Camera Tripods

[dellzeqq]

there's short bendy ones and lightweight jobbies that extend like tent poles, and then there's the traditional kind that are rigid but weigh a bit.

What's your experience?

 

[Fnaar]

Three legs is usually a good start

 

[theloafer]

lmaoooo was going to say the same fnaar

 

[Crackle]

Think twice about buying cheap light one, they don't work and you'll hawk it about for nothing other than to swear at it when you need it. Better off with a monopod or a bean bag than a lightweight tripod. If you need one go with a good make, like Manfrotto or Benbo, get a bag and be prepared to lug it, the joy of it doing it's job when you need it to will compensate for the carrying pain.

 

[beanzontoast]

+1 for avoiding the lightweight if you're putting a DSLR on it. I briefly tried my DSLR on a tripod that I'd previously used with a video camera and it couldn't cope with anything beyond a 50mm lens.

Monopods can be good for the obvious reason that they have a tiny footprint, but equally obviously they have stability limitations.

 

[Night Train]

Depends on what you need it for.

I have found that any monopole, or similar object, is better then a weedy, flexible tripod.
With my weedy flexible tripod I usually use it to photograph indoors and use the timer to trigger the exposure. I have also rubber banded all three legs together to make it a (very slightly) stiffer monopole but it sags as the legs telescope inwards when I lean into the viewfinder.

A good tripod would be lots better, or a dedicated monopole.

 

[Aperitif]

Not this 'monopole' either young sir!

A Velbon is around the £50-60 mark and I always found them ok - Slik, Manfrotto sp? all tend towards the £££££. Don't forget the gorillagrips too - for those odd situations!

 

[Coco]

What sort of camera are you planning to use on it? Will you be using it for video? What's your budget?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I have had a Manfrotto for the last 10 years and wouldn't dream of using anything else!

Boy, those things are made to last!! Heck, have even stood on it a few times (to photograph over a high wall, it's probably best not to ask) - I'd love to see how long a cheapo plastic one would last with that sort of punishment.

What I REALLY love about it though is that you can bring the legs right up to a 90+% angle to the plate, meaning that you can use it in lots of locations where a normal tripod wouldn't have a chance in hell! I can even hang it up somewhere if I need to. Also, the central column can be removed so that you can lay it flat on the floor/ground, AND you can use the central column to get much elevated (handheld) shots!

In terms of sheer versatility, you need a Manfrotto! (it is modular, so if one bit breaks, you can replace it instead of having to buy a new tripod - STAY AWAY FROM CHEAP CRAP!). You can get multiple quick release plates (in different sizes depending on the camera), so that they live on the camera and you can you quickly put the camera on the tripod instead of having to take it on and off every time.

Oh, and for the record, it is a 190CLB with a 390RC head.
Costwise, it was £100, which might sound a lot, but as I say, those things are build to LAST, so in the long run, it is nothing, and beats having to buy several cheapo ones over the same time period. It works out at £10 a year so far!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Think twice about buying cheap light one, they don't work and you'll hawk it about for nothing other than to swear at it when you need it. Better off with a monopod or a bean bag than a lightweight tripod. If you need one go with a good make, like Manfrotto or Benbo, get a bag a and be prepared to lug it, the jopy of it doing it's job when you need it to will compensate for the carrying pain.

Yes, if you read my post above, the cost/weight ratio is equaled out by the tripod's sheer versatility.

I don't really know about other makes, but if you can get Manfrotto 190CLB 'legs' and a head of your choice, then you will be sorted!

 

[Alan Whicker]

+1 for Manfrotto. I've got the 190b which cost about 90 quid after a bit of a haggle on Tottenham Court Road. It's as solid as a rock. If you have the choice 'snap' fasteners on the legs are much easier and less fiddly than 'twist' fasteners. If it comes with a carrying strap or bag, so much the better. The head it come with is basic but adequate, and an easy upgrade.

A right pain in the 'arris to carry on a bicycle though.

(and a visibly weighty and metal tripod can be a useful 'ambient deterrent' if you find yourself in some of the world's less desirable neighbourhoods, as I often have)

 

[david1701]

light, strong, cheap - pick two (well one to be good and one to be ok)

I use a frotto 055-xproB (bigger version of the 190) for work and proper landscapes, its a rock for everything up to medium format, but the legs alone were £115 The head I use atm is a 90 ish quid ball head with squeezey grip which is a dream to use.

oh and check the height as with my old head and the legs right out the viewfinder was half an inch above my eye line

I'm still working on a bike solution but strapping it over your shoulders (bandolier style) works as does strapping it to the rack provided the straps are up to it (gets uber muddy)

if you want to work relatively lightly a good tripod that will cope with most slrs is the giottos vitruvian, better part of £200 but folds down to 40cm so will go in most panniers/camera bags also mega light and can be made into a monopod

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

+1 for Manfrotto. I've got the 190b which cost about 90 quid after a bit of a haggle on Tottenham Court Road. It's as solid as a rock. If you have the choice 'snap' fasteners on the legs are much easier and less fiddly than 'twist' fasteners.

Yes I have the snap fasteners (one got damaged in an accident but I was able to replace it). It makes life oh so much easier.

The head it come with is basic but adequate, and an easy upgrade.

The 390RC head isn't anything special, but does the job no bother!

A right pain in the 'arris to carry on a bicycle though.

I use a Lowepro Mini Treker photographic bag which has a flap and straps designed specifically for carrying a tripod. Being a rucksack, you can easily carry quite a weight if needed.

(and a visibly weighty and metal tripod can be a useful 'ambient deterrent' if you find yourself in some of the world's less desirable neighbourhoods, as I often have)

Never had too before, but yes, it has been said by some people when I've been out using it.

 

[dellzeqq]

well, thankyou one and all!

It's a DSLR camera (I should have said), with a fantastic zoom, so it needs to be held still. The weight doesn't matter - she has an assistant to carry stuff. I'll take the advice about cheap tripods to heart.

I presume the gorrilla grip depends entirely on having something solid at a reasonable height?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

light, strong, cheap - pick two (well one to be good and one to be ok)

I use a frotto 055-xproB (bigger version of the 190) for work and proper landscapes, its a rock for everything up to medium format, but the legs alone were £115 The head I use atm is a 90 ish quid ball head with squeezey grip which is a dream to use.

I used my (very second hand and battered) Hasselblad on the 190 without any problems, it's bloody bombproof (as I said, I have stood on it before!).
My tripod and head 10 years ago was £105.

I'm still working on a bike solution but strapping it over your shoulders (bandolier style) works as does strapping it to the rack provided the straps are up to it (gets uber muddy)

Loewpro photographic rucksacks!

I use the Mini Treker, and as well as being able to strap your tripod to the back, the inside is made up of compartments fitted in with velcro, so you can arrange it specifically for your equipment.