- This topic is empty.
Recommend a good tripod?
-
looking to get a tripod for my D90, what would people recommend? i have heard Manfrotto or Giotto are good ones to go for
depends on your budget
but the two manfrotto ones that are popular are
the 190 and the 055
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a Manfrotto (mine didn’t) then take a look at the Velbon range. I bought a Velbon Sherpa after spending ages comparing features and weights – so far its been great. They seem to be well made and there should be a model to suit what your after. That said for the difference in price some people may see the Manfrotto as the longer term investment, and something that certainly shouldn’t need to be replaced anytime in the near future.
Dan,
I’d highly recommend the Manfrotto 458B. Very clever mechanism for extending the legs, just pull the leg and they automatically lock into position, no knobs to twist. To collapse, press the button at the top of the leg and it will collapse. Possible to collapse all three legs at he same time, can go from full height to completely collapsed in under a second. Good and heavy as well, so great for larger cameras. I use a 486RC2 ball head with it, which I believe has a load bearing capability of 8KG.It’s a bit on the expensive side, though, at about €300 for the tripod, and another €80 for the head.
Rgds,
Dave.A lot depends on what your going to be doing with it
If your going to be plonking it into saltwater and sand you might think twice about spending a lot on one :)
I used to use a velbon that after three years of sand/snow/salt water/fresh water and the odd outing in cow pooh I can no longer read the model number :) but it is now used as the stand for my flash gun so it lives on admitedly with a bit of gaffer tape lending support :)
The velbon sherpa is supposed to be good and if going for the manfrotto I would pick the 190 for the weight and get the one with the pop out centre column for getting down nice and low quickly
Hope that makes sense :)
In stock in our shop. Slik AMT €150
Give us aring and we can sell you one. It is light and strong and very adjustable.thanks for the infor guys, i think the Manfrotto 458B and 486RC2 is a bit more than i was planning to spend. Had a quick look for the 190 and its seems to be more within my budget. Found it here, i think this is the one you’s are talking about
http://www.adorama.com/BG190XB322KB.html
There is so many variations and different heads to go for im lost what to go for! I know some people think of the tripod as a once off lifetime purchase so spend a lot on it, but im looking for just a sturdy one thats not over heavy that can help get those real low angle shots to the standard ones. I can always upgrade as needed. Cant see myself in sand or sea conditions taking pictures(not yet anyway!) Would really like to get a feel of one first to see how it handles rather than ordering it online without trying it out. :(
Sheldon:That Slik one looks interesting, never heard of them before but then again only really heard of Manfrotto! Which model is that one pictured? I like the look of the head
Sheldon wrote:
In stock in our shop. Slik AMT €150 Give us aring and we can sell you one. It is light and strong and very adjustable.
Does this include the head? Any specs?
legacydan wrote:
There is so many variations and different heads to go for im lost what to go for! I know some people think of the tripod as a once off lifetime purchase so spend a lot on it, but im looking for just a sturdy one thats not over heavy that can help get those real low angle shots to the standard ones. I can always upgrade as needed. Cant see myself in sand or sea conditions taking pictures(not yet anyway!)
Going by what you’ve said, the one I bought might suit you as well – Velbon Sherpa 600R. It has 3 leg sections that can be set at 3 different angles allowing the height to be dropped very low. The centre column also splits in half to allow you to get even closer to the ground, specs say minimum height is 29cm which is more than low enough for me. It also comes with a 3-way pan head with quick release, very handy if you are moving about because you can just pop the quick release in and out without having to screw a thread in to the base of your camera every time.
The only thing I don’t like about the head, and its purely my fault for not researching it beforehand, is that there is only one handle to lock the pan/tilt. 9/10 times this is fine for me, but for the purpose of taking stitched panoramas I would rather have a seperate lock for pan and tilt. Its very well made, good solid build and the weight is spot on for me (dont want it too light for stability, dont want it too heavy for the sake of my back!). From memory I think mine cost around £70-80, its one of the few purchases I’ve made to date were I didn’t regret not spending more.
Mind you that Slik looks great, and if it comes with the head at that price :)
Hi there,
I had a vanguard years ago. It was light and flimsy and when I put a heavy lens or used it in windy conditions it was not very secure, think it was around £30 at the time.
I invested in a Manfrotototo a few years ago (Gunns again). I got a ball head cos it was cheaper. All in all it cost around £140 and it was money well spent. I do find longer lenses (even tripod mounted) drag the ball down, I have to frame a bit above and allow the lens to settle on the shot, though I’m prob not using it right.
Bring your camera to a few shops and test the different options. It’s the only way you’ll really know what suits your needs. Stretch the budget if you have to, or ask them to put it away and pay in installments. Your camera/images will thank you
Sean
I’m a manfrotto man myself and it was the best money I ever spent
There is a crowd in England who do tripods and heads called redsnapper
PD-Barbs uses one and thinks they are great,I have seen it and the build quality is good
here is the linkhttp://www.aldine.co.uk/redsnapper/tripod-3wayhead-combo.html
Cathal
Interesting. What are the pros and cons of the pistol grips I see becomin quite common?
The head on the Slik photographed from Sheldon is excellent. Very sturdy and with the pistol grip, very fast to manouvre. Locks in position as soon as you release the grip. The quick release isn’t great though, but it works ok.
The Slik tripod that is shown above is the Slik AMT and it comes with the head shown. I bought myself a Manfrotto (190 with pistol grip I believe) before I started selling these and it is still works just as it did when new. If anyone wants it I will sell it for the same price as the Slik AMT at €150 and I will replace it with the Slik.
Quite a few people from the site bought these Slik tripods from me at various shows and in the shop so why don’t you let the search button find them and PM them as to how they find them. I honestly can say that I have never had one complaint about them and I’ve been selling them for over 3 years.
Give us aring and we can sell you one. It is light and strong and very adjustable.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
