Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Tripods
arguement that different people use different cameras and lens on the Head, but it
should come with a general purpose plate. My bigger question is how come all
these Camera stores in Toronto and some of then are big maybe not New York big
like B&H, have no plates in stock. I know there has not been an Acra Swiss Head
in Canada for months, but I know one store has Forba Head that use the Arca Swiss
quick release you system, you figure they would have some kind of plate to go with
it. Maybe the saleperson at that store is to stupid to know that it is a similar system.
-- Patrick Wong, July 18, 2000
I have the following correction to the quote from Really Right Stuff that Philip
included in his review. The Bogen hex plate system is not limited to flat plates.
Bogen makes the 90-degree plates that have a lip to prevent camera rotation. For
many applications, these work quite well, although they are a little bulky and
heavier than the arca-swiss style plates. I think for supporting big loads, like a
600/4, the RRS plates will work better, but for normal loads, the hex plates are
serviceable.
I prefer the Kirk Enterprises plates as their plates and clamps are lighter weight, but
the small clamps from Kirk may not hold a plate for a 600/4.
-- Joseph Albert, August 28, 2000
Maybe I have just used a lot of shoddy equipment in the past, but I bit the bullet
and bought a Gitzo 1329 and 1228 recently, both are the carbon-fiber models.
Oh my gosh, I've never liked using a tripod so much. The 1229 holds up a Nikon
F100 with 80-200 AF-S and the 1329 easily holds up a Nikon F5 with TC-20e
teleconvert, 80-200 AF-S. I have the 1276M and 1376M (?) magnesium ball heads.
I don't doubt that there might be better ball-heads out there, but surely not much
better. The quick-release system seems very solid and secure.
I've found that once you pick up a good, light tripod (whatever make you decide
upon) that you can easily bring with you everywhere you almost welcome the
opportunity to use it.
The Gitzos were freakin' expensive for sure but after a few weekends of usage I
would buy them again in a second.
For all the hype and gripes about the leg locks, I find that I really like them. It
doesn't really add too much more time to setting up, they seem quite secure and
don't require much torque to hold them tight. I've heard of damage that occurs from
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/philg (41 of 53)7/3/2005 2:21:13 AM