Somebody asked my about my customized tripod. Since it has been such a
handy combination for me, I'll retell my story.
I don't know if my specific Davis & Sanford model is still made, but it is
about the same size/weight as the Traveller (2 pounds), but has the
features of the Super-Brace. Folded length of mine is about 20 inches and
full extension is around 52 inches. The legs are independent and
unlatching allowing for ground level shooting and movements similar to a
benbo. A center brace is attached to each leg and tightenable with a knob
on each leg. The center post was 18 inches long when purchased and came
with a cheasy 2-way head. The weight of the tripod really limits its use
to lighterweight setups and provides minimal stability with superteles, but
is nearly perfect for field macro work.
The head had to go. I've found that ballheads work best for me for macro
work so I looked the world over for a lightweight, yet stable ballhead.
Couldn't find one really designed for cameras, but found ballheads for
studio lights. I got the ($29.95) heavy duty one with 1-inch ball and
mounted it on the center column (tripod screw/socket). This ballhead has
served me well for many years now without narry a hitch. I did have it
freeze up on me one time, but that was after being dunked in a stream in
the winter. My only gripe is a tendency to unscrew from the winder if I'm
shooting verticals with a big heavy lens. But this only occurs when the
camera is flopped over to the left-side. (normal problem with nearly every
tripod head). The ballhead is very lightweight and easy/fast to use with a
single knob for tightening/loosening.
The center post was 18 inches. Worthless. The standard instructions that
tripod manufacturers suggest is to take the post out, insert it upside down
and try shooting between the legs. Screw that. Two times of trying this
and you'll be thinking about inserting the post up the technical writers
you-know-what. All 18 inches! The absolute minimum height I needed for
the center post was six inches as the center-brace tube stuck down that
far. But, I thought before hacking the post that short, let's experiment.
I cut the tube to around 8 inches (started about 11 inches and worked down
from there) to make it a poor man's shoulder stock. With the camera
mounted on the ball head (adjusted so the camera points straight up when
tripod mounted) I stick the center post into my shoulder. Without a wide
brace area it can hurt at first, but you do build up tough skin after a
while. With a jacket and fisherman's vest on it becomes a moot point
anyway. I can consistantly shoot my 100/2.8 at 1/30 with this setup. If I
need to use the tripod, I just set the tripod in place and insert the
center tube with camera already mounted. Time to go between tripod and
shoulderstock usage? 2 seconds. Talk about "quickrelease". In
shoulderstock usage, I can go from horizontals to verticals with a minor,
quick adjustment of the ball head--again, no more than a couple seconds.
Davis & Sanford tripods were made almost entirely of aluminum--including
the thinwalled braces. After a year of use, the pinholes at the ends of
the braces had elongated so much that the legs would just flop around. My
dad and I replaced them with some industrial composite material and also
shortened them by two inches which made the tripod easier to use for ground
level work. In fact I can splay and tighten the legs UPWARD almost three
inches. On level ground I can actually get the camera to around four
inches of the ground (horizontal) and nearly touching the ground when
shooting verticals.
I typically walk with the camera hanging around my neck and the centerpost
mounted. The tripod base is easily carried when folded and can even hang
from the back hook of my fisherman's vest. To use it for ground level
work, just splay the legs out, insert the centerpost, aim and shoot. It
takes me tons longer to do ground level work with either of the Bogens.
The limited height of the tripod is a problem sometimes, but actually it
sometimes is even with my Bogen 3021. If I need to use the tripod with a
heavy lens, I'll keep the legs short and splayed wide and even hang the
camera bag or backpack from the center to provide compression stability.
My major gripes with this tripod are the screw-tightening leg extensions
which are far more difficult for me to use than bogan levers (3021) and the
legs have a tendency to stick. Another thing is since the leg braces slide
up and down the outer leg tubes you can't tape them or cover them with
insulation. This is one very COLD tripod to use.
This tripod looks used and abused but has travelled nearly as many flights
as my Bogen 2001. I can hike/walk all day with this tripod without getting
tired of it or trying to find a non-tender spot on my shoulder to carry it.
Just wear gloves if it is cold and wet. A certain "seminar photographer"
that we own his books suggests that there is no such thing as a good
lightweight tripod. I disagree. A heavy tripod is no good if you can't
carry it with you.
Ken Norton
Image66
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