Decent tripod for less than £100? (1 Viewer)

[Rob_S]

'Father Christmas' has requested some guidance on my request for a tripod.

I was fortunate to pick up an Opticron MM3 60 on ebay earlier this year for a very reasonable price. Even that was pushing my finances though, so I went with a cheap tripod from Amazon (£16). For the money, it's been great, but it's clearly not a long-term option and I'm not getting the best out of the scope with it.

Any thoughts on a tripod for £100 or less? Including head etc. Lightweight but sturdy and with a solid, reliable mount so I can carry the tripid with the scope attached.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I notice Warehouse Express have a 20% offer on Manfrotto at the moment, so you might be able to go for something normally a bit over £100. That might help get something good.
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-tripods/

 

[Corvus cornix]

The Slik D3 Master Classic is perhaps worth considering. Not particularly lightweight but good and stable. There are a few on ebay for under £100 at the moment.

Also, Bristol Cameras are offering a Velbon Sherpa 200 tripod for £75. https://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-velbon-sherpa-200-tripod.htm

Cheers

 

[LesR]

Another thumbs up for the Velbon Sherpa 200, used it for the last 3 years, light, sturdy, good head, excellent value for money. Pairs very well with my Pentax 65EDii.

 

[Proterra]

Have a look at Zomei range on Amazon or eBay. For my money they are top notch and very well built. With usual top end features such as a hook to give stability and you can use one leg as a monopod.

 

[paddy7]

CleySpy have the Velbon tripod with single-action head (which is very good with a light scope) for £99. You didn't mention the head, i think, or if you had one.
If you got this, i'd purchase a spare clip for the scope shoe, as after a few years of UV light, you might want to replace it for safety.
https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/tripods-and-monopods/velbon-sherpa-200r-tripod.html

 

[Rob_S]

I notice Warehouse Express have a 20% offer on Manfrotto at the moment, so you might be able to go for something normally a bit over £100. That might help get something good.
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-tripods/

Thanks for the link. This looks a very tempting offer, but there's such a blizzard of Manfrotto products I don't really know where to start.

 

[Rob_S]

If you got this, i'd purchase a spare clip for the scope shoe, as after a few years of UV light, you might want to replace it for safety.
https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/tripods-and-monopods/velbon-sherpa-200r-tripod.html

Thanks for the link.
Do you mean a spare Quick Release adaptor, or something else?

 

[dipped]

This is the one I'd go for - decent fluid head, fairly tall tripod, not too heavy, with 20% =£96 off what's not to like?
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-mk290xta3-2w-aluminium-tripod-kit-1578947/

I'm familiar with it too as it's sold at Minsmere where I volunteer.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

This might be a good option too, particularly as a lighter alternative:
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-290-light-tripod-with-befree-live-fluid-head-1607915/

 

[dipped]

This might be a good option too, particularly as a lighter alternative:
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-290-light-tripod-with-befree-live-fluid-head-1607915/

Bit too short for my taste, height only 127cm with column down.

 

[Rob_S]

This is the one I'd go for - decent fluid head, fairly tall tripod, not too heavy, with 20% =£96 off what's not to like?
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-mk290xta3-2w-aluminium-tripod-kit-1578947/

I'm familiar with it too as it's sold at Minsmere where I volunteer.

Thank you for the recommendation. That does look like a decent solid piece of kit, good price too with the discount.

 

[dipped]

Thank you for the recommendation. That does look like a decent solid piece of kit, good price too with the discount.

Glad to hopefully been of help.

 

[Strontium Dog]

This is the one I'd go for - decent fluid head, fairly tall tripod, not too heavy, with 20% =£96 off what's not to like?
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-mk290xta3-2w-aluminium-tripod-kit-1578947/

I'm familiar with it too as it's sold at Minsmere where I volunteer.

Cheers, I'm also in the market for a budget tripod for my budget scope, and that's a good price for a decent piece of kit.

Ordered :t:

 

[Darkus_Markus]

D'oh, having just missed out on that WEX deal, what do folk think of the following for an ED50...

Sherpa 200R - £75
Sherpa 200 - £99 (Letter R aside I'm not actually sure what the difference is)
Manfrotto MK290XTA3-2W Aluminium Tripod Kit - £120 As listed above.

Cheers

 

[Pie Face]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hahnel-Triad-Compact-C5-Integrated/dp/B00HVZ9IM8

I bought one of these for my ED50, with the intention of using it very occasionally for short breaks. Turns out I use it everyday.

It's solid, full height (with an angled scope) and folds to about 12", despite the occasional tightening up (allen keys supplied) it's excellent. Head is very fluid and easy to use, though I would probably go for a more substantial head if I were using anything bigger than a small scope.

 

[paddy7]

Thanks for the link.
Do you mean a spare Quick Release adaptor, or something else?

sorry for the delay - yes, the quick release adaptor, i think it's called. It holds the foot in, and has a spring-loaded mechanism. After a couple of years of sunlight, it can get brittle.

 

[JoeRawles]

D'oh, having just missed out on that WEX deal, what do folk think of the following for an ED50...

Sherpa 200R - £75
Sherpa 200 - £99 (Letter R aside I'm not actually sure what the difference is)
Manfrotto MK290XTA3-2W Aluminium Tripod Kit - £120 As listed above.

Cheers

The 200R is a discontinued model but is nearly identical to the 200 which is the current line. The 200R doesn't come with a carry case whereas the 200 does.