My First Tripod. Recommendations please.

[ham]

A very detailed Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 (new version would be 498RC2) is available here.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=529785

I had this setup given to me for my birthday and it seems very solid.

Dave

Looking at Jessops for some costs, here's what I'd recommend as a starter set:

• Manfrotto 055XPROB = £105
• Manfrotto 498RC2 = £87
• TOTAL = £192

You might want to read this article, which advises just getting the best from the start, and makes some good points. But take a rational approach (and keep in mind that the author just assumes you'll chuck the gear you don't want anymore into the bin, instead of selling it to recoup some of the loss).

One more suggestion - go into a shop and try some out. Manfrotto uses lever-locks for the legs, other brands use twist-locks. Play with the heads. See how easy it is to extend/collapse the legs. Find something that's comfortable for you to use.

Hope that helps...

That set-up looks like it'll do what I need.

I completely understand the necessity not to go cheap, and I don't want to, but equally I don't want to throw money at something when it'll be overkill for how much I'll actually use it. To me, £200 (would £50 more get me anything extra/better/lighter that's worth having?) is a good price, but I'd go a bit higher if it was worth it VfM-wise.

That review is very good, I'm only 5'10, so I assume I just wouldn't extend the legs fully? How does the extending neck swing? Through the gaps in two of the legs?

(Edit: looking at this, he uses a grip, I don't, that'll make it about my height. Lovely)

I recently bought a Manfrotto 055XPROB with the 804RC2 head. It easily supports a 500D with a 70-200 f/4, has a pretty good height and is rock solid. It was for 220€ on Amazon.fr, probably you could find similar prices in the UK

What differences are there with that head and the 498RC2?

Thanks for your help all, seems like an absolute minefield fo letters and numbers, and that clarifies it a bit.