I really like taking macro photos and have used a cheap Hama tripod that I picked up for next to nothing in a supermarket. Unfortunatley It has now died and I want to replace it with something more substantial.
I have looked at Velbon DF range from Jessops (UK) and like the look of them. however I was wondering if anyone has used these, I had a play in the shop and they seemed a little flimsy! I'm a little heavy handed when it comes to kit!
can anyone recommend any decent tripods that extend up to around 160cm that come in at under £60 or any shops (Yorkshire) or websites that have decent offers.
I don't think you can get a decent tripod for under £60 I'm afraid; I had a cheaper one and they just don't cut it. I'd recommend doubling your budget at least for the tripod and head.
I'm interested in the same question too, so keep me updated on what you find out!
From what I've seen though, Amazon tend to undercut most shops for tripods. Also, Jacobs had a pretty good offer just before Christmas for a Manfrotto tripod and head for £99. More than your budget, but definitely less than the full price. Might be worth keeping your eyes open for that sort of thing.
You could regret a cheaper tripod. I've seen the Manfrotto 055XPROB for as low as $150, which doesn't seem to be an unreasonable price to pay for a very versatile and sturdy tripod. You'd still need to purchase a head of course. If you're shooting any kind of modern DSLR, you'll want a tripod/head that can support the weight.
I just purchased a Manfrotto 55" tripod. I needed something small and lightweight for when I go out on day-long photo hikes and this one was perfect. Price ran $95, which I think is in the ballpark of what you're looking for.
The tripod is very stable, reliable, and the only set back is it does not have a removable mounting plate. The head can easily be changed at any time if you decide to buy a better one on down the road.
I don't want to go against @vikdaddy but this £40 jobber has served me ok. It's hardly rock solid, and if you were looking to do anything pro with it it wouldn't suffice but... the head swivels nicely, the legs can open to three wideness settings and it goes up to nearly my head height... it's been decent to me.
If you got by with a "next to nothing" one before, I can't imagine you'd need anything stupidly sturdy... but yeah, I know this is pretty much the skoda of tripods.
Oh and yes the head thing that screws into the camera slots into a little sloty mechanism at the top of the tripod. I leave it permanently screwed into the camera so I can use the tripod whenever with minimum fuss.
@eyebrows Yeah that's probably a good compromise if you don't need a tripod often; it's a good make and by the looks of it it includes a head too. If you regularly use a tripod though I'd spend more.
@wormentude The model number has worn off! I got it about 5 years ago when I got my first slr. Always like macro s got it from a supermarket near the station in Bridlington. Cost about £15
One to avoid... I bought a Hama 153cm tripod for £40 (although cheaper on amazon)... used it about 5 times before one of the legs gave way so can now only use at 3/4 height..
Get yourself a good tripod because it will be one of those things that will last you forever (if it's a quality one). I have a friend who has bought so many different mediocre tripods that he would have been better off just buying one good one. I took his advice and instead of going to my local Best Buy or Target and buying a flimsy one, I bought one from B&H Photo in New York City (online). The one I got is pretty cheap but it is STURDY. You don't want one that can fall over when you have over $1000 worth of stuff on top of it and you are putting it on the sand or uneven surfaces.
I have a manfrotto 190xb with a 496rc2 ball head (google it). Again....it's a 'low end' tripod in terms of good ones, but from what people told me at the time, it was the best low end combination around. Now that I have been using it for about a year now, I can see there is a HUGE difference between the one I have and my brother-in-law's from Best Buy (local department store...don't know if they are in Europe) that was about $50. After tax, shipping and all of that, I believe it was about $200 which I believe is about 125 pounds (if the converter on my mac is correct). It is worth it!! I disagreed last year and almost bought a cheap one but I went to the store and felt the differences between them and listened to experienced photographers and THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE TRIPOD IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. One guy (a professional) that I know even went as far as saying he barely shoots without one and that it should always be attached to you camera.
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From what I've seen though, Amazon tend to undercut most shops for tripods. Also, Jacobs had a pretty good offer just before Christmas for a Manfrotto tripod and head for £99. More than your budget, but definitely less than the full price. Might be worth keeping your eyes open for that sort of thing.
The tripod is very stable, reliable, and the only set back is it does not have a removable mounting plate. The head can easily be changed at any time if you decide to buy a better one on down the road.
Here's the link for what I bought: http://www.adorama.com/BG7322YB.html
If you got by with a "next to nothing" one before, I can't imagine you'd need anything stupidly sturdy... but yeah, I know this is pretty much the skoda of tripods.
Oh and yes the head thing that screws into the camera slots into a little sloty mechanism at the top of the tripod. I leave it permanently screwed into the camera so I can use the tripod whenever with minimum fuss.
Think I'll try and find one to try out as I like to try before I buy!
Thank you to everyone else for your ideas too. I may have to wait a little while longer and spend the cash to get what I really want.
Thank you once again I knew the friendly people on here would help.
Graham
I have a manfrotto 190xb with a 496rc2 ball head (google it). Again....it's a 'low end' tripod in terms of good ones, but from what people told me at the time, it was the best low end combination around. Now that I have been using it for about a year now, I can see there is a HUGE difference between the one I have and my brother-in-law's from Best Buy (local department store...don't know if they are in Europe) that was about $50. After tax, shipping and all of that, I believe it was about $200 which I believe is about 125 pounds (if the converter on my mac is correct). It is worth it!! I disagreed last year and almost bought a cheap one but I went to the store and felt the differences between them and listened to experienced photographers and THEY ALL AGREED THAT THE TRIPOD IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. One guy (a professional) that I know even went as far as saying he barely shoots without one and that it should always be attached to you camera.