Tripods

[Reef bloke]

Ive been using a knackered floppy old tripod for about 10 years now so decided to get a new un.
I purchased a Manfrotto 055XPROB with 804RC2 head,seems a good tripod but interested in feedback from others using manfrotto stuff.Got the pan head because ive never used a ball head,are ball heads much better for general photography?
Also feedback on tripods we all use would be great.
Tony

[KeithM]

I use a Velbon ultra luxi tripod: http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/ultraluxil.html

sturdy, easy to use and light enough to carry around on trips

[Paul]

i just snapped my tripod of 100 years, and i'm looking for a new one too. I think the ball heads are better for getting crazy angles, with more flexability, the tilt and pan are good for landscape type stuff (and panning for video).

[Snowsurfer]

I also have a Manfrotto 055PRO and love it, sometimes a bit lumpy but always nice and steady. Lovely and adjustable too. Im using a 484rc2 Ball head though, i like using a ball head as its very easy to tweak the postion with just one knob. I also find it nice to use when slightly loose if following a moving object.

Bought myself a Manfrotto monopod too, but must admit i hardly ever use it.

[torfrida]

Don't know about that one but been using a benbo trekker for the past 15 years - totally adjustable for macro shots out in the field or for general use. Never found anything better, anyway. And very robust, considering it was used for years in 100% humidy. Just need a new digital slr to go with it now, since I can't be bothered with 35mm film anymore. Before that I had a ball-head type thing on loan (can't remember the make, going senile) - drove me mad so I'd never have another. But that may have been because it was knackered already!

[zimreef]

I have an old aluminium Manfrotto 190 with a damped 128 fluid head. Great for video - good for stills although haven't used it much recently. I always found a ballhead, even a good one like ArcaSwiss got "too wobbly" at the critical moment - suspect user error though. :D

John

[Reef bloke]

Cheers peeps,great input.I think ill keep hold of the pan head and see how i get on with it.

[Frogfone]

i also have a 15 year old 190 tripod with a ball head. used to use it with my pentax 6x7 and it was solid. still using it today have used it with a tokina 80-400 lens with the tripod mounted to the camera and its still rock steady. I got the ball head as is a lot easier to carry than a pan/tilt head. modern designs have probably minimised that however. my head has 2 released 1 for the full ball and 1 just for panning.


roddy

[Reef bloke]

I didnt think about the carrying issue roddy,very good point.If the handles keep jabbing me i might have to think again lol.

[MrFish]

I've got a £20 TP220 Jessops jobby that works, well it holds the camera and pans and tilts etc..

What makes a good tripod, why is a £200 tripod better than my £20?

[Reef bloke]

I suppose if a tripod does want you want it too and works then not much of a difference i spose.The difference between my new one and my old one:
Leg warmers so you dont get cold hand picking it up if its freezing cold out
The centre poll comes out and locks horizontal for macro etc.
The legs can adjust so they can lock out almost flat,i can get the camera almost on the floor
Doesn't vibrate like its sitting on a fridge freezer when i use live view for macro
Its almost at eye level without extending the center column meaning no more aching back
Level indicators in the tripod and head for straight horizons
All i can think of at the mo.

[MrFish]

Some good features there, I've just had a look at the manfrotto web site to see what I would buy :eek: didn't realise there was so much choice.

[zimreef]

I've got a £20 TP220 Jessops jobby that works, well it holds the camera and pans and tilts etc..

What makes a good tripod, why is a £200 tripod better than my £20?

Off the top of my head quality of materials, tolerances of engineering, weight (or lack of), rigidity, vibration dampening, manufacturer's name(!) :D .

Had a carbon fibre Gitzo 1325 for a while - didn't keep it as my use didn't warrant it but it was light and rock solid.

Some expensive tripods are made of wood!

John

[torfrida]

What makes a good tripod, why is a £200 tripod better than my £20?

Depends what you want it for and under what conditions you're going to use it! My old benbo was expensive when I bought it in the early 1990's but still looks new after a couple of (rough) trips to Africa and several years sitting in 100% relative humidy rainforest conditions. No corrosion or anything. But the cheapie one I bought for a trip where I wanted a lighter weight tripod didn't survive being chucked around by luggage handlers, back of truck, being abused to hell etc...

[Frogfone]

mainly build quality which leads to durabilty with light weight etc. I spent the cash because i was already lugging a medium format camera and handholding something that size was impossible. my old tripod just wobbled like a jelly. i would hesitate to spend that on a tripod now however as i just could not justify it for the kind of photography i do.


I've got a £20 TP220 Jessops jobby that works, well it holds the camera and pans and tilts etc..

What makes a good tripod, why is a £200 tripod better than my £20?

[Nath]

Stability and flexibility.


Can you drop your tripod down to floor height to take a rock solid picture of a flower or mushroom?
Does it wobble in the wind or if you press the shutter release a little too firmly?
Can you split the center column to get nice and low?
Can you open the legs to different heights to match the terrain you're on?
Admittedly you don't have to spend a fortune to get all this, but if you want it all AND light weight then you will pay more.

Personally I've got a Velbon Cabon Fibre tripod (CF-535 I think) and I noticed the difference the first time I used it.

[Paul]

Hi Nath mate, you seem to know your stuff and have the equipment, do you have a gallery or some shots i can look at? if you have posted them here, i may have missed them

[Nath]

Hi Nath mate, you seem to know your stuff and have the equipment, do you have a gallery or some shots i can look at? if you have posted them here, i may have missed them

Not at the moment Claude, I moved all my hosting to a new provider about a month ago and didn't retain the site code. I've just finished writing a site for a photographer friend of mine so I'll be redesigning mine shortly.

[hihat]

I've jus brought a Slik Pro 400DX for £70, it's got:

3 way head
padded legs
3-position legs
invertible center column (take pics from between the legs (of the tripod:rolleyes:))
the center column may also be shortened when the legs are in the lowest (most spread position (this post is becoming a 'mine field' of double entendre))
max hight 1.55m
2.52KG

I also have a small Slik tripod from the 80s, which really can't be used much over half it's max height:rolleyes:

Jim

[Aleela]

I have been using my Manfrotto for over 12 years, they are simply the best on the market, as a photographer I used 35mm medium format as well as plate cameras (whilst at college) you can do anything with them, you can splay the legs right out, so you are only inches off the floor. They are heavy yes bulky, well yes, but are they beatable? I think not, in fact i als use a Manfrotto Monopod, excellant, Alex

[Aleela]

I've got a £20 TP220 Jessops jobby that works, well it holds the camera and pans and tilts etc..

What makes a good tripod, why is a £200 tripod better than my £20?

How much is your camera worth? if your answere is £20.00, then you miight not be too miffed at the whole thing falling over, if caught by a gust of wind, or the camera is npt balanced so well on the lighter tripod, don't get me wrong, if it holds up then go for it, Manfrotto is expensive, but as I and others have said, they are so versatile, just make sure what you use has a good width between the legs to allow for stability, the last thing you want os to have it fall over and hitting your precious tank,Alex