Could anyone offer advice about buying a tripod for a DSLR + 300mm lens? Obviously, the more you spend, the better the quality. I’m willing to spend about $300. Would that get me something not too heavy but still solid in windy weather? There are $80 tripods that seem pretty good. What’s the difference? ===============================
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I have both a light tripod – a Manfrotto carbon-fibre job, sorry can’t remember the number – and the heavier one that I mentioned in my earlier email.
I must say that the light tripod is only of use in zero wind conditions – with either scope or camera. Since we spend a considerable amount of time at the Western Treatment Plant and similar locations where there is no such thing as “zero wind”, I much prefer the heavier tripod! Obviously the downside is having to carry the heavier tripod when walking.
Paul Dodd Docklands, Victoria
Hi Deb,
I just picked up a monfrotto 290 series from Camera House on the corner of lt Bourke and Elizabeth (knowing you’re in Melbourne too) this week. It’s on the heavy side – but meant for a scope.
The price on the box was $300 but I managed to talked them down to $200 – so it might be worth popping in there as they seem to be willing to offer good deals – and they seemed to have a good range of sizes and prices.
(I should also add I’ve no connection with the place at all – in fact it was the first time I’d ever been into the shop).
Cheers,
Ed
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Our smaller tripod is a Velbon Sherpa with PH-157Q single screw clamp and plate mount which weighs 2.0 kg
The other is a Manfrotto which came with a double screw clamp set up which would be better for scoping shorebirds as you can loosen only the vertical axis clamp. It is heavier at 2.9 kg (so is the 20-60x “big” scope). I can’t speak about camera usage as we both used to hand hold our 500mm mirror lenses.
Brian Fleming Melbourne ===============================
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I haven’t heard of that head. It sounds like a good compromise for scope and camera.
Peter Shute
The reason good tripods have a quick release plate is so you can take the camera on and off the tripod quickly – essential in my opinion. The video head not being able to shoot vertically is a very important point as Peter mentioned. If you ever intend to use it for other than a scope then i would suggest a different head for sure.
Cheers Dave
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Debbie,
Have a look at the Benbo range http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm Light, rigid and very versatile. Not the cheapest, but you can do a lot worse for your money. You might find their Trekker Mk 3 would suit your purposes. The Benbo distributor in AU is Vanbar http://www.vanbar.com.au/ I have a Benbo 2 and used to have a Trekker which I sold to buy a Manfrotto 190xprob. Bad mistake.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Could anyone offer advice about buying a tripod for a DSLR + 300mm lens? Obviously, the more you spend, the better the quality. I’m willing to spend about $300. Would that get me something not too heavy but still solid in windy weather? There are $80 tripods that seem pretty good. What’s the difference? ===============================
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http://birding-aus.org ===============================
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Hi Debbie,
I bought a Manfrotto 190X Pro-B tripod with a 804RC2 head (available as a kit) about a year ago – I can thoroughly recommend it. I bought it from Michaels in Melbourne for around $250 on special, from memory. I notice that this package is still available – here’s a link from Teds.
http://www.teds.com.au/manfrotto-190xprob-804rc2-tripod-kit
You may need to shop around for price (the Teds price is $299), but a walk around the camera stores in Elizabeth St in the city should get you a good price.
Paul Dodd Docklands, Victoria
Hi Debbie,
In that range, I got a very sturdy tripod from Red Snapper: http://www.redsnapperuk.com/ It’s taken a fair bit of abuse from airlines and being dragged about and is still rock solid For all that, it’s not too hefty, either. Now I just need a half-decent scope to go with it… Cheers,
Tony
Is there a chance you’ll ever use a scope on it? That might influence the type of head it should have, with most people seeming to prefer a video head. It ought at least be removable so you can put a different one on later. Not sure if cheap tripod heads can come off.
Lots of birders seem to use a Manfrotto 190 or 055 tripod with a 128RC head with their scope. There are variations of those tripods, but I think the cheapest are just a little over $300 with that head, on the web anyway. The main difference between the two is the maximum height, so it depends how tall you are. I got the 190 and I have to raise the column for it to be comfortable.
Those tripods let you splay the legs out wider if you need more stability, which the cheapies probably can’t do.
That head can’t turn the camera sideways, which might be important to you. If there’s no possibility of using it with a scope then I’ll leave it to the photographers to advise you which head to get. It might be handy to at least have one that uses the same sort of quick release mounting plate though, so you can share tripods with other birders if necessary. (That said, I don’t think I’ve ever done that.)
Note that cheaper tripods might come with a mounting plate type that isn’t replaceable if you lose it or need a spare.
I’d avoid small tripods with legs in four telescopic sections. Three is much faster to fold up.
Don’t forget to check eBay. There are plenty of used ones out there.
Peter Shute