Tripod with a ball head
 

Does anyone know anything about decent tripods?
I'm looking for a good sturdy one, with a ball head that won't break the bank.

Ta,

G

PM zipper on here , he works for a very good photographic suppliers , I'm sure he can point you in the right direction !

It depends what you want it for. In the studio at work I use Manfrotto and always have done, very well built, last forever, never had any issues with them.

My mate has a "Three Legged thing" clicky they're utterly brilliant.

I would go into London Camera Exchange ( places everywhere ) or a similar shop and look at a couple. If they look flimsy they probably are, you get what you pay for !

what size camera/lens are you looking to use with it? are you looking for something portable or for use in a studio or out the back of a car. you can't go wrong with manfrotto tripod legs and heads. the prob190 legs are smaller and more portable. the 055 legs are heavy and solid and will support much heavier gear. they make various priced versions of the same model.

Ball heads, I'll need to look at website to find the models I've used.

I've spent over a year as a part time photographers assistant, working in a studio and on location.

190 series legs are smaller, lighter and more portable.
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-tripods-190-series
Mine is an older one and have a good 90 degree head stem rotate feature. very useful for getting low and shooting down over things.

055 legs are solid and bullitproof.
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-tripods-055-series
I've an old set about 20 years old, and they are still going strong. heavy and withoput question the best for outdoors, if carrying isn't an option.

I'm not really bothered by the expense of carbon fibre tripods, and the weight saving isn't worth it. in many cases you want a solid immovable (in wind) platform, so heavy is better. old/used 055 legs can be picked up cheapish second hand.

ball heads. They don't seem to do the same model as I have, and the larger ones I have used. Basically work out the weight of the items yo want to support and get one suitably sized. Also check out the size and type of quick release plate you want/need/like. You can't go wrong with manfrotto kit.

My father bought a fairly decent spec Giottos tripod and head, but ended up getting a bigger 055 legs and geared head when his dslr and large 400mm lens was moving too much.

Also worth looking at the MeFOTO ones, very good value tripods with ball heads.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/search/?q=mefoto

Hi guys, thanks for all the help so far, I think I need to give a few more details :blush:

It's not to hold a camera at all, it's for an outdoor microphone system like this one:

http://www.pulsarinstruments.com/ima...empoutdoor.jpg

It is designed to be left outside for hours/days, so needs to be sturdy and secure. I've tried a few with heads like the one shown in the photo and because there is quite a lot of weight in the microphone part they 'wobble' quite a lot as they are quite flimsy.

I'm looking for something sturdy and robust over light weight really. In fact heavy might be an advantage, as would a way to anchor it to the floor?

Does that help any?

Thanks for the help so far, it's really useful.

G

Manfrotto 055 legs for sure.