Help choosing a tripod..

Hi all,

 

Please help me choose a decent and an economic tripod.My kit contains Canon 400d, Kit lens, 55- 250 mm IS and

430ex and might bight buy 70-200 L soon.I am looking for a good decent tripod for 100 £ and I am not sure which

is the best place in London to buy(The best deal and reliable store).I need to buy tomorrow as i need to shoot

some fireworks.

 

I had a look at slik, some of them seems to fit into my budget but no idea how reliable it is..hence would like

to hear from the experts..

 

It would be of a great help if some one can help me figure out a good tripod that can fit my budget...I don't

know much about the tripods so reading the reviews not helping me much and i need to get one tomorrow, I am stuck.

 

Thanks in advance..!

 

Cheers,

GK

Manfrotto 190 Pro is good at around £90 and there are deals with bundled heads

I'm going to buy a Manfrotto 055XPROB (130-150 Euro) with a ball head 486RC2 (cheaper, about 60 Euro) or 488RC4 (more expensive, about 100 Euro). It's more stable and taller than the 190 PRO, but a bit heavier.... In my opinio it's a good compromise among price, stability and portability.

I have the Manfrotto 190XPROB and is good for any EOS with not a very heavy lens. I bought a ball head Manfrotto

486RC2 and had to buy a Bogen / Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with Quick Release as the ball one was

useless with a 400 mm. (The tripod was OK)

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/445434-

REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_808RC4_808RC4_3_Way_Pan_Tilt_Head.html<div></div>

Oh this is lill confusing for me...If i buy Manfrotto 190XPROB do i also need to buy another head as it doesn't come with one?

 

I would rather prefer something that comes with the head on it for less than 100 £..Please correct me if i cant get one for that price and if i am stupidious.

 

Thanks,

I read some reviews saying ball head is not all that great and ideal one would be the three way ones..is it?

The tripod comes without a head. You can screw your camera on it and moving the camera or the tripod. And you cannot orient it.<div></div>

Sometimes, they sell you both things together, but they are two different products.

Thanks antonio...How do i select the different kinds of heads available in the market..? Sorry for such basic questions..

Ignore this if you are a casual photographer.

 

If you are in it for the long term and look to making large prints, I would strongly suggest you double your current

budget. I started off with the cheapie tripods and then discovered that all my prints were slightly soft after mirror lock-

up / remote release / bag under tripod. (Lenses ranged from the tiny 50 f/1.4 to the Sigma 150 f/2.8). I had not

learned my lesson the second time either, opting for a marginal improvement. Today my largest tripod is a Benro

(could not afford Gitzo) with a Markins ball head, and I hike with a smaller Gitzo. I am not suggesting you opt for

this, of course: but beware, what looks like a bargain now will prove expensive in the long term.

 

I think a ball head will give you far greater flexibility as opposed to a pan and tilt head. Also make sure you invest in

a good quick release mechanism and if you can afford it, an L-plate.

 

Good luck with your firework shots and Happy Diwali!

Yeah you are right i dont wanna spend something that cant last long..I am thinking to go for a good one but i am not into large prints yet..Infact i am only a serious amature as of now but aspiring to take it serious..Do you guys reckon Manfrotto 190 better one?

 

Thanks very much for your Diwali wishes Ian.!

Sorry, I was out. A ball head is faster and cheaper. I use it with short lenses (50mm or less). But when I have to use the 400 mm or 500mm (sometimes with a TC), or I am not skilled enough or the head is not made for this, but I take a lot of time to frame the place I want to shoot. With TC, it has been impossible.<div></div>

Consider reading Phil's article:

 

http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/

another thing to read:

 

http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/cheap

I would second the suggestion to increase your budget if you are in it for the long hall. A good tripod is an investment. A bad one will always leave you wanting more. I went for a Velbon Sherpa CF, which is a copy of a Gitzo (after I sold my Manfrotto Digi B). I use a small Slik Sprint mini for travel. Very happy with both, though they see quite different uses.

Hi once again thanks for all ur suggestions..I checked out a local store here in cambridge..He suggested two legs..190XB or Manfrotto 055XB with the the three way till head 804RC2 3-Way Pan Head Set at 119 and 130 £ respectively which sounded lika a good deal as the head and legs are bundled to gether...

 

By the looks of it the tripod looks very strong..But is there anyone who own them or have an idea about those..pls do lemme know its worthy buying.

 

Thanks,

I have the 190XPROB (the one that you can remove the central column and put it downwards) and it is very good. I have never changed the column to put the camera below the tripod, but in this model you can do it. The 055 XP bears 2 more Kgs.(7 instead of 5) and weights 0,5 Kgs more. It looks like more strong and solid. There is a model the 055XPROB in which you can do the same with the column and put it horizontal and cost 10 Euros more. See the features:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_055XPROB_055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

 

If you don't get the full link, copy and paste it in your browser.

I have a Slik 400DX and have found it very sturdy and reliable so far (one year plus, including occasional hikes). My heaviest kit combo on it has so far been my 400D with 24-105L and 580EXII flash. Very stable. Although I haven't tried sticking a 70-200L on it, this lens would have it's own tripod collar so I've no doubt that would be a non-issue. I like the tripod for its ease of use. The center column can be split into two or even mounted upside down for low angles. May be worth a look...

Hi,

I am using 055 xpro-b and find it to be a nice tripod. 190 weighs less , can take lesser weight and is little shorter. try both without extending the center column. ballhead is generally good for wildlife from what I hear. 3 way is better suited for architecture and landscapes. ballhead can be moved faster. 3- way lets u level in different directions. play around in shop. u will know. manfrotto is less expensive decent tripod. all depends on combined weight of body and lens and what u want to shoot it for.

"190XB or Manfrotto 055XB"

 

 

Either one would be great. I have the 190XB and love it. Unless you have a specific need, don't bother with the more expensive PROB with moving column. The 190XB is a fine tripod. Get a 486 RC2 head. The RC2 part is important. I could not imagine not having the quick release adapter. Great set up this would make.