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A Travel Tripod Deal Today
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Jan 16, 2019 08:05:24   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
AndyH wrote:
That's quite a deal! I've been looking for one that will easily fit into my briefcase or smaller bag for carryon use. I wonder how accurate the 13 pound rating is?

In any event, I suppose at this price it is worth a shot. If I like it, I suppose I'll have to buy a black one at the original price!

Andy

That’s what I did. Needed it like a hole in the head, but sounded good. Ordered it yesterday afternoon; on truck for delivery today.

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Jan 16, 2019 09:55:03   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
Billbobboy42 wrote:
That’s what I did. Needed it like a hole in the head, but sounded good. Ordered it yesterday afternoon; on truck for delivery today.

I live so far away that mine won't be out for delivery until the end of next week! It is apparently on a slow moving, trapped in the snow, FedEx truck somewhere in New Jersey! My "travel tripod" will have traveled 3,000 miles before the box is opened! Does that make it used?

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Jan 16, 2019 15:29:27   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
Billbobboy42 wrote:
That’s what I did. Needed it like a hole in the head, but sounded good. Ordered it yesterday afternoon; on truck for delivery today.


Follow-up,
Delivered a few minutes ago. Got one problem with it so far: the pan knob will not tighten enough to freeze the pan function needed for still shots. Product appears sturdy enough for the type. Hope I can solve the pan issue without having to return it.

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Jan 18, 2019 19:44:49   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Mine just arrived today. Everything functions as advertised and the knobs and locks are very smooth. It’s somewhat low for my 6 foot height with the center column at half extension so I have to stoop a little. (Viewfinder at about 53 inches - 6” more at full extension) The column at full extension seems a little vibration prone, but the support is fine for my DX camera, even with a long telephoto. I think I’ll stoop a little.

The best thing is the compact size and weight. It folds down to 11.4 inches and about a 3 inch diameter so it easily fits in any of my bags. Weight is 2.5 pounds. It comes with a sturdy ballistic cloth carrying bag and a remote for using the center column as a selfie stick (a feature I don’t expect to be making much use of) and an Arca type plate. The blue isn’t the ugliest color I’ve seen.

Overall, I’m very pleased. This is the best engineered and finished travel tripod I’ve seen. And at $40, I’ll change that very pleased to delighted.

PS: I just took some indoor shots with my Nikon 70/300 zoomed out to the max. Although I was indoors and there was no wind (well at least not much - our house is 200 years old and there’s a Nor’easter raging outside), I got a steady image at a ten second exposure.

This is a useful piece of gear!

Andy

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Jan 18, 2019 20:00:32   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
Andy,

Glad you are finding value.

Tripod discussions can be lengthy here at UHH. There are tripod users that expect concrete wall stability with feather weights. A little vibration doesn't bother me. It won't start vibrating with electronic shutter or mirror lockup. For me, all I need is improvement over me as a camera support. For video, anything works better than hand holding. And, even the lightest of tripods can do wonders with a remote release.

My most used tripod is a $35 Sony. This will be a step up!

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Jan 18, 2019 20:31:03   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
bsprague wrote:
Andy,

Glad you are finding value.

Tripod discussions can be lengthy here at UHH. There are tripod users that expect concrete wall stability with feather weights.


Ain’t that the truth! I’ve read many of them. I have a number of heavy ones, dating back to film days. But they are so heavy and bulky I generally leave them in my truck.

All tripods are a compromise and this seems like a good one. Like my contractors always ask me, “Do you want it cheap, fast, or well made? Pick two.”

And like cameras, the best tripod for the job is the one you have with you.

Andy

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Jan 19, 2019 10:10:49   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
The blue model is still a bargain at just $59 as of this morning on the B&H website. The others have gone back to the $119 regular price.

I’m thinking of getting one for my wife. It’s still half price.

Andy

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Jan 19, 2019 10:41:17   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
AndyH wrote:
The blue model is still a bargain at just $59 as of this morning on the B&H website. The others have gone back to the $119 regular price.

I’m thinking of getting one for my wife. It’s still half price.

Andy


FWIW, this brand is apparently a line within the Benro brand. A tag attached to mine had a corporate address with the address name Benro.

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Jan 19, 2019 10:54:59   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Yes. It’s clearly marked in the instructions and tag. I was pleasantly surprised at the manufacturing quality and engineering. I know QC in China can be spotty at times, but every control on this one seems to work smoothly with no loose feeling parts. The one twist leg adjustments are a bit less convenient that the multiple flip locks or collars, but I found them easy to set at the proper tension. And it makes a huge difference in size and weight.

At three pounds, and fitting easily into my bag, I will never again be without a tripod.

Andy

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Jan 19, 2019 11:23:40   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
AndyH wrote:
Yes. It’s clearly marked in the instructions and tag. I was pleasantly surprised at the manufacturing quality and engineering. I know QC in China can be spotty at times, but every control on this one seems to work smoothly with no loose feeling parts. The one twist leg adjustments are a bit less convenient that the multiple flip locks or collars, but I found them easy to set at the proper tension. And it makes a huge difference in size and weight.

At three pounds, and fitting easily into my bag, I will never again be without a tripod.

Andy
Yes. It’s clearly marked in the instructions and t... (show quote)


"I know QC in China can be spotty at times..."

I think all of my tripods are made there. In fact, most real photographers would probably say I don't have any real tripods. That said, I have several.

The strongest is a no brand name that I bought on an impulse at Costco a few years ago for $80. Made of carbon fiber, it refuses to break. Another is the discontinued Sony VCT-R100 that cost $30 new. A favorite called Zipshot is entertaining, ultra light, pocket sized and assembles like tent poles with elastic bands. I have a couple Gorillapods that are well traveled. One has a "fluid like" head and magnetic feet. The only brand name tripods I have are the tabletop Manfrotto Pixi Evo 2 and smaller Pixi.

The Benro MeFoto Road Trip in red will be here Thursday. It will certainly give the illusion that I know more than when I use the Zipshot!

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Jan 19, 2019 11:43:29   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
My strongest is still a two section one I bought forty years ago. The aluminum tube legs are nearly an inch in diameter and lock from the top with flip locks. That sucker would hold my 4x5 gear with zero vibration, but is a beast to carry with a collapsed height of nearly three feet.

Andy

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Jan 23, 2019 23:25:22   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
Finally got the $40 on sale tripod today. I'm impressed. It is better than I expected.

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Jan 28, 2019 12:49:59   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
If you can stand the rather absurd purple color, B&H has it back for $29 today...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1281647-REG/mefoto_bpairpur_backpacker_air_travel_tripod.html/?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoZzsuISR4AIVTrBPCh0M1wVvEAEYASADEgKyPvD_BwE

Andy

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Jan 29, 2019 12:12:23   #
MDI Mainer
 
I guess this is the same market principal that produces lower prices for odd colored cars!


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Jan 29, 2019 20:33:21   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
MDI Mainer wrote:
I guess this is the same market principal that produces lower prices for odd colored cars!


In the seventies, everyone wanted orange. 😜

Andy

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