tripods??

[zxz]

i want to start taking pics at night, and i want to get some pics of the sky show, so im in the market for a tripod...

is there anything to look out for, or are they all pretty much the same?

i dont want to pay top dollar, but i dont want one that will fall over/collapse while my camera is on it either...

will a video camera tripod do? or are there different ones?

any tips would be appreciated :)

[OLSKOOL1800]

I currently have a Manfrotto 190XDB adjustable tripod.
Not top dollar but a mid priced unit that is very sturdy and more than capable of doing a good job.
Easy to take the camera on and off and it has a spirit level built into the top so you can be sure you are dead straight.
Don't buy the cheapest you can find.
Hope that kinda helps :)

Jordan.

[Biante12]

Been using the Slick's for over 20 years. Currently using their 300dx model. manfrotto are excellent as is Giotto's.

For still cameras, avoid tripods with a locating pin on the head, these are video camera tripods and not usually as stable as they need to be for a camera and descent size lens.

Light weight usually means thin walled legs. Check the stability of the legs (thick walls are best) and (if any) the cross beams, if they feel loose or non smooth in operation, look at a different one. Spirit levels in the heads are also designed for videos. The head should at least be able to tilt beyond vertical in one direction and beyond horizontal when moving back from vertical. The locking mechanism for the head should feel strong, test them, some are so weak, one good twist breaks them.

The best leg adjustment clamps seem to be the flipper types. Twist locks aren't as strong and have a tendency over time to wear and allow the legs to slip when you have a bit of weight on them. Once they are worn, you can't adjust the lock tension. A good flipper lock will have the bolts visible which allows for tightening/adjustments if needed.

$200-300 will get you a good quality tripod that will last you many years. I've had the 300dx for 4 years, it will hold my camera and the big 500 lens which is heavy and it has never moved on me. The tripod isn't as light as some I have seen, but it has the ability to change head types, and the legs can be spread to almost horizontal due to the 3 stage step out (great for ultra low shots)

Don't be tempted to buy from department stores, check out Gerry Gibbs in cannington first. They have a good selection, then when you have found one you like shop around for the best price.

[DRKWRX]

yeah Im using a Slik Tripod at the moment for about year prety happy with it, although Because I shoot alot at the beach etc the legs are getting prety hard to extend, Its prety sturdy though made sure it had all metal head, Cant go wrong with a Manfrotto though.

[Biante12]

Have that problem too, but at least its easy enough to pull the legs apart and clean them

[DCIEVE]

I picked up a manfrotto785B - its small enough to fit in a laptop backpack which was my main requirement due to the amount of travel I do.
I guess it works well enough, but if you want to use something bigger than a kit lense the locking mechanism won't hold - even with the small kit lens if I want to put the camera on its side the mechanism slips.

To the experienced guys - is there a more robust tripod that is backpack sized?

[Biante12]

Haven't seen a short one that is both strong and steady. The problem with the ultra shorts is they use more leg segments which means thinner material.
Guess you need to decide strength over carry ability. The stronger the tripod the heavier unless you go to the carbon fibre ones.

[zxz]

cheers for that - will have to look around

my main lense is a canon 100-400 L which is damn heavy! so that would be the heaviest i would use with it.

what about a mono pod? i find that a day of lugging the 100-400 around at a horse show makes my arm tingle and my hand go numb (old arm injury).
i will still need a tripod for playing with night shots etc but a mono would proly be benificial for days with the big lense.

any advice on these?

i only just found gerry gibbs by accident the other day when i was desperate for a camera bag.
nice guys for sure.

[DRKWRX]

should try carrying a 300mm 2.8 L around all day lol, I remember carrying my old 100-400 around at the last wrc had a sore hand for couple days haha, will need a prety decent tripod to take the weight of a 100-400mm, IF your going to be walking around alot and using the 100-400mm Monopod would be better, Jerry Gibbs nice? haha I try to avoid the Cannington store at all costs, have a look on here, Stu has great service.

http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=4cf482ac5433226a2d517c41a49fdbb4

[Biante12]

I know the feeling - 50-500 all day is like carrying a heavy turd you cant dump. Definately look at monos for day work. Gerry gibbs I use to look at stuff, never buy from them, but the do have a good selection. Usually buy wholesale out of Sydney, but its a bit hard to look at items physically, so gerry gibbs is the go for research.

[zxz]

i just went there when i had to buy a case in a hurry

they had a fairly good range to look at and i ended up with a case that could take my 100-400 while on my camera for under $100 which wasnt that bad for a store price. couldnt order on line as i needed it for the next day.

cheers for the info

[DRKWRX]

Nice mate, The Link I gave you for Stu his in Mandurah so you could always email him and see what he can do.