Hi Kieran. Good on ya! OH - and don't get too worried about branded stuff. If you find an old tripod from 40 years ago in a second hand shop that's heavy and doesn't wobble it'll work just as well (if not better) and hardly cost anything.
This is why I like watching reviews from people with passion for what they do. They give you a true unbiased honest opinion. Thank you so much for this info. Respect.
Couldn't agree more with this advice. One of the biggest shocks about photography for me was the tripod prices... I remember I looked them up and my eyes were bleeding for like two weeks at those price tags. But they are worth it, even if it sounds a stellar cost at first sight. I wouldn't dare tell anyone who doesn't do photogprahy how much I paid for mine, they'd think I'm crazy... I bought a
Couldn't agree with you more Csoery - Are they worth it? Depends in what price someone is willing to pay to get clean sharp images on a windy day in low light etc... Seems a shame to invest in going somewhere amazing, then having disappointing photos because they only spent 50 EUR on a plastic tripod. Well aid sir - MIKE :-)
Hi, If someone I know is interested in photography but not as keen as I am is it better advice to say hold off on the tripod and wait till you know what you want or let's get something for you, cheaper, knowing later (if still interested in photography) you'll spend more.... or just say forget the tripod till you are really keen on the hobby. Thanks Ian
Hi Ian Dingle - I'd say wait until they know if they're properly into photography first. No point buying a wobbly tripod, if anything it might put them off.
More brilliant advice from Mike. While it seems like lighter would be more practical, you need the weight for stability. My rule of thumb is if the shot requires a tripod I automatically use the timer for the shutter.
Hi - Yes you are absolutely correct. A monopod will help you get about an extra stop or two of shutter speed and is perfect for sports photography. I just don't happen to like them and prefer to use a tripod with a ball head that can be used un-locked so the camera can swivel on it. Provided the tripod's heavy enough of course. - Mike
Some months ago, i bought a very cheap tripod around 10€. Well, since then, i have produced some brilliant blury pictures because this tripod shakes more than my grandmothers hands... So if you want your pictures to be blury, you have to buy it... If you want to make photography, buy something more expensive and steady... Thanks again Mike for the video...
I don't get it though....Presuming it's not excessively windy and you're not clumsy and going to knock it over, what's the point? Personally I have a tiny little 6 inch tripod that came in package with my camera lens. I don't have extensive experience with it, but I've taken a few long exposures and just put the 2 second timer on so that the pic isn't being taken as I press the shutter button (which does wobble the whole unit). Seems to hold still for me. I'll be honest tho I was mostly doing some low light shots (hence the need for long exposure/tripod) and they didn't turn out that great lol. Noisy and lack of detail. But I think that may be my camera settings idk lol.
Thanks. I went the way I did for three reasons. There were more people you can't see behind Jayne with the camera and she'd have to back through them to let me through, the video light was pointing the other way - and I did apologise to them so I don't think I was being that bad..
Thank you :) I'm happy that you actually take the time to comment and tell people what you think!the one I hint I'm going to get is a vanguard altapro that has a pistol grip :)
Hi Abinash. For Pans you need a lens / tripod mount which rotates the lens around the nodal point of whatever lens you choose so it's not a ball head issue. I didn't want to go into all that here because it's about buying a tripod ranter than 'buying a tripod for a special technique' Will probably do a video about this sometime though...
I have a Manfrotto and my trick to the weight thing is to add a carabiner to the Center and a sling/loop and then use my bag as the counterweight. Tighten the sling and you've got a centre weighted tripod and you're not carrying unnecessary weight around!!
Pan and tilt heads are generally preferred for video, because you can easier pan without tilting. For stills ball head is easier to use for framing in multiple axis.
a 'quid' is UK slang for a Pound - like people say 'Bucks' for dollars. You can always convert to other currencies with an online currency converter, there are loads of them online for free. Hope this helped...
The benefit of the monopod is not in shots where you might have a wait for the image to "happen", thats always in the domain of the tripod but more so when you have a 7D (2kg weight) and a 70-200mm (1kg) and your covering say a football match and the actions all over the place. if the teams go upfield, you can take some of the weight from your arms by resting on the mono and it's also sturdy enough for you to shoot panned shots while the camera and lens can be supported
I just bought a Celestron Alt-Az tripod with slow motion controls. One bad point, it's made for a telescope not a camera and has no extendable center post. Regardless, it works very well when I use a telephoto lens.
Ball head is really useful when youre taking a picture but pan tilt will be more useful if youre taking a video,because sometimes you just need the pan motion but you also got the tilt motion come along in the ball head
Hi Mike, I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed by both your passion and devotion towards people. You take the time to respond to the comments the best way you can in almost every video you've made, it's easy to see you are a great human being. There isn't a lot of people like you on earth and even less on the Internet, and I admire you for that. Please never give up because still many people need you but haven't found your videos yet. But here again it's not only about the videos, but about the person behind it. Keep doing what you love because you got talent. I'm a musician, and beginner in photography, I was just looking for a tripod for my Nikon D7100, but I had more than an answer. I wish you to be happy and successful year 2015, you really deserve it. From France A young 19 year old student (I will share your videos with people who need them)
Thank you so much for your very kind comment KANYESMILE? ? I truly appreciate it and your help growing the channel. Have a fantastic 2015 yourself - and please share some of your pics on our Facebook page. maybe enter some of our competitions... ? We have a Black and White body parts one for January facebook.com/DigitalPhotographyVideos
Totally agree with Mike's comments about tripods. I have had problems trying to get decent pictures using a cheap tripod which wobbled all over the place! Useless. Finally had to buy a more expensive but second hand Manfrotto tripod with ball head. A world of difference and an improvement to my photography. Thanks for another solid (pardon the pun!) piece of advice Mike!
Hi - It depends on how heavy the camera you want to use is, how much space you have etc. Best bet is to take your camera to a shop and check it out on a few different tripods. Best advice i can give you is to make sure it's as sturdy and heavy as possible so it doesn't wobble.
Completely agree with this video. The £20 tripod I bought and 'used' was so plasticky and weak and wobbled all the time, in the wind it fell over and broke my canon 750D camera that was on (that cost over £500!!!) ended up buying the Manfrotto 190xdb tripod with the 804rc2 head and it's so much more stronger and a lot more sturdy and much better than the cheaper on I bought. Expensive tripods are well worth the money, even for beginners like I am! Perfect!
