Which mini tripod?

[aka_Gilo]

I have recently bought a Panasonic FZ50 and though the learning curve is very steep and I am nowhere near mastering it, I have bought a tripod and have got some good results with low light / slow shutter speed shots.

I am off to Cornwall for a week over new year with the family and want to fill up a few GB of cards with photos. I plan on some low level beach shots, i.e. camera virtually on the floor with stones, pebbles, pools etc in the foreground and will need a mini tripod to do this.

As the FZ50 is D-SLR size I'm worried the cheaper mini tripods (which look great value on paper) may not be up to the job and may topple over with resultant risk of camera damage.

Can anyone reccomend a mini-tripod (preferably not too expensive) that will do the job for me?

Thanks

[Chunder]

I got a cheapie from Jessops which is OK - although it's fiddly, and not easy to get stable... but once set up, it supports my (heavy and bulky) 5D kit properly.

Personally, I'd be inclined to look at the Gorillapod (I think that's what it is called) - the legs are much stronger, and can be wrapped/entwined around things like a lamppost, a tree branch, etc.
I'm sure that I saw them for sale at somewhere like firebox.com or iwoot.com - but can't check now, sorry...

[aka_Gilo]

Thanks Chunder, I did look at the Gorillapod which looked good but pricey (£40 for the slr model).

I have ended up ordering the red model of "the pod" from 7dayshop.com for £9.99, I looked at one in Jessops and it looks as though it'll suit my needs, a bean bag that can be moulded to shape on whatever it is sitting on, with a threaded mount sticking out for your camera (or camcorder).

[h4rri]

Originally Posted by aka_Gilo

Thanks Chunder, I did look at the Gorillapod which looked good but pricey (£40 for the slr model).

I have ended up ordering the red model of "the pod" from 7dayshop.com for £9.99, I looked at one in Jessops and it looks as though it'll suit my needs, a bean bag that can be moulded to shape on whatever it is sitting on, with a threaded mount sticking out for your camera (or camcorder).

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the pod, keep looking at them but don't know if it will be large enough for my needs etc. Some pics and a review would be great.

[aka_Gilo]

Originally Posted by h4rri

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the pod, keep looking at them but don't know if it will be large enough for my needs etc. Some pics and a review would be great.

No probs - it should come in the next day or two, I'll probably not get a chance to use it til the weekend though. I'll report back once it's seen some use.