Any tripod recommendations?

LadyStardust · 22-08-2008, 00:07

I am going to London in a few weeks on a Friday evening with the group I took my City & Guilds Photography course with (yes, a year down the line and we still meet up once a month, isn't that great?

).

Our plan is to spend the evening taking low light photographs of the London Eye, Tower Bridge etc. We have our train timetables and routes all planned, which is fab.

My only problem is my tripod. I've always used one that my dear ole Mum had used, it's a Stitz and must be about 20 years old. It's not particularly easy to use and is heavy and cumbersome, with no spirit levels or quick release levers or anything, but I've always been grateful to have simply inherited it, as it were, so haven't grumbled.

However, I am beginning to realise that I should perhaps invest in something a bit more user friendly, especially if I'm going to get any decent results on our low-light night in London.

So... not knowing much about tripods at all, but presuming I'd be best off with a ball head, quick release lever and built-in spirit level of some kind, can anyone make any recommendations?

I don't really want to spend more than £100. In fact, considerably less would be useful!

Thank you.

AQ · 22-08-2008, 10:02

I have only one really suggestion. Go to a camera shop and see what they have in stock. For something like this you canot get any feel from the web.

I would not worry much about the spirit level. I do not have one and have never missed it but if you do you can easily get ones on Ebay that attach to the camera hot shoe for a couple of pounds.

***Dave*** · 22-08-2008, 10:19

I was really impressed with this one :- Pixalo Photographic Equipment Reviews - Sherpa PRO CF535 - . I believe a newer version is out & Muscle750 bought one

I found thisplace to be cheapest, but I would advise phoning to see if they have the tripod you want in stock :-= http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/adva...bon+sherpa+pro

LadyStardust · 22-08-2008, 13:47

Hello again,

Many thanks for your advice, chaps.

I might combine the two suggestions actually. I've seen a Velbon tripod I like, further to your link, Dave, and it's the Velbon Sherpa 435:
Velbon Sherpa 435 Tripod - Best Price at Bristol Cameras

I might take a look at it in a shop first, and if happy, order it up via Bristol Cameras, who are definitely the cheapest by a long shot.

That's great, thank you!

Lucy

Boofers · 22-08-2008, 18:35

They are out there, being here in the US dosen't help you to much but you seemed to name all the right gizmos...I have used for 5 years now a fairly cheap brand that had good hardware at the joints,,quick release that really locked on the legs and two center poles with a bag...it turned out to be slightly heavy being made of aluminum but it works great. We have a carbon fiber built one and it is very light but has the compression hand tighten grips for the legs,,,"what a hassle", Oh well,,cheap dosen't have to mean crummy.

O bought mine in a camera store from the floor stock.

muscle750 · 22-08-2008, 18:53

yes i did buy one of the net, CF645 i think was the model number i maybe wrong however i took it to Dubai on hols its very light sturdy and is one of the best things ive bought in this ever cost spiraling past time, if u want more details pm me, i also bought a Gittoes Ballhead still got my Manfrotto and 3 way head but for lightness etc u cant beat it extends to approx 5ft 10 fully out. folded about 20 inches long.

Slicker · 22-08-2008, 18:55

I am looking for a tripod as well. I think I will go into Jessops and have a play and see what I like.

**Dabhand16** · 23-08-2008, 00:07

Be aware that the Velbon carbon fibre ones come with either clip leg locks or twist. If you have a preference I think that the models that end in 0 are twist lock and 5 is clip lock.

muscle750 · 23-08-2008, 10:30

Slicker go and play in ur local junkssops then go and buy the same one for 2/3 of the price elsewhere

LadyStardust · 23-08-2008, 11:15

Aah yes, thanks Dabhand, I did go for the click lock legs on the 435 Velbon model in the end and ordered it up yesterday online from Bristol Cameras. £65 plus £5 p&p. Just the sort of price I was looking for.

Am really looking forward to some experimentation with it.

Will drop a quick post on here when I've received it and had a little play.

Good luck everyone else in your quest for tripods. There's too much choice!

Cheers.

Lucy

fionaB · 23-08-2008, 18:26

will be interested to see what u think of it Lucy as im after a new tripod as well..........
as a treat for alan of course as its him that has to carry it! lol

fi

muscle750 · 23-08-2008, 22:33

Be warned on the south bank around city hall etc opposite Big ben u can be arrested for using a tripod u can take pics no prob but no tripods. Down to some old law apparently althou plod more like been over reactive.

LadyStardust · 25-08-2008, 23:39

Muscle750, thanks for the warning... we'll keep an eye out.