Tripod help needed please

[this_is_gav]

The 055s certainly aren't light, which can either be good or bad depending on how you work. Obviously in a metal tripod more weight is a quick and simple indicator of how sturdy the tripod should be... and the 055s are very sturdy, but I wouldn't want to carry mine long distances.

Even though I've got a 055XPROB myself (same tripod, but the 055XB is missing the horizontal column), I'd still go for that Redsnapper if I was buying again. There really isn't £40 difference - it has a quoted weight of 300g less and support of 100g more... though obviously take both manufacturers figures with a pinch of salt. It also comes with a case which the 055 doesn't (well mine didn't).

And yeah, you should be able to interchange heads between the 2.

edit: Actually, on TalkPhotography, there's a thread deciding between the 2 (in this case the 055XPRO).

[joeted]

The 055s certainly aren't light, which can either be good or bad depending on how you work. Obviously in a metal tripod more weight is a quick and simple indicator of how sturdy the tripod should be... and the 055s are very sturdy, but I wouldn't want to carry mine long distances.

Even though I've got a 055XPROB myself (same tripod, but the 055XB is missing the horizontal column), I'd still go for that Redsnapper if I was buying again. There really isn't £40 difference - it has a quoted weight of 300g less and support of 100g more... though obviously take both manufacturers figures with a pinch of salt. It also comes with a case which the 055 doesn't (well mine didn't).

And yeah, you should be able to interchange heads between the 2.

edit: Actually, on TalkPhotography, there's a thread deciding between the 2 (in this case the 055XPRO).

Thanks alot Gav thats made my mind up ,i'll go with the redsnapper then as last night i was reading reviews on the 055xprob and they were saying that if you flick the legs there was quite a bit of vibration as the legs are hollow and full of air, is that correct or rubbish ?

[joeted]

Sorry Joeted, I would have replied earlier but I was away for most of the weekend.
Ballheads are popular because they are generally quicker to adjust than a standard pan-tilt head, with all the range of movement you get with your shoulder socket.

An explanation of Ball heads vs Pan-tilt heads can be seen here :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snMEHqu4gSs

The locking mechanism for the ball can vary between makes. The reason I love my Manfrotto 322RC2 is the grip action - Squeeze the grip to move & simply release to lock - Like a bike brake in reverse, see here :-

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/Product...ctID~4112.html

A lot of other ball heads lock by a some variation on twisting a knob/screw, and i'm sure there are several other locking methods & adaptations too...but they they are all pretty quick to use.

Monopods I find brilliant for wildlife photography with a big lens. The bigger the lens you get (and believe me you'll always want bigger..lol) the harder it is to hand hold. A mono provides enough stability to get a crisp shot. but gives you enough freedom of movement to follow the action. It's easy to follow the flight of a bird with a mono for example as you just kind of "pirouette" around the axis with the camera. The truth is that once you have purchased your head & tripod then adding a monopod to your collection doesn't cost much more, because you can use the head from your tripod on your monopod too. (This is easier if they are all the same brand & thread size)

I hope this helps.

The best thing to do is to find a camera shop & ask to try things out. get a feel for what is comfortable for you.

Ive just watched the video on the different head gazza, cheers for the link. Im swaying towards the redsnapper tripod and a ball head now lol. this is tricky to choose but i wanna be sure to get the perfect set up. The ball head looked so easy to use and it seemed like it locked the camera very well

[joeted]

Right I think Ive made a choice so what do you all think of this set up
Tripod - http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_1036442.html
Head - http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/Product...ctID~4112.html

Would they be ok for the weight of the camera and the 300mm lens ?
as soon as i get the ok from you lads then I'll order lol

[joeted]

Red Snapper are fantastic value for money and you should get something for around your budget. "budget" and "decent camera equipment" don't usually go together but they do seem to be the exception to the rule.

Like this is gav I too use the Manfrotto 055XPROB but mine is coupled with the Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head and it's possibly the best piece of kit I have ever purchased. If you're using it for telescopic work it is so fast to adjust and just perfect. I use the Sigma 500mm "Bigma" and it has no problems with the weight.
Trouble is something like that will set you back about £180.

