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Tripods - recommendations and discussion

Thing about those things is, to me they look like a monopod stuck on the end of a tripod, so I'd imagine that they are a bit less rigid than a decent tripod alone.
 
Bernie Gunther said:
Thing about those things is, to me they look like a monopod stuck on the end of a tripod, so I'd imagine that they are a bit less rigid than a decent tripod alone.
Click to expand...

The uni-loq and benbo ones this may be true of, but the Giottos and Manfrotto one are both just adaptations of their current systems. Both have removable central columns and a bracket you can fit the column into... When you put the column in these positions there are some compromises in stability (the weight has been redistributed after all) but they're pretty easy to compensate for. In standard tripod mode they're no different to another manfrotto/giottos tripod that uses the same centre column bracket.
 
it sounds like you dont like the head on the sony tripod but you havent said much about what you dont like about the legs, you may well find that the head unscrews (it might have some small locking screws tho) and if it does it should have a standardised stud which any head should fit onto
 
Wilson said:
it sounds like you dont like the head on the sony tripod but you havent said much about what you dont like about the legs, you may well find that the head unscrews (it might have some small locking screws tho) and if it does it should have a standardised stud which any head should fit onto
Click to expand...
Good thought Wilson, but alas, the legs are way too short for my height when fully extended. I mostly don't extend them at all, and use it at low level, or as low as it will go given that the legs have braces. When I do that, the wobbly legs are a bit less of a problem, but the head then becomes the main issue, slowly drooping and vibrating at low speeds. The whole thing is pretty light and flimsy (around 1.2kg) and it was probably intended as a cheap light alloy travel tripod. Hence my intention to completely replace it.
 
Cid said:
The uni-loq and benbo ones this may be true of, but the Giottos and Manfrotto one are both just adaptations of their current systems. Both have removable central columns and a bracket you can fit the column into... When you put the column in these positions there are some compromises in stability (the weight has been redistributed after all) but they're pretty easy to compensate for. In standard tripod mode they're no different to another manfrotto/giottos tripod that uses the same centre column bracket.
Click to expand...

Yep, I had a play with one of the Manfrotto ones the other day, it seemed ok, albeit a little bit heavy. (It was the 055pro rather than the 055mf I think)

The Velbon Sherpa Pro CF models seemed quite good too and very light for their size, and I note that Warehouse express have the older versions on sale right now nicely priced. I liked the leg locks on the Velbon better (twisty kind rather than snap type that the Manfrottos have)
 
Bernie Gunther said:
Good thought Wilson, but alas, the legs are way too short for my height when fully extended. I mostly don't extend them at all, and use it at low level, or as low as it will go given that the legs have braces. When I do that, the wobbly legs are a bit less of a problem, but the head then becomes the main issue, slowly drooping and vibrating at low speeds. The whole thing is pretty light and flimsy (around 1.2kg) and it was probably intended as a cheap light alloy travel tripod. Hence my intention to completely replace it.
Click to expand...

i see what your saying, theres nothing worse than a short tripod with a droopy head, the velbon ones look good in the picture but ive never seen one, i think you have to be really careful about the weight if youre carrying it any distance my smallest tripod is just that bit too heavy really

something else, if youre using shutter speeds between 2s and 1/15 ish with an SLR then the mirror can cause a vibration when it flips up which can create camera shake (on a crappy tripod but also on good ones and if the lens is lengthy), if you have a self timer then you might find it flips the mirrior earlier
 
I linked to the MF because it's the lightweight version (probably bloody expensive though), I have an 055pro and love it, but it is a bit bulky. My experience with velbons is nothing special but I've never used their higher end models. I bought the Manfrotto because the horizontal mount is great for getting the light right on birds eye model shots (the architectural kind) as well as being useful for wildlife work. The Giottos one has twist legs I think, but I don't know of anywhere you can try them.
 
I found the EU distributor for Benro, those Chinese Gitzo / Arca-Swiss knockoffs I mentioned a page or so back. According to some internet sources Gitzo had tried to outsource production to these guys, but forgot about the relaxed attitude to intellectual property rights in the PRC until 99% Gitzo clones started showing up all over the far east.

