Tripod suggestions

mattrudlles

mattrudlles

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I am keen to get a tripod soon - want to do some slow shutter speed shots (waterfall, traffic, night sky and so on when I am in KZN). There is quite a bit of debate about what to get!

What should I realistically be spending if I want a good stable tripod? I don't want to waste money and buy something which shakes and so on.
 
If I ever bought a professional tripod again, I'd get a Manfrotto without doubt. 10 years ago I bought one for around R3 000 for a good heavy one with a nice ball-head, and used that as a professional journalist for years ... right up until my car was stolen with it in the boot. It was the definition of bullet proof.

So yeah, Manfrotto has much cheaper tripods as well, but it all depends on your use case and the weight of the glass you want to put on the front. Just consider the *cost* of your camera and glass going smashing into the ground, and the cost of a decent tripod becomes quite reasonable by comparison.
 
I bought a Jenova Carbon Fiber Tripod 35853BL back in 2016 for R3500 and it was a damn fine purchase. It's got a smooth ball head and can hold my heaviest lens and body with ease. Plus it's carbon fibre so it's light.

Can't beat it at the price point.

Still, tripods are for sissies. :p
 
Minimum is R1000 but more realistically R1500+ personally even the cheaper Manfrottos to be sturdy AF
 
I have had a Manfrotto 055B for some 15 -20 years and it is certainly very solid but quite heavy for hiking etc. I have a Manfrotto 488 ball head on it which works very smoothly etc.
 
Have a look at Benro or Mefoto. I have both and like them a lot.
 
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I bought a cheapline tripod from Game many many years ago. I have lost the quick release plate that came with it. Can anybody suggest where I can get spares? They seem to be a universal size I've seen on many tripods. Thanks
 
mattrudlles said:
Do tripods go on sale during black friday?
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Not sure if you already bought your tripod, just wanted to tell you that I just bought one now after having no luck in my search for a spare quick-release-plate.

Takealot has this one on Black Friday special for R499 (I checked previously and it was R799) so not a bad deal. It is a cheapie but I am fine with that as I had a cheapie before and it does the job and as far as I can tell, its made by Manfrotto. Might not be what you are looking for but here you go just in case. :)



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who.dat said:
Not sure if you already bought your tripod, just wanted to tell you that I just bought one now after having no luck in my search for a spare quick-release-plate.

Takealot has this one on Black Friday special for R499 (I checked previously and it was R799) so not a bad deal. It is a cheapie but I am fine with that as I had a cheapie before and it does the job and as far as I can tell, its made by Manfrotto. Might not be what you are looking for but here you go just in case. :)



2cf050b10098242e21f122c205ca0d0b.500.jpg
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I eventually got a great deal on a Manfrotto 290XTC Carbon Fibre - R1600 for legs only. Then got a Manfrotto 494 ball head from Ormsdirect for R950 (50% off).
 
mattrudlles said:
Really awesome! Tested out the kit in the Midlands this weekend. The IQ really goes through the roof when using a tripod.
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Great stuff! Now I'm excited to take some pics of the stars. :D

I just took delivery of the tripod I bought from Takealot and I must say I am impressed. Quite a lot more hefty than I thought it would be. Expected it to be like the el cheapo Vivitar that I had before, but the swivel movement is smooth and silent! So I recommend this to any hobbyist who is on a tight budget.
 
who.dat said:
Great stuff! Now I'm excited to take some pics of the stars. :D

I just took delivery of the tripod I bought from Takealot and I must say I am impressed. Quite a lot more hefty than I thought it would be. Expected it to be like the el cheapo Vivitar that I had before, but the swivel movement is smooth and silent! So I recommend this to any hobbyist who is on a tight budget.
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Did you pick up that National Geographic tripod?

The Midlands was overcast or cloudy so no star shots for me! Have you seen the pictures people take in the northern parts of the Western Cape of the stars? Absolutely superb.
 
mattrudlles said:
Did you pick up that National Geographic tripod?

The Midlands was overcast or cloudy so no star shots for me! Have you seen the pictures people take in the northern parts of the Western Cape of the stars? Absolutely superb.
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Yep same one, and as I suspected, it says made by Manfrotto on the box.

I've seen a few of those style of pics and that is what has inspired me to try my hand. Got myself a wired remote as well so that will help.
 
who.dat said:
Yep same one, and as I suspected, it says made by Manfrotto on the box.

I've seen a few of those style of pics and that is what has inspired me to try my hand. Got myself a wired remote as well so that will help.
Click to expand...
That is awesome! Manfrotto stuff really has an overall positive reputation, and for the price it was a steal.

I have been using the 2s delay to ensure I don't bump the camera accidentally.
 
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