Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Tripods
-- Donald Tsusaki, March 30, 2000
The basic paradigm of the tripod makes it difficult to go low...
There is one manufacturer that solved this problem. Linhof tripods have a thread at
the bottom of one of the legs on which the platform can be mounted. This does
exactly what the clamp would do, without any looseness. It makes it very easy to
shoot from a low angle, very easy to vary how low (by raising the leg), and it
doesn't require carrying anything extra.
In addition to that, one gets an incredibly sturdy tripod (I replaced Gitzos with
Linhof tripods in part for that reason), flip locks instead of twist locks (the other
reason), and the easiest leg cleaning on any metal tripod. The only downside is the
wildly high price and the on-off availability.
-- Jeff (www.spirer.com), May 6, 2000
With due respect to the "vitriolic ex-users" of NPC, I recently had the occasion to
purchase the NPC Prohead ($50.00) to which I have added a Bogen Quick Release
system. (Can't get enough of that rock solid locked in feelin.) I find the head to be
solid and smooth. I have experienced absolutely no slippage when loaded with my
F100/300mm. I have also used it with a focusing rail, extension tubes + a 200mm
with fantastic results. The panning is smooth and easy and though the function is
not identical to a tradtional ball it is definitely not pan/tilt. When you lock it
down......its rock solid! The handles are big and easy to use. This is a quality unit
and a great alternative to the outrageous prices charged by some of its competitors.
Its cool looking too!
-- Dan Michael, May 11, 2000
I decided to spend about $150 or so on a decent tripod and head combination. After
looking at a few Bogens and other manufacturers, I settled on the SLIK 700DX
Pro. I have not been disappointed with it since. The tripod comes with its own panhead
which is very robustly built. It has a neat circular quick-release plate. Can get
extras from most camera stores by placing a special order. You can also special
order a shorter version of the removable center column for getting really low to the
ground. Ofcourse, you can remove the center column and invert it. I have never
really done this but once for doing some copy work as the inverting the center
column feature that most decent tripods offer is too much hassle. The legs are very
sturdy with a twist proof D grooved leg. It is quite a heavy duty tripod and you
have to be prepared to lug it around 7~8lb but is well worth it. I have since replaced
the head with a bogen 309 Pro ball head which suits me better. And it is tall enough
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/philg (37 of 53)7/3/2005 2:21:13 AM