Here we are again... TRIPODS
Posted 21/05/2013 - 09:51
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Braced tripods are braced because they are cheap. Unbraced tripods are made of better materials, and don't need bracing to keep them steady.
Unbraced tripods can also be used much lower to the ground normally.
However if you are happy with a cheap braced tripod go for one. 80 pounds isn't a lot to pay for a tripod btw.
The main thing is to check the weight the tripod and head can carry. No point getting a cheap tripod which can only hold 2lbs, if you heaviest camera/lens combo is 5 lbs. Always get one which will hold more than your heaviest combo.
Unbraced tripods can also be used much lower to the ground normally.
However if you are happy with a cheap braced tripod go for one. 80 pounds isn't a lot to pay for a tripod btw.
The main thing is to check the weight the tripod and head can carry. No point getting a cheap tripod which can only hold 2lbs, if you heaviest camera/lens combo is 5 lbs. Always get one which will hold more than your heaviest combo.
Posted 21/05/2013 - 10:39
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Faced with a need for a really good tripod (health problems meant that I was having difficulty holding my K20 up) I changed the head on one I had already.
It was a good strong tripod that I bought in France with a telescope attached.
The scope had been given away when I really had no use for it, but I kept the tripod (with a very clumsey pan & tilt head that looked like it was desugned for a U-Matic video camera.
Taking the head off (standard screw fitting) and replacing it with a budget Redsnapper head gave me a usable tool with a QR plate. I found Redsnapper very easy to deal with - and I thought the quality very good as well.
Can you fit a head of your choice onto the Quantaray legs?
Geoff
It was a good strong tripod that I bought in France with a telescope attached.
The scope had been given away when I really had no use for it, but I kept the tripod (with a very clumsey pan & tilt head that looked like it was desugned for a U-Matic video camera.
Taking the head off (standard screw fitting) and replacing it with a budget Redsnapper head gave me a usable tool with a QR plate. I found Redsnapper very easy to deal with - and I thought the quality very good as well.
Can you fit a head of your choice onto the Quantaray legs?
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Posted 21/05/2013 - 11:21
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I'll see if I can unscrew the head, good idea.
I think I need to get down to Jessops to try out some different types of tripod. If I'm tempted by the more upmarket type of tripod, it might be an idea to get a really cheap and nasty tripod for now and save up for a Redsnapper...
I think I need to get down to Jessops to try out some different types of tripod. If I'm tempted by the more upmarket type of tripod, it might be an idea to get a really cheap and nasty tripod for now and save up for a Redsnapper...
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
Posted 21/05/2013 - 12:23
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Pentaxophile wrote:
Redsnappers are expensive.
Redsnappers are expensive.
That's the first time I've seen anyone say that...they're actually very cheap considering the quality, I have an aly one as a backup to my Benro CF and it's excellent
Simon
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Posted 21/05/2013 - 12:29
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Most tripod heads unscrew, I bought a redsnapper head off a forum member and its a good solid bit of kit. Holds my gripped IIs and the big sigma in a reassuringly solid fashion (!?!?!)
One day you'll find, 10yrs have got behind you.
Posted 21/05/2013 - 13:53
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The sort of tripod Pentaxophile has probably doesn't have a detachable head. They are usually sold as a single unit, with the head firmly attached.
A good tripod is worth it's weight in gold so a Redsnapper really isn't expensive. My tripod and head combo would have cost me nearly the same as a new lK10 body had I paid full price for the head.
A good tripod is worth it's weight in gold so a Redsnapper really isn't expensive. My tripod and head combo would have cost me nearly the same as a new lK10 body had I paid full price for the head.
Posted 21/05/2013 - 14:16
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Appreciate redsnappers are inexpensive compared to manfrotto etc, but they're an indulgent amount of money compared to what I used to have, which did its job to my satisfaction - I can't think of anything else I could have wanted it to do other than support my camera perfectly steadily for long exposure shots etc. But I'm thinking maybe the redsnappers would look more the part, and may be less cumbersome to carry or attach to my backpack. I'll need to handle some to figure that out!
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
Posted 21/05/2013 - 15:49
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Treated myself to a Hahnel Triad 50 with pistol head recently. A MASSIVE improvement over the 1980s ex-Argos Slik I had previously.
Light, removeable head, comes with a short column for low work too.
Light, removeable head, comes with a short column for low work too.
Posted 21/05/2013 - 16:16
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I've been using the same (braced :wink Velbon tripod since 1976, although it does now have a Manfrotto 3 way head. Worth paying as much as you can.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 21/05/2013 - 19:20
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Will, if your old tripod met your needs, then don't let us talk you into spending more than you can afford on a new tripod. Spend what you can afford, and get the best you can afford. No point in spending a lot, and feeling bad about it.
Better you get one you can afford and will use than that you feel you must spend more so need to save up.
Good luck with your decision.
Better you get one you can afford and will use than that you feel you must spend more so need to save up.
Good luck with your decision.
Posted 21/05/2013 - 20:38
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Redsnappers without braced legs are very stable, in fact much more stable than a Velbon C600 I also have which does have braces, but also has some plastic fittings. The Redsnapper is all metal - mine's been out in 60mph winds in the Peak District and managed to get some shake-free images. The lack of bracing is not a downside, in fact it's a bonus as it allows the legs to spread very wide for low angle use - mine gets employed this way quite a lot.
It holds any of my kit with ease, including the K-5 and Sigma 150-500 which is a fairly heavy combination.
They are not expensive for the quality you get; heavy use for almost two years and no signs of it feeling any strain yet.
Regards
David
It holds any of my kit with ease, including the K-5 and Sigma 150-500 which is a fairly heavy combination.
They are not expensive for the quality you get; heavy use for almost two years and no signs of it feeling any strain yet.
Regards
David
Posted 21/05/2013 - 21:15 - Helpful Comment
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Don't know if you've got a Calumet near you but I bought one of these last year and I'm happy with it. I paid £49 for it including the head - it's shown at £65 but they had a sale of their own brand at the time.
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_7300_tripod_with_three_way_qui...
They also have a shorter one at £51
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_7100_tripod_with_three_way_qui...
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_7300_tripod_with_three_way_qui...
They also have a shorter one at £51
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_7100_tripod_with_three_way_qui...
Jamie
Posted 21/05/2013 - 22:16
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Thanks Jamie! I'd forgotten about Calumet, but I saw a very good review of their tripods several years ago. And they have a Birmingham store which is great. That's the sort of price I can see myself stretching to for something slightly better and more professional looking.
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
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6794 posts
15 years
Nottingham
But I've seen a few comments re Redsnapper tripods, and wonder if I should consider upgrading rather than getting something similar? My concerns are
I never had any stability issues with the Quantaray.
Redsnappers are expensive.
How can the Redsnapper's unbraced legs be as rigid as a braced model surely its more likely to be rickety?
Are there any models between the Velbon (20 quid) and the Redsnapper (80 quid) worth looking at?