Tripod needed - Bulletproof, yet to a budget.

Messiah Khan · 23 Nov 2007 at 12:49

Im going to do my own research, but I wondered if anyone had any experience or advice regarding tripods with the following specs;

Bullet proof (Or rather, studentproof which is probably worse).
Weight doesn't matter
Maximum budget about £100-£150 (+another £100 for the head)
Must be simple to use (Again student proof)

For the head, its mainly going to be used for DV-cameras, but occasionally also for stills cameras, so im thinking a 3 way head of some sort, but again it needs to be very very durable. If something doesn't work or want to go in a certain direction, students have a tendancy of making it go, despite the cracking sound suggesting otherwise.

samcat · 23 Nov 2007 at 12:58

A friend recently bought the Velbon DV6000, under £90 from the usual highstreet camera retailer... Has really impressed me with its sturdiness/ease of use.
He has it setup so that everything is moveable, yet tight enough that it doesnt 'self adjust'.. And thats using some large lenses on his 400d. I know the tripod is really designed for DV cameras, but it works superbly with his camera.

Sam C

Gaffer · 23 Nov 2007 at 17:24

Messiah Khan said:
Bullet proof (Or rather, studentproof which is probably worse).
Weight doesn't matter
Maximum budget about £100-£150 (+another £100 for the head)
Must be simple to use (Again student proof)

With students you want a tripod where nothing can be removed or unscrewed.

And that might be a tall order. With the students I've seen, I would be tempted to expoxy a screw thread into a block of concrete...

Andrew

neodude · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:55

I use a Monfrotto 190PROB with a 488RC2 Ball Head. I can vouch for the tripod itself, it's fantastic but heads are more a personal choice. A lot of landscape guys prefer a 3-way head for easy panoramas. The 488RC2 has the best of both worlds with a seperate pan control.

sloth · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:59

Manfrotto 055XPRO. Got one a while back and it meets all your criteria. Not the cheapest, but it's really well built.

Strax · 23 Nov 2007 at 21:27

Manfrotto 190xprob and your head of choice to suit.

wez130 · 23 Nov 2007 at 22:19

He already has the 190 xProB

Founder_film · 23 Nov 2007 at 23:23

What DV cameras is it going to hold? I used to work for Vinten and they make unbelievably sturdy tripods and heads, like seriously well built. Check them out, although I am not sure they do anything in your price range.

Amp34 · 23 Nov 2007 at 23:53

Yep I would go for the 055Pro, within budget and bulletproof (it has to be with me, I really should look after it more

). The 804RC2 Head goes well with it too. Overall quite heavy, but it's still standing after various 'incidents' while carrying and cycling with it.

Flibster · 23 Nov 2007 at 23:57

Slik Pro 700 DX.

Maximum Operating Height: 1,900 mm
Minimum Operating Height: 620 mm
Maximum Center Column Extension: 380 mm
Folded Length: 760 mm
Weight: 3,200 grams
Number of Leg Sections: 3
Leg Lock Type: Speed Release Lock
Maximum Load: 6,800 grams

Built like a brick ***house and under £100

Not light, but massivly impressive for the money.

Messiah Khan · 26 Nov 2007 at 12:43

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Gaffer said:
With students you want a tripod where nothing can be removed or unscrewed.

And that might be a tall order. With the students I've seen, I would be tempted to expoxy a screw thread into a block of concrete...

Andrew

Hehe, yeah that isn't too bad an idea.

sloth said:
Manfrotto 055XPRO. Got one a while back and it meets all your criteria. Not the cheapest, but it's really well built.

The Manfrotto 055XPRO is already on my potentials list.

Strax said:
Manfrotto 190xprob and your head of choice to suit.

Ive got a Manfrotto 190xprob for my own persoanl use, and its not a simple or strong as id like tbh. If I was a student im sure I could break a 190xprob with a bit of effort.

Founder_film said:
What DV cameras is it going to hold? I used to work for Vinten and they make unbelievably sturdy tripods and heads, like seriously well built. Check them out, although I am not sure they do anything in your price range.

Thanks for the suggestion. The cameras are normally Canon DM-XM2 or Canon MV890. The stills cameras are Canon 350D, but primeraly the tripods will be for DV camera use.

Flibster said:
Slik Pro 700 DX.

Maximum Operating Height: 1,900 mm
Minimum Operating Height: 620 mm
Maximum Center Column Extension: 380 mm
Folded Length: 760 mm
Weight: 3,200 grams
Number of Leg Sections: 3
Leg Lock Type: Speed Release Lock
Maximum Load: 6,800 grams

Built like a brick ***house and under £100

Not light, but massivly impressive for the money.

Someone else suggested this one over at TP and its a tthe top of my potentials list. Looks very good for the price.