My mother bought me a “HILLPOW Q1 tripod”on Amazon. The rubber feet on the bottom of the tripod legs grip nicely on level and any unbalanced surfaces. And it has a quick release mount so you can swap out cameras with ease.I recommend you can buy it.
Decent video. Gorillapods are worth looking at - versatile and compact. You can also use a beanbag or try resting a camera on some railings, bench, post, or against another object - improvise to what's around you. Use the timer and learn to keep the camera still.
More very good information. I bought a 055 over 25yrs ago and I still use it today. I did buy a heavy duty Manfrotto and a Gitzo later on but find the 055 perfect for what I do.
Hi Mike, a smart solution comes from Sirui: The SN-series can be used as tri- & monopod. Simply detach one leg from the construction. It's made of carbon, lightweight and still very sturdy. Nice feature: The rubber feet have built-in spikes to unscrew. The build quality is very good. Warranty is 5 years (!) and it comes with lots of accessories. If you're looking for a fast tripod: Check the Manfrotto 458B Neotec. It has a special locking mechanism for the legs (no need to tighten screws).
This is one of the few points I disagree with Mike (and other professionals) on. As someone who has started photography within the last 6 months on a very limited budget, virtually all that money has gone towards my body and lenses. The cheapy tripod I own only cost me £25, but it's allowed me to achieve shots I wouldn't otherwise have been able to, particularly in extremely low light levels (for example, I recently took some publicity shots for a LAN Gaming Event I help run, which are famous for being very low light affairs) I think the key is expectations: I don't expect my tripod to survive in high wind conditions; due to its lightweight construction, I always fire on self timer when using it and I don't expect it to survive for the next twenty years. While at some point in the future I expect to upgrade to a proper piece of kit, I think my cheapy is sufficient for what I try to do in the interim. It's nice to be able to spend £200 on good kit IF you have the money and at the moment I don't. For me, my cheapy tripod is better than not having one at all. So, yes, while a tripod that costs a tenth of the price of another won't be as good (surprise, surprise) I think they're a good short/mid term investment if you don't have the funds available for the 'real' kit right away.
Good comment LeftRight92 The key here is you are thinking about what you're using the tripod for and how to use it. You're minimising the potential for shake by using self timer and are not out on a moor with springy grass and high wind to contend with. Because of that it's working for what you're doing and i congratulate you for that. However I still stick by my general advice that photographers buy the most sturdy tripod they can afford.
Hi Mike Browne, thanks for the feedback. I do agree with the advice that photographers should buy the best tripod they can afford. The point I disagree on with most pros is this general sentiment that all cheapy tripods are completely worthless, which, providing you know the limitations of cheap kit, isn't necessarily true. Anyway, I won't keep banging on about this, as we seem to agree on the important points. I would just like to say thank you for all your amazing videos; they're extremely informative and I've learnt a lot, you're a great teacher! I was thinking about picking up one of your courses. As someone who has a lot of the technical understanding down but still sometimes struggles to 'find the shot' and is still building their creative skills, would you recommend the 7 building blocks or something else?
Thanks LeftRight92 - It sounds to me that The 7 Blocks would be perfect for you as it's designed for photographers who know the technicalities and need to know how to string them together creatively. www.photographycourses.biz/courses/7-building-blocks-of-photography
I agree ,its heavy but I use a manfrotto 055 and a manfrotto 475 the bigger 475 is used for astronomy it is fitted with a manfrotto 502 video because of the extremely smooth pan and tilt
Something about this channel that I absolutely love. Very informative, unbiased, real. Thank you for these amazing videos. Always enjoy learning from a passionate professional.
Gitzo tripods have a hook on the bottom of their centre columns for bags to hang off. As good as Gitzos are though, I love my Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod! Best bang for your buck.
I think a better explaination is not because Tripods slow you down but elminate some of the work of composition and allows you to focus more on your settings and other variables.
I first brought a £20 tripod, which worked great for me when learning, now I have a Gitzo systematic tripod for wildlife and my cheap £20 I still use for holding a perch for birds to Land on
(Alan) All very good advice. I bought a "relatively" inexpensive tripod a couple of years ago (or should I say that my wife bought it for my birthday ) It's a Manfrotto, and was bought from a major camera shop. The same place I bought my camera and lenses. It's a very good travel tripod. Although when I went back to the shop to buy a quick release attachment for my 200-500 mm, they had stopped selling Manfrotto tripods. I got one on eBay though. I must admit that I rarely use the tripod, even when photographing wildlife, as birds can move too quickly, so can aircraft at airshows. It's "horses for courses" and depends to a great deal on the type of photography you are into.
Thank you Mike! I just upgraded to a DSLR but didn't know what to look for in a tripod without spending a fortune. Your video helped me pick out a nice tripod with a quick release plate, ball head, and it's very stable.
Hi Mike - I love your point about seeing the cost of your tripod over a number of years. You're dead right - spend as much as you can justify. For anyone who hasn't ever used a ball head (see here 4:56 and here A 'Ball and Socket' Camera Mount on a Photographic Tripod) then I'd definitely recommend them. Next time you're in a camera store - have a play!
The tripod I used most is a little that came free with a video camera. I use it most because it is so small because it fits into my backpack. My other tripods I really only take if I drive and the car is close to my shot. I'm just saying because I know a fair few people who have great tripods, but never use them, because of size and weight.
Awesome video, I just have a little thing to add: If you don't have multiple bodies and heavy pro lenses (which frankly, most of us don't), always carry a little fabric bag with you. You'll find little stones pretty much everywhere, and once you're done, you can pour them out again and you're ready to go :)
I bought “HILLPOW Q1 tripod”on Amazon. It’s great for beginners. It’s lightweight but can load 5kg,3-section legs with locks that can be adjusted to several different angles. I love it so much.
Brilliant Cayla Mu, glad you've found a tripod that suits you. Thank you for sharing with us, it's always great to hear recommendations - CHRISTINA :-)
Agree one 200% with you I used cheep tripod and was no good in wind or even when canera had taking pic ... So got a very strong one now and Yess its bit more work to carry it around ... But when you see results it worthwhile.. That's good tip but camera bag on tri-pod and keeps it clean too lol thumbs mike
Thanks Joe taz6 A good tripod is a great investment. I bought both mine about 18 years ago and though they were expensive, they are still going strong so when the cost is divided by 18 years they were actually a very small price to pay for years of nice sharp pics.
