Yet Another Tripod Question

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I have a real need for a decent tripod and have read all the threads here and on other pages. Instead of helping they seem to highten the delimma. Admittedly much of my shooting will be roadside scenery. Need something of reasonalble weight to carry around town for city scapes, and to take short treks in the woods, marshes, and on the beach. Have N90 and no big pro glass yet. Over the years I've always had some variety of el cheapo tripod riding around in the car but have never used them for much more than putting myself in a scene. Have used my monopod much more regularly. Therefore, I want something that is user friendly enough that I actually want to use it. I'm 5'11". And the catch - budget is $150. Looks like a good ball head is out of my budget. And I discount the cheaper ones since smooth panning is important to me. I've narrowed my brand down to Bogen and I think I'd really like the new 3410 compact pan/tilt head that is sized between the 3030 and the 3047 with smaller handles/knobs. At this point the question is whether to go with the 3011 legset and the new 3410 head or to go for the 3021 (heavier more versatile) legset with the cheaper and smaller 3030 head? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

-- JLee (jlee@sccoast.net), May 25, 1999

Answers

If you go with the Bogen, get the 3021 (or 3221 for black). You won't regret it, but you may regret the 3011 if you are shooting outdoors or need to get close to the ground. neither the extra weight or extra cost are significant. I haven't seen one of the new 3410 heads in person, but they look like they would be a good choice. They use a different QR plate than the 3047, and as far as I know there isn't one with a vertical alignment stop available like there is with the hex plate. If you don't think you will need that feature it should be fine. If you think you might, go ahead and get the 3047. It is a fine head.

As for the Slik 700DX mentioned below, none of the retailers in my area carry it, so I don't know anything about it. It was made to compete with the 3021 though, so it should be fine. The biggest concern I have is about the built in head. Be sure to find out if it is removable and has a standard 3/8"-16 mounting bolt if you plan on buying another head one day. All I have ever read is that it has a build in head, but nothing is ever said about it being compatible with others. If you find out, let us know.

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), May 25, 1999.


I know this isn't the Bogen you are looking for, but yesterday I saw an intruguing new tripod at a local camera shop. It is from SLIK, called the DX-700. The legs are made of a titanium-aluminum-magnesium alloy, and are very light for the size of the tripod. It weighs about 7 lbs, including a hefty pan/tilt head. I am 6'-4" and was able to get it to a comforable height without even extending the center post. It feels very robust, much like a Bogen, but lighter. The legs are tubular, but with SLIK's quick-extension locks, very fast and easy to set up, yet very solid. It has a geared center column with two locking devices. The legs can be set to spread at 3 different angles. The head is fairly heavy-duty (and fairly heavy), with bubble levels in 2 directions. It has separate adjustments for 2 axes also. The quick-release platform is interesting. It consists of a cylinder about 1/2" in height. After attaching the cylinder to the bottom of the camera, you can set it into a cylindrical hole on the top of the head, turn it 360 degrees, then lock it down with the flip of a lever. You could actually take the camera with QR plate attached and set it on a flat surface and the camera would not tip over (assuming it is reasonably balanced to begin with). You can buy this tripod from B&H for $150. For the money, it seems like a pretty nice setup. If you take off the head that comes with it and put on a ball head, it would probably weigh less than 6 lbs. Check it out if you can.

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), May 25, 1999.

Oops, my memory did not serve me well -- the 700DX does not have a geared center column. Also I noticed there is an older thread on this site discussing the 700DX. You might want to check that out also.

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), May 25, 1999.

Brad, According to B&H's web page the SLIK does have a "removable" head but it doesn't give further details and neither does the TOCAD site. This tripod intrigues me and may futher confuse the situation but considering that it's a black tripod, lighter weight, higher than the 3011, has quick leg locks and if it's built as sturdy; it may just have become a runner. Does anyone else have any more info on the SLIK and where was that price of $150? Thanks, JLee

-- JLee (jlee@sccoast.net), May 25, 1999.

The subject of this should be renamed to "Yet another waste of bandwidth"

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000s1E htt p://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000Stt htt p://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000Stw

-- Joe Boyd (boydjw@traveller.com), May 25, 1999.



Gee,

JLee your are mobilizing all web sites...? ;^)

As for the Slik model, be careful. Some people on the web report they had nice once, but the only ones I've seen in stores are junk. They were all alike my old one (HAMA Profil). Which was operating fine for about a year. They will loosen and eventually fall apart.

Man, there must be a reason that everybody who can't afford a Gitzo Mountaineer and a Arca ballhead goes for a Bogen.......

-- Marcus Erne (cerne@ees.eesc.com), May 25, 1999.


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