Tripods
 

Anybody got any experience of these from ebay? They look quite good for the money.

I'm thinking I may give 1 a go for my 60D. They look a nice balance of being a reasonable size, with good weight capacity and not being too heavy to carry around the hills when walking.

[URL="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREESHIP-New-Digital-Camera-DSLR-SLR-Video-Tripod-Monopod-Ball-Head-Professional-/200669500743?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item2eb8d59547"]Alu[/URL]

[URL="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-Sturdy-Carbon-Fibre-Camera-SLR-DSLR-Tripod-Ball-Head-High-Quality-/190601330422?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item2c60b97ef6"]Carbon[/URL]

It looks quite handy, the ball head is bigger than my Giotto one, less weight than a bag of sugar I'm tempted and have bookmarked it while having a think whether or not.

I've got one of these below and when you carry it around with the Nikon 400mm F2.8 AIS lens, which itself weighs 6kg, you don't need to renew your gym membership! :p

[url]http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-manfrotto-058b-triaut-tripod/p10849[/url]

Just a new mortgage then Old Boy.

OldBoy did you read the bit about hill walking? That tripod weights more than the kits I'd carry for a whole weekend :eek:

But thanks for the reply anyway ;)

It's really difficult to tell without being able to get your hands on them.

They won't be the most stable tripods ever because they're got 4 section legs and twist locks. Probably be good enough though. It's the head I'd be most interested in handling though - cheap ball heads can be awful.

It's always a trade off though - weight versus stability. Personally, for less than £100, I'd have a [url=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-vanguard-alta-203ap-aluminum-tripod/p1521385]Vanguard Alta+ 203AP[/url]. It's got 3 section legs so it's more stable, it's very light at 1360g and will hold 2kg kit. Only main difference is the pan and tilt head which I'd prefer as they're more secure and more precise.

i would stick to the famous brand manfrotto, giottos, velbron, slik, benro and gitzo.

Look exactly like a ripoff of my Benro - but cheaper....... naturally! If it performs as well as my gripped 7D + 500mm f/4.5 on the tripod or leg-transformed-to-monopod I'd say it'd be a good 'un!

I'd want to get my hands on one of these before parting with any money.
My immediate reservations are: A. Twist-lock legs - always bad news. B. As Chris-P pointed out cheap ball heads can be disastrous.
Like everything in life; You gets what you pays for.

[QUOTE=warrerj;68606]OldBoy did you read the bit about hill walking? That tripod weights more than the kits I'd carry for a whole weekend :eek:

But thanks for the reply anyway ;)[/QUOTE]

Must be a wimp then? :p

The reply was a bit of tongue in cheek. Mind you, I've walked all over Sandwell Valley with that on my back. :D