Recommend a tripod!

Hey!
I figured I'd ask here instead of in the photography group, as this place gets alot more traffic.
Can anyone recommend a good tripod for me? I'm not sure if I'm asking too much here but I'd like something that can get reasonably high (I'm tall!), and also reasonably short, for macro-shots. Of course lightweight tripods would be nice, but I understand it could also be a problem when doing macro-shots, due to becoming unstable... so no, the weight is of no concern!
If I can get any recommendations before the evening, I'll see if I can buy it today. Thanks :afrog:

Most tripods can collapse to about 2 feet high. Mine is a Hama which can be extended to almost 6 feet. Tripods usually have a hook on the wind-up section which you can use to carry it round. If you carry a plastic shopping bag around with you you can also put a couple of rocks in it and hook it on for steadying in windy weather.

Look at some reviews, as there are some cheap-and-nasties out there. You get what you pay for.

I've got a Velbon CX-444, quite old. It's heavy too, but I generally use it for the HDRs and landscapes.

The ideal travel companion, though is one of those gorillapods. Flexible, they go anywhere, and if you anchor it properly it can be stable enough for macro shots.

Tripod lolz

I pity the fools that don't have independent legs. :D

I've got a Manfrotto Tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...d=68|69&idx=71

...and a Manfrotto Head: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...d=80|81&idx=82 (that photo is reversed left-to-right for some reason, mine has the handle on the left of the pan pivot).

I'm 6 foot tall and this tripod puts the viewfinder about 1 inch below my eyeline which if perfectly comfortable to use when shooting things at ground level or at long distance. It's a major pain in the neck (literally) when trying to shoot stars at night. This is the standard height this kind of tripod these days so I'm not complaining.

The legs are can all be poised differently, they have a swing arc of 90 degrees. For shooting picture of moss or ground-based insects I have managed to set up this tripod so that the lens is about 9 inches above the ground while being completely stable.

There is a metal quick-release plate that you screw to your camera's threaded socket. This means you can quickly unclip the camera and go hand-held in less than a second.

I'd give this tripod 8 out of 10. Construction quality is excellent, very sturdy and pretty light actually. All the fittings and moving parts are built tough and can handle a lot of abuse.

My only negative points are the lack of height and the lack of a shoulderstrap. There is a hook for a shoulderstrap but I hade to make a strap myself out of the straps you get from large sports holdalls.

I can carry this thing on my back for hours and it's comforable and light.

I definitely recommend a Manfrotto, mine was £94. Worth the money.

Thanks for your replies.
Mendhak:
I have read from multiple sources that the gorillapod is really good, but I still cant help feeling a bit of skepticism about it. Its so short, the only way to actually use it for something other than close-to-ground macro shots would be to actually attach it to something..such as a park bench.
And other than looking pretty silly, I'm wouldn't feel its safe enough.
I might consider one as a supplement to a regular tripod later, if I can find one cheap on ebay or the likes.

Wossy:
Looks like a nice tripod! It sure was alot more expensive here in Sweden though.
I heard that with some tripods you can actually turn the entire middle pole upside down, enabling you to also put the camera upside down, really close to the ground. That would be nice.

Sometimes I get so sick of myself concerning myself too much when I have to make a choice. I'm just going to go out and buy the next tripod I see.

I purchased a $10 tripod and I have found it to be useful. There are better things available in the market. This one is light and extends to 6 feet.

I have two specific issues.
It won't support my SIGMA 300 mm lens very well.
The lens is heavy.

The second issue is related to the angle. I cannot set my camera at every possible angle, since the rotation of the ball head won't work very well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Atheist

Thanks for your replies.
Mendhak:
I have read from multiple sources that the gorillapod is really good, but I still cant help feeling a bit of skepticism about it. Its so short, the only way to actually use it for something other than close-to-ground macro shots would be to actually attach it to something..such as a park bench.
And other than looking pretty silly, I'm wouldn't feel its safe enough.
I might consider one as a supplement to a regular tripod later, if I can find one cheap on ebay or the likes.

Wossy:
Looks like a nice tripod! It sure was alot more expensive here in Sweden though.
I heard that with some tripods you can actually turn the entire middle pole upside down, enabling you to also put the camera upside down, really close to the ground. That would be nice.

Sometimes I get so sick of myself concerning myself too much when I have to make a choice. I'm just going to go out and buy the next tripod I see.

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I did that, but now I ain't very happy with my tripod.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wossname

... It's a major pain in the neck (literally) when trying to shoot stars at night.

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I got a pair of folding camping stools to cure that. If Asda are still doing a stock clearance, you can pick up a pair for four quid. They're stronger, comfier and lighter than they look, and even have their own carry bag with shoulder strap.

http://kxmfow.blu.livefilestore.com/...as%20stool.jpg

BTW, I only sit on one at a time. My arse isn't that big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Atheist

I heard that with some tripods you can actually turn the entire middle pole upside down, enabling you to also put the camera upside down, really close to the ground. That would be nice.

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Yeah mine does that.

Seriously though , don't just buy the first one you see, spend some cash on a decent one, cheap ones are too light and they wobble like a heroin addict on withdrawal in a road-drill factory.... During an earthquake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by schoolbusdriver

I got a pair of folding camping stools to cure that. If Asda are still doing a stock clearance, you can pick up a pair for four quid. They're stronger, comfier and lighter than they look, and even have their own carry bag with shoulder strap.

http://www.vbforums.com/

BTW, I only sit on one at a time. My arse isn't that big.

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Nice, I'll keep an eye out for those. I think the army-navy shop has some too.

Watch out for the weight bearing capacity of some of those chairs. I get a bit nervous since the bulk of them are rated for less weight than I am.

If you want to take some serious photos that are high quality and especially if you use a telephoto lens I would get something that is extra stable. Don't worry about it being real light. You can get your gym workout when you take a camera excursion with your tripod.

I'm buying this one: Manfrotto 055XPROB with the head Manfrotto 804RC2.
Alot more money than I wanted to put on a tripod but what's a poor swede to do:(