UK Members Recommend CF Tripod & Head For Wildlife Photography?

[paulhillion]

I've asked a similar question before and got a few replies which only recommended US supplied heads, and rather expencive ones at that :(

I'd probably order from Warehouse Express so something from their catalogue would be useful. I'm going to want a decent compact carbon fibre lightweight tripod and head suitable for wildlife shots and the occasional landscape. I see they have Velbon cf tripods at half price. any good?

I own a Gitzo cf monopod which is excellent as I like the quick release system for extending the leg, but the Gitzo tripods seem very expencive?

I'm looking to spend for the complete setup under £320 if poss.

Thanks,

Paul

[lostdoggy]

If want anything closes to Gitzo in quality you won't like Velbon. If I remember right Velbon is made Hakuba who sells their product through stores like Walmart ( I don't know the equivalent in UK) and Target. There is a Carbon Fiber (CF) tripod by Feisol mention on some thread for $175+$35S&H shipped from Taiwan. You have to do a seach in eBay as that is the way they are offering it. They also have a link on eBay to their own website. I found a local (USA) vendor who is offering it for $209 for three section and $219 for four section and free shipping. I have read pretty good review so far on it but I haven't made the jump to buy it. The other Pod I'm interested in is th Bogen/Manfrotto 3021PRO its about $149US legs only. I have read from this forum that the price difference is so much that other Britts rather paid the Tax and buy from B&h.

[paulhillion]

I know it's not carbon fibre but I've been looking at this model...

Manfrotto 458B NeoTec Pro Photo Tripod

Any thoughts?

[rssfhs]

Save your money and get good equipment! After a few years, you'll forget how much you spent and won't need to replace it. That applies especially to tripods because they don't become obsolete the way cameras do.