[NobleBenj]

I'm just getting into photography got my D90 with a Nikkor 12-24mm lens last month so just need a decent tripod and ballhead this month. I'm considering the Manfrotto 055MF3 and the RRS BH-55 I know there expensive but feel whatever I'm buying now will last me for many years to come.

Just wondering if anybody else uses these or could recommend alternatives.
Thanks in advance

[Pirate!!]

RedSnapper RS-284 tripod (this is the latest 4 section leg version) and RSH-12 ballhead combo @ £99.00. If you sign-up to TalkPhotography, RedSnapper are still offering a 10% discount to members. It's high quality stuff and lots on this forum have them. There is also the RSH-283 (3 section version and ballhead) for the same price but the 284 will be more compact when closed up.

Red Snapper | Tripods

[Some Bloke]

Originally Posted by NobleBenj

I'm just getting into photography got my D90 with a Nikkor 12-24mm lens last month so just need a decent tripod and ballhead this month. I'm considering the Manfrotto 055MF3 and the RRS BH-55 I know there expensive but feel whatever I'm buying now will last me for many years to come.

Just wondering if anybody else uses these or could recommend alternatives.
Thanks in advance

I use that tripod myself and I would recommend it
I currently use this pan head Manfrotto Head 804 RC2 3 way

But I thought recently about trying either of these 2 ball heads.
Manfrotto Head. 488RC2 Midi Ball With RC2 Rapid Connect System
Manfrotto Head. 488RCO Midi Ball With RCO Rapid Connect System

Alternatively these 2 are the more expensive versions.
Manfrotto Head. 468MGRC2 Hydrostatic Ball With RC2 Rapid Connect System
Manfrotto Head. 468MGRC0 Hydrostatic Ball with RC0 Rapid Connect System

One thing to think about is the length of the tripod when folded up.
i.e. will it fit into your suitcase when travelling abroad.
The 055MF3 and my 804 head fit inside without the need to separate them.

[JSW]

Giotto's 9351B Legs Giottos - Premium Quality Tripods, Heads & Accessories

and MH1302*-652 Ball Head Giottos - Premium Quality Tripods, Heads & Accessories

Is what I use and the ball head is fantastic

[NobleBenj]

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

RedSnapper RS-284 tripod (this is the latest 4 section leg version) and RSH-12 ballhead combo @ £99.00. If you sign-up to TalkPhotography, RedSnapper are still offering a 10% discount to members. It's high quality stuff and lots on this forum have them. There is also the RSH-283 (3 section version and ballhead) for the same price but the 284 will be more compact when closed up.

Red Snapper | Tripods

Thanks for the input but that's really quite cheap, I've read allot of stories about people buying a cheap tripod's to start with then find themselves upgrading months later, I'd rather get it right first time round.

so maybe if I word it slightly differently and say I have a £400 budget so what would you guys get?

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by NobleBenj

Thanks for the input but that's really quite cheap.

Don't be fooled by the price . . . . seriously! I reckon under a different brand name, you'd pay 2 or 3 times more for the same thing. Don't take my word for it . . . all the Snapper owners on AVF ought to be able to confirm this. It's very high grade kit and built to an exceptionally high standard of finish.

Anyway, happy hunting.

[JSW]

Unless you are going to put a fast 600mm heavy lens on it you would be throwing your money away spending £400 IMO

The Red snapper is very well regarded by users here its build quality is far above its price

Get the Red Snapper or Manfrotto or Giotto's and put your other £250 towards some new glass

[OrbitalPete]

Red Snapper all the way. They're similar quality to the Manfrotto etc at a fraction of the price. Very well built indeed. The cheap tripods people talk about are the £20-50 plasticcy jobs that blow over in a light breeze, wobble when people walk past, and tip forwards when you have the audacity to attach a lens to your camera

[cedmondson]

You might also consider the Manfrotto 055CXPro3 or 055CXPro4 which I think are the successors to the 055MF models. I have the 055CXPro4 (bought from RGB Tech) and it's a lovely piece of kit.
I discovered a range of ballheads made by a German company called FLM that seem comparable in performance & build quality with Arca Swiss, RRS, Markins etc. I think that Speedgraphic is the only place in the UK that stocks them. The model I have is the CB48FT which cost about £124 to which I added a Manfrotto QR plate. Aside from being silky smooth etc etc, the feature that attracted me was the ability to lock the ball to limit movement to one axis. I'm very pleased with it - well worth the £££ imho.