Advice if someone could-new tripod

[robware]

My matey Grumpy George uses a Manfrotto tripod and ball head, although it appears that its caput and he has to buy another. I currently have a lightweight Velbon MAXi 347gb but managed to lose the QR plate in the snow.

As I listen to most of what my Skye mentor says then its time I bought a new heavier duty tripod which will support my 40D with it's battery grip and occasionally my 100-400mm L .

So logic says I buy a Manfrotto, nearly all my work is landscapes, and especially panorama images and in Skye the terrain is pretty rough so a strong one is the need. I guess my question is for an amateur like me is it?:

1/Worth looking at a Manfrotto with carbon fibre legs or is that too much money for an amateur like me
2/Should I buy a ball head or perhaps one of their multi-angle heads with plate etc.

I guess I'm a little green about what to get and ideally wouldn't want to pay more than £200 in total and so wondered what forumites thought?

Many thanks

Robhttp://canon-fodder-forums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif


1

[Hugh]

Hi Rob,

What budget have you set for this purchase - this will help with the options.

Hugh

[MarkOne]

Redsnapper are supposed to be very good for the price

Tripods and tripod heads from Redsnapper

[Owin]

Like the previous post, it depends on your budget. If you can afford the carbon fibre then I'd advise to get it.

I got the Manfrotto 055Prob, which is metal, a couple of years ago and to be honest I don't use it as much as I should, mainly because of the weight. At the time the CF tripods were extortionate, but they've come down in price a lot.

I will be getting a CF tripod soon, when I get the dosh to upgrade.

[robware]

About two hundred in total pehaps?

Rob

[ST]

Rob
Have a look at this kit, slightly above your budget (app. £259 at today’s exchange rate) and it is a USA based supplier but...I only used this as a reference site, so that you could see the kit in one hit (head and tripod) you could then shop around online UK Suppliers and Kerso may be worth contacting as I believe he can source kit via the USA.

The kit in the link may even be OK for your Skye Mentor AKA GG if his head problem is incurable


LINK here

[Alun]

I had an extremely expensive Magfiber Manfrotto 4 section 055MF. The design was fine but it didn't survive the rigours of forum meets. The clamping bolt disintegrated (possibly as a result of saline abuse) and the ballhead seized up. At a cost 0f £250 I was dismayed by it's brief but eventful lifespan. Seeking a new tripod the Giottos Carbon Fiber MTL 8361B was recommended. Eight months on and I have to say that I consider it a far better engineered tripod and the weight is ideal at under 2KG with a load bearing capacity of 8KG. The adjustable column is simplicity itself and they also throw in a stub pole to replace the centre column if, like me, you need to go low more often than high. The aftercare is also great. Concerned that at some point the leg bolts within the plastic clamps would rust I decided to pre-empt any problems by buying spares. The kind staff at Giottos sent me spares free of charge even though the originals are all working! It also comes with a 5 year warranty. Here's a link Giottos - Premium Quality Tripods, Heads & Accessories
If Giottos read this perhaps they might send me some more freebies Currently down to £170 on Amazon: Amazon.co.uk: mtl8361b
HTH Rob.
Alun

[STUARTINPERTH]

I emailed Giottos re my tripod and didnt even get a response, I am looking to get spare bolt and braket so I can have stubby adaptor and column both set up.
was very dissapointed in their cust service
if your reading Giottos please also send me some spares, lol

[Nog]

Redsnapper are supposed to be very good for the price

Tripods and tripod heads from Redsnapper

I've been looking for a reasonable priced tripod myself and these look just the ticket - do you know what the build quality is like.

[MarkOne]

I've been looking for a reasonable priced tripod myself and these look just the ticket - do you know what the build quality is like.

Apparently very good

[Nog]

Cheers, well I've put one down on my Xmas list and we'll see if the other half orders one.
Asked for the 3 section ally tripod with trigger ball head. Only £89.99 so hopefully will be just the ticket.

[Roy]

.. nearly all my work is landscapes, and especially panorama images and in Skye the terrain is pretty rough so a strong one is the need. I guess my question is for an amateur like me is it?:

1/Worth looking at a Manfrotto with carbon fibre legs or is that too much money for an amateur like me
2/Should I buy a ball head or perhaps one of their multi-angle heads with plate etc.

Rob,

I have had a Manfroto 055/ProB for about 5 years and cannot fault it. One of my interests is panoramic landscapes and I applied the following thought process:

1) I wanted a quality brand - that reduced the options to 3 - 4 manufacturers
2) I wanted 3-section legs rather than 4-section to reduce the number of joints
3) I could not justify the extra cost of carbon fibre and went for metal - with no regrets

I went for a 3-way head rather than a ball - personal preference and absolutely no regret on this point either.

Last year I bought the 3-way levelling adapter and panoramic head. I am very pleased with the panoramic head but not with the levelling adapter because I have found the adjusting screws extremely difficult to turn.

I recently bought a T-bar and table to allow me to mount a laptop in addition to the camera for tethered shooting. The 55 handles the T-bar, the pano head, a 5D and a laptop without any problems.

I am sure that other quality brands will do an equally good job for you - my Manfroto experience (with the exception of the levelling adapter) has only been positive.

Roy

[robware]

Many thanks for all the advice...I'm going to ponder over all of your comments and make a decision in time for Xmas

Best wishes

Rob

[StuBill]

Just to throw into the mix, it's worth mentioning that Benro
do very reasonably priced copy/clones of the Gitzo tripods.

Almost as if they had access to the Gitzo design specification

[Nog]

Just want to say a big thanks to Mark for pointing out the Red Snapper tripods in this post.

Got mine for christmas and am really impressed with it. Very solid and the ball head with trigger release is spot on and very firm.
Very impressed with build quality and features. As a hobbyist this will be more than enough for my uses.