What tripod?

Amp34 · 22 Apr 2007 at 16:11

I'm looking to get a tripod for my 400D but don't want to spend too much on it. Any suggestions on a decentish tripod for around the £50 mark. I would like it to be relativly small and portable but still be resonably tall.

I had a look around these forums and Velbon seems to be pretty well regarded. But which one, and any others I should think about?

Thanks.

robertgilbert86 · 22 Apr 2007 at 19:57

I have the Velbon CX540 and for £30 I think it's great. Maybe next time I'd go for a longer version though. But if £50 is your budget why not get the CX640?

It's light, looks good, decent (plastic) build, nice gold metal legs, spirit level and it reasonably compact. You get the quick release thing and a bag too.
For £30, not bad at all.

If you have massive lenses you'd probably want something a bit more heavy duty.

EDIT: Just though I'd mention I'm just over 6ft, so if you're a foot shorter the 540 would be fine.

Amp34 · 22 Apr 2007 at 21:56

I'm the same height as you although I suppose I could suffer 5 foot if I had to.

Well at the moment I have a kit lens and a 75-300mm which weighs about 0.5 kg

DR_D · 22 Apr 2007 at 22:35

Amp34 said:
snip
75-700mm
snip

thats a massive focal range!!!!

robertgilbert86 · 22 Apr 2007 at 22:47

Gotta get me one of those!

You really should get the 640 if it's £10ish more. I would have in hindsight.

Mr.Orb · 22 Apr 2007 at 23:29

If you can stretch some extra £ get the Velbon Ultra Luxi F - It can be picked up for about £60

Messiah Khan · 22 Apr 2007 at 23:36

Im very much considering the ULTRA-MAXi-SF due to its very low weight, and low minimum height. Shame it doesn't come with a quick release head, but I suppose I can always get a replacment one.

Amp34 · 22 Apr 2007 at 23:59

DR_D said:
thats a massive focal range!!!!

I meant 75-300mm (although 700 would be very useful sometimes)

I don't really know where to start with tripods. So what is the usefulness of a quick release head and what should I be looking for in a tripod?

konicky · 23 Apr 2007 at 18:11

Amp34 said:
I don't really know where to start with tripods. So what is the usefulness of a quick release head and what should I be looking for in a tripod?

Without a quick release head you have to screw the camera directly to the tripod, and then unscrew it again, which is a real pain! A quick release plate screws onto the camera base, and then you can just clip/unclip the camera from the tripod, much quicker and easier. If you plan to carry the tripod around a lot then light weight and short folded length are important. Also the models with braced legs will not go low to the ground, so they are not much use for macro stuff.

Mr.Orb · 23 Apr 2007 at 18:20

The Ultra Luxi F does have quick release, its incredibly useful.

DarkShadow · 23 Apr 2007 at 19:01

Mr.Orb said:
If you can stretch some extra £ get the Velbon Ultra Luxi F - It can be picked up for about £60

Superb tripod for it's price.

Look at my thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17716135&highlight=tripod

Superb piece of kit for its price!

Amp34 · 23 Apr 2007 at 23:38

dark_shadow said:
Superb tripod for it's price.

Look at my thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17716135&highlight=tripod

Superb piece of kit for its price!

Thats where I got the idea of the luxi F.

I just had a look at a couple of sites and the SF is slightly cheaper than the F but on a couple of other sites the F is almost half the price of the SF. Any one have any idea why?

I think I am definately going to get the Luxi F though.

DarkShadow · 24 Apr 2007 at 14:27

Take a look at the thread over at AV forums for a mini review. If you still need more info and/or pics feel free to ask!

I still haven't used my cam as of yet, darn uni taking up all my free time