Goughy
newbie
Reged: 04/05/2008
Posts: 17
Loc: Warwickshire
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I am thinking about getting this as a starting point as far as tripods go. I wil be using it for mainly portraits, landsacpes etc. I wont need it for climing or ruggedness.
Just after your comments and is this the tripod for my needs?
Im planning to have a go with it in store this week.
Goughy
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My Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goughy/
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zx9
old hand
Reged: 22/06/2007
Posts: 891
Loc: London
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Hi. Goughy.
Tripods are very personal things, what suits someone may be almost unusable for another. What I think of as light and portable you may think of as too heavy. What is suitably low or high for me may be unsuitable for you. As has been said elsewhere it may be best to take your camera and lenses to a decent shop and try out a few different tripods.
Oh and the lounge may not be the best place to talk tripods, so your post may get moved by a Mod.
Either I am going mad or it just moved even as I typed 
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ZX9 (Keith)  
My Flickr Pictures
Edited by zx9 (06/05/2008 21:03)
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Burgy
Grateful not to have one
Reged: 13/04/2001
Posts: 5187
Loc: This far, from beating 7 shade...
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I have been a fan of Manfrottos for many years, however, if you are just looking for something to leave the camera to sit on whilst you make changes to the set or the model and are shooting with flash then you probably don't need anything to substantial.
I have used Manfrotto 055 in the studio with anything up to 200mm without problem, but in the field I use an 058, heavy bast*rd but will support a 400 with two 2x converters.
Realistically if it is to support a DSLR and shortish lens, look for something without a geared centre column, as they can be slow to raise and lower, and you probably don't need leg braces either.
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Cheers
Burgy BSRIPN, BSc, DSO and Bar (now open 24/7).
it's not what you've got, its who you do it to
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Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 20020
Loc: Currently Unknown!
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Quote:
Oh and the lounge may not be the best place to talk tripods, so your post may get moved by a Mod.
Either I am going mad or it just moved even as I typed
Could be 
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Fen .......... My Galleries - My Blog - My Flickr
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K10D
journeyman
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 98
Loc: Herts UK
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Hi Goughy. For what it's worth I use a Manfrotto Art 055; have done since the late 80's. Don't think they’ve changed much over the years. It has a few battle scars now but it's still going strong. Not that light for sure compared to some but it's very sturdy, extremely well made and takes all my cameras inc an F5 with ease, though I don't go over 200m so can't comment on what it would be like with say a 300mm + though Burgy I'm sure will know. Of late I've been using a Monobod----oops! Sorry Dave I meant a Monopod and to be honest I find it quite useful and much better than hunting down that elusive wall or fence. I've had a few tripods come and go over the years (we all by things that we think we need at the time) but the 055 has stayed with me, must be a reason for that.
All the best.
Scott.
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Nod
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/04/2006
Posts: 4156
Loc: Devon, UK.
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I've been considering getting one of these tripods for taking on holiday (and leaving there with snorkel kit etc) but having had a play, I can't help feeling that it's just a bit too unsolid for use with a DSLR and a zoom, so have decided against it, even with the offer that a place in Chipping Norton is doing...
ETA...
The Devon Camera Centre are doing the same deal - well, I say the same deal but with a lower price...
LINK
And if they can match that in-store, I might go for it despite the slight wobbliness.
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MATWSIJ.....
To avoid being offended, please insert apropriate smiley.
Edited by Nod (07/05/2008 18:04)
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dangie
Puff Pastry Connoisseur
Reged: 04/08/2006
Posts: 400
Loc: Mayrhofen Austria (I Wish..)
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Goughy
There's three things to consider when choosing tripods.
STABLE-LIGHT-CHEAP.
You can only have two of those. If it's cheap and light it won't be stable. If it's stable and light it won't be cheap. If it's cheap and stable it won't be light.
So all tripods are a compromise of the three. Obviously the more you pay the lower the compromise.
The Manfrotto 785 I think is an excellent compromise. It's quite light, reasonably stable as long as you don't extend it to it's full height with a weighty camera on a windy day, and it's at a very good price. I carry one out with me strapped to my rucsac on walks in the hills. If that is one of the uses you'll put it to, then I recommend it.
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My Brain's five feet eight inches from the ground
But my mind's still in the gutter....
Dangies Flickr
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Nod
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/04/2006
Posts: 4156
Loc: Devon, UK.
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Had a closer look at a 785 last week and was talked out of it by a few things. 1. Not high enough - my back can't stand too much stooping. 2. Not sturdy enough - probably OK for hand-holdable speeds but so are my hands... and 3. (the absolute clincher) The brand new example in the shop had a clamp lever that refused to stay clamped. OK, it may be a well used example so a bit worn BUT it's still a problem!
I have decided that the cash will be better spent on a Lomo Fisheye 2. At under £60, it's in the same ballpark price range as the 785 and a hell of a lot cheaper than a "real" fisheye lens for my SLRs! IF I find I really enjoy the fisheye experience, I can always save for the "real thing" but for the time being, the Lomo will do.
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MATWSIJ.....
To avoid being offended, please insert apropriate smiley.
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dangie
Puff Pastry Connoisseur
Reged: 04/08/2006
Posts: 400
Loc: Mayrhofen Austria (I Wish..)
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Nod
Don't know which model 785 you looked at, but it comes in two sizes. Mine when fully extended, not that I do usually extend it fully is just about up to eye level (I think I'm still talking about tripods...!!!)
However like I said, STRONG-LIGHT-CHEAP, you can't have all three...!!
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My Brain's five feet eight inches from the ground
But my mind's still in the gutter....
Dangies Flickr
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Nod
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/04/2006
Posts: 4156
Loc: Devon, UK.
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ModoMaxi. With the centre column extended, stability was reduced even further. Possibly almost OK for a light compact but I wouldn't trust an SLR on it - even with a 50mm.
I'll stick to using a Pod or handholding, although I do use one of the Hama clamps sometimes.
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MATWSIJ.....
To avoid being offended, please insert apropriate smiley.
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stenchbings
addict
Reged: 16/07/2007
Posts: 412
Loc: uk
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^^^^^^^^WHS^^^^^^^^
i looked at the modo range and i wanted it for my D80 and i wouldnt trust it. jessies webpage lists it as 1kg max weight.
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s47090/0/Tr...alse&comp=n
what is your budget?
bear in mind to invest say £100 now will save u in the long run. i bought a 190xb pro and 804cr2 head for 130 at focus in feb.altho this deal is now repeated online. this is a great tripod on my opinion and they hold their money if you decide to sell it u may only lose £20-30 if u keep the boxes etc.
its all depends how much you want to spend and what you are going to use it for. but manfrotto is definitely a great range, pricey but worth it
maybe look at giotto as ive heard good things about these and are slightly cheaper but also harder to track down on the high street.
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