The Offical Tripod Thread

[andysimo123]

I need a tripod, fed up of using walls. I've been looking at those manfrotto ones but there not cheap. What's the difference between a Jessops one and proper manufacturer?

[Borras_Hwfa]

You gets what you pay for really. The cheapo one will fall to bits with heavy use, the Manfrotto one won't. Have a go on one, and you will see the difference. I love mine, but hate the head I've got on it. They were offering a free head at the time, so I went for it. I really need to buy a different one.

It's a bit too hefty to carry around all the time, so I've got a cheapo Velbon one as well for light duties.

Why not try a cheapo one, if it falls to bits after a few months, get a Manfrotto (or other expensive brand), you've lost £30. If it doesn't fall to bits, you probably didn't need an expensive one anyway!

[andysimo123]

The difference between the two in price is massive through. You can get a Jessops one for £18. Then there is one of the cheaper Manfrotto ones with a head which is £99. Something isn't right. The difference in price is massive and then the ones just above that don't come with head. So that's more money. Are there another makes inbetween that anyone can recommend? Its for a Canon 350D.

[andysimo123]

After that post, I went on the net and looked all over. I've ordered a Velbon Maxi 347GB Tripod from Amazon for £60 with free postage. Comes with a case as well. Not hugely expensive and not hugely cheap. Got some good ratings in every place I've looked. Small carrying length so I can throw it in my bag, light, comes with the head and hopefully it will just work.


Jessops charging £85, no case and they don't even have it in. http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...7868/Show.html

[CityGent]

For the truly ghetto there's always a String Tripod.
If you've got a tiny, light compact, one of the mini tripods may well do the job - this one serves me well on night shots where there's something to prop it against.

[querido]

or one of these .... http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/ ??

[Gherkin]

Go to one of those cash generator places and pick a secondhand one up for £20. If you're lucky, they'll even have the screw bit that fits into your camera.

[andysimo123]

Originally Posted by CityGent

For the truly ghetto there's always a String Tripod.
If you've got a tiny, light compact, one of the mini tripods may well do the job - this one serves me well on night shots where there's something to prop it against.

Ye but you can't smash someone in the head and cause some damage when they try to rob you. I can.

[T0M]

Originally Posted by querido

or one of these .... http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/ ??

The gorillapods are truly excellent. One of those things that looks like a gimmick, until you try it! Great for urban photography and for attaching to railings etc (surprising how often you end up doing that once you get one). Also stupidly light, you really won't know you're carrying it.

Haven't tried the DSLR versions yet, but thinking about getting one soon.

Also useful and versatile is a monopod, you can pick up a Manfrotto one for about £20. They're light, easy to carry and great for whacking people over the head with if they're trying to steal your camera (or are just generally in your way).. http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Tripods/Ma...B-MODO-MonoPod

[andysimo123]

Finally got my tripod but it got delivered today. A Sunday of all days!

Little

Big

[T0M]

Wow, impressive erection!

[Comdot]

but does it go up fast and is it sturdy

[mukkjoy]

as said before you get what you pay for. i bought a manfrotto 190 xprob this weekend and all i can say is that the only way it could be more sturdy would be to bolt it to the floor. i love it

[Comdot]

i didn't want to hear that, being an owner of a cheapy 40 quid velbon 'n all.

[mukkjoy]

sorry mate but i think this might cheer you up............

i go to the shop and buy the tripod.
i take the tripod home.
i look at it.
i try it in the front room.
i put the tripod in its case.
mrs mukkjoy sees the tripod.
mrs mukkjoy takes the tripod.
mrs mukkjoy says i cannot have the tripod until christmas



i think the same is going to happen when my 10-20 arrives...bah humbug!

[andysimo123]

Only 15 days to go.

[Comdot]

why don't you just chuck the old xmas tree out (on the sly, like) and tell your other half this is like a modern-art xmas tree.

then you never even have to put it away.

also, no needles.

[Stefan88]

My uncle has very kindly given me two tripods that he used to use when he went on site visits.
The first one is called a Camlink and the second one is called a Vanguard VT-508. They've both got spirit levels and both feel pretty solid despite there light weight. To say they were free and considering that I'll not use it all the time I think they're perfectly adequate for me.

[CityGent]

I've got Argos's cheapest for Xmas... I've seen drunk people wobble less

[Comdot]

anyone got a tripod bag then?

i feel the need coming, as it's summer soon.