Which Tripod ???
- Thread starter JH Foto
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'd suggest the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3.
Thanks but I could buy Carbon Fiber for this price..
Light + strong generally comes at a price. Especially when you want to put a larger lens on it.
I got a Giottos 8223-50 for £99 a few years ago and does a good job of holding my D7100 + 70-200 up - they are discontinued now, but I wouldn't hesitate in getting another. Some still come up on EBay.
I'd have a look at the lower range carbon fibre tripods... They generally start at ~£100, much lower than that and you aren't going to get both strong AND light.
I got a Giottos 8223-50 for £99 a few years ago and does a good job of holding my D7100 + 70-200 up - they are discontinued now, but I wouldn't hesitate in getting another. Some still come up on EBay.
I'd have a look at the lower range carbon fibre tripods... They generally start at ~£100, much lower than that and you aren't going to get both strong AND light.
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Be sure you know what you do and don't want in a tripod. For example, you will need one that supports the weight of your camera/lens combo. It's not recommended to use tripods fully extended (when they have a center column extended all the way) because it will be especially top heavy with that camera/lens.
If you are looking at carbon fiber, the less expensive ones don't extend too high when compared with an equivalent aluminum tripod. Do you want one with a head or without?
If you have a price limit and weight limit, be sure to post that info. Otherwise, it is really difficult to hone in on one that will best suit your needs.
If you are looking at carbon fiber, the less expensive ones don't extend too high when compared with an equivalent aluminum tripod. Do you want one with a head or without?
If you have a price limit and weight limit, be sure to post that info. Otherwise, it is really difficult to hone in on one that will best suit your needs.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
If you want carbon fiber, buy carbon fiber; but your comment makes it sound like you think all carbon fiber is created equal, or utilized equally; I can tell you from experience it's not. Nor does carbon fiber automatically equate to a better tripod; especially at the low-end of the price spectrum. Having worked in the Fine Arts department of a college for over fifteen years now, and having seen equipment come and go in a photography department staffed by roughly 30 professional photographers, and hundreds of students every year, I feel like I have a pretty decent frame of reference.
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is not the lightest, nor the heaviest; it's not the cheapest but it's certainly not the most expensive. What it is, is an excellent all-around tripod.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Fortkentdad
Senior Member
The quality of a tripod is not just dependant on whether it is carbon fibre or aluminium. As I understand it there are often a CF and Aluminium version of the same tripod by the same maker - the big difference is the weight, with the aluminum being a little heavier. There are a few other considerations like the affect of salt water (salt mist in the air too) on aluminum so if you are coastal that may be a factor. BUT IMHO the quality of the unit is not in the material but in the workmanship.
I would avoid the cheapest of the cheap - you will end up buying a better one soon enough. I have a couple of these cheapies that now serve as excellent light stands. B&H website has a really large assortment of tripods and most come with user comments (judging by the nature of the comments I'd say they seem pretty real). That can give you a good feel, whether you end up buying there is another story. I like to support local brick and mortar when they are reasonably competitive.
I have a Benro and a Manfrotto (monopod) that I'm happy with and have no problem with the build quality of either.
I also shop sales, seems with tripods one brand or the other is always having some grand sale. And then there is the clearance bin of last year's model. With a tripod I don't think that matters in the least. These things should last you years and years. Usually it is cheaper to get a kit with ball included that buy the same gear separately.
But get the one the suits your needs. Do you shoot in uneven ground, then legs that are independent are important. Shoot in the snow - yep some come with snow-shoes (really). Get one that will put the camera at your eye level without having to extend the centre column (at least not more than a couple of inches). That extended centre column really compromises stability.
I would avoid the cheapest of the cheap - you will end up buying a better one soon enough. I have a couple of these cheapies that now serve as excellent light stands. B&H website has a really large assortment of tripods and most come with user comments (judging by the nature of the comments I'd say they seem pretty real). That can give you a good feel, whether you end up buying there is another story. I like to support local brick and mortar when they are reasonably competitive.
I have a Benro and a Manfrotto (monopod) that I'm happy with and have no problem with the build quality of either.
I also shop sales, seems with tripods one brand or the other is always having some grand sale. And then there is the clearance bin of last year's model. With a tripod I don't think that matters in the least. These things should last you years and years. Usually it is cheaper to get a kit with ball included that buy the same gear separately.
But get the one the suits your needs. Do you shoot in uneven ground, then legs that are independent are important. Shoot in the snow - yep some come with snow-shoes (really). Get one that will put the camera at your eye level without having to extend the centre column (at least not more than a couple of inches). That extended centre column really compromises stability.
Hmm...I never considered using a tripod as a light stand. My neighbor gave me a few inexpensive tripods to see if I could sell them. I will look into utilizing some of them as light stands. Thanks for the idea!
Hmm...I never considered using a tripod as a light stand. My neighbor gave me a few inexpensive tripods to see if I could sell them. I will look into utilizing some of them as light stands. Thanks for the idea!
I'm considering a pair of £25 tripods as light stands, since hardly any breeze managed to topple my light stand a break a brolly last weekend!
What types of fasteners are needed to attach lights to tripods? Most of the less expensive tripods I have already have their own heads. Do heads need to be removed to allow lights to be fastened to them?
The pivoting heads that are on top of the light stands use standard tripod thread sizes, so those would just screw right onto the quick-release shoe of the tripod, or you could remove the head of the tripod and put the light-head thing directly onto the legs...
These are the light-head things I mean...... (Sorry for the thread de-rail!)
Phot-R Professional Universal Swivel Hot Shoe Flash: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
These are the light-head things I mean...... (Sorry for the thread de-rail!)
Phot-R Professional Universal Swivel Hot Shoe Flash: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
Don Kondra
Senior Member
I use the Slik with a Jobu Jr. 2 gimbal/D7200/200-500mm. For $100 it works just fine...
Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Black) 615-317 B&H Photo Video
Cheers, Don
Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Black) 615-317 B&H Photo Video
Cheers, Don
I've owned 4 tripods. The first 3 were low dollar ones, (each one a little better than the last) but none of them satisfied my needs. I was on the I cannot afford a nice one kick. So I wasted money on 3 tripods and heads that were worthless. I did better hand held. I finally just saved and got an Induro CT213 and a BHD2 ball head. Make sure it will work for you before you purchase it. Don't throw your money away like I did.