tripods

No+Pro · 25 Feb 2015, 2:38 pm

Not as exciting as camera talk but what tripods work for you? Ive had a vanguard espod something (233?) for 2 years and within a week it was replaced due to the thread on the main lever stripping (wasnt me, honestly) on its first use. Got the same again abd it was fine for 18 months but the last 6 months it has been getting more n more loose as far as the lever that allows n restricts panning. Decided enough was enuff last week and took it to the importer rather than the store (over an hour away). Long story short about being persistent but polite, just got a replacement (and upgrade, it seems) delivered. Now have a vanguard alta 233AO. Its a bit shorter which us annoying but it has the adjustable legs so it basically lies flat. All movement from one lever rarher than 3 which will take some getting used to but hopefully now less to go wrong.

I also have a short Slik tripod, sits about 20cm max and fits in the spare lens section of a camera bag. Only good for low shots or if you have something to sit it on though. But much less bulky and easy to conceal.

I just reread all that. Tripods are super boring. Main thing is not to get one that's too cheap/wont support your gear.

Midget · 25 Feb 2015, 3:02 pm

I currently have a Manfrotto 190XPRO4 + a ballhead. I don't remember the model of the head, but holy crap, it's weight is half of the legs. I can utilise the head as backup cannon ammo. Legs are utterly epic and allow me to do all kinds of crazy shots. The only negative is the cost, and how heavy the tripod is. On the bright side, I can train my puny arms by exploring with it, and I will never have to change the tripod legs because it can take up to 7KG of gear.

Then I've got a little Manfrotto Compact Light for phone, Pentax and any small cameras that doesn't require a ridiculously strong tripod. This goes down to about 30cm or less when the centre column is reversed and the legs minimised. Great for rest days for my stick arms.

Thinking of selling the 190XPRO4, and getting the carbon fibre equivalent for a little weight saving. Plus CF is supposedly better in stabilising.

Light Knight · 25 Feb 2015, 5:38 pm

I have a Velbon CX-640 which is getting onto about 6 years old. Lightweight, fairly stable, panhandle head, fast to extend/collapse, and has a very useful 162cm max height. On the downside, it only collapses down to 59cm for carrying, which is quite big when you want to be stealthy URBEX ninja. Whenever it needs to be replaced, I'd be looking for something that has a good min/max height ratio.

I also have a gorillapod, which has come in useful for holidays when I don't want to take the full tripod. It is also useful to mount torches on.

sini · 26 Feb 2015, 5:49 am

I have a vanguard espod 233ap and it is ridiculously strong and not too heavy. It is basic but then again so am I

it gets thrown over fences, dropped and used to fend off hobos. I will upgrade it soon when I get a new camera

Nuggs · 26 Feb 2015, 6:40 am

I bought a selfie stick in Thailand.

*runs away
*such embarrass

Midget · 26 Feb 2015, 9:10 am

Nuggs wrote:I bought a selfie stick in Thailand.

*runs away
*such embarrass

Atrocious.

Crispex · 26 Feb 2015, 11:06 am

I carry around a mini tripod in my camera bag but sometimes take my larger shitty SLIK tripod out but it tends to just get in the way - handilly attaches to the bottom of my camera bag though, so there is that.
Probably going to move to a monopod instead.

No+Pro · 26 Feb 2015, 12:37 pm

Monopod huh? Sounds like someone else is hiding a selfie stick obsession nuggs, youre not the only one

Nuggs · 26 Feb 2015, 1:02 pm

Midget wrote:
Nuggs wrote:I bought a selfie stick in Thailand.

*runs away
*such embarrass
Atrocious.

Yeah I know.
Surprised customs let me back in Australia with it - the yuppies seem to be banning them everywhere now, including the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane!

Lol, yeah isn't a monopod just the poor man's selfie stick?

dodger · 26 Feb 2015, 2:13 pm

Nuggs wrote:
Midget wrote:
Nuggs wrote:I bought a selfie stick in Thailand.

*runs away
*such embarrass
Atrocious.
Yeah I know.
Surprised customs let me back in Australia with it - the yuppies seem to be banning them everywhere now, including the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane!

Lol, yeah isn't a monopod just the poor man's selfie stick?

Do you mean a selfie stick is a poor man's monopod? (Monopods are much more expensive and much better quality than selfie sticks!)

Crispex · 26 Feb 2015, 2:34 pm

Monopods don't even come with Bluetooth triggers

Midget · 26 Feb 2015, 3:08 pm

d0dg3r wrote:Lol, yeah isn't a monopod just the poor man's selfie stick?

Do you mean a selfie stick is a poor man's monopod? (Monopods are much more expensive and much better quality than selfie sticks!)[/quote]
But wait, isn't a monopod the poor man's tripod?

peterh13 · 27 Feb 2015, 1:02 am

Ive got a Velbon VS 3. I bought it in 1974 and its still as good as the day i bought it. I have to pressure wash it occasionally to get all the mud of it.

I just realized its probably older than most of you guys.

No+Pro · 27 Feb 2015, 6:48 am

peterh13 wrote:Ive got a Velbon VS 3. I bought it in 1974 and its still as good as the day i bought it. I have to pressure wash it occasionally to get all the mud of it.
I just realized its probably older than most of you guys.

ha, thats a fair assumption
cue stories on not makin em like they used to!

DeScent · 28 Feb 2015, 10:15 am

Pussinboots and I, both have Manfrotto Compact Tripod, model MKC3-H01.

This is the older model of the Manfrotto Compact Tripod, and it's now hard to find.

The newer model has a redesigned camera attachment point, and its no good for me.

Its a really great Tripod, that goes up and down quick, and has a gun like aiming handle, that makes lining up shots and carrying the tripod easy as.

The only problem I have had with it is, that its easy to Not! have the camera straight, because the head is so adjustable to any angle.

So I now have a spirit level installed in my camera's hot shoe and that works really well to keep the shots on the level.

peterh13 · 01 Mar 2015, 5:49 am

DeScent wrote:Pussinboots and I, both have Manfrotto Compact Tripod, model MKC3-H01.

This is the older model of the Manfrotto Compact Tripod, and it's now hard to find.

The newer model has a redesigned camera attachment point, and its no good for me.

Its a really great Tripod, that goes up and down quick, and has a gun like aiming handle, that makes lining up shots and carrying the tripod easy as.

The only problem I have had with it is, that its easy to Not! have the camera straight, because the head is so adjustable to any angle.

So I now have a spirit level installed in my camera's hot shoe and that works really well to keep the shots on the level.

You ever thought of getting a "spirit level bubble" and glueing it to your tripod. Bunnings sell them for a couple of bucks.

Unclehaggz · 01 Mar 2015, 2:47 pm

If you own a Canon 60D or 70D the spirit level is built into the camera, just press "info" button twice to view it on the rear screen!

Regards
UH

Midget · 01 Mar 2015, 6:25 pm

Unclehaggz wrote:If you own a Canon 60D or 70D the spirit level is built into the camera, just press "info" button twice to view it on the rear screen!

Regards
UH

Dat sh*t is useful as f***... only when I remember to look at it. =P

On the 70D, you can actually bring it up on the viewfinder as well. Save some battery and easier to look at.

Unclehaggz · 01 Mar 2015, 9:16 pm

Yeh 60D does that in the view finder too, had forgotten that, and you can use a nominated Cn function to enable any button to view it!

Regards
UH