What do you think of this tripod?

ToddB · May 11, 2015

http://m.ebay.com/itm/121450668202?...&srcrot=e11404.m43.l1120&rvr_id=0&_mwBanner=1

Todd

Mike Evangelist · May 11, 2015

I bought one similar to it from Amazon recently (this one doesn't have the removable monopod leg though.)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHPCSA0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wanted a compact 'beater' tripod to keep in the car or throw in the suitcase for occasional light use holding up a Sony a7. It's cheaply made, but does what I expected. But be sure you pay attention to the specs...it's quite short - 51" fully extended (including the two-section center column).

If you're thinking medium format, forget it. No way is it sturdy enough.

ToddB · May 11, 2015

Good to know. I was going to get this for my Rollei and Leica M3. I'll pass with this info and keep looking.

Todd

ToddB · May 11, 2015

Here are couple others I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/AFAITH%C2%AE-Professional-Monopod-Portable-Compact/dp/B00FTRV7EC/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

http://www.amazon.com/MeFoto-Travel...31373607&sr=8-1&keywords=Mefoto+travel+tripod

Todd

Richard S. (rich815) · May 11, 2015

You get what you pay for. Buy one of those and be ready to replace them in a couple-few years. And having them fail when you least need them to leaving you stuck, and hopefully not damaging gear (like the head failing and your wonderful Rolleiflex quickly dropping and smacking your tripod hard). That's what I did at first about 20 years ago. Went cheap, replaced 2-3 times. Spent way too much money on crap gear in the end. Finally sucked it up and went for a well-regarded Gitzo and a good used Arca-Swiss head. Both made with amazingly fine workmanship and quality materials. They are reliable and will last me likely for my life.

jeffreyg · May 11, 2015

If you can find a Tiltall in good condition at a good price it should fill you need. I've had one for over forty years and it's still going strong. Mine is the Leitz version.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

ToddB · May 11, 2015

I have a really nice Manfrotto Jubilee version I bought back in the early 90's. It's my go to tripod for everything. However it's to big for travel. I Had a member hit me with a PM suggestion for the Slik Mini II tripod.. nice but no Pano head. AAArrghhh!!

Todd

Slixtiesix · May 11, 2015

Way to many leg segments for my taste. Plus I have a low opinion on center columns anyway, seeing one with two extendable segments is too much I think. Certainly might be a good tripod for a digital compact camera but not for a medium format camera.

Alan Gales · May 11, 2015

jeffreyg said:
If you can find a Tiltall in good condition at a good price it should fill you need. I've had one for over forty years and it's still going strong. Mine is the Leitz version.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

+1

I paid $75.00 for my lightly used Leitz Tiltall. Look for a Leitz or the older Marchioni version. The later Chinese made versions are not the same. The Tiltalls come with a pan/tilt head made on which is a lot better than a cheap ball head.

Mike Evangelist · May 11, 2015

ToddB said:
Here are couple others I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/AFAITH®-Profe...le-Compact/dp/B00FTRV7EC/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

http://www.amazon.com/MeFoto-Travel...31373607&sr=8-1&keywords=Mefoto+travel+tripod

Those two both look to have very similar construction to the the first one (and the one I bought). In that price range, something like this stands a better chance of surviving awhile and being able to hold your Rollei effectively.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-Compact-Advanced-Black-MKCOMPACTADVBK/dp/B00L6F1J9Y/ref=sr_1_6

nsurit · May 11, 2015

There is probably more money wasted on the wrong tripod than any other piece of photo equipment. I know I've wasted my share. What typically rides in my car is a gitzo G 2220 with a Kirk BH-3. This one has never disappointed me.

Jim Jones · May 11, 2015

The only virtue of the tripods the OP linked to is compact size. Someone that must travel with minimum weight and bulk might need one. I have several tripods, but have almost always used old Tiltalls for the past 55 years for large and small cameras. There's always one in the trunk of my car, and one in the house.

mdarnton · May 11, 2015

I just bought a tripod like the one in the first post for a special purpose, to hold a 4x5 press camera, so I'll find out soon (it comes tomorrow) how it can handle that. I already have a ball head like it has, and I know that it will handle the 4x5--it's the legs I'm concerned about, but I won't be going up much higher than about 36 inches or so. I think it will handle it OK, but won't be very stiff, but that isn't going to be an issue.

cooltouch · May 13, 2015

The old Star-D tripods are also pretty good. I have a lightweight but sturdy one that I've used for over 25 years. It's sturdy enough for lighter medium format cameras, has a detachable square baseplate, and extends to about five feet, maybe. No center column. There's at least one just like mine on eBay right now.

