Tripods

[neverdie]

Okay, it has become apparent that my old cheapie Tripod which use to work fine for the point and shoot camera isnt cutting the slack with the new DSLR.

Having seen a few around and having noticed a great price difference between various models, what are you tips for getting a good tri-pod.

Again I am bothering you all but I know how much you enjoyed helping me pick out some lenses

Thanks in advance.

[angiud]

I got a Manfrotto one, more expensive, but very strong and versatile (and italian ). Big choice, available in Thailand too.

PS: you where more handsome before, now you seem a bit skinny

[neverdie]

^ive been on a diet, cant afford to eat now i have spent all my money on a new camera kit.

Did you get a carbon fibre tripod?

I see slik tripods are somewhat popular here as well.

[Nordlys]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

[fabianfred]

I had a Benbo tripod many years ago....not sure if they are available here though. Very strong and versatile...but not light. I carried one and a Pentax 67 up Mount Kinabalu once....phew.

Benbo stands for BENt BOlt....... since it uses a curved bolt to hold the axis together of the legs and wedge shaped spacers which gives it the ability to have the legs go anywhere at any angle.

[The Vulcan]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

Gitzo

[The Vulcan]

Take a look at the Gitzo link I posted for Nordlys

This company do a full range of tripods

Manfrotto for me (Grandfather was Italian)

Carbon Fibre VERY expensive but if you travel a lot then ideal.

Height is important, feet are important (rubber and screw out spikes) sturdiness when at full elevation is important and finally get a fully adjustable ball head that grips securely.

Needs to come with a carrying case also - built in spirit levels are a must.

DON'T buy one that's too heavy - you won't use it. A DSLR doesn't need a 1 ton tripod eh?

Edited November 4, 2009 by The Vulcan

[baahjun]

Have some Manfrotto gear and that will last you a lifetime, had a Velbon too but that forced me to carry a tube of superglue too.

The ballhead imho is the most important part, be sure to get one that's strong enough for body and a heavy lens.

[neverdie]

Take a look at the Gitzo link I posted for Nordlys

This company do a full range of tripods

Manfrotto for me (Grandfather was Italian)

Carbon Fibre VERY expensive but if you travel a lot then ideal.

Height is important, feet are important (rubber and screw out spikes) sturdiness when at full elevation is important and finally get a fully adjustable ball head that grips securely.

Needs to come with a carrying case also - built in spirit levels are a must.

DON'T buy one that's too heavy - you won't use it. A DSLR doesn't need a 1 ton tripod eh?

THANKS, thanks all,

I actually want a light one, so Carbon Fibre is probably the way to go, I do a lot of walking and my muscles are weak . I wont make the mistake of buying cheap again, although the one ive got served me well with the point and shoot, the new Camera just about squashes it.

Nobody seems to have said anything good about Slik, I will look at a few of the other brands now, thanks for the pointers. Cheers.

[Curt1591]

Heavy might not be important, but rigidity is.

[The Vulcan]

And to round it all off get a cable release and use mirror up.

Pointless pressing the shutter yourself on a tripod!

[neverdie]

Okay.....the other half has already been rattling on about that. We were attempting time lapse the other nite on the little tripod and you cannot do it sucessfully without the cable release.

Theres a few types, cable and wireless, Im imagining the wireless is a good thing for remote operation, especially if your one up and want to 'fill' (not sure of the correct term) with flash, yet not have the shutter open too long.

[Nordlys]

Height is important, feet are important (rubber and screw out spikes) sturdiness when at full elevation is important and finally get a fully adjustable ball head that grips securely.

Is ballhead as sturdy as conventional head? I suppose more convenient to handle?

DON'T buy one that's too heavy - you won't use it. A DSLR doesn't need a 1 ton tripod eh?

What's the ideal weight of the tripod? Lighter the better of course, but I suppose it has to be at least heavier than what you put on its head so it won't fall? I've seen in video an expensive camera on tripod tumble by the force of wind.

