Help, which one of these 2 Tripods.

Ok I've got it narrowed down to these two tripods.

Although I'm getting this as a gift, I don't feel like getting my gift giver to spend $200-300 on a tripod, plus I only have a small V1 and I basically want something light to do night and IR photography with.

Ok so I have it down to either the:

1. Sunpak Fieldmaster http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=272502&is=REG&si=spec#goto_itemInfo

or

2. Vivitar VPT-3600

http://porterscamerastore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=16-0196&Category_Code=T1K

I can't seem to find much on the Vivitar model. I like it because it is overall taller, but it won't come down as low (for those ground shots) as the Sunpak does.

Also the Vivitar has a "fluid-action tripod head," I understand that this is desirable; what I'm not sure is whether the Sunpak has it.

This is my first tripod, I guess I'm looking at it as a steping stone, please help out with advice. Thanks.

don't get anything more than $40 then, that's what i would say, cuz i am poor. i think tripod is a must-have, but $40 one would do the job of holding it steady. do u really need other electronic feature the expensive ones have?

k.alexander said:

Ok I've got it narrowed down to these two tripods.

Although I'm getting this as a gift, I don't feel like getting my
gift giver to spend $200-300 on a tripod, plus I only have a small
V1 and I basically want something light to do night and IR
photography with.

Ok so I have it down to either the:

1. Sunpak Fieldmaster

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=272502&is=REG&si=spec#goto_itemInfo

or

2. Vivitar VPT-3600

http://porterscamerastore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=16-0196&Category_Code=T1K

I can't seem to find much on the Vivitar model. I like it because
it is overall taller, but it won't come down as low (for those
ground shots) as the Sunpak does.

Also the Vivitar has a "fluid-action tripod head," I understand
that this is desirable; what I'm not sure is whether the Sunpak has
it.

This is my first tripod, I guess I'm looking at it as a steping
stone, please help out with advice. Thanks.

Click to expand...

like on the Sunpak. I think the Vivitar is the better choice of these two but I highly recommend the Velbon Maxi 343E... especially for your lightweight camera.

FredS

Good call with the 343E. I picked one up on ebay for less than $50. It's light, fits in my everyday backpack and mates well with my 717. for those who commute with a camera, it's a great commuter tripod.

FredS said:

like on the Sunpak. I think the Vivitar is the better choice of
these two but I highly recommend the Velbon Maxi 343E... especially
for your lightweight camera.

FredS

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/jdfaith (pbase supporter)

k.alexander said:

Ok I've got it narrowed down to these two tripods.

Click to expand...

I have the Sunpak Fieldmaster. It's light, comes with both
a ball head and pan/tilt head, and has two quick release plates
to boot. For my purposes, it's great. It sets up quickly and
the twist lock legs are no problem to use. It's really quite
well made condsidering the price. In addition, the legs are
independently adjustable for really uneven surfaces. I use
it with a 717. Your V1 is lighter so you know it can handle
it. The price is right. Try it out and if it doesn't do the job
for you, consider something heavier and more expensive.
I think you'll like it, though.

Steve

might as well move one model up at this point -- 347gb -- pretty much identical, except they added a second tier of support struts, switched to a pan head and added a gearbox crank -- elimates a significant fraction of the wobble.

it holds my 717 w/gear steadily enough. to 30 seconds on crystal clear nights; in high wind it performs rather like a monopod.

$80.

Faither said:

FredS said:

like on the Sunpak. I think the Vivitar is the better choice of
these two but I highly recommend the Velbon Maxi 343E... especially
for your lightweight camera.

FredS

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/jdfaith (pbase supporter)

Click to expand...

Ok, so now I saw the 347gb and now I'm torn between three tripods. Everyone is right, I didn't notice the twist legs on the Sunpak and I'm not sure that that is something that I would like....hmm...any other ideas. Thanks

Just looking at the features, I'm concerned that the 347gb doesn't have a hook at the bottom to hang a weight from, nor does it have a bubble level. At least as far as the hook goes, I would think that this is one feature I would miss....coments???

More tips/help anyone....

it's lacking both. i know of people who have modified it (adding a hook, switching heads) but if either is critically important to you, then your decision just got easier again.

it also isn't reversible -- meaning you can't use it low to the ground for macros.

it's "the ultimate tripod" for people who want a full-height one small enough and light enough to throw in a backpack wedged between a camera, a book, a flash and a lunch.

k.alexander said:

Just looking at the features, I'm concerned that the 347gb doesn't
have a hook at the bottom to hang a weight from, nor does it have a
bubble level. At least as far as the hook goes, I would think that
this is one feature I would miss....coments???

