Anyone got one of these?.....Tripod related,sorry.

What's your present tripod which you're trying to improve on Ade?

This one looks light to carry and very compact - the fact that it comes with a case and strap means it should be easy to carry. 5 section legs is a lot to b****r about with when you need to set up at different heights but I suppose you have to weigh that up aganst the weight saving advantages. It's not cheap mind you!
 
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CT said:
What's your present tripod which you're trying to improve on Ade?
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My Redsnapper has been battered to submission and the Manfrotto 475B is just way too heavy Cedric.
 
LOL Gotcha. Well at that price you're getting into Gitzo territory. I have the Gitzo GT3530LS. It's CF - 3 section legs - not particularly short when folded, but very light for such a strong tripod. I usually just carry it in my hand no probs at all.
 
That Benro doesn't look like you can splay the legs very wide for really low down work?
 
Looks like the Cullmann Magic tripod which has been out some time, and a lot cheaper! Depends on what you are going to use it for though!
 
With the Benro being so short it looks like with only a couple of sections extended it would have a pretty small footprint to stick a really long lens on?

Add in the postage from China and the likelihood of getting hit for import duty and you'll be up to the price of the Gitzo., Cheapest I can see it is £420 on Amazon.
 
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I looked at Ians when he popped up last week, can`t remember the model but was astounded at the lightness, hence my lust for a CF one.

The Gitzos do look pretty good, but at a price.Though I suppose they would outlast me......:thinking:........I prefer the shortness of the 4 or 5 section legs when folded up Cedric.

Better be getting to work to pay for one of these.........:thumbs:
 
LOL. I know mate - filthy money! :shrug:
 
CT said:
LOL. I know mate - filthy money! :shrug:
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Yep, i`m taking my filthy, despicable rifle with me as well...........:D
 
Thanks for your thoughts chaps.........:thumbs:
 
Interesting design isn't it. Doesn't seem to compare readily to regular designs in terms of size and weight. Looks quite heavy duty (never tried one).

The weight saving is because there's no centre-column. It will be quite a bit longer with a head on it, and won't be so 'flat'. Doesn't do low leg tricks. It's pricey, seems about $100 more than the regular 3-series models, even without the centre-column.

DC's Store is a good supplier. Price includes delivery in a few days, and I don't know anybody that's been hit with any tax/duty yet from there. I haven't been - twice :)
 
I do like the look of the "flatpack" version, but see where you are coming from with the inability for it to get low down and being somewhat constrained due to its design.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Im in the same boat Frac, im looking to get either a 3 series or 5 series Gitzo but still not sure which one. My biggest lens is the 500 f4 and i believe some of the 3 series are listed for this size of lens.
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Try one of these bigger Benros. V nice :thumbs: Same ebay vendor as Fracster's http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DCs-Photog...18QQ_sidZ896782438QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

One or two folks on here have got this tripod/gimbal combo. Less than half the cost of a Gitzo/Wimberley.
 
Personally I would only consider a tripod with 5 leg sections for long walks or travel where small packed size is critical. The more sections, the more fiddly it is to set up.

Also, unless weight is absolutely critical, the lack of a centre column would be a limitation. With my Gitzo (see below) I need to lift the centre column slightly to turn the camera 90 degrees for portrait format.

For more general work, I suggest a maximum of three sections. The Gitzo 2531 EX is an incredibly versatile 3 section tripod, and great quality. If you can afford it, of course.....but a gitzo is not just for christmas.......
 
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HoppyUK said:
Try one of these bigger Benros. V nice :thumbs: Same ebay vendor as Fracster's http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DCs-Photog...18QQ_sidZ896782438QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

One or two folks on here have got this tripod/gimbal combo. Less than half the cost of a Gitzo/Wimberley.
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Sorry for the hijack Frac.

As i said to Frac when i met him i have been looking at the Benro ones but still cant find a decent review from someone who has used it with a long lens. The C-497 isnt much difference in price from the 3 series Gitzo so im not sure what to do just now.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Sorry for the hijack Frac.

As i said to Frac when i met him i have been looking at the Benro ones but still cant find a decent review from someone who has used it with a long lens. The C-497 isnt much difference in price from the 3 series Gitzo so im not sure what to do just now.
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No problem Mark.

Thing is that these tripods are a lot of money and I want to make sure I get it right first time.The Benros are cheaper, but the Gitzos are a established manufacturer and plenty of people swear by them. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and make a bloody decision.........:D

Better get off to work to pay for one of these things..........:bonk:
 
fracster said:
I do like the look of the "flatpack" version, but see where you are coming from with the inability for it to get low down and being somewhat constrained due to its design.
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The more I think about it, the better it looks :) Nice size and weight.

Personal things these, but I can't remember the last time I used the wide-angled legs thing, and not having a centre-column is a good discipline from a stability point of view.

I can't see any reason why from a rigidity point of view why it shouldn't be absolutely fine.
 
jerry12953 said:
Personally I would only consider a tripod with 5 leg sections for long walks or travel where small packed size is critical. The more sections, the more fiddly it is to set up.

Also, unless weight is absolutely critical, the lack of a centre column would be a limitation. With my Gitzo (see below) I need to lift the centre column slightly to turn the camera 90 degrees for portrait format.

For more general work, I suggest a maximum of three sections. The Gitzo 2531 EX is an incredibly versatile 3 section tripod, and great quality. If you can afford it, of course.....but a gitzo is not just for christmas.......
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Jerry, this tripod would only be for use with long lenses, portrait format would be acheived by moving the lens on its mounting ring.The smaller folded size of the 5 legs appeals, but I accept what you say about setting up taking longer.

