Are these good deals?

Im new to tripods and wondered if I could have some advice on these 3, at the moment i just need something to start me off and not fall apart on me. feel free to delete this post if it's not suitable for the category.

Camlink TP2500 Tripod. 569/2279 Argos £29.99
Vivitar 170cm Tripod. 569/4600 Argos £39.99
Manfrotto MKC3-H01 Compact Tripod. 569/3917 argos £49.99

Hi

As with everything it depends on what you want to do and place on it, but in general a tripod isn't something you want to compromise on. Most of the budget models are so poor that you will end up replacing them fairly quickly.

The first two certainly fall into that category. Manfrotto are a better make, but the one you mention isn't suitable for a DSLR. The maximum load is 1.5kg which is nowhere near enough to be stable. The maximum height is poor too.

For just a little more, about £66 delivered, you can get one of these, or the 284 alternative, which are a world away from the three you mention.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-283_tripod_and_RSH-24_3-way_he...

It's more of an enquiry, so moved to General Chat.

The best tripod will be the most substatial and solid. Hence heraviest, most expensive probably.

The manfrotto 055 with a head of your choice is a good compromise.

I'd say go for the Manfrotto. I think Camlink are a company that manufactures an assortment of photographic and video accessories, and my only experience of Vivitar is their compact cameras and camera lenses (of which was quite good quality for the money, IMO!!).

I would highly recommend a Redsnapper Tripod. Very reasonably priced and absolutely built like a tank.

RS-283 and RS284 are currently on offer at £58.95 on Redsnapper's website. They are both superb, the only difference is the number of leg sections (3 or 4).

link

Regards
David

Manfrotto for me! Really good design, materials, and build quality. Tripods inevitably involve compromises, in particular between mobility & rigidity, and balancing cost against quality, but the 055 range IMO represent probably the best balance, for my category at least- keen amateur, some indoors use and some outdoors use, ie out walking both in the countryside and in urban areas. The range was good from the start, but still has benefited from continuous detailed development over the years, and I reckon them to be the best value for money.

I agree with this, I have one and its very stable in all sorts of weather conditions.

Regards

I to will be looking to purchase a tripod, at some time in the distant future. My faithful old Cullman that I've had since forever is all worn out after a year of bearing the weight of the GX20. I am seeking something fairly robust that will cope with say a tumble down a scree slope (hopefully without the camera or me attached to it). What do people think of these carbon fibre (CF) tripods? Wonderfully light material I know. My only experience with CF has been its use on motorcycles, where if you drop the bike and it lands on a panel it cracks really easily and is expensive to replace. Does anyone have any idea how tough these CF tripods are? I am considering getting one of the Vanguard Altas. Any further guidance will be gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

thanks for the advice, i should save up for a good one but im still tempted to go for a cheaper one although i know I'll regret it.

I will +2 on the Redsnapper tripod. Had mine nearly 3 years and it still looks like it hasn't been used.


Oh wait, now I think about it ... it hasn't been used.

I still haven't got around to placing my order with Redsnapper, but was going to in the next day or two, so if yours is taking up valuable space.....

I don't even know where it is any more.

right, I opted for the Manfrotto and also managed to buy a Lowepro sling shot 202 aw as well.

Buried underneath all those old filters?

Had a Redsnapper for a few years now and can't recommend it highly enough.