New Tripod
My new tripod arrived today :)
It's a Velbon Sherpa 450R with a quick release, pan/tilt head (which btw, has a really smooth action and a single control arm). It's somewhat bigger than the old tripod, but a lot more sturdy and will take the new dSLR when it arrives quite nicely (as well as all the existing cameras we have). Max. recommended load is 3.5kgs, and since I'd need to sell one of the children to afford a lens that'd exceed that, I think it'll do nicely.
An added bonus is you can mount the head on the bottom end of the shaft for low shots.
Forgive the poor backdrop, it's late, I'm tired and really I'm just showing off the tripod not the dog and drawers :P
View all photos taken: Friday, 3rd November 2006, This photo: 11:14pm
Nice dog and drawers shot here, David.
Interesting flash shadow cast by whatever it is in the foreground there.
Cheeky bugger ;-)
Be thankful it's not a dog with drawers!
you mean you've got one of those too ???
I like Velbon tripod a lot. It's lightweight yet remarkably sturdy. I think yours is the newest model. I am using the Carmagne.
I am just envious David. It looks like a great piece of kit !
And I thought it was your spare beard- you mean its a dog, how disappointing.......
Thanks Margot, yes this is the newest model. The Carmagne are the next one up aren't they ? This was a nice middle of the road price rather than the quite expensive Manfrotto's.
As for weight, it's at least twice as heavy as the old one (but the old one was a very light weight video tripod). According to the box, this one is 2.016kg, which is a bit more to lug around, but it's sturdy :)
Helen, yes, my ego is soooo large I keep a dog as a spare beard :P~~
Thanks David, when the old tripod broke (we shan't go into those details as I don't have a doghouse), I figured I should get a reasonably decent replacement, esp. with the imminent dSLR purchase.
I use an older velbon that I found in the boot of a car I bought , its one of the few I've seen that is tall enough for me to use comfotably, if your new one is as tough as mine you should get years of use from it
Ps quick release I'm jealous :-)
I said nothing about your ego- small or large !! it doesnt look like a dog ! Well it looks like a father xmas beard, you could have been out there in the shops, ho ho ho ing to raise extra cash for that new camera, see there's a good idea.
anyway I will be interested on your views on this tripod, I may end up buying one eventually, our dog has to have an eye out on Tues, more expense ! There goes my macro lens !!
I have the Velbon Sherpa 750, bought many years ago but used more with my digi cam than ever with my film one. It weighs too much but at least comes with a carrying bag. The leg catches really annoy me though as they're too stiff and slow to use, with small adjustments tricky.
Mine has a centre column that can be detached which is occasionally useful for using the tripod for very low macros.
So which dSLR are you waiting for?
Sounds like a great bonus there RH :) I made sure I got a quick-release head, it's what the last tripod had and I'd be lost without one.
Helen, Angus has a habit of curling up on the floor such that finding his head isn't always an easy thing ;-) Sad to hear about your pooch though :(
Hi Tim!
I had a puddle out in the field with the tripod today and the leg catches seem fine on this one. The centre column on the 450R isn't detachable, but does have a head mount screw on the bottom so you can get low macros providing you're happy with your camera being upside down (although the quick release head I have seems to be designed for this in mind).
I'm hanging out for a Canon 400D, it's got enough features to keep me happy for some time, and is cheap enough that I should be able to afford a few lenses for it too. Currently using a PowerShot S2 IS, which is a great little camera but I've outgrown it.
Hey, I said I was sorry for breaking the tripod! :( (I managed to drop it and the bottom element of one leg now doesn't stay in position. Still works fine for low shots!)
I think the old one was better for being out and about as it was much lighter and folded down smaller, but whatever floats your boat!
I'm not worried, I now have a bigger stronger, sturdier tripod with a much nicer head. The old one served it's purpose, and as you said, can still be used for lower shots.
Hi
I'm thinking about Velbon 600R and 450R. Everybody is saying "take 600R" but I have to know why. 450R is higher, heavier (more stable?) and can carry more stuff (4kg) so why 600R is better? Can anybody explain me?