I have a cheapo Hama tripod - and.. well, it is not really sturdy. Yeah, it helds the camera upright and so far there was never a risk of falling over. But even with a slight wind everything wobbles like a dubstep track. So I just ordered a new, heavier one. That said, I love the fact that the tripod slows me down. Putting up the tripod makes me think about the scene and what I really want to shoot. Instead of 20 quick clicks, 19 of them garbage, I only shoot 3 to 5 and then have a hard time to decide which of them (for my skill level) I like best. Also, people are nicer ;)
If you are looking for a reasonably good carbonfiber tripod vid a B2 ballhead included, check out the brand Triopo! Got one recently and i'm really happy with it! The best part of it is that you can screw of one of the legs and use it as a monopod if you can't bring the whole thing!
Sorry i'm not an expert on what';s on the market - so have a look round the camera stores and see what you can find that's low and stable. Don't worry about the brand - just how stable it is. Hope this helps..
Excellent video. You forgot to mention the minimum height: some tripods allow(and facilitate) macro photography, bringing the camera up to 8cm from the ground. And some heads allow precise adjustment, excellent for technique called Focus stacking. Some tripods also allow you to move the central axis.
Tharun, I didn't pay loads for my heavy tripod, it only cost £80 from my local camera exchange.. U just need to keep your eye open for a deal.. You could even get lucky at a car boot sale
Sometimes you have to compromise. My tripod must fit on the back seat of my motorbikes or lashed to my backpack. It is still very good quality, though.
As long as it does the job, doesn't wobble and you photos are sharp that's all you need +Malte Christensen I have a small Manfrotto 190 go with a Manfrotto PRO-BHQ2 head for exactly the same reasons, (motorbike and backpack) and it works brilliantly - MIKE
Just bought myself a tripod for my new DSLR. I bought a Manfrotto one. Only problem was that I had to part with £185 ouch! That was for both the tripod and the head but like you said it's a tiny cost and you will get better, sharper pictures.
I recently bought a Coman tripod (I have a video of it, if anyone is interested). It's a video tripod, and for $150, I think it's a steal. The only downside? It is heavy. Haha def not designed for travel.
The ronseal vlog of tripods...... no messing just straight up factual information well presented. Love it, none of the smash the like, subscribe or 5 min into talking about how good your coffee is..... excellent and very helpful. Will use the tips here when I head to NEC Birmingham to hopefully bag a tripod and head. As a newb I use a second hand one, until I figured out what I need. I was trying to shoot a lighthouse while perched on a hillside, sadly was blown about and could be seen in the camera as I zoomed in trying to pick the focus point.....
I never realised just how important tripods were till I actually got out there and started using them. I have a really light weight one which is good if there's no wind but its not very steady. So I went and got a big heavy harma tripod and it doesn't budge! Weighs a ton but its great! I'v recently got a gorilla pod, still experimenting with it but love it so far. Tripods!!!!... Very important!! :-)
Oh man! The ball head and the pistol grip is awesome! Mike can you please make a tutorial on how to use a monopod? I've always loved your videos and you inspire me so much from you great work, simple and easy to understand lessons! Thanks a ton😊
Mike, my interest in tripods is for macro work - and particularly, for fine live view focus on macro shots. I use manual focus for my macro work, so live view is THE way to get it right. Which leaves me with two questions. 1, you mention your tripod is 'much heavier' than the Manfrotto aluminium one you hold up in the clip - can I ask, what IS the tripod you use? 2, what would you consider the 'best', to dampen down ALL movement? Because as I try to do live view focus, the camera kind of trembles enough to frustrate my efforts to get perfect focus. Currently I'm using a Linhof with leg bracing - it's about 10-15 years old, and almost gets me there, but there's still a tremor while I'm trying to focus.
+jean pierre Guaron My 'big' tripod is a manfrotto ART 050 and the small one is a Benbo (not sure which one because lable came off about 15 years ago) The heavier your tripod is and the more robust the head is = the less wobble / vibration. Check out the video linked below, at 4:06 there's info about my tripods - MIKE www.photographycourses.biz/videos/reviews-and-help/help-and-advice/Photography-FAQ-Pt2
+Mike Browne Thnx Mike - that looks like the "bee's knees", for my purposes. The weight is not a concern - wobble is, though. And being offered a carbon fibre 'pod on the basis that it "dampens vibrations quicker" isn't the answer for me, because I want to eliminate any vibrations while I'm trying to focus.
jean pierre Guaron No worries. I think Manfrotto make accessories as well like cross beams which are great for macro work. Just looked up the 058 and it's not a cheap tripod. It cost a lot when I bought it (don't remember how much but it made me suck air at the time) however 21 years later and it's still Rockin' so it was a fantastic investment and great value. Might be worth researching if anyone makes a heavy tripod specifically designed for macro... - MIKE
+Mike Browne Thanks for your interest & help Mike - seems that with fine macro work, the best solution is to stop short of maximum magnification of the focus point - I've had comment from another pro who has faced the same problem and come to the same conclusion. My 15-year old frill-free Linhof monster seems to be as good as any of the alternatives, and probably on a level with the 085b or 475b that Manfrotto make. Not for everyone of course, but certainly for my purposes. (Those two Manfrottos do other things - but that's pretty irrelevant for me)
Hi Shravan. Sorry i don't know or have used either of these tripods. Have a look on some forums / review sites to see what people are saying about them, or check them out in a shop and buy whichever is the sturdiest. Hope this helps..
Yes I do too. There's no point investing in a tripod then leaving it at home because it's too heavy. This is one area where you have to put in the work and sometimes it means carrying a tripod up a mountain. I should have said that in the video :-/
Thank you so much for saying so. Please help us spread the word about our films by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing them and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc
Can I suggest when you make a two parter you create a link from each video to the other? RUclips doesn't always list them one after the other and the search doesn't always find the second
Hi Mike, I only buy cheap tripods. So far I have worn out 4 in two years. By the time I get to 70 I reckon I would have spent around the same money for a Manfrotto and nice head....And my pictures would have been better too. I am still young enough to change my ways, so I may take onboard your good advice. Just wish I had deeper pockets. Sandy
V good informative video, thanks. The legs alone cost 200 & add to this a head, the total cost is going to equal that of a lens itself !!! But the importance can certainly be understood.
