Need a tripod for my Olympus E-420 digital SLR

bluedog

I need to buy a tripod for my camera, but haven't a clue what to look for with buying one. The only thing I know is that it will need to be sturdy as I don't want any mishaps! I'm planning to take up a course soon to learn how to use it properly, but am on a limited budget.

I've been looking on Amazon and found the ones below and wondered if anyone can advise me if they would be any good or the sort of thing I should be looking for please?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0035G12XA/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ACH85CKB843GG

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Star-Tripod-free-Carry/dp/tech-data/B0000WXD16/ref=de_a_smtd

A._Badger

bluedog wrote: »

I need to buy a tripod for my camera, but haven't a clue what to look for with buying one. The only thing I know is that it will need to be sturdy as I don't want any mishaps! I'm planning to take up a course soon to learn how to use it properly, but am on a limited budget.

I've been looking on Amazon and found the ones below and wondered if anyone can advise me if they would be any good or the sort of thing I should be looking for please?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0035G12XA/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ACH85CKB843GG

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Star-Tripod-free-Carry/dp/tech-data/B0000WXD16/ref=de_a_smtd

There's nothing special about any particular camera - what matters is the tripod itself. What works for your Oly will work as well for a Canon or Nikon.

My advice (and I have had many tripods down the years) is buy the best you can afford. Unstable, amateur tripods are worse than useless and my default has become Manfrotto. They are quite expensive but beautifully made, to a professional standard.

You can get one for under £100 and it will last you a lifetime. A good place to look is www.warehousexpress.org as they do a very wide range of brands.

Hope that's some help.

scotsbob

Bluedog I have sent you a PM

diable

Manfrotto but they are not cheap as mine cost about £140 with a decent head.

moonrakerz

I would agree with the previous comments - buy the best you can afford. especially if you want to fit a bigger, heavier lens at some time in the future.

But...............first ask yourself, "do I actually need a tripod". If all you want is some extra support, consider a monopod. They are much cheaper; lighter; can be used almost anywhere; guarantee that you place the camera in exactly the same spot, time after time, if needed; you don't need to slacken off/tighten various locking devices to tilt or pan the camera.
I use mine a lot with a 500mm lens on my Nikon, it is quite a heavy combination, but with a monopod fitted to the lens I can carry the whole lot "under my arm", and it takes seconds to extend the monopod to use it.
Obviously, the main drawback is that you cannot set the camera up and walk away and leave it - well, not for very long !
I would NOT have got the shot below if I had been mucking about with a tripod. The man with me didn't get any better shots of the steam loco because he had a tripod - and he didn't get the bunny !

oldtoolie

Either one of those Amazon tripods will do you fine as a starter. (they look identical so buy the cheap one.)

You will know when you need a better one.

Don't fall into the trap of assuming that your equipment stops you from making good pictures. Your eye and your brain make good pictures.

photodgm

Try reading this.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
It really depends on what type of photography you want to do.

benrashton

I purchased a Velbon Sherpa 600. Aluminium and very sturdy with quick release head and carry case included for about 70 quid. Excellent value for money and performs well with my Nikon D200 which is quite a heavy camera.

I've had it for about three years now without mishap.

The other brands mentioned are very good but if your budget wont stretch as far you wont be disappointed with the Velbon as it's very capable.