I am looking at picking up a tripod kit and need some help in what to get. I will mainly be using it for landscape shots but also will be taking it up mountains so would need it to be pretty light to carry up there on foot. I am quite liking the manfrotto range but it looks like you also have to buy the bag separately which is a minus point. I look forward to your advice as I am quite confused as there are so many options
Tripod Advice
- Thread starter Welshy74
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Off the top of my head I can suggsest the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 which is the newer version of the Manfrotto 055XPROB. You'll want to budget for a ball-head with either of those as well.
If you want something smaller and lighter, look into the Mefoto Roadtrip. I've used the Mefoto tripods and they're pretty nice. I wouldn't trade my 055PROB for one, but they're very nice and quite compact.
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If you want something smaller and lighter, look into the Mefoto Roadtrip. I've used the Mefoto tripods and they're pretty nice. I wouldn't trade my 055PROB for one, but they're very nice and quite compact.
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Your budget is a little low for Manfrotto. You could consider something from the Giottos range: Giottos Tripods, Heads & Accessories - Good quality and great value - Giotto's Tripods
SkvLTD
Senior Member
[h=3]Dolica GX650B204 Proline GX Series 65 inch Tripod[/h]Affordable, held my 70-200 like a champ, has lots of nice gimmicks you won't see in a 50$ unit.
Cheaper Tripods are like your kit lenses. They are ok when starting. Buying cheap and flimsy built will quickly make you look for a better, sturdier, lighter but not cheap higher end tripod and ballhead.
Save more for a mid range tripod if possible.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Of all the advice I've gotten over the years that I wish I had listened to, the advice to save my money and buy a really *good* tripod and head, right from the start, was some of the best. By the time you've figured out cheap tripods aren't worth what you've paid for them, you've spent what a decent tripod and head would have cost you in the first place. Except now of course you own three lousy tripods and are looking at spending serious money to do it right. A good tripod though, is a joy to work with... Cheap ones are an exercise in frustration.
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A sturdy tripod is expensive. A light sturdy tripod is extremely expensive.
Go for a top of the line carbon fiber tripod of medium height and a matching ball head. Manfrotto are good, and expensive. If you cannot afford it, postpone the purchase. Buy it only when you have sufficient funds. As others have said, cheap tripod will just add to the clutter of bad equipment you accumulate.
I wouldnt concern myself with a bag. You will never use it.
Thanks for the info so far people. Much appreciated. I have a head for my Monopod at the moment and was wondering if this was any good for the tripod?
Manfrotto Monopod Head Quick Release: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
Manfrotto Monopod Head Quick Release: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
I'm not an expert, but I'd say no it isn't. It doesn't have enough range of mobility.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I would look instead for a carbon fiber tripod, for it's lightweight and strength. Others here know this brand much much better than I do. 
Ball heads recommended
When it comes to ball heads, I started a thread just for ones people would highly recommend. And though it is just started, there is already 4 great choices of ball heads to consider, and they can hold up the weight big time! Lol
When it comes to ball heads, I started a thread just for ones people would highly recommend. And though it is just started, there is already 4 great choices of ball heads to consider, and they can hold up the weight big time! Lol
Me neither
OK I tend to go with over kill when it comes to tripods and ball heads. But for those of you that are more sensible when it come to what you need, I would suggest going with a tripod and ball head that can handle not just the camera and lenses you have now, but what you think you might someday get. So I would recommend a tripod and ball head that can handle at least 15lbs without maxing the weight capacity out.
Do keep in mind that you buy a tripod for stability, and the less weight it can hold, the less stable it is. Also wind is a factor, especially on the weakest tripods. Then on the worst case, the tripod could dump your expensive camera and lens on the ground, if you don't get a tripod and ball head strong and stable enough to handle the weight your asking it to.
I hope my still learning opinion helps! Lol
Do keep in mind that you buy a tripod for stability, and the less weight it can hold, the less stable it is. Also wind is a factor, especially on the weakest tripods. Then on the worst case, the tripod could dump your expensive camera and lens on the ground, if you don't get a tripod and ball head strong and stable enough to handle the weight your asking it to.
I hope my still learning opinion helps! Lol