Jessops TP327 Tripod - Is it any good ?...

Has anyone got or has used a Jessops TP327 tripod?

It's at the top of their range and at the moment it's advertised on their website at only £39.99.

Is it any good?

I have an "Atlantic 325" from Jessops. I don't know how it differs from the TP327. It was probably a similar price when I bought mine some years ago. It is not too heavy - but then again a heavy tripod is more stable in windy conditions. The pan/tilt head can be difficult to move accurately, but that's what you get in this price range. With the central column cranked up it is convenient to a six foot bloke like me, but you don't get the facility of removing the column to get very close to the ground. I find it easy to unlock the legs to extend or close it up.

Any tripod is better than no tripod, just don't expect to get the Bugatti Veyron of tripods at that price!

I have a cheapy Jessops tripod too, It wont take a SLR with a big lens on it, but SLR with standard zoom in a gentle breeze does ok, anything else and its useless.

Sue has a TP327 which is better than nothing, but the head is a bit plasticky and wobbles with anything too heavy on it. Now she has started using her SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro she needs a sturdier tripod and is currently using an old Slik 35SN. This is much sturdier.

If you need a tripod, IMHO you need a good one and could perhaps look at the Manfrotto 055 range.

I think the "you get what you pay for" rule applies here. To make a rock solid, but light enough to carry, tripod requires quality metal materials and a sensible design. Plastic parts in the support mechanism just don't do the job.

It is likely that, if you were to buy a cheap tripod, you will soon become aware of its limitations and would want to change it fairly soon.

My advice is to look for a reasonably priced second hand Manfrotto or similar. You will not be disappointed and you have a choice of heads from micro-ball to multi-way pan & tilt with fluid damping for video if you so wished.

These don't come as cheaply as Jessops kit, but they will last you a lot longer IMHO. The Manfrotto 190D (superceded now I think) is a good lightweight performer and the 055PROB is excellent for both field and studio. I keep a 190D + mini-ball head in my car but my preferred head is the 488RC2 on my 055PROB. It's bigger & heavier but I prefer it.

Take a bolt with the right thread and drill a hole in it. put a key ring throught the hole.
thread it to the bottom of your camera. Clasp an old dog leash to the key ring and stand on the leash to add some tension, while handholding the camera.
My point? you can get about the same amount of stability, for pocket change, and save your money to buy a better tripod later. manfrotto modo are quite small.
the others here have given all the good advice, but I felt there was just a little more "outside the box" idea for you.

Thats all well and good Don, but what if the dog sees a cat and takes off?

one can only hope that the cat eattempts to gain refuge buy running up Dame Ednas' skirt, with the dog in hot pursuit and the pentax dutifully clicking away at the ensuing hilarity.
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My advice: Listen to John and Peter. Don't waste your money on something mediocre. I LOVE the versatility of my sturdy 055 Manfrotto. Plus it is excellent for very low shots, or extremely uneven ground where all, or any leg can be independently positioned up to 180 degrees. You could even set it up on the side of a boulder with one leg horizontal and 2 normal. As well, the centre post can be re-positioned to horizontal for excellent straight down macro work without the legs getting in the way. It is also tall enough that I do not have to extend the centre column at all. (An extended centre column turns your quality tripod into a monopod.) On the con side: I do find the 055 a bit heavy if I have to carry it for more than and hour or two and I then opt for something smaller - and flimsier.

If you are able to buy the Jessops to test it at home with full refund privileges, here is a cheap way to test just how good any tripod performs. Get a cheap keychain laser pointer from the dollar store (half pound store???) and tape the switch down so it is always on, then tightly attach it to your tripod mounted camera. I mounted it to my camera with an elastic band but gaffer tape will work too. Shine the laser light on a wall at least 20 away and have an assistant trip the shutter while you stand near the light on the wall to watch just how much it moves. The farther the distance the more sensitive the test. Try with mirror lock up on and off, cable release or not, and then for interest, hand held. My Manfrotto 055 is rock steady but just touching the legs makes it move considerably. Hanging my gadget bag from the centre post makes a BIG improvement. I found my quick release plate is my weakest link and I may be looking for a new type or first try getting rid of the rubber gasket where it mounts to the camera.

I would be interested to see how Don's *ist on a leash fares the test.

Cheers

Drew P.

Drew,

Yea Manfrotto! I fully attest to their quality and great engineering.

As to the rubber pad twixt camera and quick release plates, I have a further observation.

During the year or so that I acquired my 190QCB (lightweight because the photographer isn't), 352RC head and numerous mounting plates (I like to leave them on several bodies), I wound up with an (older) grey coloured plate which is longer in dimension and allows attachment to the head at 90 degree offsets rather than 180 (if THAT makes any sense). (It may have come with the 325RC, as the release handle is the same grey colour).

OK Mac, what's your point?

The grey plate has cork instead of rubber and I find it is harder, while still protecting the camera's bottom.

I'll try your laser pointer test to see if it reduces the effects of mirror shock etc. (A fun test that won't involve actually shooting film!)

If it does, I wonder if replacing the rubber pads on the others might be worthwhile.?

Now, where's that pointer?

Mac from Montreal