Tripod

[TooNice]

I am surprised that there has been no thread with the word "Tripod" in the title. I have decided to invest in one, given that I very much enjoy taking night shots. Since I am planning some very serious hiking over the next few months, have a particular liking to night photography, and have no severely large lens, I have been looking at travel carbon fibre tripods. It's looking very likely that I will settle with a Gitzo, painfully expensive as they are (pretty much the price of my camera body - add in a Markin's ballhead and plate and almost the price of the camera and lens I started with). For those who are using tripods, what are you using?

[r_j_k_p]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ex-Pro-Heavy...2116459&sr=8-6

very good for the price.

[kalniel]

I'm using a Gitzo copy - Giottos. Can't remember the exact model off the top of my head - carbon fibre, 4? segment, with a decent ball head and quick release rated for quite a lot heavier than my camera+heaviest lens (not hard!)

I'm very impressed, but it's not had a great deal of use. It's pretty light, certainly carriable for a long time. Seems very stable. The three way spirit level on the quick release is handy, as is the bubble level on the legs.

edit: MTL 8350B maybe? With MH1302-652 head/QR combination?

edit2: Close. Apparently it's an MTL 8350B with MH1311-652 combo
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...NBGM99223EJXZG
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giottos-GTMH..._ob_ce_title_0

[kushtibari]

I use a Gitzo GT3541LS and a Kirk BH-1

It was a wee bit expensive but I figured I only wanted to buy one once. It has been superb with long exposure stuff, even on seascapes when you get a few waves coming in.

[csgohan4]

I would recommend you have a look at the Velbon range of carbon fibre tri pods, not bad and not so expensive

[g8ina]

Im using a Slik, very sturdy, also quite heavy, but I dont carry it, the wheelchair does. Manfrotto head.

£3 boot sale.

[KeyboardDemon]

My wife and I use a Manfrotto 190CX3 with the Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head.

[Lee H]

I've got a special el-cheapo tripod years ago for the measly sum of less than £5 from Asda.

It was very lightweight, but after a few additions to it with some heavy iron washers in various places it is now a sturdy beast but my 600D is going nowhere near it as its reserved for the fujifilm S9500 only

[Bagnaj97]

I picked up a Manfrotto Carbon One 444 tripod with 460mg head last weekend at an auction, but I've not had a chance to try it yet. The tripod is no longer made as far as I can tell, but I expect newer models will be similar. It feels very sturdy, especially for the weight and compactness.

[TooNice]

I'm using a Gitzo copy - Giottos.

Have you had the chance to compare to the original ones? Gitzo is very highly regarded, but I do wonder sometime how much is the brand premium on it. Quite often I see people highly praise Gitzo, and people who have opted for a copy state that they are "decent" for the money. I've not seen any in depth reviews that attempts to discern copies from the original though. My concern is that those who paid more are more likely to perceive something that's functional as excellent to justify the costs. I do not mind paying a lot for diminishing returns on certain things, but I would mind if the copy is as good or (*shock*) better than the original for a fraction the cost.

[kalniel]

Have you had the chance to compare to the original ones? Gitzo is very highly regarded, but I do wonder sometime how much is the brand premium on it. Quite often I see people highly praise Gitzo, and people who have opted for a copy state that they are "decent" for the money. I've not seen any in depth reviews that attempts to discern copies from the original though. My concern is that those who paid more are more likely to perceive something that's functional as excellent to justify the costs. I do not mind paying a lot for diminishing returns on certain things, but I would mind if the copy is as good or (*shock*) better than the original for a fraction the cost.

Sadly not. I would not expect it to be as good as a Gitzo though.