What is the best all round decent tripod on a budget?

xanda · 10-09-2008, 00:49

Hi, I'm looking for a new tripod as my old Velbon 'DX digital something or other' is becoming too flimsy for what i need.
I'm looking for a sturdy but lightweight tripod with a ball/trigger head for easy adjustment.
Manfrotto would be the first place i was thinking of but after going through their products i just ended up getting confused with the various different bits!

i'm also not looking to spend much more than £100 on it.

Any ideas for the best thing for me?
thanks!

**Dabhand16** · 10-09-2008, 08:25

Bristol Cameras do the carbon fibre Velbon CF 535 for about £115. They give you a free pan/tilt head which is OK, but I've replaced mine with a Manfrotto ball head. There is an adaptor inside the threaded hole in the bottom of the pan/tilt head that you might need to remove if you get this combo and change the head, but you can get spare adaptors easily anyway.

They do twist or clip leg locks and I think the model numbers end with a 5 for clips and 0 for twist, but check before you buy - if you decide to go for it.

They also do other tripods in the same range both cheaper and dearer. My one weighs about 1.4 kg with the head.

There is a review here.

Lady stardust went for the 435 at £65, and I think Dutchie went for the 635.

If you do a search for it there are several threads/post on the Forum.

**Markulous** · 10-09-2008, 08:50

Well, of course I think the tripod I have is the best all round tripod!

- but then I gave priority to being able to take shots close down to the ground (macro and waterfall perspective shots) and which will also conform to any unlevel ground (i.e. stick it in amongst rocks).

So, went for the Benbo Trekker Benbo Camera Tripods from Paterson Photographic which has been perfect (and water sealing a bonus) - and a bargain off eBay. Added a cheap and cheerful joystick which has made macros easier to set up and shoot Squeeze Trigger Grip Joystick Tripod Ball Head 2 x QR on eBay, also Heads Legs, Tripods, Tripods Supports, Cameras Photo (end time 10-Sep-08 18:35:45 BST)

Wouldn't change either but use a couple of other tripods at home - one heavy clunky thing, perfect for shooting out the door (a tenner off eBay); one super leightweight (with 4 legs for extra stability - a fiver off eBay) when I shoot in the garden

spacepacker · 10-09-2008, 16:58

I don't know what would be the best for you!.
I use a "Benbo" the same as Markulous.
Its the best tripod I have ever used,very stable even in strongwinds and very versatile.
However, it is heavy and a little awkward to use but you soon get used to it.
It can be bought s/h for £40-£50 but make sure the locking screw is not "binding"...Kenny

Bald Runner · 10-09-2008, 17:14

I have just found this eBay shop - Photoskill. They have a range of tripods/monopods and heads etc that seem to be very good in terms of price.

xanda · 10-09-2008, 22:22

Thanks for all the advice/ suggestions, i'll have a look at all those. the reason i'm looking for a new one is i've just come back from a couple of shoots where i've used my current tripod all screwed up tight and stable, used a infrared release and exposure delay on exposures over 10 seconds and nearly all of the shots were blurry. Now is this going to go away with a 'better' tripod or am i overreacting here?

**Dabhand16** · 10-09-2008, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by xanda

Thanks for all the advice/ suggestions, i'll have a look at all those. the reason i'm looking for a new one is i've just come back from a couple of shoots where i've used my current tripod all screwed up tight and stable, used a infrared release and exposure delay on exposures over 10 seconds and nearly all of the shots were blurry. Now is this going to go away with a 'better' tripod or am i overreacting here?

I think we need some more information before any opinions can be put forward. What was the subject? Manual or auto focus? Indoors or outside? Do you mean the exposure was over 10 secs, or the delay was over 10 secs?

How about posting some pictures? Might shed some light on the problem.

xanda · 11-09-2008, 00:15

hehe, i cant post the pics as i deleted them due to blurriness!

but here's the general settings: autofocus, f13, 10-30 second exposure, iso 100, landscape, outside at dusk, exposure delay (similar to mirror lock up on the d80), remote release, 30mm, light wind.

**Dabhand16** · 11-09-2008, 00:30

Right, from what you have given there - AF will not work reliably in low light. Long exposures and wind = blurred trees/grass/clouds.

Before you get your cheque book out, I'd do a bit more research, the problem might not be the tripod. Try some long exposures indoors when you can set the focus with the light on and then take the pictures in low light. With no wind and reliable focus if there is a problem with the tripod it will show up.

simpbow · 11-09-2008, 00:31

I use Manfrotto 055XPROB which is a good piece of gear, there's also the CF model which is cheaper that might do your job http://http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/...oryid~158.html

xanda · 23-09-2008, 20:09

Thanks, simpobow, what head do you use with that tripod?

xanda · 24-09-2008, 23:56

Thanks all, i've bought a Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with 3 way 804rc2 head, new from ebay for £130 will be waiting eagerly by the front door in a few days

labbai · 25-09-2008, 07:16

Dunno about "decent" but I'm happy with my Gitzo GT1541T with RRS BH-25 ballhead. Sturdy enough for 5D and 300mm lens and weights about 1.15 kg and holds 8 kg max (the tripod), The head's capasity is 4 kg's, so it has become my all-round tripod. Mostly I use it with the 24-105 lens and with G5, when I take macros with Raynox on the field... No need to drag my G1325 everywhere I go. I can't afford to buy cheap things, Gitzo's a lifetime tripod for me, and I think it will pay itself in the future.