Ball head tripod choice

During my recent trip to Manila, I found that my pan-head tripod had
gotten crippled in baggage handling. So looking for a new tripod that
has a ball-head, light-weight (relatively), cheap and extends to
atleast 68 inches (I am 5 feet 10 inches). The maximum load will be my
Canon 300D and the heavist lens I own of about a kilogram (Jupiter
200mm f4). The other lenses are lighter. I want the tripod to be ~2kg
so I can carry it in some sort of tripod case on my back all the time.

After some searching, I found these two components to mate together for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=...roduct_id=2012
ATH 918 Ball Grip Head by DynaTran for $69

Do I need any more accessories with this?

- Siddhartha

Siddhartha Jain wrote:

During my recent trip to Manila, I found that my pan-head tripod had
gotten crippled in baggage handling. So looking for a new tripod that
has a ball-head, light-weight (relatively), cheap and extends to
atleast 68 inches (I am 5 feet 10 inches). The maximum load will be my
Canon 300D and the heavist lens I own of about a kilogram (Jupiter
200mm f4). The other lenses are lighter. I want the tripod to be ~2kg
so I can carry it in some sort of tripod case on my back all the time.

After some searching, I found these two components to mate together for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58

Velbon's are usually very cheaply made. They make one or two "pro" quality
sets, the rest is pretty low market. I would never buy a Velbon unless I could
handle it first to make sure it is not crap. (I do have an old cheap Velbon
that I use as a light stand).

I suggest that you look at Manfrotto products:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/ite...=1&sectionid=2
(At B&H these are "Bogen" with a different product number)

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=...roduct_id=2012
ATH 918 Ball Grip Head by DynaTran for $69

The head you link to looks like a re-badged Manfrotto.

I dislike ballhead grips for two reasons:

1) Strain. After 30 minutes of use, your hand is very tired.
(I've been told it's adjustable, but don't believe you can get
adequate ball-grip with lower handgrib release pressure.)

3) Parallax: bad enough with most heads, with this it is extreme
(going from landscape to portrait orientation).

Again, Manfrotto have a wide range of heads that can fit your needs. There are
better head$ available as well such as Acra-Swiss, Kirk, Arcatech, Gitzo, ...

Cheers,
Alan


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I wouldn't buy a velbon leg set. The company has a bad reputation for crap.
The Bogen 300 legs were about 100 dollars last time I looked and I've been
using a set for about 7 years now. They are 3 pounds and solid.

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"Siddhartha Jain" wrote in message
ups.com...
During my recent trip to Manila, I found that my pan-head tripod had
gotten crippled in baggage handling. So looking for a new tripod that
has a ball-head, light-weight (relatively), cheap and extends to
atleast 68 inches (I am 5 feet 10 inches). The maximum load will be my
Canon 300D and the heavist lens I own of about a kilogram (Jupiter
200mm f4). The other lenses are lighter. I want the tripod to be ~2kg
so I can carry it in some sort of tripod case on my back all the time.

After some searching, I found these two components to mate together for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58


http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=...roduct_id=2012
ATH 918 Ball Grip Head by DynaTran for $69

Do I need any more accessories with this?

- Siddhartha

I like the bogen 3001 or 3221w series if you plan on using your tripod out
in the elements a lot. I bought the 3001B pro set from b&h. it is a decent
tripod, got a bogen ball head with quick release.
HTH!
Mike

--



"Siddhartha Jain" wrote in message
ups.com...
During my recent trip to Manila, I found that my pan-head tripod had
gotten crippled in baggage handling. So looking for a new tripod that
has a ball-head, light-weight (relatively), cheap and extends to
atleast 68 inches (I am 5 feet 10 inches). The maximum load will be my
Canon 300D and the heavist lens I own of about a kilogram (Jupiter
200mm f4). The other lenses are lighter. I want the tripod to be ~2kg
so I can carry it in some sort of tripod case on my back all the time.

After some searching, I found these two components to mate together for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=...roduct_id=2012
ATH 918 Ball Grip Head by DynaTran for $69

Do I need any more accessories with this?

- Siddhartha

Siddhartha Jain wrote:

Tripod Legs:
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58

What Alan Browne said: avoid Velbon. Consider a Bogen 3001 (not as
tall as you might like) or the 3021 (high enough, but perhaps too
heavy). Tend to compromise for quality, not expense. How many tripod
legsets are you going to buy in your life?

ATH 918 Ball Grip Head by DynaTran for $69

I've watched people in the field with these things; in your minds eye,
imagine flipping from a horizontal to a vertical shot with a
non-collared lens. Also to consider is the "permanent extension" this
head means. You want that camera of yours as close to the tripod's
plate as possible.

Recommend you save up a bit longer and get a "real" ballhead and the
associated quick-release system. The best buy is the Acratech
"Ultimate", but there are purists who insist that you need that 9834kg
Arca-Swiss B1 or you are a wimpish poseur. (I exaggerate a bit: there
are some interface differences between the two, but is it worth ~2x the
price and weight for the B1 though?) The Arca-Swiss Q/R system --
ubiquitous once you leave the local photoshop showroom floor -- is
vastly superior to the Bogen/Manfrotto stuff. If you are serious about
photography you'll eventually buy into it.

http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/philg

Siddhartha Jain wrote:
After some searching, I found these two components to mate together
for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58


Looks like the Velbon's been universally rejected. Checked B&H again
and found this deal. Its Manfrotto so the build quality should be good,
lighweight, comes to 68" and cheap. I'll probably add the recommended
set of QR adapter and plate.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=283689&is=REG

Thanks,

- Siddhartha

That's what I have.... I love it.

My camera is 20D with 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 so I can confirm that it
will take some weight. The 24-70 system is quite front heavy too, and the
lock for the ball is plenty good enough.

It's a tad heavy to go on long hikes where Photography is not the main
activity, but light enough if it is.

I'll add my 2c worth here too... I have a couple of velbon tripods around
here.... and I use one (the light one) as flash stand like the other poster
too... =) The heavy one is a video tripod, and it quite nice.. but a tad
weighty.

Unless you don't use them... money on a decent tripod is well spent.

Al...



"Siddhartha Jain" wrote in message
oups.com...
Siddhartha Jain wrote:
After some searching, I found these two components to mate together
for
my tripod. Welcome any suggestions for change.

Tripod Legs:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139164&is=REG
Velbon Chaser EL-3 (A) $58


Looks like the Velbon's been universally rejected. Checked B&H again
and found this deal. Its Manfrotto so the build quality should be good,
lighweight, comes to 68" and cheap. I'll probably add the recommended
set of QR adapter and plate.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=283689&is=REG

Thanks,

- Siddhartha