help selecting carbon fiber tripod legs

Hello all-

I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I'm looking for a carbon fiber model as well. I've looked at the various
Gitzo's and one of the
Bogen/Manfrotto's, but they are SO darn expensive.....especially the Gitzo.
I need it for a Wista
45 so I'll be curious to hear what feedback you get.

dave


"PGG" wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.25.17.38.19.226000@NO_SP_A_Myahoo .com...
I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400 monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I'm looking for a carbon fiber model as well. I've looked at the various
Gitzo's and one of the
Bogen/Manfrotto's, but they are SO darn expensive.....especially the Gitzo.
I need it for a Wista
45 so I'll be curious to hear what feedback you get.

dave


"PGG" wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.25.17.38.19.226000@NO_SP_A_Myahoo .com...
I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400 monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I've used the Gitzo 1325 for several years now with cameras weighing around
six pounds and I've been very pleased with it. It's taken a couple very hard
falls without damage, it's light, pretty easy to set up, sturdy except
perhaps in high winds when I don't photograph anyhow, and yes it's expensive
though I got mine from Robert White at a time when his price was just a
little more than half of the then-U.S. prices. Since then I believe the U.S.
prices for the Gitzo CF tripods have been reduced and of course the dollar's
in the tank so I don't know how his prices compare with U.S. prices today.

"Dave" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for a carbon fiber model as well. I've looked at the various
Gitzo's and one of the
Bogen/Manfrotto's, but they are SO darn expensive.....especially the
Gitzo.
I need it for a Wista
45 so I'll be curious to hear what feedback you get.

dave


"PGG" wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.25.17.38.19.226000@NO_SP_A_Myahoo .com...
I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave
me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400
monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I've used the Gitzo 1325 for several years now with cameras weighing around
six pounds and I've been very pleased with it. It's taken a couple very hard
falls without damage, it's light, pretty easy to set up, sturdy except
perhaps in high winds when I don't photograph anyhow, and yes it's expensive
though I got mine from Robert White at a time when his price was just a
little more than half of the then-U.S. prices. Since then I believe the U.S.
prices for the Gitzo CF tripods have been reduced and of course the dollar's
in the tank so I don't know how his prices compare with U.S. prices today.

"Dave" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for a carbon fiber model as well. I've looked at the various
Gitzo's and one of the
Bogen/Manfrotto's, but they are SO darn expensive.....especially the
Gitzo.
I need it for a Wista
45 so I'll be curious to hear what feedback you get.

dave


"PGG" wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.25.17.38.19.226000@NO_SP_A_Myahoo .com...
I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave
me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400
monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I've used the Gitzo 1325 for several years now with cameras weighing around
six pounds and I've been very pleased with it. It's taken a couple very hard
falls without damage, it's light, pretty easy to set up, sturdy except
perhaps in high winds when I don't photograph anyhow, and yes it's expensive
though I got mine from Robert White at a time when his price was just a
little more than half of the then-U.S. prices. Since then I believe the U.S.
prices for the Gitzo CF tripods have been reduced and of course the dollar's
in the tank so I don't know how his prices compare with U.S. prices today.

"Dave" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for a carbon fiber model as well. I've looked at the various
Gitzo's and one of the
Bogen/Manfrotto's, but they are SO darn expensive.....especially the
Gitzo.
I need it for a Wista
45 so I'll be curious to hear what feedback you get.

dave


"PGG" wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.25.17.38.19.226000@NO_SP_A_Myahoo .com...
I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave
me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400
monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I see the Velbon El Carmagne 630 and 640 for the about the same price
on Amazon.com but I don't see how to get a $50 credit - How'd you get
that? And is there any difference between the 630 and 640?
Can the heads be removed from both?
Thanks,
Chase

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 17:37:19 GMT, PGG
wrote:

I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400 monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

I see the Velbon El Carmagne 630 and 640 for the about the same price
on Amazon.com but I don't see how to get a $50 credit - How'd you get
that? And is there any difference between the 630 and 640?
Can the heads be removed from both?
Thanks,
Chase

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 17:37:19 GMT, PGG
wrote:

I know that Velbon has a bad reputation, but I recently purchased the
Velbon Carmagne 630 carbon fiber tripod for $275, plus Amazon.com gave me
a $50 credit. Not bad for $225.

The tripod is nice and sturdy. It handled my 10lb Calumet CC-400 monorail
with no problem. I now use it with a Shen-Hao.

It includes a magnesium pan/tilt head as well.

Lifetime warranty too.



I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

"Chase Martin" wrote in message
...
Hello all-

I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

Chase would you mind revealing which "$165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay" that was by giving us a link ?

"Chase Martin" wrote in message
...
Hello all-

I'm getting to the point where I can't carry all my large format
equipment like I used to (getting old sucks!) I really love the
stability and rigidity of my Bogen 3021BPRO legs, but they are quite
heavy to hike with.
My primary camera is a 4x5 Shen Hao field camera, but rarely (maybe 5%
of the time) shoot a Kodak 2D 8x10 field (I'm not too worried about
the 8x10 camera for these legs though.) I use a Bogen 486RC2 ball
head, which I really like.
I tried the cheap route buying some $165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay, but on a shoot in the Smoky Mountains last week, the
center column broke on my 3rd 4x5 sheet (luckily I had the 3021BPRO in
the trunk of my car.) They are refunding my money, but I guess you
get what you pay for!
Economy is a priority, but stability is most important (good but
economical!) I really like Bogen stuff, so I'd like to stay with that
brand if possible (but am open to other brands, if necessary.)
Please give me some options here, folks. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
-Chase M.

Chase would you mind revealing which "$165 no name brand carbon fiber
legs off Ebay" that was by giving us a link ?