Thanks for your thoughts..........:thumbs:
 
Frac - what do think of this? I have one of these in CF with 3 section legs and I might be getting rid of it. ;) Complete with Gitzo carryng case.

CLICKY

EDIT.

Soz.... it's 4 section legs.
 
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I think you're right - I believe the 2531 EX is the replacement.
 
I'd be a bit worried using that tripod, especially with a long lens. The design looks like one loading up one side could easily topple the tripod. A standard tripod had 3 legs equally spaced at 120 degree interals, that one looks like it has two at 180 degrees and one at 90 from those (essentially a 4 leg tripod were two legs have been removed and one stuck in the middle to replace them)...

I think you'd have to be very careful that you used the tripod with the lens facing the single leg and not the other way, and i'd also suggest not using it on a hill. In fact I think I value my lenses too much to actually use it...
 
No centre column means adjusting 3 legs an leveling each time you want change height, seems to be abit of a pain IMHO.
 
Amp34 said:
I'd be a bit worried using that tripod, especially with a long lens. The design looks like one loading up one side could easily topple the tripod. A standard tripod had 3 legs equally spaced at 120 degree interals, that one looks like it has two at 180 degrees and one at 90 from those (essentially a 4 leg tripod were two legs have been removed and one stuck in the middle to replace them)...

I think you'd have to be very careful that you used the tripod with the lens facing the single leg and not the other way, and i'd also suggest not using it on a hill. In fact I think I value my lenses too much to actually use it...
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Not really. If you check the pics on OP's link, the ouside legs swing out as well as fore/aft.

The footprint and centre of gravity is essentially identical to a regular tripod.
 
jerry12953 said:
Personally I would only consider a tripod with 5 leg sections for long walks or travel where small packed size is critical. The more sections, the more fiddly it is to set up.

Also, unless weight is absolutely critical, the lack of a centre column would be a limitation. With my Gitzo (see below) I need to lift the centre column slightly to turn the camera 90 degrees for portrait format.

For more general work, I suggest a maximum of three sections. The Gitzo 2531 EX is an incredibly versatile 3 section tripod, and great quality. If you can afford it, of course.....but a gitzo is not just for christmas.......
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I have a Gitzo 2530 (model preceding 2531 but essentially identical) FS in the classifieds if you were interested. And not £400 either.
 
HoppyUK said:
Not really. If you check the pics on OP's link, the ouside legs swing out as well as fore/aft.

The footprint and centre of gravity is essentially identical to a regular tripod.
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Well yes I know that, I looked at the link. It's still not going to be as stable as one with legs at 120 degree intervals though. You have a massive gap of 180 degrees which will make the tripod far less stable if the lens is located wrong, especially on a hill.
 
Amp34 said:
Well yes I know that, I looked at the link. It's still not going to be as stable as one with legs at 120 degree intervals though. You have a massive gap of 180 degrees which will make the tripod far less stable if the lens is located wrong, especially on a hill.
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The legs do stand at 120 degree intervals, that's the point I was making ;)
 
Look again, i'm pretty certain they dont. ;)

However it could just be those photos, an actual detailed description may make it clearer! :p
 
CT....I just want the legs only, thanks for the offer but not for me.

AMP......I think Hoppy is right looking at the pics, though we could both be wrong of course, what makes you so certain of your judgement re: the angle of the legs? Not doubting you, just curious.


Benro.jpg
 
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jalethbridge said:
I have a Gitzo 2530 (model preceding 2531 but essentially identical) FS in the classifieds if you were interested. And not £400 either.
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Just had a quick look, i`ll ponder a while......:)
 
Mines a GT3540LS Ade, i would never use a tripod with a centre column with a big lens, ive seen them wobble like crazy, you need as stable a platform as you can get specially with that 300-800 !

A decent gimbal is worth its weight in gold, doesnt have to be Wimberley, there are some half decent copies out there now.

I regularly use the tripod laying down to get a low viewpoint and this Benro doesnt look capable of that. Benro do make tripods that do go down this low though.

Make sure any tripod you buy will take at least the wiehgt of the kit you are going to put on it, preferably a lot more, this will make it more stable !

Mine will take 18kg, i dont think i will get close to that weight on it though.
 
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jalethbridge said:
I have a Gitzo 2530 (model preceding 2531 but essentially identical) FS in the classifieds if you were interested. And not £400 either.
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I was about to recommend thison the grounds that it was very similar to my own, but on closer inspection your 2530 does not look like the EX model, and is therefore is less versatile than I had thought.

So many different Gitzos, so many similar model numbers.......
 
fracster said:
CT....I just want the legs only, thanks for the offer but not for me.

AMP......I think Hoppy is right looking at the pics, though we could both be wrong of course, what makes you so certain of your judgement re: the angle of the legs? Not doubting you, just curious.


Benro.jpg
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The other photos...

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376845188o.jpg


I'm not 100% certain but they don't look like they spread out evenly, rather there look like there is a massive gap between the two legs. They may not be opened out properly however.:shrug:

EDIT: However just looking at the first image I posted the angle of what looks like the support may indicate they do even out once pulled out properly. Either way I think if I was interested in getting this tripod i'd need to make sure I found other photos of it other users of it.
 
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You'll need something like a Gitzo GT3530LS Ade...having a centre column with big glass will mean (even with a Gitzo) that sturdiness is compromised a little

Coupled with something like a Think Tank Humungous Bazooka tripod bag, it's easy to carry on your shoulder, alongside your camera bag
 
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