Funny thing. My pan head is buried in storage so I purchased a ball head from someones very strong suggestions. I hate the ball head. Next will be the pistol grip. Great video, thanks from Chicago.
I got the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 carbon fibre tripod with the MH054M0-02 Magnesium ball head, I believe it is a decent combination. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this vital topic if I may say.
I can highly recommend the Hama Travellor Compact pro, which bucks the trend of "cheap tripods are rubbish". It's only £35 on amazon and it's pretty sturdy (i've shot 2 min exposures in the wind which were nice and sharp). It's well built, light, has a replaceable ball-head, quick release plate, reverseable main shaft for macro work, legs go very low for low min height and it comes with a handy bag. Definitely worth checking out.
I have an old heavy Manfrotto, and find nowadays walking up places like Ingleborough with it not so attractive. (Though I used to do that when younger). I may have to try a ball head though. I currently use Pan and Tilt, which works, but as well as the three controls there is also the extra bulk and weight.
I've been wondering about getting a travel tripod so that I am more inclined to take it walking. Surui do a very small one, but I wonder if it's too small. They also have slightly less small travel tripods. I don't think I want to spend on a Gitzo, nice as they may be. My current camera is lightweight and small, having bought a mirrorless camera for easier backpacking. (It's metal though, so still a kilo or so with lens). It seems in choosing a portable tripod there is tradeoff between packed size and size/stability in use. I'll have to weigh my Manfrotto without head to see how much heavier it is. I know it's longer than any of the travel tripods folded, but it can extend enough that I need to stand on something to use it at full height. I don't need that much height outdoors, but some of the travel tripods are little over a meter tall. Thanks - Richard
Height is a useful consideration also so you don’t have to raise the center column re stability issues as well as accommodate us tall types while looking through the viewfinder. 😃
Hey Mike, after watching all of your very informative video's I took the plunge and went out and purchased a new tripod, I was using a Velbon CX686 Pan & Tilt, I found with the Nikon D2Xs there was too much wobble. Today I just received a new Benbo #2, teamed up with a Manfrotto 468MGRC0 head, very happy with the combination, the Benbo is going to take a bit of getting used too but it will be a good investment and I will be taking alot less wobbly pictures. Cheers for all your work. Tony.
I bought the Vanguard Veo 265 cb carbon tripod, and after three months of use rust could be found in the locking screws and threads of the legs. After sending it to the official service in San Cugat del Valles, they told me it must have be wet with salt water, so they just cleaned it and sent it back with some rust on it still. Not even the cheapest tripod on the market is made with materials that will rust. But to put steel of such poor quality on a carbon tripod is a travesty. I can't even go near the sea to take photos, as even cleaning it with still water is of no help. My advice to the management of Vangaurd is to institute a recall on these Carbon units with non-stainless steel, to be replaced with 316 stainless Steel. This solution would only cost one more Euro per tripod to fix this problem in its entirety. Barring that, if this issue is not resolved, refunds should be issued to all who purchased this defective product. Thank you for your time.
Thanks for all your info! I paid about $60 for my tripod...not bad, but I was on a budget. I got lucky I guess because its rock solid and is very smooth with panning.
Thanks Mike, your videos a making me want to watch more of them and the many photos using what I learned! Also, I have a question: Any suggestion on at least how heavy the tripod should be for normal outdoor photography? I can find almost nothing under £300 and heavier than 3 kilograms. Best one I can find is £260 and 3.1 kilograms (Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-BH kit). Antything cheaper isn't heavier than 2,7 kilograms and anything heavier than 3,1 kilograms is VERY expensive (mostly Gitzo).
I have just bought a 2nd Hand Hama Start 75 tripod... which came without the quick release plate. I have purchased a Hama universal quick release plate, which does not fit... Can you please give me the details as to the quick release plate for this tripod?
Sorry I can't help with this one +nzbeeker. I don't sell kit and or know all the different things available. I've haven't used or heard of a Hama Start 75 tripod so I can only suggest you contact Hama or a store that sells Hama and ask them. - MIKE :-/
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Hi Kieran. Good on ya! OH - and don't get too worried about branded stuff. If you find an old tripod from 40 years ago in a second hand shop that's heavy and doesn't wobble it'll work just as well (if not better) and hardly cost anything.
This is why I like watching reviews from people with passion for what they do. They give you a true unbiased honest opinion. Thank you so much for this info. Respect.
I appreciate that! Thank you... MIKE
Couldn't agree more with this advice. One of the biggest shocks about photography for me was the tripod prices... I remember I looked them up and my eyes were bleeding for like two weeks at those price tags. But they are worth it, even if it sounds a stellar cost at first sight. I wouldn't dare tell anyone who doesn't do photogprahy how much I paid for mine, they'd think I'm crazy... I bought a
Couldn't agree with you more Csoery - Are they worth it? Depends in what price someone is willing to pay to get clean sharp images on a windy day in low light etc... Seems a shame to invest in going somewhere amazing, then having disappointing photos because they only spent 50 EUR on a plastic tripod. Well aid sir - MIKE :-)
Hi,
If someone I know is interested in photography but not as keen as I am is it better advice to say hold off on the tripod and wait till you know what you want or let's get something for you, cheaper, knowing later (if still interested in photography) you'll spend more.... or just say forget the tripod till you are really keen on the hobby.
Thanks
Ian
Hi Ian Dingle - I'd say wait until they know if they're properly into photography first. No point buying a wobbly tripod, if anything it might put them off.
More brilliant advice from Mike. While it seems like lighter would be more practical, you need the weight for stability. My rule of thumb is if the shot requires a tripod I automatically use the timer for the shutter.
Hi - Yes you are absolutely correct. A monopod will help you get about an extra stop or two of shutter speed and is perfect for sports photography. I just don't happen to like them and prefer to use a tripod with a ball head that can be used un-locked so the camera can swivel on it. Provided the tripod's heavy enough of course. - Mike
Some months ago, i bought a very cheap tripod around 10€. Well, since then, i have produced some brilliant blury pictures because this tripod shakes more than my grandmothers hands...
So if you want your pictures to be blury, you have to buy it...
If you want to make photography, buy something more expensive and steady...
Thanks again Mike for the video...
