Tripod recommendations

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Which good quality photo tripod would anyone recommend to go with either an Astrotrac or a SW Star Adventurer?

Thanks

Louise

[Leveye]

An aluminum Oben lateral. I've had it for 4 years now and it's still perfect. Even using it in seawater.

[Zakalwe]

I recently bought a velbon DV-7000 for my Star Adventurer. The chepo fluid head screws off and the Star Adventurer fits nicely (you will have to use the thread adapter that comes with the Star Adventurer). It's a lot more solid than my Manfrotto 190 photo tripod. The DV-7000 is about £93 off Amazon of £80 delivered from ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Velbon-Sherpa-DV7000-Fluid-Head-Video-Tripod-/400472034502?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item5d3dfe4cc6

[oldpink]

I use Velbon tripods for my video camera's they take a heavy Canon semi pro camera with ease

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Thanks for the replies guys! Do you think the Velbons are better than, say, a Manfrotto 055? I'm thinking of a total payload of maybe around 7kg, possibly getting on for 10kg (with a scope)?

Zakalwe: How do you find the Star Adventurer? Have you done any long exposures with a scope?

Thanks

Louise

[Zakalwe]

Hi

Thanks for the replies guys! Do you think the Velbons are better than, say, a Manfrotto 055? I'm thinking of a total payload of maybe around 7kg, possibly getting on for 10kg (with a scope)?

Zakalwe: How do you find the Star Adventurer? Have you done any long exposures with a scope?

Thanks

Louise

Hi Louise,

I've not used it in anger yet, to be honest, apart from one session with a 14rmm wideangle.

I've just received an astro-modded 1000D and an intervalometer, so if the weather plays ball I hope to try it with a 70-200f4L lens that I have at the weekend.

[hobsey]

 so if the weather plays ball I hope to try it with a 70-200f4L lens that I have at the weekend.

Look forward to seeing the results as I can't wait to get mine in September.

[Thalestris24]

I'm thinking more about the Astrotrac now possibly with a non-astrotrac wedge but need to ponder a lot!

[rob0971]

The manfrotto 055 is a good middle weight tripod. It should take an astrotrack, camera & mid size lens & still be fairly steady. A good rule of thumb for camera tripods is to work out the total weight of kit to be mounted & double it. Look for a tripod in that sort of range.

[Thalestris24]

The manfrotto 055 is a good middle weight tripod. It should take an astrotrack, camera & mid size lens & still be fairly steady. A good rule of thumb for camera tripods is to work out the total weight of kit to be mounted & double it. Look for a tripod in that sort of range.

Hi - I've actually (somewhat impulsively!) gone for an Advanced VX now!! I decided that an Astrotrac probably wouldn't cut it for fl over 300mm with 600s+ exposures which are what I want to be able to do.

Thanks for your advice and info anyway.

Louise

[TractionMan]

A bit of a late reply since you got yourself an Advanced VX. However, other people might be looking for the same information and suggestions, so here it comes: I use a Benro A4570T with a 20kg payload capacity. Very nice and stable. Got a Benro B1 ballhead as well with 12kg payload capacity. Originally I got this combo to have a nice and stable platform for static long exposure landscape and time lapse photography, but works great with my iOptron SkyTracker V2 (limited use so far though).

Edit:typo

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Yeah, I went for the AVX in the end - it's very heavy though!! I had to get the delivery driver to carry it up the stairs for me...

Thanks anyway.

Louise