RalphLambrecht · May 13, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
You get what you pay for. Buy one of those and be ready to replace them in a couple-few years. And having them fail when you least need them to leaving you stuck, and hopefully not damaging gear (like the head failing and your wonderful Rolleiflex quickly dropping and smacking your tripod hard). That's what I did at first about 20 years ago. Went cheap, replaced 2-3 times. Spent way too much money on crap gear in the end. Finally sucked it up and went for a well-regarded Gitzo and a good used Arca-Swiss head. Both made with amazingly fine workmanship and quality materials. They are reliable and will last me likely for my life.

the poor man always has to buy twice!Ican't afford the cheap stuff

Alan Gales · May 13, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
the poor man always has to buy twice!Ican't afford the cheap stuff

It's always nice to meet another Ries owner. I own 2 Ries tripods besides the Leitz Tiltall.

DREW WILEY · May 13, 2015

Think I already responded to this on another forum. But I've seen these branded various ways and have seen them at the local camera store.
Basically a toy intended for pocket cameras.

eddie · May 13, 2015

There are 3 things people look for in a tripod:
Cheap
Light
Sturdy
Unfortunately, you can only have 2 of them.

Alan Gales · May 13, 2015

eddie said:
There are 3 things people look for in a tripod:
Cheap
Light
Sturdy
Unfortunately, you can only have 2 of them.

I decided to settle on sturdy (Ries).

Drew owns a Ries too but he's one of those headless fellows.

Alan Gales · May 13, 2015

That's right, Drew doesn't have a head. He screws his camera directly to the tripod legs.

TheTrailTog · May 13, 2015

Based on the tripods you have pointed out, I would recommend checking out the 3 Legged Thing Punks series. It's a similar design as your other links, but better build quality. I have the previous version of the Vyv and with a sandbag it is plenty stable for a Rollei or Leica. They just released a slight redesign which supposedly has a stronger ballhead.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1129297-REG/3_legged_thing_e3vyv_23mm_punks_vyv.html

frank · May 13, 2015

I cheaped out on my first tripod. When trying to photograph a church door decorated with a Christmas wreath and huge red ribbon, I couldn't position the camera high enough to prevent having to tilt the camera up (and introduce keystoning) because of that too short tripod. I bit the bullet and bought a used Linhof Giant tripod, for $400 so many years ago. It extends to 8ft or so and hasn't let me down yet.

cooltouch · May 13, 2015

eddie said:
There are 3 things people look for in a tripod:
Cheap
Light
Sturdy
Unfortunately, you can only have 2 of them.

When I bought an old Bogen (made by Manfrotto), I settled for Cheap and Sturdy. I don't regret that decision, especially when I see what new Manfrottos sell for these days. It is my primary tripod -- very sturdy -- and I just put up with the weight. It's not that bad, I tell myself, and it's actually lighter than a couple others I own. Ever tried to lug around a Majestic?

M Carter · May 13, 2015

About 20 years ago I bought a set of Manfrotto 3221 legs and the big steel ball head. Still my main squeeze for stills. I've stuck my 4x5 on the dang thing. Bought another set on ebay for about 30 bucks. Pretty kickass set of sticks.

mdarnton · May 14, 2015

mdarnton said:
I just bought a tripod like the one in the first post for a special purpose, to hold a 4x5 press camera, so I'll find out soon (it comes tomorrow) how it can handle that. I already have a ball head like it has, and I know that it will handle the 4x5--it's the legs I'm concerned about, but I won't be going up much higher than about 36 inches or so. I think it will handle it OK, but won't be very stiff, but that isn't going to be an issue.

I bought one of the Dolicas from Amazon. After reading all the reviews I figured the monopod was a risk, so got the one without. It is what it is. I need to shove it in a small back pack and put a Crown Graphic on it, and it turns out to be as vibration free as anything else I own, including a gigantic Manfrotto with a silly-big head on it, though it does look like you have a bag of potatoes on a spider. It has no trouble keeping the camera where I put it, even turned vertical, and the parts, though small, are not thin or weak as I thought they would be from peoples' warnings. Construction is simple, and there's not much to go wrong. I don't see any reason at all for it to collapse or any of the other terrors people have warned about. It was only about $70, and I'm perfectly satisfied.

What do you think of this tripod?

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