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Tripods
treks whenever I could. I tried using the smaller 3001, but it really didn't come up
to a comfortable height, and the leg knobs really take time, and hurt frozen fingers.
I wanted to make more great shots futher and further away. I needed a revelation,
not a porter.
What am I getting at? Well, after purchasing the Gitzo Carbon tripod, I started
taking sharper images, was FAR less fatiqued after long climbs, and could justify
carrying that fast glass that I normally left home. That's really it. It makes serious
outdoor photography more FUN, and less of a pain in the shoulders. The only
downside of the Carbon model, is that now that I am far less fatiqued, I have to lie
to get those great backrubs back at camp...
-- David Julian, February 11, 1999
I was considering using the grip style ball heads by bogen and Silk. After looking
into it the Silk seems to have the advantage because the Ball is larger and feels
smoother, and the design keeps the camera closer to the center of gravity than the
Bogen. Cost is about the same.
-- David Fancher, March 28, 1999
While I am not an expert in photography, I recently acquired a Celestron C-90
scope and have looked around and experimented with various heads. I tried a
Wimberley gimbal-type head (www.tripodhead.com) and was amazed at its
incredibly smooth function. The scope acts exactly like it's in a weightless
environment. Rather than be distracted by an annoying head, the Wimberly design
is a joy to use. It's a small family run business. They even will send you one to use
in the field for several weeks. The $465 price might put you off a bit at first, but not
after you try it. You won't be disappointed.
Tom Peachey
-- Thomas Peachey, April 14, 1999
I have used the Gitzo 1228 carbon tripod for about 6 months and have been to
Antarctica and back and everywhere in between. It is a good tripod, even though
the leg locks are a minor nuisance. However, one of the leg locks came off
(unglued or something, maybe it was river silt, dune sand, or just frozen penguin
guano expanding) and with horror and tripedation, I sent it to Bogen for repair. I
sent it in on a Wednesday afternoon 2nd day air, it arrived in New Jersey on Friday
and they sent me a new one (the improved version with a grooved center column)
which ARRIVED Tuesday via second day air! Now this is service! I don't know
what the support is on other brands, but I appreciate the service and attention
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/philg (20 of 53)7/3/2005 2:21:13 AM