At around £30, expectations need to be modest: most tripods in that range are usable, but not especially rigid or refined. They can work as a first tripod, but many photographers end up replacing them once they learn what stability really matters.

The key point is stability, especially with a 70-300mm lens. A tripod that won’t hold the camera steady for longer exposures defeats the purpose. In general, spending more gets you noticeably better stiffness and head performance.

Entry-level options like the Manfrotto Compact series or Slik Sprint Pro II are more sensible than very cheap no-name models, but they’re still compromises rather than “buy once” solutions.

Whichever tripod you choose, technique matters a lot:

• keep the center column down
• extend legs only as much as needed
• add weight to the center if possible
• use mirror lock-up/live view if available
• use a remote release or self-timer

If you truly won’t use a tripod often, an inexpensive one can be a reasonable learner purchase. But if you want solid long-exposure performance with a telephoto lens, it’s worth stretching the budget beyond the cheapest options.