Click to expand...

I would say having "reverse" position available for a close-to-groud shots (thisnk of those bugs and flowers close-ups) is a very desirable feature.

With 3-way adjustable head one bubble meter (usually located on the base itself, not on a head) does not do you any good, as far as it only tells you your base is "leveled", meanwhile your head could be pointing to any possible direction.. So get tripod with two - or ignore it completely.

Weight hook can give you an option of having a lighter tripod (important in case you're on a hike) and still have it stable - you can always use your backpack as a weight, especially if there are rocks around.

Having extractable spikes in addition to usual rubber "feet" may come very handy when shooting on icy surfaces.

Finally, black finish gives it (and you) much more "professional" look - imho

HTH

--
Nik

Yep, I seem to agree with everything you say Nikolai.

The Vivitar has the spikes along with the rubber feet.

My primary concern now is the twist lock legs--I haven't seen any tripods like that (even stopped by a few local stores today, but didn't see any) and honestly I don't think that it is something I would like very much.

So I guess I'm kind of leaning towards the Vivitar right now (I do like that it is taller overall, and although the low ground shots would be a nice feature, I don't think I do a lot/any of these.

Nikolai Sklobovsky said:

I would say having "reverse" position available for a
close-to-groud shots (thisnk of those bugs and flowers close-ups)
is a very desirable feature.

With 3-way adjustable head one bubble meter (usually located on the
base itself, not on a head) does not do you any good, as far as it
only tells you your base is "leveled", meanwhile your head could be
pointing to any possible direction.. So get tripod with two - or
ignore it completely.

Weight hook can give you an option of having a lighter tripod
(important in case you're on a hike) and still have it stable - you
can always use your backpack as a weight, especially if there are
rocks around.

Having extractable spikes in addition to usual rubber "feet" may
come very handy when shooting on icy surfaces.

Finally, black finish gives it (and you) much more "professional"
look - imho

HTH

--
Nik

Click to expand...

Hi there,

My suggestion is the SLIK U212 Deluxe. I was trying to decide between tripods a little while back for my 707. My perametres: cost, durability and fear of legs collapsing. I considered the Velbons but in the end chose the much heavier but sturdier Slik.

You can pick these up on Ebay for a real steal. I paid $35.00USD for mine and am so very happy with it. I took a strap from a gym bag and attached it to my tripod, so it is easier to carry around. The real shortcoming of this tripod over the Velbons: is the portability of the velbons both in terms of weight and overall size. If you travel a lot and want your tripod in carryon luggage for example, you may want to consider the Velbons.

The SLIK is one sturdy tripod and has many of features that appear on higher end tripods (i.e. retractable spiked legs, independent legs adjustments, inverted middle bar attachment...).

Here is a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3803271208&category=30094

Here is a description:

This SLIK U212 Deluxe Tripod with 3-way Pan-Tilt head, in excellent condition, is extremely sturdy,and stable. Rectangular legs maintain torsional strength,and are fully adjustable independently.In addition each leg can be unlocked at its connection to the center post to accommodate irregular surfaces ,and even allow lowering of the center column to almost ground level.The geared center column provides locked support for a broad range of camera weights.One leg even provides a threaded mounting post for mounting another head for lo-level shooting. Leg tips have retractable spikes for different terrain. A bubble level is incorporated into the top of the center post, below the pan head, and is surrounded by concentric circles with markings to establish and re-set positions.Its height with the center column retracted is 54" to the surface of the pan-head,and 64"" with the center column fully elevated.The camera connecting post has a Quick-Release feature

Hope this is helpful with your deliberations.

k.alexander said:

The Vivitar has the spikes along with the rubber feet.

My primary concern now is the twist lock legs--I haven't seen any
tripods like that (even stopped by a few local stores today, but
didn't see any) and honestly I don't think that it is something I
would like very much.

So I guess I'm kind of leaning towards the Vivitar right now (I do
like that it is taller overall, and although the low ground shots
would be a nice feature, I don't think I do a lot/any of these.

Nikolai Sklobovsky said:

I would say having "reverse" position available for a
close-to-groud shots (thisnk of those bugs and flowers close-ups)
is a very desirable feature.

