an older Manfrotto 055 still at home with a Q/R head, I'll check in the morning and drop you a PM if its there.

please do!

[andy tims]

KarlosFandango said:

Redsnapper are worth a look.

+ 1