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Post by Kath on Sept 25, 2023 7:30:07 GMT
I have a huge heavy manfrotto tripod that I use in the studio which is brilliant and I love but which I can't in all seriousness take out and about because it's too heavy. I also own a giottos carbon fibre tripod which has just badly let me down. I knew there was a 'nut' thing missing and that one leg was consequently too loose but it seems that the tightening mechanism for stablislign the central column has now gone too. I can't afford a like for like replacement now - any recommendations for a cheapish but sturdy not too heavy tripod? Ideally under £100. The one that has 'gone' had a central column you could lift out and put horizontally but it won't do that any more - at least not with my 5Diii attached. I don't necessarily need that feature though. (Oh, and NOT a ball head. Hideous invention.)
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Post by nimbus on Sept 25, 2023 7:56:37 GMT
Iirc correctly Giottos tripods, like Manfrotto, can actually be owner repaired as spare parts are available. If so repair should be a viable option.
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Post by John Farrell on Sept 25, 2023 8:51:03 GMT
I have a Velbon Sherpa, which seems sturdy enough, although I've not used it a lot.
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Post by Fenris on Sept 25, 2023 9:01:51 GMT
Iirc correctly Giottos tripods, like Manfrotto, can actually be owner repaired as spare parts are available. If so repair should be a viable option. I'm with Nimbus on this - Go to the Giotto website and you should be able to order the bits you need to repair it. As for Light/Stable/Cheap - that's the great triangle of tripods... you can't get all three options, you can only pick two of them. |
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Post by zx9 on Sept 25, 2023 9:05:35 GMT
Have you considered a used tripod, typically they can found at a much more affordable price due to some people's never ending quest for the perfect tripod which of cause does not exist.
I recently bought a little used Innorel 90 and head for under 1/2 new the price which was more than your budget but you get the idea.
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Post by peterob on Sept 25, 2023 9:24:04 GMT
Iirc correctly Giottos tripods, like Manfrotto, can actually be owner repaired as spare parts are available. If so repair should be a viable option. I think so too - did you check the manufacturer's websites? |
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Post by peterob on Sept 25, 2023 9:27:59 GMT
I have a Velbon Sherpa, which seems sturdy enough, although I've not used it a lot. I have Velbon Sherpa carbon fibre legs as alternative (slightly lighter and warmer to carry) to a manfrotto 055 but they were quite expensive (more like £200) 15 years ago - don't know what they cost now. Head is extra. |
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Post by andy on Sept 25, 2023 9:28:48 GMT
I'd look used first too as some shops seem to have piles of them. Although if you like the one you have and it's just nuts and bolts to repair they can probably be found for a few quid each.
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Post by terrywoodenpic on Sept 25, 2023 12:42:54 GMT
I have a huge heavy manfrotto tripod that I use in the studio which is brilliant and I love but which I can't in all seriousness take out and about because it's too heavy. I also own a giottos carbon fibre tripod which has just badly let me down. I knew there was a 'nut' thing missing and that one leg was consequently too loose but it seems that the tightening mechanism for stablislign the central column has now gone too. I can't afford a like for like replacement now - any recommendations for a cheapish but sturdy not too heavy tripod? Ideally under £100. The one that has 'gone' had a central column you could lift out and put horizontally but it won't do that any more - at least not with my 5Diii attached. I don't necessarily need that feature though. (Oh, and NOT a ball head. Hideous invention.) I agree with other posters that it would be easy to fix like new again as all parts are available. If it is not something that you feel up to doing yourself. It is something anyone with a modicum of mechanical ability could do. Perhaps someone here or a friend could volunteer their services if they live near enough, though they would need to know your whereabouts to do so. |
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Post by Kath on Sept 25, 2023 16:42:52 GMT
Well the reason I posted this here is twofold. Firstly, I've never really got on with this tripod from day 1 and repairing it/replacing parts on it would be a last resort rather than my first choice. Secondly, even if I can't find what I want at a price I like and do end up trying the repair option, I don't think Giottos are in business any more. I can't find their website and few places seem to sell their tripods. There do seem to be places selling spare parts but not anywhere with a comprehensive stock that I've been able to find. The first two places I found had three and then 17 items in stock, none of which looked like the bits I needed. Without some sort of searchable catalogue I don't know what I'm looking for and I don't have time to scour endless sites in the hope that they might have the one thing I need.
I'm more than happy to do second hand but I didn't recognise any of the 'cheaper' brand names that I found and wondered if anyone had any expeirence of any of them. I'll have a read up of the Velbon brand though, thanks John
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Post by Kath on Sept 25, 2023 16:44:14 GMT
Iirc correctly Giottos tripods, like Manfrotto, can actually be owner repaired as spare parts are available. If so repair should be a viable option. I'm with Nimbus on this - Go to the Giotto website and you should be able to order the bits you need to repair it. As for Light/Stable/Cheap - that's the great triangle of tripods... you can't get all three options, you can only pick two of them. Yes, I know...you can have it cheap and light but not stable etc. Giotto website is no more! Just wanted recommendations of brands/types so I could look for a second hand option perhaps. It's not a great tripod anyway in spite of not being cheap at the time. |
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Post by andy on Sept 25, 2023 17:06:00 GMT
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Post by Ivor E Tower on Sept 25, 2023 19:24:24 GMT
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Post by donerundlecams on Sept 27, 2023 8:33:40 GMT
Hi Kath, Firstly, I've never owned a tripod in my (fauxtographic) life  ...and have thousands of snaps proving why I should used a tripod  . Whilst, having never owned one, I have sold hundreds of tripods over my 28 years of flogging photographic kit and the ones that have always stood have been Manfrotto, Gitzo and Slik, but, at my last job I discovered a new Tripod brand that was a cracker and it was "Sirui" ( link) .. They don't appear to have a distributor in the UK, but, a number of shops carry them  Cheers and fingers crossed Jack |
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Post by Kath on Sept 27, 2023 17:08:05 GMT
Thanks all...will look at all of these options!
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...and have thousands of snaps proving why I should used a tripod 
. Whilst, having never owned one, I have sold hundreds of tripods over my 28 years of flogging photographic kit and the ones that have always stood have been Manfrotto, Gitzo and Slik, but, at my last job I discovered a new Tripod brand that was a cracker and it was "Sirui" (