With 3-way adjustable head one bubble meter (usually located on the
base itself, not on a head) does not do you any good, as far as it
only tells you your base is "leveled", meanwhile your head could be
pointing to any possible direction.. So get tripod with two - or
ignore it completely.

Weight hook can give you an option of having a lighter tripod
(important in case you're on a hike) and still have it stable - you
can always use your backpack as a weight, especially if there are
rocks around.

Having extractable spikes in addition to usual rubber "feet" may
come very handy when shooting on icy surfaces.

Finally, black finish gives it (and you) much more "professional"
look - imho

HTH

--
Nik

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks for another tip. But my situation is somewhat awkward, I basically have to hint to someone that this is what I want as a gift (birthday), as a result I can probably look at items somewhat more expensive, but I can't really look at used items on ebay (it's a waste, I know).

My primary purposes for the tripod, as I think I mentioned earlier, is to use it for some night shots/long exposures. I don't want someting very heave (for many reasons, including the fact that my V1 would just look rediculous on a big monster of a tripod).

I'm not a big hicker, but being able to take the tripod with me on trips and such would be great; as a result, I do not need the absolutely smallest tripod, but something relatively small is more of what I'm aming for.

Thanks again for the tips and advice, everyone, please keep them coming, the decision needs to be made by the wkend.

Dont worry about the level. You line the photo up in the viewfinder, and can see if its properly framed .. you arent going to take a shot that looks off cause a bubble says its level.

k.alexander said:

Just looking at the features, I'm concerned that the 347gb doesn't
have a hook at the bottom to hang a weight from, nor does it have a
bubble level. At least as far as the hook goes, I would think that
this is one feature I would miss....coments???

Click to expand...

--
'I remember when the days were long
And the nights when the living room was on the lawn:
Constant quarrelling, the childish fits,
And our clothes in a pile on the ottoman;
All the slander and doublespeak
Were only foolish attempts to show you did not mean
Anything but the blatant proof
Was your lips touching mine in a photobooth.'-death cab for cutie

my phots- http://www.pbase.com/aarond/

aarond said:

k.alexander said:

Just looking at the features, I'm concerned that the 347gb doesn't
have a hook at the bottom to hang a weight from, nor does it have a
bubble level. At least as far as the hook goes, I would think that
this is one feature I would miss....coments???

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I think I've learned that the level is basically a gimmick. And I guess the 347GB's lack of a hook can be somewhat compensated by just hanging a bag off the middle-leg braces; either that, or I'll just manufacture some other clever way to accomplish the same task.

I have to say, the 347GB looks better and better all the time.

How about the Sony tripod?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=261907&is=REG
I don't know much about tripods but this tripod doesn't look so bad.

--
-Jason Kim

Ok, I think I'm going to get the Velbon MAXi 347GB (found it for about $60 delivered).

Please feel free to stop me with more suggestions/comments before its too late (I'll probably order it sometime tomorrow).

Hi there,

I took a look at the Velbon 347GB and was very impressed. I have the 707 and got worried about the sturdiness of this tripod as I live on the West coast.

One suggestion would be to go to a store and check these out. I really do think that is the best way to narrow these things down. The Velbon at least has high production qualities. You get a number of features that are handy for a variety of photo outings.

Best of luck

http://bermangraphics.com/coolpix/velbon.htm

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM

http://www.velbon.com.au/maxi347GB.html

k.alexander said:

Ok, I think I'm going to get the Velbon MAXi 347GB (found it for
about $60 delivered).

Please feel free to stop me with more suggestions/comments before
its too late (I'll probably order it sometime tomorrow).

Click to expand...

Yes, miata97m, I've seen all those links. I'm going to place the order in later tonight. But untill then, the feedback and suggestion line is open for all.

miata97m said:

I took a look at the Velbon 347GB and was very impressed. I have
the 707 and got worried about the sturdiness of this tripod as I
live on the West coast.

One suggestion would be to go to a store and check these out. I
really do think that is the best way to narrow these things down.
The Velbon at least has high production qualities. You get a number
of features that are handy for a variety of photo outings.

Best of luck

http://bermangraphics.com/coolpix/velbon.htm

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM

http://www.velbon.com.au/maxi347GB.html

k.alexander said:

Ok, I think I'm going to get the Velbon MAXi 347GB (found it for
about $60 delivered).

Please feel free to stop me with more suggestions/comments before
its too late (I'll probably order it sometime tomorrow).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...