Don't buy anything from Jessops..they are bloody awful.

What sort of photography are you into? I'm just curious because if for instance it's telephoto work where you have to adjust quickly then don't overlook how useful a monopod can be either.

Is your ball head good for tracking moving subjects Gazza ? as ive just read it can hurt your hands if your tracking as you need to hold the grip lever in for continuous movement, or is it not a big problem ?

[joeted]

Ok ive made the order and i changed my mind at the last minute
this is what i got

Tripod - http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_1036442.html

Head - http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_2019865.html

Looks great and everyones said how good they are so hopefully ive made the right choice.

[kopite]

MAte the tripod is immense and you wont be dissapointed.

I have the 3 way head instead as there was an offer at xmas.

The bag that comes with the tripod is great and a great extra is a smaller centre column in the bag

[this_is_gav]

Thanks alot Gav thats made my mind up ,i'll go with the redsnapper then as last night i was reading reviews on the 055xprob and they were saying that if you flick the legs there was quite a bit of vibration as the legs are hollow and full of air, is that correct or rubbish ?

Just tested it, and yeah, there is a bit when you're holding the tripod, but when it's on the floor with all the legs out it's minimal. Stick a camera on top, or dangle a weight/bag from the hook on the column and it will soon stops though.

I guess all the legs are full of air though, regardless of make or model. I can't think how they'd be any different - the legs have to retract somewhere when you pack it.

[kopite]

its one of the tradeoffs with tripods though you either get a really weighty one that reduces the vibrations but means its heavier to lug around or you get a lighter one that allows you to take it everythwere but means vibration is a problem

As Gav said though a lot of ppl who have the lighter tripods use their camera bag to weight the tripod down

[joeted]

thanks lads, does anyone see a problem with me having the ball head ?
as this is the only thing i wasnt sure on . I i couldnt make my mind up between ball and pan/tilt

[this_is_gav]

thanks lads, does anyone see a problem with me having the ball head ?
as this is the only thing i wasnt sure on . I i couldnt make my mind up between ball and pan/tilt

For everything I do, I prefer the ballhead now - even portraits.

The only thing the 3-way head is better at in my experience is macro.

It will depend on the type of ballhead you get though - the grip will be better for some, the screw-adjusted others. I haven't had the pleasure of using a screw yet.

[joeted]

oh right ok thanks gav
Thats made me feel a bit better about my choice.hopefully it will be here tomorrow, does anyone know how quick redsnapper deliver ?
when its here i'll give some feedback , not that i have any experience at all of other models lol

[Gazza]

Is your ball head good for tracking moving subjects Gazza ? as ive just read it can hurt your hands if your tracking as you need to hold the grip lever in for continuous movement, or is it not a big problem ?

Sorry mate, slow response time from me again.

I have never had any problems with tracking. It's never hurt my hands at all even when I have been using it all day.

The gear you have ordered looks fine. Good choice choosing a ball head. Happy snapping!

Let us know what you think of the gear when you have used it, as my youngest is getting into photography and there is no way he's going near my stuff, he can get his own!!

[joeted]

Sorry mate, slow response time from me again.

I have never had any problems with tracking. It's never hurt my hands at all even when I have been using it all day.

The gear you have ordered looks fine. Good choice choosing a ball head. Happy snapping!

Let us know what you think of the gear when you have used it, as my youngest is getting into photography and there is no way he's going near my stuff, he can get his own!!

LOL dont blame you in the slightest mate. When the kids even walk within 10 yards of my stuff I go into nervous wreck mode lol .
I'll let you know how I get on with it buddy.hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

[driftwoodywood]

hey, i was just wondering how stable these tripods are at its highest setting, as im 6 foot 4 (193cm), so i will be needing it most probably on the highest setting (ps im lazy to bend down)

[kalniel]

hey, i was just wondering how stable these tripods are at its highest setting, as im 6 foot 4 (193cm), so i will be needing it most probably on the highest setting (ps im lazy to bend down)

Buy a camera with an articulating screen then