Cullmann Magic Tripod

[Anders59921]

Plz tell your experience with it when you get it!

Anders

Matt.

Does anyone have opinions or views on this tripod?

http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___14703___CUM2___REG___CatID=2635___SID=EC251CC02B0

I am thinking about getting it, and wanted some feedback before I
order it.

Does anyone know where I can get the Cullmann Magic 1? It is the
same but does not have the QR Head, and is cheaper.

Thanks,
Matt.

--Anders

 

[Paulo Abreu]

OK...I just ordered the Cullmann Magic 2 from B&H. I hope I like it.
I paid $119. Not too bad...

Matt, hope you like it. Here it is with column inverted and G2:



Regards,--Paulo Abreu http://www.pbase.com/psergio

 

[Paulo Abreu]

OK...I just ordered the Cullmann Magic 2 from B&H. I hope I like it.
I paid $119. Not too bad...

Matt, hope you like it. Here it is with column inverted and G2:



Regards,
--
Paulo Abreu
http://www.pbase.com/psergio

--Paulo Abreu http://www.pbase.com/psergio

 

[Ruffian]

Actually, before I settled on the Velbon 343e (and dumped it off my accessories list again), I was attracted to the company's DF-20/4 whatever...

That picture with the G2 mounted on the bottom of the center column looks as if the camera is the paperweight =)

I'm not going to buy the Cullmann Magic 2 just yet, I'll do that in June with FedEx.--Printer Boy http://www.printerboyweb.net/ (warning: offensive material inside)

 

[Mac-iek]

Allelluyah!!!!

Matt, thanks for your effort. Now I have more clear picture with regard to tripod for G2.
It looks that I will go for Magic2 as well....

Good luck,

OK...I just ordered the Cullmann Magic 2 from B&H. I hope I like it.
I paid $119. Not too bad...

Matt.

--Mac-iekwww.pbase.com/maciek

 

[Mike K]

yes I also got it for hiking as it folds up very short, it does not hang wider than my fanny pack I use to carry my camera in, and the flat geometry makes it compact to lash on. It seems quite well made. the 3 legs are all different heights because of the unusual leg pivoting system and each section can be opened to varying ampounts, although they dont open very far, so fully opened is probably the way you will use it. The ball head and quick release shoe works smoothly. One leg can be detached and used as a monopod. Very ingenious.

The downsides: since it it short, it has several pieces to extend, which makes it a bit longer than the average tripod to set up. Also to save on fold down space the tripod part is shorter than most tripods, and the center section comes in two pieces. Although well built, this design feature does make the fully extended tripod less stable, and it may be too short for a taller person. The ribbed locking nuts on the leg extensions are not oversized, it has taken me some getting used to twisting them open and shut in an efficient manner. I wish these nuts had a bigger grip. one thing that works well but worries me some is that the top of each leg (its pivot assemply) is made of plastic. this part may take some torque while the tripod is set up,I worry that it may break someday. Then again the rubber door on my G-1 have never broken.

A good travelling tripod, its seems much studier than the haikuba Banner, which is even smaller and lighter, but seems fragile.
Mike K

 

[Terry A. Austin]

Mike,

Thanks for your frank and honest concerns re. this tripod. Those all present potential concerns as well as the obvious benefits to this compact design. Nice review!

Terry

yes I also got it for hiking as it folds up very short, it does not
hang wider than my fanny pack I use to carry my camera in, and the
flat geometry makes it compact to lash on. It seems quite well
made. the 3 legs are all different heights because of the unusual
leg pivoting system and each section can be opened to varying
ampounts, although they dont open very far, so fully opened is
probably the way you will use it. The ball head and quick release
shoe works smoothly. One leg can be detached and used as a
monopod. Very ingenious.

The downsides: since it it short, it has several pieces to extend,
which makes it a bit longer than the average tripod to set up.
Also to save on fold down space the tripod part is shorter than
most tripods, and the center section comes in two pieces. Although
well built, this design feature does make the fully extended tripod
less stable, and it may be too short for a taller person. The
ribbed locking nuts on the leg extensions are not oversized, it has
taken me some getting used to twisting them open and shut in an
efficient manner. I wish these nuts had a bigger grip. one thing
that works well but worries me some is that the top of each leg
(its pivot assemply) is made of plastic. this part may take some
torque while the tripod is set up,I worry that it may break
someday. Then again the rubber door on my G-1 have never broken.

