Lightweight, cheap tripod

[Reflection]

I've had a quick search and found Monfrotto and Velbon as big names, which seem to carry a wide range of eqiupment. However I found that most Velbon wasn't available in the UK, or am I just not looking in the right place?

I currently use an A80, but I'll also want to use an old Olympus OM-10 on it. I will hopefully be ugrading to an EOS 350D soon too, so I need something that can handle these changes easily and cheaply (if any are required?)

My budget is, tops, £100-120, but preferably less. I'm not looking for something top of the range - I'm fine settling for something lower down!

I'd like a tripod that is lightweight, easy to carry around, either in a bag or over a shoulder with a strap, without it getting in the way too much. I won't need it for hiking, but I would walk with it so I don't want it to weigh me down too much.

[SkipD]

With tripods, there are three basic variables - stiffness (sturdiness - suitability for supporting camera/lens combinations without movement), price (low to high), weight (light weight to heavy).

High stiffness (suitable for long lenses, that is) and light weight translate to very high prices.

Light weight and low price translates to flimsy (lack of stiffness and likelihood of falling apart).

That said, my favorite all-round combination is a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (US nomenclature - 055 ProB elsewhere) topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head. It isn't terribly light, but can be easily carried across the back with a "long strap". It is extremely versatile, reasonably stiff, and very well built for long-term duty without coming apart.

[condyk]

Agree with Skip ... BUT, if lightweight is important then check out Dynatran brand via the Amvona eBay shop in the US. I have the carbon fibre/Magnesium 994 kit here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=164099), incl. a magnesium ballhead that works just as well as my ex Manfrotto 488, and with careful bidding that arrived at my door for around your budget, incl import/P&P charges. I like it a lot.

There are plenty of fans of their range if you do a search here. You can spend lots if you like, but you can also save lots if you know what to look for and where to look.

[cfcRebel]

Ditto what condyk suggested. I, too, have the Amvona's Dynatran carbon fiber AT-CF994. It's sturdy, lightweight, and able to hold my 20D+Sigma 50-500mm+380EX flash without any problem. Check Amvona's eBay store. They ship worldwide.