Ouch, my tripod just gained 4 pounds....

[Amund]

Not being too satisifed with my Kirk BH-1 ballhead for 8x10 use, I was looking for a new head, on a budget.(less than $100)

This was my lucky day. I stopped by a local pro photography store, and they had a "firesale", because restructuring to be a showroom instead of a store(all sales by web from now on).

On a shelf, a large grey box cried for my attention and I walked over to take a look. In the box a Manfrotto geared head stared up at me. While fondling it`s smooth geared pan`s and tilt`s a salesman walked up to me, and asked:
"So, are you interested?",

"Yes" -I said, but with this heavy presicion piece in my hands, I knew it was way out of my budget.

Surprisingly he said: "We`ve had had a few of these sitting on the shelf for a couple of years now, so make me an offer"

All I had on me was a Norwegian 500kr bill($75)....

"Well, I have $75 in my pocket" Almost blushing as I said it...

The salesman answered with a short: "Okay"


Five minutes later I walked out of the store with a $75 Manfrotto 400

 

[Magnus W]

Sweet deal!

And, as they say in the movie business, the camera adds ten pounds ...

slightly envious -- MW

 

[Sanjay Sen]

Good for you... now go out and expose some film!

 

[Amund]

Good for you... now go out and expose some film!

I wish I could, but it`s raining...

 

[rbarker]

That's what I'd call a great buy, Amund. Not exactly a backpacker's head, but it's a jewel for studio or near-vehicle work.

 

[Claire Senft]

You are going to leave rfain stop your photography?

 

[Amund]

You are going to leave rfain stop your photography?

Nope, just bought a pack of spanish chili peppers to do some still lifes.

And as I type, I see the sun breaking through the clouds.

 

[Amund]

The still lifes came out extremely crappy, but the head was an absolute joy to work with.

Best $75 I`ve ever spent.

 

[epatsellis]

more importantly, you did say he had a few of them, right? how much to buy one and ship it to me?


erie

 

[NikoSperi]

Amund,
Seriously... he has more of those "sitting on the shelves" for years?

 

[abeku]

Amund,
Seriously... he has more of those "sitting on the shelves" for years?

I was thinking the same, what was the name of that store again? ;-)

 

[Capocheny]

Amund,

Gads, at $75.00... it doesn't sound like the guy knew what he had on his hands. This is the head I use on my studio stand to hold a Sinar X with double bellows. It's a joy to use and allows you the tiniest of movements...

I paid CDN$500 for mine and that was considered a bargain!

Cheers

 

[Amund]

They know what they have, and list price here in Norway is close to $800...
But seriously, I doubt he will sell more of them at that price. I`m a regular customer there, been that for years...

 

[Capocheny]

Well, Amund... that was one SWEET deal!

It's simply a great head to use, isn't it?

Cheers

 

[Amund]

Well, Amund... that was one SWEET deal!

It's simply a great head to use, isn't it?

Cheers

To quote some words I just read:

"I never thought I'd "need" a geared tripod head - until I tried one."

I couldn`t say it any better, that`s exactly how I see it too.

 

[Changeling1]

That reminds me of the time I purchased a brand new Zone VI tripod w/ original case and "head" for $150 on the auction site. The head turned out to be a brand new Arca-Swiss B1 in the box! But the deal you got has to be one for the record books!

P.S. Tell the clerk I'll give him $125 for two!

 

[David Brown]

Five minutes later I walked out of the store with a $75 Manfrotto 400

I ... am ... so... jealous ...

 

[Amund]

First field use today, heavy yes, but so worth it....
I used it with a Shen-Hao 4x5, the head is almost as large as the camera! LOL