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Author Topic: Need suggestions to buy a tripod  (Read 125 times)

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Offline Glank27

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Need suggestions to buy a tripod
« on: July 28, 2010, 06:05:39 PM »
I have a Sony A300 body which sometimes is equipped with the 18-70 DT lens and other times the heavier SAL 75-300. I would like to buy a decent tripod but would not like to spend a fortune. I have found ebay models named "Fancier" which seem decent (at least viewing the photo), but don't know if to trust "cheap" tripods or not. Today i went in a photo store and found a Dorr model tripod which was pretty expensive, almost 300 euros with head included. I was aiming to spend something between 50 to 100 euros. Can i have some suggestions please? Thanks.
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Sony A300 Dslr, DT 18-70 lens; SAL75300 lens.

Online Tom F

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Re: Need suggestions to buy a tripod
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2010, 09:40:52 PM »
I would suggest not to go to cheap. It's better to send a little more for one than having to buy another one soon. That said I like quality of Manfrotto.
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Offline fother

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Re: Need suggestions to buy a tripod
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2010, 08:12:19 AM »

Buying cheap tripods is an expensive exercise, as you pay for the cheap one as well as the decent on you then get to replace it.

It's much cheaper to just buy a decent one.

By all means shop online, but try them in a store first to make sure :
(1) it's tall enough not to drive you nuts (stooping gets boring fast)
(2) it's stable
(3) it's solid enough for your heaviest gear
(4) it's stable

Think putting it on a sandy hill, with the wind blowing... confident your camera won't end up hitting the deck? If not, don't buy it!

Gitzo and Bogen  / Manfrotto are excellent, but there are several decent brands below them that are adequate. I've never heard of or seen 'fancier' tripods.
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Offline vaughaag

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Re: Need suggestions to buy a tripod
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2010, 11:41:12 AM »
I'm 100% with Tom and Fother on this. I started out with a cheap eBay tripod, I think its cost £40. I soon got annoyed with it, the head was not strong enough and kept shifting.

I ended up buying a 2nd hand Gitzo tripod with head and am very happy with it.

Rgds,
Dave
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Offline ronnieb

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Re: Need suggestions to buy a tripod
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2010, 06:11:55 PM »
well i am fairly new to this but i would always go for better make because in life thier is a saying you only get what you pay for pay cheap you will only get cheap so i myself went for manfroto  got it second hand for £100  and i think i came out ok as i am very pleased with it because you have to think about weight that you put on it 
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