Anyone using a Giottos MTL9351B tripod?

[thefonz78]

I was going to get a manfrotto 190 or 055 prob which gets good review then i found the Giottos MTL9351B. you can get it for £70 it has all the features of the manfrotto looks like its well built and a good deal cheaper. I want a ball joint head. Has anyone got this tripod and recommend it?

[OldBoy]

I got a Giottos tripod but mine takes 10kg. Highly recommend them as they are well made and very solid.

[amk1977]

Both Manfrotto and Giottos make very good tripods. Personally I'd look at the individual attributes of each before making a decision, rather than just basing it on price alone. Look at things like weight, max working height, stability, max working weight, etc. Will it support your camera and lenses?

If its for landscapes, then you'll probably want something lightweight and durable. If its seascapes, where you'll actually be standing in the drink or very close to it, you might want to consider a taller, heavier model, to keep your camera from getting wet and also, to help safeguard it getting blown over in those strong coastal winds.

I have the Manfrotto 055XProB. Cannot fault it on anything really, although sometimes I wish the central column was geared. Its certainly more robust than the 190, which is what my Dad has. Its quite heavy but that's both a benefit and a disadvantage, depending on how you look at it. Its also very flexible and allows me to get the camera into a variety of positions. There are some differences between all the models you've mentioned and what they can do, so investigate them carefully and see if they are going to apply to your photography or not.

[jet_kit]

amk sums it all up very nicely. Has the Giotto got the trick centre column like the 055XProB, and is that important to you?
I've been looking at the Three Legged Thing recently. They are beautifully engineered and are made from magnesium & carbon fibre, so are very light. They're not cheap, but they look very good and they're made in England! My problem is that I'll have to wait until my 055XProB gives in before I can justify one, and if my last Manfrotto is anything to go by ....

[thefonz78]

Well i'll buy your 055x and you can treat yourself to a new 23 legged thing

[jet_kit]

Don't tempt me Robert. 'She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed' would kill me. I already spend twice the annual budget I'm allowed!

[MattUK]

I've got a giottos. Weighs a tonne, but very solid. I'm going for a lighter one though, it's just too heavy to lug around

[thefonz78]

Don't tempt me Robert. 'She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed' would kill me. I already spend twice the annual budget I'm allowed!

Tell me about it! i have a £2000 shopping list. I'm wondering if she will notice me lugging around a new £1000 d7000 and not the d40x

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by MattUK

I've got a giottos. Weighs a tonne, but very solid. I'm going for a lighter one though, it's just too heavy to lug around

You could get one like my Manfrotto 058B Triaut Camera Tripod which weighs 6kg.

[jet_kit]

Originally Posted by thefonz78

Tell me about it! i have a £2000 shopping list. I'm wondering if she will notice me lugging around a new £1000 d7000 and not the d40x

Expensive game this, isn't it?

I've just been looking at 3 Legged Thing in greater depth. I think I'm more in love than I was before, but Boy are they pricey!