Amvona.com Tripods?

[Huram]

Hey ya'll,

I am looking to buy a sturdy tripod. I am looking at a Bogen 3021 w/ a ball/grip action head (322RC2 grip, maybe)

Anyhow, I am exploring my options. A friend recommended buying a tripod from Amvona.com. Has anyone purchased equipment from this company? Any good? I am looking at their AT-6703 professional tripod, comparable to the Bogen 3021, but a hundred bucks less. Plus, you can pull out the center column and use it as a monopod. Is Amvona.com quality? Just trying to get some more info before I make a purchase.

You can check out their tripods at
http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/category&category_id=caf9a598a7188e9e318b66d5d8831a53

Other equipment is at www.amvona.com

Let me know your 2 cents. Thanks.

Huram

 

[Nick Zentena]

Are the specs on the website right? It weighs 9 lbs but only holds 13lbs?

It doesn't seem that cheap to me. For less money you could get the one I bought.

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The Giottos website is down but that gives you the basic specs.

 

[removed account4]

i have not purchased any equipment ( lighting, boom or tripods ) from amvona, but saw some of them when i visited the company in dedham, ma a few months ago. it looked like nice stuff, but i don't really know how rugged it is. ... i *know* my tiltall or my wood tripod/bogen head can take a beating cause i have been using them for 10 or 20 years ... but i don't know anyone who has anything made by amvona, or put their amvona equipment through the test of time.

some of the "reviews" may be telling. some folks buy the equipment thinking it is up to the task of taking a beating, but it falls short of the mark. i know when i was thinking of buying a "extra large soft box" from them, they were unable to confirm whether or not my speed ring would support their softbox, and if i had purchased it, and sent it back, there would be a restocking fee &C &C ... so i didn't bother.

while their stuff may seem like a deal, it may end up costing you $$ in end ( replacement cost, or not being able to hold your equipment )

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Are the specs on the website right? It weighs 9 lbs but only holds 13lbs?

It doesn't seem that cheap to me. For less money you could get the one I bought.

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The Giottos website is down but that gives you the basic specs.

Except that the Amvona includes a head at $179, the Giottos are the legs only.

I have found that the grip action heads don't hold well enough for my taste with my Mamiya 645. I do suggest you at least check if the Bogen is even heavy duty enough for you. As for the Amvona, I don't know, but I would have concerns with putting that kind of money out not having the opportunity to test it first.

 

[Dave Parker]

This guy is a pretty highly rated ebay seller with over 17,000 positive feedbacks, I purchased a flash braket from him like the Strobo frame and have been very happy with it.

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Dave

 

[Nick Zentena]

Except that the Amvona includes a head at $179, the Giottos are the legs only.
.

I know the Adorama link claims no head but the tripod actually includes a built in head. No quick release so that was enough for me to mount a head. For a 35mm it wouldn't be too hard to just screw the camera onto the built in head. With a MF with a waist level the built in is likely more then good enough. So the tripod is actually use able without adding a head. It would be a pain trying to mount a big LF camera without the quick release.

 

[david b]

I have purchased a few studio items from them including reflectors, clamps and a heavy duty light stand.
So far all is well. Shipping is a bit of a pain and my last order was "lost" in their system.
But I do think I got my money's worth.

 

[djklmnop]

If buying from these guys, do so on ebay. If you keep your patience you can walk away with a tripod for only $65 - $80. I usually take the retail price - shipping = maximum bid.

 

[Bob F.]

I can't speak for these particular items, but previous purchases of tripods has taught me one thing: buy quality. Previous cheap tripods fell apart within months. My Manfrotto has lasted and when I busted a leg clamp lever I got a new one from Manfrotto by return post, so consider spares availability too.

Bob.

 

[ggriffi]

H,

While I can't speak to the quality of the camera tripods, I do have one of their backdrop stands. They are ok. I have a Bogen 3221 tripod and although I wouldn't backpack with it, I like it very much and i got mine on ebay for about $125 without the head. Hope this helps.

G

 

[Changeling1]

May I suggest one of the best tripods available for LF...Ries J100-2 Tripod w/J250 double tilt head. Head, tripod, and case are all beautifully made (in the USA) from the finest materials. This particular tripod will support 26 lb.s You can put your best and biggest camera on one of these and know it's (probably) not going anywhere! http://www.riestripod.com. I also have a Berlebache Report with a Bogen 3047 head that's pretty decent and will support 22 lbs. It's considerably lighter than the Ries and much less expensive also. There are two nice-looking Zone VI tripods on ebay also. Bob is right- Don't buy a cheaply made tripod. And Ansel Adams ALWAYS packed a spare tripod leg on his photographic expeditions.