A good travelling tripod, its seems much studier than the haikuba
Banner, which is even smaller and lighter, but seems fragile.
Mike K

[email protected]

 

[Matt Gannon]

Mike,

Great review...so would you still recommend the Magic 2, even with the few critiscims that you have? ...or is there another Tripod you prefer.

Matt.

yes I also got it for hiking as it folds up very short, it does not
hang wider than my fanny pack I use to carry my camera in, and the
flat geometry makes it compact to lash on. It seems quite well
made. the 3 legs are all different heights because of the unusual
leg pivoting system and each section can be opened to varying
ampounts, although they dont open very far, so fully opened is
probably the way you will use it. The ball head and quick release
shoe works smoothly. One leg can be detached and used as a
monopod. Very ingenious.

The downsides: since it it short, it has several pieces to extend,
which makes it a bit longer than the average tripod to set up.
Also to save on fold down space the tripod part is shorter than
most tripods, and the center section comes in two pieces. Although
well built, this design feature does make the fully extended tripod
less stable, and it may be too short for a taller person. The
ribbed locking nuts on the leg extensions are not oversized, it has
taken me some getting used to twisting them open and shut in an
efficient manner. I wish these nuts had a bigger grip. one thing
that works well but worries me some is that the top of each leg
(its pivot assemply) is made of plastic. this part may take some
torque while the tripod is set up,I worry that it may break
someday. Then again the rubber door on my G-1 have never broken.

A good travelling tripod, its seems much studier than the haikuba
Banner, which is even smaller and lighter, but seems fragile.
Mike K

 

[Terry A. Austin]

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas. How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers? I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the stock head?[email protected]

 

[ADSinger]

Terry, I haven't used mine for pano shots, but if that's important to you, be aware that there is a video version of the Magic 2, sells for about $10 more and comes with a pan head. Personally I prefer the ball head because it's a bit smaller.

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial, certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time, it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

 

[Matt Gannon]

Alan,

Thanks for putting my mind at rest. I think I'll be really happy with this tripod.

Matt.

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

 

[Mike K]

regarding panos, yes I prefer a pan head to a ball for panos, but balls are much more compact for a "travelling" design. The handles of pan heads are simply bulkier. If you get a tripod with a pan head make sure that it is NOT a video pan head as these typically pan in only two directions (L-R and up-down). You want a 3 direction pan head so that you can flip the camera to a portrait orientation (vertical framing).

The Cullman Magic is not a perfect tripod for every situation, none is. It will work great for hiking, and that is why I got it. For that application I am very happy with it. The most imporant aspect of a tripod it that you have it there to use when you want it, so for hiking, the compactness is a real plus. There are better carbon fiber tripods out there, but they are far more costly and are longer, etc. What are you going to be using it for? The real question is what is your priority?
Regards, Mike K

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

 

[Emese Gaal]

Can you put a pan head on the cullman magic? (Is there a reasonably priced one available?)

That way you would have both if you need it. Ball for light traveling, pan for when you need to do a panoramas.

Emese

The Cullman Magic is not a perfect tripod for every situation, none
is. It will work great for hiking, and that is why I got it. For
that application I am very happy with it. The most imporant
aspect of a tripod it that you have it there to use when you want
it, so for hiking, the compactness is a real plus. There are
better carbon fiber tripods out there, but they are far more costly
and are longer, etc. What are you going to be using it for? The
real question is what is your priority?
Regards, Mike K

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

--Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

 

[Terry A. Austin]

not a user YET but I'd strongly suspect the answer to that is yes. I certainly hope so. THAT configuration I would buy ASAP

Terry

(grumbling about selling that Vivitar on eBay as soon as it arrives and kicking myself for not waiting)

Emese

The Cullman Magic is not a perfect tripod for every situation, none
is. It will work great for hiking, and that is why I got it. For
that application I am very happy with it. The most imporant
aspect of a tripod it that you have it there to use when you want
it, so for hiking, the compactness is a real plus. There are
better carbon fiber tripods out there, but they are far more costly
and are longer, etc. What are you going to be using it for? The
real question is what is your priority?
Regards, Mike K

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

--
Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

--Terrywww.pbase.com/[email protected]

 

[Matt Gannon]

Terry,

Why don't you just return the Vivitar and get your money back...

