Tripod

[wes]

Hi All,
I am in the process of buying a new tripod the mind boggles at the different models available.Can anyone suggest a good sturdy tripod solely for digiscoping.suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Wes

[peter hayes]

Glad you posted that Wes as I'm about to do exactly the same thing. This subject has been mentioned in previous threads, but since then several people have bought tripods and it would be fascinating to hear about their experiences with them. What did you buy and why, how have you got on etc.

Like you, I want one purely for digiscoping, so I wouldn't want anything too heavy. Lightweight but stable. And do our members generally have a hide clamp as well?

[MikePearson]

Hi Wes and Peter,

I have not found a lightweight and stable tripod, though I do keep looking. I looked about and found that many people use SLIK D3 (or equivalent) so I picked up a second hand one for £35 and it is pretty stable, even in breezy conditions. One drawback that I have discussed with other users is the tendency for one (or more) of the legs to fail to lock if insufficient muscle power is applied when setting up.

I have an Opticron Hide clamp. It is essential equipement in a crowded hide or one with low windows where using a tripod is uncomfortable. The Opticron worked very well with my old scope but the jaws are difficult to tighten sufficiently to stop my new heavier scope 'drooping' (for want of a better word).

I feel that it is always best to take your current scope/camera along and try as many as possible at specialist shops. I have learned this from bitter and expensive experience.

Have fun looking,

Mike

[peter hayes]

Thank you Mike for that.

Peter


ps which bit of Norfolk are you moving to?

[T0ny]

Peter,
I fear that stable & lightweight are not achievable in the same beast - Manfrotto do excellent 'pods, of which I have 2, the aluminium one for days when I don't have to carry it too far, and sae-watching is envisaged, and the carbon-fibre one for normal long-distance walking (6 miles plus). The carbon fibre one is significantly lighter - but in strong winds is less stable than the heavier one. The aluminium one also has an adaptor to enable the entire centre column to be used as a hide clamp version, but afaik this has not yet ben produced for the CF one.

HTH

Tony

[MikePearson]

Hi Peter,

I moving to Fakenham. Which not only is pretty adjacent to many excellent birder venues, also has a golf course, a race course a weekly market (including auction) but also a farmers market every month and lots of non chain shops of all types. You just wouldn't belive the price of fresh fruit and veg there llet alone the houses.

Mike

[peter hayes]

Thanks very much Tony for that valuable info. I'll let you know what I get in the end.

I seem to recall that Paston is near the coast; is that very far from Fakenham?

Mike: you seem to have picked the perfect spot!

[MikePearson]

Well Peter,

if i had the money, I would have picked Holt, it's alittle nearer the coast and it has 3 really good pubs. Sorry if anyone from Fakenham is looking in but thats the one thing I haven't found yet. Least ways, not one that suits my taste.

Mike

[Andrew]

I have no doubt that the Manfrotto 128 RC Nat 2 tripod complete with head is a fantastic tripod. It is a bit on the heavy side tripod wise but I have not felt 'burdened' with it yet. It is solid and wobble is non existant except in severe gale force winds. It should help when digiscoping. The legs are brilliant because they open out to three angles right up to absolute level meaning you do not need to buy a hide clamp (unless you visit busy hides). In hides with say six or eight people in them I have been able to lift the front two legs right up in retracted mode and prop them on the hide shelf and extend the back one to the ground between my legs. The head is a fluid type and when tightened up you can still pan well, it works a dream when scanning the sea for sea ducks or owt. Hope this is useful info, basically I am saying I followed a warden's advice that a heavy tripod is best and it was right. All the info I have read and people I have seen along with experience, a carbon or lightweight is no good for sea watching.

[T0ny]

Peter,
Paston is near Happisburgh, which has been in the news recently, but is quite a way from Fakenham - probably some 30 miles or so.

Tony

[NE Birds Plus]

I have had great results with the Gitzo G1227 tripod. A Carbon Fibre tripod with a grooved carbon centre column. Fairly light yet very sturdy. The legs lock at 24, 60 & 90 degrees for great versatility. I use the Manfrotto 3130 - Quick Release Micro Fluid Video Head which I love as well. Yes it's pricey but worth the dough. I hope this helps.

[peter hayes]

It certainly does help Phil. Thanks very much indeed.

[wes]

Thanks Peter-Tony-Phil-Andrew-Mike. for info on tripods sounds like the gitzo-manfrotto are the two i should be looking at for my needs although expensive i suppose i should start off with the best why waste money on cheaper models which later on you find they don't stand up too the job.once again thanks for the valuable info that you all took the time to send me. Wes

[T0ny]

Our pleaseure, Wes - Happy To Be Part Of The Industry Of Human Happiness.

Tony

[peter hayes]

Tony

You're waxing lyrical for 07.27 in the morning!