Oh boy +Spyros Theodoratos I love your comment and sense of humour - MIKE :-)
I don't get it though....Presuming it's not excessively windy and you're not clumsy and going to knock it over, what's the point? Personally I have a tiny little 6 inch tripod that came in package with my camera lens. I don't have extensive experience with it, but I've taken a few long exposures and just put the 2 second timer on so that the pic isn't being taken as I press the shutter button (which does wobble the whole unit). Seems to hold still for me. I'll be honest tho I was mostly doing some low light shots (hence the need for long exposure/tripod) and they didn't turn out that great lol. Noisy and lack of detail. But I think that may be my camera settings idk lol.
Thanks. I went the way I did for three reasons. There were more people you can't see behind Jayne with the camera and she'd have to back through them to let me through, the video light was pointing the other way - and I did apologise to them so I don't think I was being that bad..
Thank you :) I'm happy that you actually take the time to comment and tell people what you think!the one I hint I'm going to get is a vanguard altapro that has a pistol grip :)
Hi Abinash. For Pans you need a lens / tripod mount which rotates the lens around the nodal point of whatever lens you choose so it's not a ball head issue. I didn't want to go into all that here because it's about buying a tripod ranter than 'buying a tripod for a special technique' Will probably do a video about this sometime though...
I have a Manfrotto and my trick to the weight thing is to add a carabiner to the Center and a sling/loop and then use my bag as the counterweight. Tighten the sling and you've got a centre weighted tripod and you're not carrying unnecessary weight around!!
Pan and tilt heads are generally preferred for video, because you can easier pan without tilting. For stills ball head is easier to use for framing in multiple axis.
Hi - I can't advise other than to say buy a sturdy one. Gizo or manfrotto, are great. personally I go for the heaviest one I can carry - Mike
a 'quid' is UK slang for a Pound - like people say 'Bucks' for dollars. You can always convert to other currencies with an online currency converter, there are loads of them online for free. Hope this helped...
The most impressive thing is your speech skills. Good vibes and great tips.
The benefit of the monopod is not in shots where you might have a wait for the image to "happen", thats always in the domain of the tripod but more so when you have a 7D (2kg weight) and a 70-200mm (1kg) and your covering say a football match and the actions all over the place. if the teams go upfield, you can take some of the weight from your arms by resting on the mono and it's also sturdy enough for you to shoot panned shots while the camera and lens can be supported
I just bought a Celestron Alt-Az tripod with slow motion controls. One bad point, it's made for a telescope not a camera and has no extendable center post. Regardless, it works very well when I use a telephoto lens.
Ball head is really useful when youre taking a picture but pan tilt will be more useful if youre taking a video,because sometimes you just need the pan motion but you also got the tilt motion come along in the ball head
Agreed Pang Christian I use ball heads for stills and have an oil filled video head on a Vinton Video tripod for movies..
Hi Mike, I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed by both your passion and devotion towards people. You take the time to respond to the comments the best way you can in almost every video you've made, it's easy to see you are a great human being. There isn't a lot of people like you on earth and even less on the Internet, and I admire you for that.
Please never give up because still many people need you but haven't found your videos yet. But here again it's not only about the videos, but about the person behind it. Keep doing what you love because you got talent.
I'm a musician, and beginner in photography, I was just looking for a tripod for my Nikon D7100, but I had more than an answer.
I wish you to be happy and successful year 2015, you really deserve it.
From France
A young 19 year old student
(I will share your videos with people who need them)
Thank you so much for your very kind comment KANYESMILE? ? I truly appreciate it and your help growing the channel. Have a fantastic 2015 yourself - and please share some of your pics on our Facebook page. maybe enter some of our competitions... ? We have a Black and White body parts one for January facebook.com/DigitalPhotographyVideos
Totally agree with Mike's comments about tripods. I have had problems trying to get decent pictures using a cheap tripod which wobbled all over the place! Useless. Finally had to buy a more expensive but second hand Manfrotto tripod with ball head. A world of difference and an improvement to my photography. Thanks for another solid (pardon the pun!) piece of advice Mike!
Hi - It depends on how heavy the camera you want to use is, how much space you have etc. Best bet is to take your camera to a shop and check it out on a few different tripods. Best advice i can give you is to make sure it's as sturdy and heavy as possible so it doesn't wobble.
Completely agree with this video. The £20 tripod I bought and 'used' was so plasticky and weak and wobbled all the time, in the wind it fell over and broke my canon 750D camera that was on (that cost over £500!!!) ended up buying the Manfrotto 190xdb tripod with the 804rc2 head and it's so much more stronger and a lot more sturdy and much better than the cheaper on I bought. Expensive tripods are well worth the money, even for beginners like I am! Perfect!
All Things Leeds I
My mother bought me a “HILLPOW Q1 tripod”on Amazon. The rubber feet on the bottom of the tripod legs grip nicely on level and any unbalanced surfaces. And it has a quick release mount so you can swap out cameras with ease.I recommend you can buy it.
Decent video. Gorillapods are worth looking at - versatile and compact. You can also use a beanbag or try resting a camera on some railings, bench, post, or against another object - improvise to what's around you. Use the timer and learn to keep the camera still.
More very good information. I bought a 055 over 25yrs ago and I still use it today. I did buy a heavy duty Manfrotto and a Gitzo later on but find the 055 perfect for what I do.
Hi Mike, a smart solution comes from Sirui: The SN-series can be used as tri- & monopod. Simply detach one leg from the construction. It's made of carbon, lightweight and still very sturdy. Nice feature: The rubber feet have built-in spikes to unscrew. The build quality is very good. Warranty is 5 years (!) and it comes with lots of accessories.
If you're looking for a fast tripod: Check the Manfrotto 458B Neotec. It has a special locking mechanism for the legs (no need to tighten screws).
This is one of the few points I disagree with Mike (and other professionals) on.
As someone who has started photography within the last 6 months on a very limited budget, virtually all that money has gone towards my body and lenses. The cheapy tripod I own only cost me £25, but it's allowed me to achieve shots I wouldn't otherwise have been able to, particularly in extremely low light levels (for example, I recently took some publicity shots for a LAN Gaming Event I help run, which are famous for being very low light affairs)
I think the key is expectations: I don't expect my tripod to survive in high wind conditions; due to its lightweight construction, I always fire on self timer when using it and I don't expect it to survive for the next twenty years.
While at some point in the future I expect to upgrade to a proper piece of kit, I think my cheapy is sufficient for what I try to do in the interim. It's nice to be able to spend £200 on good kit IF you have the money and at the moment I don't. For me, my cheapy tripod is better than not having one at all.