Matt.

Terry
(grumbling about selling that Vivitar on eBay as soon as it arrives
and kicking myself for not waiting)

Emese

The Cullman Magic is not a perfect tripod for every situation, none
is. It will work great for hiking, and that is why I got it. For
that application I am very happy with it. The most imporant
aspect of a tripod it that you have it there to use when you want
it, so for hiking, the compactness is a real plus. There are
better carbon fiber tripods out there, but they are far more costly
and are longer, etc. What are you going to be using it for? The
real question is what is your priority?
Regards, Mike K

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

--
Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

--
Terry
http://www.pbase.com/taaustin
[email protected]

 

[Chris ™]

Hi @ll!

Can you put a pan head on the cullman magic?

The Cullmann Magic 2 (!) is shown in the catalog with a 3-way pano head. Sorry, I don't know if this is possible with the Magic 1.

As mentioned before, I use the Cullmann 3335 macro tripod, that has the pano head. If you combine it with the adjustment platform 3077 you can nicely adjust the nodal point for horizontal panoramas (not vertical).

But I should mention, that the Cullmann 3077 platform has an anti-twist-safeguard, cause it's designed for camcorders and SLRs. But this safeguard can easily be removed, so the G1/G2 and other digicams will fit.

Greetings from Germany

Chris

 

[Dick S]

Can you put a pan head on the cullman magic? (Is there a reasonably
priced one available?)
That way you would have both if you need it. Ball for light
traveling, pan for when you need to do a panoramas.

I have mini-balls, pan and pan ball. Why not get a Bogen or other Pan/Ball combo.
Regards--**** S, Temecula, CA'Capturing The Essence'

 

[Terry A. Austin]

Not a bad thought, it was purchased from Henrys.com BUT was bought through an ebay auction run by them. It IS a normal stock item from them though... I'll give it some thought. The international shipping is something of a confounding issue though. I may be better off going to ebay with it myself and accepting a few dollars less to avoid the hassle.

I'll work it out somehow.

Thanks for all your research on this, it's truly been helpful!

Terry

Why don't you just return the Vivitar and get your money back...

Matt.

Terry
(grumbling about selling that Vivitar on eBay as soon as it arrives
and kicking myself for not waiting)

Emese

The Cullman Magic is not a perfect tripod for every situation, none
is. It will work great for hiking, and that is why I got it. For
that application I am very happy with it. The most imporant
aspect of a tripod it that you have it there to use when you want
it, so for hiking, the compactness is a real plus. There are
better carbon fiber tripods out there, but they are far more costly
and are longer, etc. What are you going to be using it for? The
real question is what is your priority?
Regards, Mike K

As an aside to Matt: Stop worrying, there is no perfect tripod, but
the Magic 2 will do what you need. A couple of notes on the review
as well. Yes, the pivots are "plastic", that means they are of
non-metallic, man made substance, but they are very substantial,
certainly as much so as the aluminum rivets others use for this
function. Also setup time is a function of use, after a few time,
it becomes pretty quick, especially as only one lock need be
twisted to tighten each leg.

alan.

I do actually have an additional question about this tripod... I
see from the photos that it has a ball head that is quite similar
to an old faithful monopod of mine. While it holds the camera
nicely the head on my mono is virtually useless for pan shots.

With the Pro90 I've been doing some experimentation with panoramas.
How does the ball head on the Magic 2 perform with these maneuvers?
I'm afraid I know the answer - buy another head. Thoughts on the
stock head?
--
Terry
[email protected]

--
Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

--
Terry
http://www.pbase.com/taaustin
[email protected]

--Terrywww.pbase.com/[email protected]

 

[Mike K]

Yes, it has a standard thread to which you can attach another head of your choice. In fact for shortest packing length you definately have to take the head off the center column.
Mike K

Can you put a pan head on the cullman magic? (Is there a reasonably
priced one available?)
That way you would have both if you need it. Ball for light
traveling, pan for when you need to do a panoramas.

 

[ADSinger]

Just found this review of the Magic.

http://popup.matchmaker.com/titan2/lycos_now.html