I have a couple of tripods in that price range: a Slik U212, which includes
the head; and a Bogen/Manfrotto 3001, which is normally priced and sold with
the legs only - they offer a variety of heads.
The Slik U212 comes with a tilt/pan head with a semi-fluid type action that
makes it suitable for still or video camera use - tho' not ideal for either.
At certain heights the pan lever tends to poke me in the chin or chest.
Ahh, well, that's compromise. The legs and leg locks are quicker and easier
to set up than the Bogen/Manfrotto. It has a geared center column and
bubble level. Each leg has accessory shoes for options like Slik's lens
caddy (a telescoping extension arm to provide additional support to long
lenses), flash caddy, etc. The head can be removed and placed on the leg as
well. Leg angles are very adjustable and can be set to make the rig into a
good makeshift copy stand. Legs are tipped with combination rubber
shoes/metal spikes. It's a great tripod for the money considering all these
features. It's only real weakness is it's a bit wobbly at full height.
The Bogen/Manfrotto 3001 has less wobbly legs tipped with simple plastic
shoes, kinda like a cane. The thumbscrew leg locks are a bit more difficult
to manipulate - not for folks with arthritic hands - but very secure. Leg
angles have just two (three?) specific settings, but varying the leg heights
allows tremendous flexibility. The ungeared lift-type center column is
easily removed and the head can be attached directly to the top without any
column. I use a 3028 Super 3D head, an amazingly versatile tilting head
that requires some practice to get the hang of. It's suitable for
everything from compact cameras to 8x10 view cameras. But if I had my
druthers I'd get a 3265 pistol grip ballhead for the extra height and speed
of use, keeping the 3028 head for a larger "studio" 'pod.
But, unless the best value in a small sturdy tripod like the 3001 is
important, save your back and knees some stress and get the 3011. It's only
slightly heavier but considerably more stable and enough taller to keep you
from having to hunch over. I'm 5'11" and even at full extension the 3001 is
too short to work with comfortably for long periods. But, because of its
bulletproof durability it's my main field tripod. I use the Slik U212
mostly around the house either as a copystand or lightstand (works well for
that too).
I've thought about carbon fiber 'pods but, knowing my habits, I'd beat one
up in no time. CF 'pods, like CF fishing rods, are vulnerable to abrasion
and cuts which subject them to fraying and weakness. My next one will be a
Bogen/Manfrotto, a 3011 or 3021.
Lex
===
From: Jim Sharp <jsharp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [OM] Tripod question
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 23:58:16 -0500
A couple of weeks back someone mentioned a tripod they had that was in
the $100-$150 price range. A Slik possibly..., I seem to remember them
saying it wasn't generally available in the in the U.S. Did I dream this
??
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