So, yes, while a tripod that costs a tenth of the price of another won't be as good (surprise, surprise) I think they're a good short/mid term investment if you don't have the funds available for the 'real' kit right away.
Good comment LeftRight92 The key here is you are thinking about what you're using the tripod for and how to use it. You're minimising the potential for shake by using self timer and are not out on a moor with springy grass and high wind to contend with. Because of that it's working for what you're doing and i congratulate you for that. However I still stick by my general advice that photographers buy the most sturdy tripod they can afford.
Hi Mike Browne, thanks for the feedback. I do agree with the advice that photographers should buy the best tripod they can afford. The point I disagree on with most pros is this general sentiment that all cheapy tripods are completely worthless, which, providing you know the limitations of cheap kit, isn't necessarily true.
Anyway, I won't keep banging on about this, as we seem to agree on the important points. I would just like to say thank you for all your amazing videos; they're extremely informative and I've learnt a lot, you're a great teacher! I was thinking about picking up one of your courses. As someone who has a lot of the technical understanding down but still sometimes struggles to 'find the shot' and is still building their creative skills, would you recommend the 7 building blocks or something else?
Thanks LeftRight92 - It sounds to me that The 7 Blocks would be perfect for you as it's designed for photographers who know the technicalities and need to know how to string them together creatively. www.photographycourses.biz/courses/7-building-blocks-of-photography
LeftRight92 your right on the mark but they’re a business so also trying to get our money LOL
I agree ,its heavy but I use a manfrotto 055 and a manfrotto 475 the bigger 475 is used for astronomy it is fitted with a manfrotto 502 video because of the extremely smooth pan and tilt
Something about this channel that I absolutely love. Very informative, unbiased, real. Thank you for these amazing videos. Always enjoy learning from a passionate professional.
Great to hear Black Panda 🐼
Gitzo tripods have a hook on the bottom of their centre columns for bags to hang off. As good as Gitzos are though, I love my Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod! Best bang for your buck.
I think a better explaination is not because Tripods slow you down but elminate some of the work of composition and allows you to focus more on your settings and other variables.
I have a fotopro carbon fiber tripod. bought around 300 £ using it for 5 years, very happy about it
I first brought a £20 tripod, which worked great for me when learning, now I have a Gitzo systematic tripod for wildlife and my cheap £20 I still use for holding a perch for birds to Land on
(Alan) All very good advice. I bought a "relatively" inexpensive tripod a couple of years ago (or should I say that my wife bought it for my birthday ) It's a Manfrotto, and was bought from a major camera shop. The same place I bought my camera and lenses.
It's a very good travel tripod. Although when I went back to the shop to buy a quick release attachment for my 200-500 mm, they had stopped selling Manfrotto tripods. I got one on eBay though. I must admit that I rarely use the tripod, even when photographing wildlife, as birds can move too quickly, so can aircraft at airshows. It's "horses for courses" and depends to a great deal on the type of photography you are into.
Thank you Mike! I just upgraded to a DSLR but didn't know what to look for in a tripod without spending a fortune. Your video helped me pick out a nice tripod with a quick release plate, ball head, and it's very stable.
Thank you - and don't forget to do the practice because that's where it'll all go in and become second nature.
Hi Mike - I love your point about seeing the cost of your tripod over a number of years. You're dead right - spend as much as you can justify. For anyone who hasn't ever used a ball head (see here 4:56 and here A 'Ball and Socket' Camera Mount on a Photographic Tripod) then I'd definitely recommend them. Next time you're in a camera store - have a play!
Thank you Photography Incyder Info Blog It's a very worthwhile investment :-)
The tripod I used most is a little that came free with a video camera. I use it most because it is so small because it fits into my backpack. My other tripods I really only take if I drive and the car is close to my shot.
I'm just saying because I know a fair few people who have great tripods, but never use them, because of size and weight.
Awesome video, I just have a little thing to add: If you don't have multiple bodies and heavy pro lenses (which frankly, most of us don't), always carry a little fabric bag with you. You'll find little stones pretty much everywhere, and once you're done, you can pour them out again and you're ready to go :)
Thanks. Great tip Florian - MIKE :-)
I bought “HILLPOW Q1 tripod”on Amazon. It’s great for beginners. It’s lightweight but can load 5kg,3-section legs with locks that can be adjusted to several different angles. I love it so much.
Brilliant Cayla Mu, glad you've found a tripod that suits you. Thank you for sharing with us, it's always great to hear recommendations - CHRISTINA :-)
Agree one 200% with you I used cheep tripod and was no good in wind or even when canera had taking pic ... So got a very strong one now and Yess its bit more work to carry it around ... But when you see results it worthwhile.. That's good tip but camera bag on tri-pod and keeps it clean too lol thumbs mike
Thanks Joe taz6 A good tripod is a great investment. I bought both mine about 18 years ago and though they were expensive, they are still going strong so when the cost is divided by 18 years they were actually a very small price to pay for years of nice sharp pics.
when you was talking about hanging the camera bag over the tripod that tripod had a camera bag hook on the bottom so best use that no !.
Excellent video. I wish more review and guides were so straight to the point, and informative. Congrats and Thanks!
Thanks Mark - MIKE :-)
I have a cheapo Hama tripod - and.. well, it is not really sturdy. Yeah, it helds the camera upright and so far there was never a risk of falling over. But even with a slight wind everything wobbles like a dubstep track. So I just ordered a new, heavier one.
That said, I love the fact that the tripod slows me down. Putting up the tripod makes me think about the scene and what I really want to shoot. Instead of 20 quick clicks, 19 of them garbage, I only shoot 3 to 5 and then have a hard time to decide which of them (for my skill level) I like best.
Also, people are nicer ;)
If you are looking for a reasonably good carbonfiber tripod vid a B2 ballhead included, check out the brand Triopo! Got one recently and i'm really happy with it! The best part of it is that you can screw of one of the legs and use it as a monopod if you can't bring the whole thing!
Sorry i'm not an expert on what';s on the market - so have a look round the camera stores and see what you can find that's low and stable. Don't worry about the brand - just how stable it is. Hope this helps..
As an amateur traveling, I love my Vanguard VEO 235AB. Thanks for your video! Try this one Mike. It is only around US$100.
