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What tripod

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Old 04-01-2008, 1:59 PM   #1
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What tripod

So im of to china for 3 weeks at easter, cruising down the yangtze river and all over the place.

I would like to buy a tripod to take with me, light enough to take onto the planes but strong enough to hold my D200, with the battery grip and the really heavy lens ive got.

I was thinking something like a manfrotto, get something decent, all the tripods ive got at the moment ive begged borrowed and stolen.....

Any suggestions?
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Old 04-01-2008, 2:12 PM   #2
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Re: What tripod

I just bought a Manfrotto 190XPROB and its a lovely piece of it.

Body was £88 + VAT from Calumet and head another £45. All legs can be adjusted to 4 different positions and the best of all centre column can be lifted to full extent then with push of a button rotated round to horizontal.

That feature alone saved me having to climb over several fences this morning as I could put the camera out on horizontal to get the shot I wanted!

Couldn't reccomend it highly enough!! Also excellent selection of heads available ...
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Old 04-01-2008, 2:17 PM   #3
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Re: What tripod

I'd recommend as well a Manfrotto, I've got a 190D and 390RC2 head cost me about £100 all in.
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Old 04-01-2008, 2:22 PM   #4
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Re: What tripod

Just got 190xprob tripod from rgb tech http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/product/1478

for £83 see the price has dropped to £80.49 *##$%** LOL

Dont forget you'll need a head

Nice bit of kit
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Old 04-01-2008, 2:25 PM   #5
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Re: What tripod

Another happy 190 owner here. I have the C model with the 390RC2 head and it was £90 all in from Jessops.
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Old 04-01-2008, 4:26 PM   #6
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Re: What tripod

I have a Manfrotto 718B for traveling, and although a little short it is very light and small to carry around. It comes with a 3 way head built-in and a little bag.

If you are looking for something smaller, cheaper (£65) and lighter than the 190, then this is an option. It will take upto 2.5kgs, which may or may not be enough for your needs.

Obviously the 718 isn't a 190 or a 055, but is only 1.4kg with the head. They also do a shorter version that is 1.2kg.
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Old 04-01-2008, 4:42 PM   #7
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Re: What tripod

Im considering the 190 prob, park cameras do a package with a head for £135, looks like a really nice tripod.

Ive already got a heavyweight manfrotto for 10x8 and 5x4 cameras but its just too much to lug around china.......

Its interesing to see what other people have bought.
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Old 04-01-2008, 4:47 PM   #8
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Re: What tripod

i use a Benro carbon firbre set of legs (I forget which model) with a magnesium head. Both are copies of other designs, Gitzo for the legs and Arca-swiss for the head. I adore the set up, its solid as a rock and it weighs less than half the manfrotto i used to carry around. The fact it came with a carrying strap helps tremendously! Its a bit more expensive than the 190 that everyone seems to love here
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Old 04-01-2008, 4:55 PM   #9
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Re: What tripod

I've spent some SERIOUS money on my tripod....got THIS for under a tenner in the Trago Mills sale Dixons are trying to ask £60 for it HERE which is probably incorrect. It'll do me just fine for the time being and comes in a shoulder carry-bag.

Result!
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Old 04-01-2008, 5:08 PM   #10
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Re: What tripod

I'm currently on the look out for a tripod too.. and the 190XPROB has great reviews and feedback..

I'm really tempted to buy the Giottos MT9351.. it has similar stats to the Manfrotto but imo looks to be a bit more tough in terms of build etc.. also comes with bag / cary strap etc... only thing that tempts me to go for the 9371 is the additional height, but this comes in at 0.9KG.. and with the 9351 being 2KG I dont really fancy the extra weight..

I'm considering getting this with the 7302 fluid ball head..

Anyone know what the Giottos MT9351 / 9371 are like? Also any experience of the 7302 fluid ball head? (on special at warehouse express).

Thanks,
R
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Old 05-01-2008, 3:41 AM   #11
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Re: What tripod

I have also been looking for a tripod to take around with me on my travels. I wanted one which was sturdy enough to take my camera and lens (no point taking a tripod around with you if it's not sturdy extended and cannot take your lens properly), was able to extend up to my eye level (I'm only 5'6 so that wasnt too much of a problem), folded up smallish and lastly was light so wouldn't take up a lot of baggage allowance.

In the end I settled with a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-545, having carbon fibre legs it is light yet sturdy and it also folds up to a nice size.
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Old 05-01-2008, 9:03 PM   #12
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Re: What tripod

The February "Digital Photo" magazine has a review of six tripods ranging in price from £100 to £215 and they voted for the Manfrotto 055XPROB at £140.

I like my old Gitzo, a very sturdy ( but heavy ) tripod.
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Old 05-01-2008, 9:07 PM   #13
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Re: What tripod

Another vote for the Manfrotto 190 XPROB with 488RC2 head.

Great tripod at a good price. Love it
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Old 09-01-2008, 9:52 AM   #14
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Re: What tripod

its seems i stumble on a good one..... now to scrape some money together.
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Old 09-01-2008, 10:03 AM   #15
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Re: What tripod

Uniloc Major System 1600

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/bi...loc.html#Major

and a Manfrotto 410 geared head

weights a ton, setup is like wrestling an octopus, and the head is SLOOOOOW to move around, but you can't beat this sort of setup for macro.
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