Thanks for Gitzo link. They now have titanium tripod!

Nobody seems to have said anything good about Slik, I will look at a few of the other brands now, thanks for the pointers. Cheers.

SLIK is good, but Velbon probably has more range for a Japanese brand, especially carbon models. I just haven't seen high end models from both brands in Thailand.

Edited November 4, 2009 by Nordlys

[neverdie]

^Nordly, I understand thats why alot of the good carbon fibre ones have spikes as well, to help keeping them planted on the ground.

Your dam_n if you do, damned if you dont. Heavy winds and a heavy SLR and theres no way im leaving it swinging on a light tripod, too heavy and you wont carry the bastard around and wont have it when you need it.

[Nordlys]

^Nordly, I understand thats why alot of the good carbon fibre ones have spikes as well, to help keeping them planted on the ground.

I don't think spikes are enough to prevent tripod with heavy top load from tipping over.

But this might help.

http://www.velbon.com/jp/catalog/accessory...onebagmesh.html

http://www.velbon.com/jp/catalog/accessory/neostonebag.html

[neverdie]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

Gitzo

So, after looking at the Gitzo, I notice that the load ratings are different on them, many of the lighter tripods offer a hook to hang ur camera bag from whilst using them to offer extra stability, however I fear my Camera, larger lense will almost overload some of them, yet alone hanging my little camera bag under it.

Some scarey prices too

[Nordlys]

Put one of your heavy lenses in a soft case that came with the lens (if you have expensive lens, like Canon's "L" lenses) and hang it from the hook.

Is Velbon the only company offering "stone bag"?

[neverdie]

I'd always planned to buy a tri-pod where I could hang my 'SMALL' camera bag off the hook in the centre, however, ONE must make sure ONE buys a tripod with a fairly decent load rating or ones bag and camera might bust ones tri-pod .

Of course if you get the real heavy duty tripods with high load ratings, they are as heavy as buggery.

Saw a nice on yesterday in Bkk, it was a Manfrotto Carbon Fibre jobby, with a decent ball head in place, it was a tad over 25,000 baht .

I can definately now see why the eyetallian stuff looks better than the japanese stuff

[Barack]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

Gitzo

This link is not working for me. I am interested in Gitzo (carbon). My gear is heavy (Nikon D3), long lenses etc. and my preference is Gitzo. I am also interested in a Markins ballhead. Thanks!

[astral]

What is the problem with the new digital on the tripod?

Have you turned off the stabiliser on the lens?

If not try that first before buying a new tripod.

[The Vulcan]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

Gitzo

This link is not working for me. I am interested in Gitzo (carbon). My gear is heavy (Nikon D3), long lenses etc. and my preference is Gitzo. I am also interested in a Markins ballhead. Thanks!

It looks as if they are rebuilding their site

Here's who they are - Foto Systems Limited 636/12 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39 (Thepleela 1) Pracha U-Thit Rd.; Wangthonglang Bangkok 10310 Thailand Tel : (662) 934-7701-6 Fax : (662)934-7710

Good luck

[Barack]

Fotofile seems to sell both the Manfrotto and Velbon carbon fiber tripods from what I remember. And Benq seems to be popular in Thailand.

Does anyone know if Thailand sells Gitzo tripods?

Gitzo

This link is not working for me. I am interested in Gitzo (carbon). My gear is heavy (Nikon D3), long lenses etc. and my preference is Gitzo. I am also interested in a Markins ballhead. Thanks!

It looks as if they are rebuilding their site

Here's who they are - Foto Systems Limited 636/12 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39 (Thepleela 1) Pracha U-Thit Rd.; Wangthonglang Bangkok 10310 Thailand Tel : (662) 934-7701-6 Fax : (662)934-7710

Good luck

Thanks for the info. I will check it out next trip to Bangkok. I was looking for the Gitzo Systematic series w/o the center column. I am tall and they may not carry the tall model but I will try.