Well thanx a lot! It ws really helpful! D only thing dat creates confusion is d variety availabl! Its so complex to choose d right one.. :(
It's the Civic Centre branch of London Camera Exchange in Southampton UK
Excellent video. You forgot to mention the minimum height: some tripods allow(and facilitate) macro photography, bringing the camera up to 8cm from the ground. And some heads allow precise adjustment, excellent for technique called Focus stacking. Some tripods also allow you to move the central axis.
Tharun, I didn't pay loads for my heavy tripod, it only cost £80 from my local camera exchange.. U just need to keep your eye open for a deal.. You could even get lucky at a car boot sale
Sometimes you have to compromise. My tripod must fit on the back seat of my motorbikes or lashed to my backpack. It is still very good quality, though.
As long as it does the job, doesn't wobble and you photos are sharp that's all you need +Malte Christensen I have a small Manfrotto 190 go with a Manfrotto PRO-BHQ2 head for exactly the same reasons, (motorbike and backpack) and it works brilliantly - MIKE
Just bought myself a tripod for my new DSLR. I bought a Manfrotto one. Only problem was that I had to part with £185 ouch! That was for both the tripod and the head but like you said it's a tiny cost and you will get better, sharper pictures.
2:58 Monopod is also good for self defense. It's like legal extendable baton and that's why often banned in some airports.
I recently bought a Coman tripod (I have a video of it, if anyone is interested). It's a video tripod, and for $150, I think it's a steal. The only downside? It is heavy. Haha def not designed for travel.
The ronseal vlog of tripods...... no messing just straight up factual information well presented. Love it, none of the smash the like, subscribe or 5 min into talking about how good your coffee is..... excellent and very helpful. Will use the tips here when I head to NEC Birmingham to hopefully bag a tripod and head. As a newb I use a second hand one, until I figured out what I need. I was trying to shoot a lighthouse while perched on a hillside, sadly was blown about and could be seen in the camera as I zoomed in trying to pick the focus point.....
I hate to break it to you but if you're talking about the Photography Show it's been postponed...
Mike Browne no way, I had no idea. I guess I will have a long weekend in the UK. Worst places I could be I guess. Once again appreciate the video.
I never realised just how important tripods were till I actually got out there and started using them. I have a really light weight one which is good if there's no wind but its not very steady. So I went and got a big heavy harma tripod and it doesn't budge! Weighs a ton but its great! I'v recently got a gorilla pod, still experimenting with it but love it so far. Tripods!!!!... Very important!! :-)
Oh man! The ball head and the pistol grip is awesome! Mike can you please make a tutorial on how to use a monopod? I've always loved your videos and you inspire me so much from you great work, simple and easy to understand lessons! Thanks a ton😊
+Haseena Hussain I always think of a monopod being used more for supporting the weight of a heavy lens...like 500mm. That's a beast of a lens! Hahah
i use that giottos tripod featured here, its great .. but heavy so ive just bought the carbon version.. i love giottos.
Mike, my interest in tripods is for macro work - and particularly, for fine live view focus on macro shots. I use manual focus for my macro work, so live view is THE way to get it right.
Which leaves me with two questions.
1, you mention your tripod is 'much heavier' than the Manfrotto aluminium one you hold up in the clip - can I ask, what IS the tripod you use?
2, what would you consider the 'best', to dampen down ALL movement? Because as I try to do live view focus, the camera kind of trembles enough to frustrate my efforts to get perfect focus. Currently I'm using a Linhof with leg bracing - it's about 10-15 years old, and almost gets me there, but there's still a tremor while I'm trying to focus.
+jean pierre Guaron My 'big' tripod is a manfrotto ART 050 and the small one is a Benbo (not sure which one because lable came off about 15 years ago) The heavier your tripod is and the more robust the head is = the less wobble / vibration. Check out the video linked below, at 4:06 there's info about my tripods - MIKE
www.photographycourses.biz/videos/reviews-and-help/help-and-advice/Photography-FAQ-Pt2
+Mike Browne Thnx Mike - that looks like the "bee's knees", for my purposes. The weight is not a concern - wobble is, though. And being offered a carbon fibre 'pod on the basis that it "dampens vibrations quicker" isn't the answer for me, because I want to eliminate any vibrations while I'm trying to focus.
jean pierre Guaron No worries. I think Manfrotto make accessories as well like cross beams which are great for macro work. Just looked up the 058 and it's not a cheap tripod. It cost a lot when I bought it (don't remember how much but it made me suck air at the time) however 21 years later and it's still Rockin' so it was a fantastic investment and great value. Might be worth researching if anyone makes a heavy tripod specifically designed for macro... - MIKE
+Mike Browne Thanks for your interest & help Mike - seems that with fine macro work, the best solution is to stop short of maximum magnification of the focus point - I've had comment from another pro who has faced the same problem and come to the same conclusion. My 15-year old frill-free Linhof monster seems to be as good as any of the alternatives, and probably on a level with the 085b or 475b that Manfrotto make. Not for everyone of course, but certainly for my purposes. (Those two Manfrottos do other things - but that's pretty irrelevant for me)
Hi Shravan Kulkarni - Sorry i can't advise, never used either of them. If they are sturdy and don'e wobble i'm sure they'll be OK though
Hi Shravan. Sorry i don't know or have used either of these tripods. Have a look on some forums / review sites to see what people are saying about them, or check them out in a shop and buy whichever is the sturdiest. Hope this helps..
Monopods are good for candid bedroom window shots
Yes I do too. There's no point investing in a tripod then leaving it at home because it's too heavy. This is one area where you have to put in the work and sometimes it means carrying a tripod up a mountain. I should have said that in the video :-/
Some of the 'oldies' are the best, I have a friend who's still using a 30 year old Gitzo tripod.
Thank you so much for saying so. Please help us spread the word about our films by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing them and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc
We all learn from our mistakes so it's a wise person who's not afraid to make them. You know what to look for this time :-)
Can I suggest when you make a two parter you create a link from each video to the other? RUclips doesn't always list them one after the other and the search doesn't always find the second
Hi Mike,
I only buy cheap tripods. So far I have worn out 4 in two years. By the time I get to 70 I reckon I would have spent around the same money for a Manfrotto and nice head....And my pictures would have been better too. I am still young enough to change my ways, so I may take onboard your good advice. Just wish I had deeper pockets.
