Inexpensive (?!) tripod
Discussion
Hello...
I'm a relative DSLR newbie and have recently realised that I want a tripod. (I'd quite like to do some night-time shots and long exposures).
Is it possible to get a decent, yet inexpensive tripod?
Any recommendations? Ideally I'd like to spend about £30... but I suppose I could stretch a bit!
I'm a relative DSLR newbie and have recently realised that I want a tripod. (I'd quite like to do some night-time shots and long exposures).
Is it possible to get a decent, yet inexpensive tripod?
Any recommendations? Ideally I'd like to spend about £30... but I suppose I could stretch a bit!
Spend £30 in Argos and you'll get something that is steadier than your hand by a big, big margin. I have one, it's stable enough unless there is a breeze. It's horrible to use though - all plastic, aluminium not much thicker than we used on the turkey and the panning is hopelessly sticky.
However, I was browsing a popular auction site (I've been watching Wheeler Dealers - I mean eBAY) and there seem to be quite a few Chinese copies of decent looking tripods on there for about £30, from sellers with good rating too.
They have to be worth a punt at that price - can't go that far wrong - if it stands up, it's doing the job!
However, I was browsing a popular auction site (I've been watching Wheeler Dealers - I mean eBAY) and there seem to be quite a few Chinese copies of decent looking tripods on there for about £30, from sellers with good rating too.
They have to be worth a punt at that price - can't go that far wrong - if it stands up, it's doing the job!
Make sure when looking that you either get one with a built in head or you account for this in your budgeting.
Depending on what you're looking to photograph, you might find it worth going for a Gorillapod instead. You need to find something to put it on or wrap it round, but it's very small, very light and very stable so long as it's secured properly.
As an example, the photo below is a 16 second exposure taken using a Gorillapod.
Depending on what you're looking to photograph, you might find it worth going for a Gorillapod instead. You need to find something to put it on or wrap it round, but it's very small, very light and very stable so long as it's secured properly.
As an example, the photo below is a 16 second exposure taken using a Gorillapod.
I had a quick look at the Red Snapper ones... about £50 there should get me a basic one, which I guess is probably a lot better than £30 on something else.
I looked at the Gorillapods... I really want something floorstanding though (although I do think they're cool bits of kit!).
Cheers,
A
I looked at the Gorillapods... I really want something floorstanding though (although I do think they're cool bits of kit!).
Cheers,
A
If you do get a gorrila pod spend a bit more and get the SLR zoom one, I've found my that SLR one sometimes moves a little with the heavier lenses during longer exposures if it's not braced as much as possible. Other than that they're really handy and pack away small enough to take most places.
As said above, the cheap one from Argos will be a lot better than holding the camera by hand. All pieces of photographic equipment are a compromise - for tripods its weight, stability and price (you can't have all three). When I was starting out I got a cheap one which eventually fell apart, but it did mean that by the time I was ready to spend serious money on one, I knew exactly what I needed from it for the types of photography that I do.
As a final point, if you do decide to go for a cheap & flimsy starter tripod, try to get one with a hook on the underside of the head. This lets you hang your camera bag off it (from a bungee or similar long enough for the bag to just touch the ground) which increases stability and damps out vibration.
I got one of these Hama tripods as a present a while back, it doesn't have the hook on the bottom but others from Hama do & are well within your price range.
I've found mine invaluable and it's fine for a newbie like myself who's still learning.
I've found mine invaluable and it's fine for a newbie like myself who's still learning.
For £29.99 including delivery, you surely can't go wrong with this - it's got independent legs and a changeable head.
blugnu said:
For £29.99 including delivery, you surely can't go wrong with this - it's got independent legs and a changeable head.
Can't help wondering what the catch is at that price!I tried googling it, but the only links that come up are it for sale on Ebay or Amazon, or manufacturer websites in China. No reviews by anyone.
blugnu said:
However, I was browsing a popular auction site (I've been watching Wheeler Dealers - I mean eBAY) and there seem to be quite a few Chinese copies of decent looking tripods on there for about £30, from sellers with good rating too.
They have to be worth a punt at that price - can't go that far wrong - if it stands up, it's doing the job!
I thank you!!!They have to be worth a punt at that price - can't go that far wrong - if it stands up, it's doing the job!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
If I wasn't a proud owner of Manfrotto various I'd have it myself!
MartinP said:
As said above, the cheap one from Argos will be a lot better than holding the camera by hand. All pieces of photographic equipment are a compromise - for tripods its weight, stability and price (you can't have all three). When I was starting out I got a cheap one which eventually fell apart, but it did mean that by the time I was ready to spend serious money on one, I knew exactly what I needed from it for the types of photography that I do.
^^ This. Normally 'buy cheap buy twice' is a bad thing, but I think it's actually a good idea in this case as you buy cheap then realise what the decent quality one needs to have!Also buy a cable release/remote control so you don't move the camera when it's on the tripod.
Toyless said:
Big fan of Red Snapper here.
Get a good pair of snapper legs and buy the head of your choice is my normal recommendation.
I got a lovely snapper tripod for chrimbo :-) The cheaper snapper tripod at 49.95 is currently supplied including a head, assuming the special offer is still on, got to be better than shonky chinese ebay rubbish? At least you know it will turn up.Get a good pair of snapper legs and buy the head of your choice is my normal recommendation.
If you want to be cheap then the ones for £30 in Argos are usually about £15 at 7dayshop.
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