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Photography Equipment => Photographic Accessories => Topic started by: DigiDiva on July 29, 2013, 08:12:32 AM

Title: Tripod Advice
Post by: DigiDiva on July 29, 2013, 08:12:32 AM
I need to buy a new tripod. My last one was a Jessops carbon Fibre one, but the head went quite loose after a while. I want to spend around £100. Can anyone recommend one?
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: wavemachine on July 29, 2013, 01:16:02 PM
Well all I can say is I have had a Manfrotto 190xprob for 7 years and it is still going strong, a bit over budget but should last a lifetime:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-190XPROB-Tripod-496RC2-Compact/dp/B002Q6HWTS/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1375099967&sr=8-14&keywords=manfrotto+tripod
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: donoreo on July 29, 2013, 04:37:22 PM
You cannot just replace the head?  Buy cheap = buy often.   Also "Never be afraid to buy the very best, you will not be disappointed".   Hmmm any other cliches? :)  I purchased a fairly cheap tripod and will probably have to replace it within a year or two, depending on my usage.  I will be going for something with an adjustable centre column, but not a Manfrotto, they only do up or 180 degrees.   I will be looking at Giottos or Vanguard as their centre column will adjust to any angle.   I will not be going CF because the weight is not an issue for me being a big burly man :)  In reality the difference in price to weight savings ratio does not work out for me, cost too much for too little in weight saving.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: Jediboy on July 29, 2013, 05:01:34 PM
I have this and am very pleased with it. Just over £100 but if memory serves me correctly then I think this was a £300+ tripod.
It's heavy so you wouldn't really want to walk long distances with it, nut very sturdy and of excellent build quality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SLIK-PRO-700-DX-Tripod/dp/B0002EXF38
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: DigiDiva on July 29, 2013, 07:23:39 PM
Will look at those you have suggested. wish I could spend more but unless I wait a few months, I cant and Im struggling without one.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: wavemachine on July 29, 2013, 07:53:05 PM
If you want something solid with no frils then something like this is in your budget:- http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-293a4-aluminium-tripod-and-a0rc2-ball-head-kit/p1524353?awc=2298_1375123772_ba4bfc480942ccfef45b205241bbd774&utm_source=aw#details

Certainly will last longer than the Jessops tripod and you can change the heads.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: DigiDiva on July 30, 2013, 07:52:48 AM
Funnily enough, I was looking at that one, and have my eye on this one too...

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-vanguard-abeo-283av-aluminium-tripod-with-ph-113v-video-head/p1539038#details

Its a good reduction on the price but not a make Im familiar with and not many British companies sell it. Manfrotto is a household name amongst photogaphers.

Wex Photographic is the cmpany my house insuranse used t supply my replacement kit.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: alexharrison101 on August 06, 2013, 11:45:04 AM
not sure if you're still looking DD, but i just got this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MeFoto-RoadTrip-Convertible-Section-Aluminium/dp/B003ANK9ZA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375785835&sr=8-2&keywords=mefoto+roadtrip and it's excellent...bit over your stated budget, but they also do a  more lightweight one (and a more industrial one). might be worth a look?
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: DigiDiva on August 06, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
I ended up ignoring all of the advice above and bought the one I had before. Two reasons for this was that I was familiar with ut, was used to carrying it and it was light enough to go into my suitcase for my numerous holidays. I hate change haha
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: Hinfrance on August 06, 2013, 12:40:35 PM
My favourite tripod is from the 1960s. The tilt handle is held together with gaffer tape and the legs are getting a bit sticky to extend and retract. I have no idea what make it is.

I also have a Lidl special because it is light, cheap, and reasonably rigid, and a rather more heavy duty unbranded one. But like all modern tripods they both have those horrid separate mounting plates. I have cannot understand the point of those: they are incredibly fiddly to fit to the camera, and have to be taken off the moment you have finished using the tripod. They add bulk to the camera and mean it can't be put down anywhere either because they scratch the surface of whatever the camera is placed upon, and just generally b*gger up the camera handling. In short I hate them.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: SimonW on August 06, 2013, 01:15:33 PM
Now there's an interesting point of view...  I've owned and used a tripod since the 70s.  It has a built-in pan/tilt which cannot be removed. My only complaint is the time and awkward fiddling involved with screwing the camera on to it. (In those early days some tripods were sold with over-long screws which could and did go through the bottom of the camera into the works, with fatal (to the camera at least) results. So I'm still a little wary of over-tightening them.)

Anyway, for a Christmas pressie I got a new tripod with a quick-release plate. I keep the plate on the camera all the time, and I love the ease of mounting the camera on the tripod....
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: 2Beers on August 06, 2013, 02:08:58 PM
Quote from: SimonW on August 06, 2013, 01:15:33 PM
Now there's an interesting point of view...  I've owned and used a tripod since the 70s.  It has a built-in pan/tilt which cannot be removed. My only complaint is the time and awkward fiddling involved with screwing the camera on to it. (In those early days some tripods were sold with over-long screws which could and did go through the bottom of the camera into the works, with fatal (to the camera at least) results. So I'm still a little wary of over-tightening them.)

Anyway, for a Christmas pressie I got a new tripod with a quick-release plate. I keep the plate on the camera all the time, and I love the ease of mounting the camera on the tripod....

I am the same the qr plate is permanently attached to the camera which makes it simple and quick to attach
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: donoreo on August 06, 2013, 07:31:44 PM
Quote from: DigiDiva on August 06, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
I ended up ignoring all of the advice above and bought the one I had before. Two reasons for this was that I was familiar with ut, was used to carrying it and it was light enough to go into my suitcase for my numerous holidays. I hate change haha
/D'oh!  How long did it last the first time? 
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: 2Beers on August 06, 2013, 07:52:48 PM
Quote from: donoreo on August 06, 2013, 07:31:44 PM
Quote from: DigiDiva on August 06, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
I ended up ignoring all of the advice above and bought the one I had before. Two reasons for this was that I was familiar with ut, was used to carrying it and it was light enough to go into my suitcase for my numerous holidays. I hate change haha
/D'oh!  How long did it last the first time?

Lol Don I suspect it got nicked along with her camera equipment :'(
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: donoreo on August 07, 2013, 04:25:32 AM
Quote from: 2Beers on August 06, 2013, 07:52:48 PM
Quote from: donoreo on August 06, 2013, 07:31:44 PM
Quote from: DigiDiva on August 06, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
I ended up ignoring all of the advice above and bought the one I had before. Two reasons for this was that I was familiar with ut, was used to carrying it and it was light enough to go into my suitcase for my numerous holidays. I hate change haha
/D'oh!  How long did it last the first time?

Lol Don I suspect it got nicked along with her camera equipment :'(
i think she said it broke.  Maybe I am remembering wrong.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: donoreo on August 07, 2013, 04:26:59 AM
On my phone, cannot edit.  She said the head went loose.  I think she mentioned it on DCW as well.
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: Beryl on August 08, 2013, 10:49:19 AM
They should be called Trip.............pods

I'm alwasy tripping over mine
Title: Re: Tripod Advice
Post by: DigiDiva on August 08, 2013, 12:29:26 PM
A bit of both.......

My tripod that I had before did have a head that loosened, but I think I caused it so will be more cautious with this one.

I had the detachable plate on my camera when it was stolen, rendering the tripod useless unless I bought a new plate. I then went and accidently left the tripod in the room when we left tenerife. Couldn't claim for it on my insurance because it wasn't stolen and I'm too honest!T oo expensive to be shipped to me so they are keeping it till i go back in November. I can then pick it up and bring it home, order a new top plate and have a spare for off camera flash!