Hi Im looking for some hopefully helpful buying advice. Im posting this in the digital photography forum because I suspect that where the most useful advice will come from.
Ive tried to do a lot of research, but Im finding it difficult to find out much about tripods.
I want a tripod which will last me many years, be lightweight (ish) to carry, able to comfortably hold my Canon 50D at 822 g (1.8 lb) and at least my 18-200mm lens at 600 g (21.2 oz).
I know I want a quick release system on the head (with a plate which isn't too big or makes the camera uncomfortable to hold when not mounted on the tripod) and based on what Ive read would like the tripod to come pretty close to my eye level without raising the centre column (Im 62).
I dont know whether Im best looking a tripod with a built-in head or get a legs and head kit. If the kit do I go for a pan and tilt head or a ball head? Or something else. I think Id like the head to have a spirit-level but Ive read some are obscured by the camera body.
In the main if Im using the tripod Ill be taking architectural and landscape shots, probably in dim lighting. I also want to try some experiments with lighting effects at night, like the cliched but fun cars travelling on a road.
Budget - Ideally I'm looking at no more than £200 GBP. However, I want to get this purchase right and have a tripod which will be with me for the best part of forever so will spend more on the right unit.
All input is welcomed as this is the one area Ive not been able to find much about and my local shop (Jessops for UK users) was quite frankly, useless. They wanted me to buy their kit and get out as quickly as possible it seems.
If the advice I get was as good as the advice I got from posters when purchasing a lens, I'll be a very happy man.
Ive tried to do a lot of research, but Im finding it difficult to find out much about tripods.
I want a tripod which will last me many years, be lightweight (ish) to carry, able to comfortably hold my Canon 50D at 822 g (1.8 lb) and at least my 18-200mm lens at 600 g (21.2 oz).
I know I want a quick release system on the head (with a plate which isn't too big or makes the camera uncomfortable to hold when not mounted on the tripod) and based on what Ive read would like the tripod to come pretty close to my eye level without raising the centre column (Im 62).
I dont know whether Im best looking a tripod with a built-in head or get a legs and head kit. If the kit do I go for a pan and tilt head or a ball head? Or something else. I think Id like the head to have a spirit-level but Ive read some are obscured by the camera body.
In the main if Im using the tripod Ill be taking architectural and landscape shots, probably in dim lighting. I also want to try some experiments with lighting effects at night, like the cliched but fun cars travelling on a road.
Budget - Ideally I'm looking at no more than £200 GBP. However, I want to get this purchase right and have a tripod which will be with me for the best part of forever so will spend more on the right unit.
All input is welcomed as this is the one area Ive not been able to find much about and my local shop (Jessops for UK users) was quite frankly, useless. They wanted me to buy their kit and get out as quickly as possible it seems.
If the advice I get was as good as the advice I got from posters when purchasing a lens, I'll be a very happy man.