Tripods (purchase of)

Get a sturdy tripod, seems the obvious answer doesn't it? but some arn't as good as they are made out to be. You need to know what weight the tripod is going to support , so weigh your camera( with batteries) -heavest lens- flashgun - battery grip or whatever gear you have as its no good looking at a tripod+head that won't support it. Then make sure the tripod will give support plus extra for any future camera gear you might get

The other thing is when you go to buy, take your gear with you into a shop, check out the tripod FULLY extended with your gear on it to see how stable it actually is. Shutter slap can actully make a tripod move in that position resulting in blurred pictures same as camera shake hand held.

It is far better to spend a bit more on a good tripod as it will serve you for which ever camera you might get in the future. Also consider if you will be carrying it about much with outdoor photography as they can be a bit heavy during a days shoot. They are something you keep whatever goes onto it so its well worth getting a good one at the outset.

I had a cheap tripod and thought it was great until I spent out on a more sturdy one and I sure noticed the difference.

For some guidance I went for the Manfrotto 055XPROB with a Manfrotto 322RC2 head, it is a bit on the heavy side but it is ROCK solid even in wind. Some tripods may require a weight suspended from them to steady.

Also it has quick release plates to attach/ unattach the camera to the tripod, no unscrewing each time to add/remove camera to tripod. That head has a pistol grip for quick easy camera adjustments when the camera is on the tripod.

There are equally as good other makes out there, its just that I am more than happy with that arrangement.

Bazza

Think I have the same tripod, but with the 3 way head (is it 802rc2?)

Whole lot with the carry case was just over £200 about 2 years ago, and like you say, it's rock solid and will probably live longer than me

I also bought a cheaper £70 Manfrotto that folds down to less than a foot for walking about with, its a superb bit of kit and again will last for ever.

Alan.

You Gents are, of course, right, but if I may say do not buy a tripod so sturdy that you start leaving it at home because of it's weight. No matter how good the tripod if it is not with the camera it is of no use at all.

Ideal situation is a good quality tripod you can manage to carry with ease and a lightweight one you can take when taking a larger or heavier one is not suitable. I find a mono better than nothing at all and it makes a good support when walking as well.

I kind of agree, but disagree (I would, wouldn't I )

I think like lenses, tripods are a 'suits the job' item and you will never get one that weighs less than a kilo, folds down to a few inches, can extend to over 6 feet and hold 4Kg of kit

So you may have to go for a couple of tripods to cover different scenarios. I would take the big tripod to say a Touring car race, where I may only change location 2-4 times, but I wouldn't lug it around all day when I am going to visit say 5 or 6 locations.

Alan.

Wild W.

The head I have on my tripod is this one. You can also alter the trigger tension which isn't mentioned in the video via the knurled wheel.

http://flv.isitetv.com/vidPlay32.8Lt...82f6&sl=1&ap=0



Bazza