[Jim]

I'm after a tripod and monopd. hit me with some knowledge
word

[SA Chris]

There's one wandering about Lancashire after being abandoned by it's master. If you can capture it and retrain it, it's yours. Last seen wearing rockboots.

There's some good info on here from when someone asked a while back, do a search?

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

hit me with some knowledge word

Jim, the only 'knowledge/word' you need is Manfrotto

[SA Chris]

Good choice of knowledge/word Toby, provided the other words you know are "loads" "of" and "money".

Good stuff but not cheap. Choice of tripod (and more importantly tripod head) depends a lot on what you want to us it for; photo or video? Lugging it great distances, or just pottering about the crag?

[dave]

i would say get the sturdiest/heaviest one you can be arsed to carry around. the best tripod in the word is useless if it is sat at home all the time.

If i was buying a monopod i'd probably just by the cheapest and stick a cheap ball head on it. like one of them for a tenner from 7gayshop.co.ck.

[andy_e]

There's one wandering about Lancashire after being abandoned by it's master. If you can capture it and retrain it, it's yours. Last seen wearing rockboots.

Nope, it's been found. See the Stronstrey video on the website.

[Johnny Brown]

Jim, tell me howq much you wanna spend and I'll hit you with the knowledge. Is it for that newfangled digicam thingy? Or for videoin?

[Jim]

Both mate.
Budget about £20 for monopod and £60 for tripod.
I got a tripod but its a tad too flimsy really. good for taking on holiday cos its small. after something a little bigger and sturdier

[SA Chris]

Jim, you know you can always make a flimsy tripod a bit more stable by hanging something off the underside of the head to give it a bit more weight. You dont need to carry a brick around or owt, a 2 l bottle of water or something will do the job.

If it collapses under the weight it was REALLY flimsy and shit and definitely needs upgrading.

As far as heids go, for videoing, a tilt and pan head is really useful. Trigger grip is good for photos, but not good for video.

[Johnny Brown]

Like the man sez, a ball and socket is fine for just photos but you wanna pan and tilt head for video. Like Obi sez, its manfrotto all the way for the cost/kwaltitee equation.

http://www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/ have some deals on.
 
'REDUCED PRICES FOR A LIMITED PERIOD - 4 tripods aimed at the digi camera user, these ultra-compact tripods will go where larger tripods would normally be left at home'

The 718B DIGI MINI TRIPOD Black looks like the one I'd go for - £65. Decent height, plus video head with quick release plate - get a spare so you can swap quick like

If you want someting a bit more manly, decent legs start at £70 for the Mn190D basic, then you'd want a head something like the 390RC Pan & Tilt - £34

I know jack shit about monopods, but Manfrotto's cheapest has to be a good bet - 676B £27. Ideally you'd want an ickle ballhead too...

[GCW]

Opinions needed!

I'm looking at getting a better tripod for use with video (ie fluid head).  I admit that most of the time I use static filming, but if I could get smooth pans I'd use it more.

Looking at the Manfrotto configurator has confused me a bit.  I'd estimate the camcorder and kit is well under 2kg.  I want something that I can still carry up to Thorn Crag or far Skyline, but decent quality.

I seemed to come up with a 701HDV head and 190XPROB tripod combo.  Now, is this a bit overkill for my needs?  Is there a better combo I should be looking at?  Or any new alternatives?

[slackline]

I recently bought a tripod for my SLR (which is heavier than what you're looking to use).

I opted for...

Giottos GTMTL8351B - 3 Section Pro Carbon Fibre Tripod With Two-Way Column

and combined it with

Giottos MH1302-652 Series 2 Ball Head With Quick Release

Despite being a ball and socket it is still possible to pan as the whole section that holds the ball pivots around and it also tilts right down to 90-degrees for portrait framing (although why you'd want to film in portrait I've no idea  ).

The carbon fibre legs are very sturdy and light, although in retrospect I should probably have gone for the 4 section legs as the 3-section is just a little too long to fit into the rucksack which is mildly annoying (may change in the future).

I really like the range of positions with the two-way column as the image in the bottom right partially demonstates...

[GCW]

Thanks.  Size wise my current tripod fits in the rucksack (yes, I carry a big bag!) so 3 or 4 section is less of an issue.  I see your combo is roughly equivalent on price and weight.  But will any pans be smooth enough (this being the main reason for an upgrade)?

[slackline]

But will any pans be smooth enough (this being the main reason for an upgrade)?

The head unit itself won't cause any problems, you can loosen it right off and move it freely, or tighten it and have more resistance when panning.  I guess it comes down to how steady your hand is, which would be an issue even if you had a more conventional head with handle to do this (although that may make finer adjustments to panning easier as the handle will be further away from the axis point).

[Johnny Brown]

If you want smooth pans forget about ballheads and get a video head - fluid if you can afford it. The budget ones aren't true fluid heads but acheive the same effect with springs.

Had a play with one of these only this morning - seemed very good. £145 on Amazon.

The Manfrotto 701 looks like a decebt alternative, if a bit bulkier, or go cheap and cheerful with the 128RC , should be half decent for ~£50.

[GCW]

I've found reviews on the 701HDV tone pretty positive, and seems to be available for £85.

Thanks, I was thinking fluid was the future.  I'll certainly go and have play with kit in a shop as well.

[GCW]

Pretty set on the 701 head, but after re-reading this thread it seems stom and StagerFarLish have the 055 tripod.   

Would you peeps say it would be better suited than the 190?  I can't see the 190 being too flimsy for a video set up.

[cofe]

i've got the 055 legs and they're noticeably bigger/heavier than the 190 legs. Although 055 extend higher, 190 are plenty sturdy enough - I'd go with those.

[lagerstarfish]

It was the extra hight that made me chose the 055.

I've always liked long legs.

[GCW]

Legs are fine, but I like the head.

[GCW]

Kit arrived.  Very pleased with it, mini review on the Blog. 

[SA Chris]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005XKJ79W/ref=gb1h_img_c-1_0267_A10P12YDY4GQWK?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=17W3C9FFGV7MDD2JAZHB&pf_rd_i=350613011&pf_rd_p=344320267#productPromotions

Good tripod for a good deal? Got a big heavy steel one, looking for something lighter.

[Fultonius]

I've got a very similar manfotto and can't fault it Chris.

I'd probably sell you it as I barely use my big camera, but I got it for a present so shouldn't!

[Stu Littlefair]

I have that tripod and love it.

[SA Chris]

I'd probably sell you it as I barely use my big camera, but I got it for a present so shouldn't!

Got it of a Black Friday deal for £68, sweet! Would you have let yours go for less?

Take it with you to Cham, set up your DSLR on the balcony at night and get some amazing shots. Make a break from the drinking and "nesting"