Which Tripod & Telescope?

[Cordaline]

It's advice time again please.

I've been considering getting a tripod for my camera & a telescope for quite some time now.
Watching Stargazing Live (BRILLIANT) has inspired me to go ahead & get on with it.
I just don't know which ones to get.
My camera is the Panasonic FZ38 (for tripod info).

Telescope would be intended for stargazing & hopefully photography through it.
The tripod for wildlife pics.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, I am not an online shopper, I prefer to see & handle what I'm looking at before I part with my cash.

[eenymac]

I have been thinking along the same lines for quite some time now as well.

Over at Birdforum.net there is a dedicated sub-forum in the digiscoping section for photography using astro scopes. One of the favourites seems to be the Skywatcher ED80 refractor scope which can easily be adapted for terrestrial photography (600mm focal length F7.5 if I remember correctly), as well as getting good reviews on some of the astronomy sites. Some of the bird photos I have seen using this scope have been amazing, with the image quality up there, if not nearly as good as, some of the cringingly expensive prime lenses out there. Of course, like anything there are trade-offs, as it'll be full manual operation so a bit of a learning curve and experimenting, but that's half the fun isn't it?

[nightshade]

The Benbo is a nice solid tripod and very versatile, just do not slacken the clamp bolt too much when setting up and its manners are impeccable

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by nightshade

The Benbo is a nice solid tripod and very versatile, just do not slacken the clamp bolt too much when setting up and its manners are impeccable

A similar design, which doesn't suffer from 'Benbo Creep' is the Uniloc. It's also more versatile because of its modular design.

Jim

[Tringa]

Have a look at Redsnapper tripods. The one I use is very sturdy.

Dave

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

A similar design, which doesn't suffer from 'Benbo Creep' is the Uniloc. It's also more versatile because of its modular design.

Jim

I have never heard of "Benbo Creep" (unless it was the guy that left and started Uniloc ) and certainly never experienced it. I think it is one of those stupid myths that are propogated by non-owners

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have never heard of "Benbo Creep" (unless it was the guy that left and started Uniloc ) and certainly never experienced it. I think it is one of those stupid myths that are propogated by non-owners

See (and others from a quick google):

The difference between Benbo and Uni-Loc: Open Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Jim

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Cordaline,
I note that you are intending to use the tripod for wildlife photography, and not with the telescope, and my suggestion takes that into account.

The panasonic FZ38 is a lightweight Bridge camera, (similar in many respects to the Fuji Finepix HS10), and does not necessarily require a very heavy tripod to provide perfectly adequate support.

I don't know the types of photography subject that you would be intending using the tripod for, but if macro is in the mix, I would strongly recommend a tripod that is able to fully "splay-out" the legs to allow close to ground use.

Since getting back into serious photography about four years ago, and still very much in use whenever I'm, using my Fuji Finepix HS10, (and prior to that a Finepix S9600), is my all time favourite lightweight tripod - a Manfrotto 785SHB.

This little gem weighs next to nothing, closes down to 340mm in length, opens up to over 1200mm high, and is also superb for very low level operation when the centre column is removed, and the legs are fully splayed. Operation is by a single trigger grip handle, which locks securely at any given point on the ball head. It comes complete with quick release plate that fits any standard camera tripod screw.

Unfortunately, this specific tripod seems to have been discontinued, but its very slightly bigger brother the Manfrotto 785D, is still readily available, and is more or less identical in all features, except that the legs are slightly longer. The 785D opens up to more than 1500mm tall, and yet still comes in at less than 1kg. - which is a further big plus, if you would be intending to carry it around all day!

The 785D can be had for less than £40.00
(One such supplier - Manfrotto 785B Modo Maxi Tripod (MN785B) - Warehouse Express )

Can't help you regards the telescope /telescope adapter that you'll also need. (Cost comes into the equation here, as the quality and performance specification of what you can buy will very much depend on your intended budget).

Regards,
Mike.

[Cordaline]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Hi Cordaline,
I note that you are intending to use the tripod for wildlife photography, and not with the telescope, and my suggestion takes that into account.

Please excuse my ignorance (which is why I am asking for advice).
I thought telescopes were supplied fixed on tripods already.

A certain high street shop beginning with J, has their own carbon fibre model reduced from £129 to £79. Or thereabouts.
Is this likely to be ok?

Having seen horizontal Dave become crouching Dave at Sevenoaks with a tripod that splayed out for macro, I would like it to do that aswell.

Is there such a tripod that does the lot or am I going to need separate ones?

Hoping to go shopping tomorrow.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Cordaline

Please excuse my ignorance (which is why I am asking for advice).
I thought telescopes were supplied fixed on tripods already.

I'm not fully conversant with telescopes, but certainly most of what might be described as "starter" telescopes seem to be supplied complete with their own tripods. If you are intending to go into astronomy "proper" though, you might be considering an expensive model which would only come into its own with an equatorial mount type tripod. (You will need to do some suitable research before spending your pennies ).

Originally Posted by Cordaline

A certain high street shop beginning with J, has their own carbon fibre model reduced from £129 to £79. Or thereabouts.
Is this likely to be ok?

Can't comment on the specifics of that without knowing which specific model is being considered. I would assume such a tripod would generally be suitable, but you need to find out if the legs fully splay (to nearly horizontal), and whether the centre column is removable (If it isn't then the camera will not be able to go very low to the ground). Also, things like full pan/tilt, locking mechanism, quick release plates, overall weight, etc. are important things to be considered. NB. salespeople at the highstreet store you mention are not noted for their comprehensive knowledge of the specifications of photographic equipment, and in my experience, tend to try to sell you what they have in store, rather than give you best advice on how your particular need could be met. Just be wary, and satisfy your self properly that what you are buying does everything that you need.

Originally Posted by Cordaline

Having seen horizontal Dave become crouching Dave at Sevenoaks with a tripod that splayed out for macro, I would like it to do that aswell.
Is there such a tripod that does the lot or am I going to need separate ones?

Many tripods will do everything that you would ever need, in terms of being good "all-rounders". Certainly the Manfrotto 785D is one such, and I only recommend that because I have personal experience of the 785 range and am very satisfied. (My comment is made on the basis that it is eminently suitable for use with a bridge camera such as the one you are using, both for full height work, and for low to ground macro work). However, if you are considering any future upgrade to DSLR system, The 785D would not be strong enough to cater for the weight of a DSLR and the types of lenses likely to be used with it, so you might then consider something more heavyweight.

Good luck.
Regards,
Mike.