They're supposed to be very close to the real thing in terms of quality and specification (and model numbers and logo pretty much) according to online rumour. Only they're somewhat less than half the price of the real thing. Interestingly they sell direct, presumably for lack of UK retailers. The only place you can try them out seems to be at Microglobe off Tottenham Court Rd, but they mark them up about 50%.

http://photopal.co.uk
 
I'll add, don't necessarily look to China/HK for your ballhead. Go with a UK "brand name" for that part. Manfrotto, Arca, Kirk, etc.

The tripods I've seen and used have been great. But I get the impression that of all the R&D involved in designing a really well functioning ballhead, not quite enough ground has been covered or mistakes learnt from those quarters yet.

Though I doubt your setup will be quite as demanding as said reviewer's.
 
Nope, something like 2kg is the most that I'm ever likely to put on it. Not interested in birdwatching or sports or any of that long/fast lens stuff.

Even so, the photos of that head disassembled were pretty worrying. I did neater finishing in metalwork class at school and that gouged up alloy collar did not look very durable to me. Yet the external finish is pretty snazzy, so one worries that they're going for superficial plausibility. It makes me wonder what the bearings and stuff on their tripods are like. I think I'll stick with well-tried brands.
 
I doubt that'd sag like a 1DII and big L prime.

But the ergonomics and whether it turns itself into ribbons are quite important.

:)
 
theyre pretty damn good company imo not sure if theyre the official uk importers of gitzo but i think they are of hasselblad
 
Yep, I posted that before I'd looked at the rest of their site but once I did it was fairly obvious they're a legit outfit.

Might be paying them a visit next week as I'm down in London. The cheaper of those Explorers would do me very nicely in theory.
 
Since the Nikon D80 body is heavier than Nikon F80 that I last used on this tripod with a fairly heavy lense , whenever I try to have the camera vertical , the camera goes down... to much weight.

I have had this £100 Velbon for a few years now..

I am aware Gitzo are the best by far, what is second best and will not let the camera slide down?

My budget can stretch to £300 including the head.
 
I have a sturdy steel Manfrotto which IIRC did not cost me very much.

I say sturdy, it can be made to flex but is much sturdier if you hang your bag underneath it.

Its with me now so I can tell you what it is :

Manfrotto 055CLB with a 141RC manfrotto head.
 
The pro wildlife photog that I spent the day with once had a cast aluminium one (cast ally legs). It was well rigid, really quite light but I think it cost a packet.
 
I've a Manfrotto 055MF4 mag fiber with a 488RC2 ball head. Totalled about £250. Both are great. Don't get the 486 head, it can't support anything.
 
So it looks like Manfrotto is the way to go. Just a thought.. would changing the head on my current one help? i had a look on www.warehouseexpress.com and the prices of the velbon ball heads are similar to Manfrotto .

The one it comes with is this which only holds 2.2 kg.

So would replacing it with one that can hold more weight and also a ball head be a possible solution? For the amounts of time I actually use the tripod, I feel its quite expensive.

Or am i just wasting time trying to replace the head?
 
not that it will help you at all but i got a Manfrotto 144 with a 141rc head in excellent condition for the princely sum of £23 today.

*is well chuffed* :)
 
I've got a Slik Pro 500 DX tripod, with a Slick 800 Ballhead, and it's fantastic.

pro500.jpg


Ball-Head-800.jpg
 
Unless you have very particular requirements (which it doesn't sound like you do), I wouldn't bother with Manfrotto, let alone Gitzo - the Slik mentioned above, or its big brother, the Pro 700X, are superb tripods for pretty much peanuts. The latter model will easily hold a camera much larger than a D80 (it's aimed at pro-DSLR or MF users), it's pretty light, and goes well high off the ground:

957.jpg


http://www.thedigitalcamerashop.co.uk/product_details.php?id=957
 
lobster said:
Since the Nikon D80 body is heavier than Nikon F80 that I last used on this tripod with a fairly heavy lense , whenever I try to have the camera vertical , the camera goes down... to much weight.

I have had this £100 Velbon for a few years now..

I am aware Gitzo are the best by far, what is second best and will not let the camera slide down?

My budget can stretch to £300 including the head.
Click to expand...

You should have a look at some car boot sales there are some really heavy duty tripods appearing as people are selling off their old video camera kit. You should be able to get one for £5 or less.
 
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