Hi,
I am going to buy a new tripod and would like some feedback from 365ers as to what I should buy.
At the moment I have a very cheap no-name model but now I would like to something better.
Any info and or recommendations would be a great help.
Get a Manfrotto - I've got 2 & love them. Rock solid.
Just one detail to be aware of though, weigh your camera with the heaviest configuration in which you are going to use it - battery pack, heaviest lens etc. and make sure the tripod head is capable of taking the weight. If in doubt, get a sturdier head, this will ensure no drooping or creeping.
Get one that fits you without having to pull up the center piece or you lowering yourself. This will give the most stability and be the most comfortable to use.
I've a Tiltall tripod. Not as modern as a manfrotto and the like, but a great combination of light weight and sturdy. Granted, the heaviest combo I have attached to it are a canon 70-200 2.8 on my 1d mark ii, bit it is steady as a rock with that.
I recently did quite a lot of research also on this subject. The one thing you must ask yourself is what you want to do, where you want to take it, what gear do you have and how much money you have to spend.
I bought a decent Manfrotto carbon fiber one since I would like to take it on hikes. It is reasonably light, it can fold up quite small and it has a very good load capacity. it was quite pricey tho...
Oh and the most important thing is probably the head. You really need to get a head that is suited to the application you want to use it. One does get this combos but if you get a head that does not work for your application then it does not help to have a good tripod
It's easier to use a tripod if it's light, collapses down small and is easy to adjust. I have a Gitzo Traveler (carbon fiber) with the G-lock system. Very easy to use and carry.
I know that manfrotto also sells this head. I have personally used it (on someone else's tripod!) and it is so easy...no turn this knob, push this lever, etc. It is spendy but worth it if you can manage!
As Carel Combrink says.
Decide what you want it for and when you are going to use it.
I have a cheap lightweight one to pack in my luggage is I am going by air. I have a benbo trekker that allows me to get low if needed, but I also have one (i was given) which goes to about 6' without rising the centre column.
I don't use the lightweght one much. I have several heads but end up using my manfrotto most. The quick release is handy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D60LG8
This is the one that I have. It's not expensive, can handle a heavy camera, and comes with a sturdy carrying case with the nice shoulder strap. I got it last summer and I am really happy with it,
Love my manfrotto but 2 things...make sure whatever you get is heavy enough for your heaviest camera with longest lens and make sure you have some sort of quick release...no-one has time to screw a camera to a tripod.
Manftrotto make great tri-pods. Gitzo are "supposed" to be better but are also a lot more expensive (at least here in South Africa). Just make sure the tri-pod and the head can handle the weight of your gear. I know if I use a 300mm prime lens on my tri-pod's ball head, there's a distinctive movement you can see through the viewfinder when you trip the shutter. The weight is just too much.
Manfrotto - I use the ProB legs for the wonderful swinging centre section. Choice of heads, I use the ball grip for outside, a precision 3-way for indoors.
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I'm using a Manfrotto MKC3-P01 Compact Photo Kit and I'm very happy with it - here's a link for it: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MKC3-P01-Compact-Photo-Black/dp/B004MKNJ8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318272070&sr=8-1
I was advised to get a sturdier one if I was going to buy a heavier camera but for now it works just fine with my Canon EOS 1000D.
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Cora
really compact and relatively steady/rigid.
Just one detail to be aware of though, weigh your camera with the heaviest configuration in which you are going to use it - battery pack, heaviest lens etc. and make sure the tripod head is capable of taking the weight. If in doubt, get a sturdier head, this will ensure no drooping or creeping.
It's a bit on the heavy side if you want to take it on a hike but will take a large zoom easily with a dslr.
I bought a decent Manfrotto carbon fiber one since I would like to take it on hikes. It is reasonably light, it can fold up quite small and it has a very good load capacity. it was quite pricey tho...
Decide what you want it for and when you are going to use it.
I have a cheap lightweight one to pack in my luggage is I am going by air. I have a benbo trekker that allows me to get low if needed, but I also have one (i was given) which goes to about 6' without rising the centre column.
I don't use the lightweght one much. I have several heads but end up using my manfrotto most. The quick release is handy.
There's an article here, with a test for the tripod you might choose
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/is_this_the_worlds_best_tripod.shtml
This is the one that I have. It's not expensive, can handle a heavy camera, and comes with a sturdy carrying case with the nice shoulder strap. I got it last summer and I am really happy with it,
@jinximages great balance there mate! =)
@sburbidge really good tip about the weight, thanks.