Looking for tripod recommendations please

After yesterday's failed attempts at moon shot and with the kind help and guidance of some senior and experienced members here I ran some tests and finally nailed the problem of some of my soft images. My tripod really needs to be replaced.

I put my K20 on it with the DA*300 and Tamron 1.4xTC and observed it minutely while releasing the shutter remotely. To make sure also that I would detect any movements I positioned the LCD screen partially on a reflective state at an angle and released the shutter remotely (3sec delay) and I could clearly see the tremour on both the stages of the mirror flips, before the exposure and after the exposure. I was stunned at the amount of movement that the camera gets.

Would this movement have made my rubbish shots the way they are?
I have no idea at all and may be even with a sturdier tripod many of my shots would still be rubbish, but I sure would like to eliminate this problem

Now, I am in the market for a reasonably good tripod, any suggestions or recommendations please? Second hand if anyone wants to sell one, or even new of someone has an opinion or view on it.

Many thanks

Hi Amin, I don’t know what tripod you have and how you are using it, but first of all do you attach a weight to the underside of the apex?
Also the head you use is it a cheap one or one of the better ones?
basically, the weight slung under a tripod will steady it and a decent head will help also, any sloppiness and you will get blur.
But if you want to spend some more money, any of the “best makes” will do, you get what you pay for.

Ideally I dont want to spend any more money, if I can get away with this one.
This is the one I have link

After a lot of searching and on the recommendation of other forums the one that came out best value for money imo was the Redsnapper tripod HERE so that is what I bought in the end.
It has a decent weight limit of 8k and is built like a rock.

I liked it so much I bought the company .. well no actually, but I did buy their monopod which is of similar build.

oh, and if you say you are a member of the Talkphotography forum you get a 10% discount which pays for the postage.

Hi Amin, That is ok for lightweight cameras but not much good with what you are trying to use it for, use a bit of common when looking for a new one, one that can be clamped solid on any movable parts and with a loading that is ok for your camera/lens weight I use a Manfroto 190 with various heads the one I most use is a Manfroto “fluid” head that I managed to get off Ebay and that is fine with my K20 and Sigma 150-500mm but I do make sure it is on firm ground and a camera bag or polythene bag with a brick in it is slung under the centre as a stabiliser, nothing moves then.

Amin the tripod you have is nearing it's maximum weight carrying capabilities with your kit on it.
You need to spend money to get a good tripod - it will be money well spent believe me, but it must be spent. Better to get a really good one now than come back in a year looking for what you should have got in the first place.If you do a search on the forum you will find lots of advice on tripods, what to look for, different makes models, heads etc.
If you can go along to a shop and try your heaviest lens (the *300 I assume) with your K20D on different tripods and see which one you like best.
Do you mount the lens or the camera on the tripod you now have?

Hi Amin. From experience I know how difficult it is to make the right choice when it comes to tripod and head choice.

Have a look at ours here, and if you would like to come over one evening and have a play to get a better idea, you're quite welcome (think you're close enough to Aylesbury?).

Aminstar - can you increase the delay? The K20D has either 2 seconds or 12 seconds available using a wireless remote. 12 should allow any movement to stabilise and the mirror returning should not have any effect on the exposure.

Gwyn,
I mount the lens on the tripod, the DA*300. And you are right, its really getting to me now, and in the past few days I have had to go to my osteopath to sort out my neck twist

Just joking, , I did go and see my osteopath but it wasn't due to the overuse of tripod

Unlocker, that is such a great offer, thank you so much, yes I am in Ruislip, very near you, and often am around the area. I might take that offer up from you, its really kind of you.

Will be in touch. That Manfrotto isnt it 3 in the end instead of B? Manfrotto 055CXPRO3. A bit dear though but if its good then may justify the price. a few reviews here link

Mike's suggestion also looks quite appealing, and I would get the tripod and monopod and still be left with a few cash left .


The difference in weight isn't that much though, although the Redsnapper is aluminium and the Manfrotto and the other ones in the review are carbon fibre.

Thanks

Amin

Amin I'm thinking of buying this one link

Good price Jack.

If you like unlockers set up and can afford it great, if you need a cheaper (c. £100 inc. head) option I'd recommend looking at SLIK PRO 700DX. I got one after recommendations from this & other forums and looking at reviews and am really pleased.

Any link?

Tel, SRS have them at a reasonable price that includes the head.

See if I can do a link - [link= http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/c/89/Slik-Tripods.html]link[/link]

Answer seems to be no