Sandy
:-)
Hey Sandy why not see if Mike will trade you a carbon tripod for one of your knives? Could be a win win for the pair of you. Just a thought.
TSA says monopods and canes are allowed through for carry on but not walking sticks.
V good informative video, thanks. The legs alone cost 200 & add to this a head, the total cost is going to equal that of a lens itself !!! But the importance can certainly be understood.
Funny thing. My pan head is buried in storage so I purchased a ball head from someones very strong suggestions. I hate the ball head. Next will be the pistol grip.
Great video, thanks from Chicago.
I got the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 carbon fibre tripod with the MH054M0-02 Magnesium ball head, I believe it is a decent combination. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this vital topic if I may say.
I can highly recommend the Hama Travellor Compact pro, which bucks the trend of "cheap tripods are rubbish". It's only £35 on amazon and it's pretty sturdy (i've shot 2 min exposures in the wind which were nice and sharp). It's well built, light, has a replaceable ball-head, quick release plate, reverseable main shaft for macro work, legs go very low for low min height and it comes with a handy bag.
Definitely worth checking out.
the ball head will get loose over time specially if you adjust it often.
Thank you! Excellent tutorial and guide
Lol at the last dude who goes back to work on his computer with the tripod under his wing.
I have an old heavy Manfrotto, and find nowadays walking up places like Ingleborough with it not so attractive. (Though I used to do that when younger).
I may have to try a ball head though. I currently use Pan and Tilt, which works, but as well as the three controls there is also the extra bulk and weight.
which ever works best for you :) sometimes it's just a matter of getting used to our toys :) - Melissa pp Mike
Hi Richard Corfield, I would definitly recommend trying out a ball head as they are so much easier to use - CHRISTINA
I've been wondering about getting a travel tripod so that I am more inclined to take it walking. Surui do a very small one, but I wonder if it's too small. They also have slightly less small travel tripods. I don't think I want to spend on a Gitzo, nice as they may be.
My current camera is lightweight and small, having bought a mirrorless camera for easier backpacking. (It's metal though, so still a kilo or so with lens). It seems in choosing a portable tripod there is tradeoff between packed size and size/stability in use. I'll have to weigh my Manfrotto without head to see how much heavier it is. I know it's longer than any of the travel tripods folded, but it can extend enough that I need to stand on something to use it at full height. I don't need that much height outdoors, but some of the travel tripods are little over a meter tall.
Thanks
- Richard
Height is a useful consideration also so you don’t have to raise the center column re stability issues as well as accommodate us tall types while looking through the viewfinder. 😃
My pleasure, thank you
Did you know about replying now, or was replying not a feature? No offence if you didn’t know it was a thing
Just checked it and it's still there. Make sure you have copied and pasted from and including the / and 8
Thank you.
agree with you on heavy tripods...
Hey Mike, after watching all of your very informative video's I took the plunge and went out and purchased a new tripod, I was using a Velbon CX686 Pan & Tilt, I found with the Nikon D2Xs there was too much wobble. Today I just received a new Benbo #2, teamed up with a Manfrotto 468MGRC0 head, very happy with the combination, the Benbo is going to take a bit of getting used too but it will be a good investment and I will be taking alot less wobbly pictures.
Cheers for all your work.
Tony.
Looking forward to owning a good tripod stand someday. Thank you for sharing this video.
Always look second hand as well as new 😊
Thank you once again for a wonderful video. I wish you were in the states so that I could take classes from you.
IT SLOWS YOUR EXCITED ASS DOWN AND FORCES YOU TO THINK! SIMPLY DECIDING WHERE YOU PLACE YOUR TRIPOD IS A NEVER ENDING EDUCATION!
I bought the Vanguard Veo 265 cb carbon tripod, and after three months of use rust could be found in the locking screws and threads of the legs. After sending it to the official service in San Cugat del Valles, they told me it must have be wet with salt water, so they just cleaned it and sent it back with some rust on it still. Not even the cheapest tripod on the market is made with materials that will rust. But to put steel of such poor quality on a carbon tripod is a travesty. I can't even go near the sea to take photos, as even cleaning it with still water is of no help. My advice to the management of Vangaurd is to institute a recall on these Carbon units with non-stainless steel, to be replaced with 316 stainless Steel. This solution would only cost one more Euro per tripod to fix this problem in its entirety. Barring that, if this issue is not resolved, refunds should be issued to all who purchased this defective product. Thank you for your time.
I just bought a Vanguard Abeo Plus 283CT...
Very professional well explained useful advices. Thank you.
No worries. I probably should have explained that by 'cheap' I meant cheaply made - not the amount of money you spend. Sorry
Thanks for all your info! I paid about $60 for my tripod...not bad, but I was on a budget. I got lucky I guess because its rock solid and is very smooth with panning.
Sounds like a great buy Steve sprague :-)
What's the name of the tripod? I'm figuring out what to buy so it would be helpful :)
Voonex
Promaster 7100. Its about $60. Ive used it a lot already and I really like it. Its very stable.
Steve sprague Thanks! I'll check it out :)
I Love Both Manfrotto and Gitzo Gear!!
Manfotto tripods are good..price and quality are amazing,like under 200$ you can get around 1.8kg tripod! Just worth it
Manfrotto pistole grip head on top of what kind of tripod?
Thanks Mike, your videos a making me want to watch more of them and the many photos using what I learned! Also, I have a question:
Any suggestion on at least how heavy the tripod should be for normal outdoor photography? I can find almost nothing under £300 and heavier than 3 kilograms. Best one I can find is £260 and 3.1 kilograms (Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-BH kit). Antything cheaper isn't heavier than 2,7 kilograms and anything heavier than 3,1 kilograms is VERY expensive (mostly Gitzo).
Good video! Well presented & very clear - really enjoyed it - Thx!
Your videos are simply amazing! Inspiring, informative and a joy to watch! Keep up the good work, greets from Greece!
After a few months i will take one too... Now i know what to search! Tnx Mke!
Thank you
I have just bought a 2nd Hand Hama Start 75 tripod... which came without the quick release plate. I have purchased a Hama universal quick release plate, which does not fit... Can you please give me the details as to the quick release plate for this tripod?
Sorry I can't help with this one +nzbeeker. I don't sell kit and or know all the different things available. I've haven't used or heard of a Hama Start 75 tripod so I can only suggest you contact Hama or a store that sells Hama and ask them. - MIKE :-/