First Tripod?

[everets]

Hi, I looking to buy a tripod and have noticed the good reviews on the Hama star 75, it's a light one with two spirit levels and a plastic head, when fully extended its a bit hobbly buit the bloke who reviewed it was using a consdiderably heavier camera, mine is 470g, and i could attach a hook just below the head and hang my backpack from it for increased stability. As this is my first could any one comment on how good it is? Also it is a tenner.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Star-Tripod-free-Carry/dp/B000EOMQM2/ref=pd_ts_ce_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Thanks:)

[Dempsey]

Ok mate, i'll be blunt. Don't buy it, its cheap nasty plastic. You will get fed up of its instability, and lack of movement (the head) and soon enough it will break. The first tripod i bought was a decent enough tripod for the camera i had (nothing big) It was a Manfrotto modo tripod.

My advise it to spend more money on a decent tripod, and you'll never look back. I Don't know what your budget is, but try and get a tripod made out of an alloy or metal. Again, you might not understand it yet, but the head is pretty important. Mybe a manfrotto 718SHB, an almost perfect tripod for UE :)

I'm sure you could pick a modo up on ebay for £30 (without checking)

[Narcosynthesis]

As Dempsey said, spend the money now and you won't be disappointed. The cheap Hama is just that - cheap, so wobbly and unstable. adding a weight to the bottom of the centre column can help with a good (solid) tripod, but I would be wary of it just creating a different slower sway with the fairly wobbly legs.

The proof for me was watching a friend use a similar tripod - even the act of pressing the shutter button was enough to shift the tripod and add wobble - he ended up using a remote to fire the camera to get a stable shot.

Have a look at something like the Manfrotto Modo tripods, especially for a smaller camera they are a great option - a bit more expensive than the Hama, but a lot more stable and nice and compact stowed.

If you have no alternative, the Hama will work, but you will have to be very wary of vibration and wind...

[Raddog]

But what if the OP has one day out and never goes back again? £50 is a lot to spend.

The Hama's or their generic £10 Argos\Tesco tripod brothers are fine for basic use, they are weak and will break eventually, but for learning and with a light or bridge camera they are fine. Everyone starts out with one.

718B is what I've used for a while, they are pretty good and very strong but I think they are discontinuing them, so this one might be the last :(

[everets]

ok i will buy a better when instead, thanks everyone:thumb saved me alot of money in the long run i suppose.

[Dempsey]

But what if the OP has one day out and never goes back again? £50 is a lot to spend.
(

Ah, but would one quiery such a question, on a forum like this, If one dosent have full intention to become an explorer?

[Raddog]

^^^ hehe, too true!

[KongZi]

The plate you attach to the camera base is made from low quality plastics, if you over tighten it (easily done) or knock the camera they tends to crack and soon after become useless.

I use a Manfrotto MN718B - Large but I like to be able to use it at full height and I'm not short.

https://cameraexchange.ie/shop/images/Manfrotto718b.jpg

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/2051

Probably a bit large for most people but its well built, not expensive and suitable for taller users who like to use the camera

[Dempsey]

the 718 is tiny. I was reffering to the 718 with the ball head though, not a fan of the pana nd tilt heads.

[goan]

just looked, about 30 on ebay

[KongZi]

the 718 is tiny. I was reffering to the 718 with the ball head though, not a fan of the pana nd tilt heads.

I must admit the ball head would have been nicer but money was an issue ;) I'm used to not have a ball head so I guess I can cope.

718B is 139.5cm tall
718SHB is 104.6cm tall

That 30cm extra helps my back no end. Manfrotto don't list a 718 with a ball head, what model of ball head is it? I notice they list a shit load of different versions!