[ftmftm]

im after a new tripod, i need it for mostly portraites, groups and some times sports. its to fit my Nikon D200 with grip and my Sigma 70-200 with t/c this will be the heaviest gear on it.
looking around £100 seen this one...Giottos GB1140 tripod and Giottos MH1001 ball and socket head. anyone got one heard of this one or any other advice welcome, thanks David

[Gary Bagshawe]

Not heard of that one before but as far as advice for tripods goes, go for the heaviest most sturdy robust thing that you can afford. They are a pain in the but certainly on long exposure times in a howling gail they are worth it. Another little tip would be to hang your camera bag from your tripod to add a little weight.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

Another little tip would be to hang your camera bag from your tripod to add a little weight.

Would this not offset the need for a heavy tripod, allowing best of both worlds ? As long as the tripod is rigid, would it matter if it was light with extra weight hanging off it ?

[Sonsey]

I've put a quick review into the "Equipment Reviews" section of the Manfrotto 190ProB tripod legs - http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/189/cat/24

Adding a tripod head would take you over budget but it might be worth it for you.

[Gary Bagshawe]

Originally Posted by Dave

Would this not offset the need for a heavy tripod, allowing best of both worlds ? As long as the tripod is rigid, would it matter if it was light with extra weight hanging off it ?

Ahahaha, yes that does make perfect sense but at times up ere int north both are needed, in some of the places ive done photographs the heavy tripod has also doubled up as a handy club!!!!!!

[Dave]

Spits his tea out larfing

[P-E]

Can't offer any feedback on the Giottos range but would say take your time and try and purchase the right tripod first time.......the money I have wasted buying the wrong tripod over the years

[VinnyP]

Hi,
I don't have experience with the Giottos legs but I have seen them being used by a lot of good photographers. I use Manfrotto but I doubt there is much difference judging from what I have seen and read. The ones you have chosen seem to fold up quite compact and not be too heavy whilst being plenty steady enough for the use you describe. Like the other commentators here I have had too many tripods and heads and (possibly unlike them) still haven't got it right. What I have discovered is that it's important that you get a tripod that you are going to carry and use so the lightest most compact one that does the job must be best. I know sturdier is better but portraits, groups and sports tend not to be the most demanding use of a tripod, with subjects that move anyway and at those distances you will not be using 30 second shutter speeds in gale force winds, or have the magnification factor of a macro photographer.

I can say from experience that a great sturdy tripod at home or in the boot of a car will not help take better pictures, so in my view it's important to have one that will get carried and I'd budget for a bag, it makes everything easier to carry. You can get some strange looks in these times we live in, I have the Manfrotto in the "I've got a snipers rifle" bag and I don't take it nearly enough. I also have a Cullmann magic (with a better ball head) which I am sure gets snorts of derision from "real photographers" as it's pretty flimsy, fiddly and gimmicky but it goes in a rucksack or camera bag, doubles as a monopod and I usually have it with me. I know it's limitations but it is like any support 20x steadier than I can hand hold.

For sports a ball head is a good choice, if not the only choice. That head appears to have the all important tension control and a seperate pan lock, I think the latter is essential for motorsport. Lot's of people who take much better photos than me only use a ball and socket. I tend to use a ball and socket for sports and nature if possible but a pan and tilt for everything else. With groups, portraits and landscapes. I find it's nice to be able to lock off the horizon axis once it's level.

Another consideration for the future is a QR adaptor and plates, these also encourage me to use the tripod/monopod since it's quick to attach and release. I have learn't the hard way it's best not to get a proprietary one; the arca-swiss compatible ones are made by a number of companies and for all bodies and lenses. A number of companies do an L shaped QR for the D200 (with or without grip) and I am thinking of getting one for people because again once the horizon is locked off you just flip the camera.

Good luck in your choice.

[ftmftm]

thanks for the replies a lot to think about still not sure which one to go for