What Tripod

Originally Posted by 5hort5

any tripod will do the job as long as the clamps hold weight, if it has a hook under the top centre then sling a buck of water under it and it will hold firm. I have used a good market leader in a gale and it's crap and likewise so is a cheap one, the key is to either anchor it or sling a large weight under it or in a 70 mph gale on the coast - both

No... Slinging a bit of weight underneath will help. The rest is rubbish.

[5hort5]

Taking storm pics I've found that if you can peg the tripod into the ground helps loads, a cable tie round each leg and a tent peg into the ground plus a large rock in a carrier bag on the centre really steadies it up loads. Not your average family shot I'll give you that but on top on a hill in Wales it works tops. Which bits rubbish for that?

The parts where you suggest that under the circumstances described a cheap tripod is as as good as an expensive tripod when nothing could be more further from the truth. Anyone who has ever spent time using top shelf gear would be able to confirm that for you.

Maybe I am a little sensitive to the cheap bars**** in the forum (after that lens thread) trying to tell me that cheap is as good as the expensive gear, especially when I make the effort to find the middle ground, when I know from experience that is not the case. I'll make no apologies for calling BS as I see it on a subject that I do Know something about.