Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Tripods -- Cheap and Compact
looking for a tripod but was not looking to spend a fortune. Since there are no
upscale camera shops in my area I was forced to do all my research on the net.
OK here it is. I finally decided on the following combo. 3001 legs with 3047 pan
head w/quick release. These legs are a bit smaller than the 3021 legs most
recommend. I like them and at 5' 11" I only have to bend over a little to use these
legs without the center section extended. I'm glad I chose these legs over the 3021's
because these legs are small enough to clip onto a backpack or fit in some camera
bags. Now to the head. The 3047 is basically a nicer version of the popular 3030. It
has two bubble levels which help to fine tune things a bit. BTW this is a $120
combintaion (head and legs). If you can spend more money get the 3275 head. This
is a geared version of the 3 way pan head. And it is SWEET!. But you will spend
your $120 just for it. The head (3047) is a little meaty for the 3001 legs but I still
think it's a great combo. I have found it a little bulky (the head) to fit in my back
pack. I guess if I remove the handels I could do it. Solution -- spend $28 bucks for
the medium ball head. This head fits just fine in any camera bag or backpack and I
use it on longer walks. Hey, a ball head is no pan head but if you're not gonna be
able to fit the head when you're out on a photo excursion what's the point. So, there
you have it -- 3001 legs with 3047 or 3262 head depending on the situation.
-- Kurt Maurer, January 17, 2000
Just got a Cullman 1001 touring set. It includes a small, reasonably sturdy tripod, a
suction cup to hold a camera to glass, a ground spike, a woodscrew, a c-clamp,
coupla ball heads. It's really great ... lightweight. Am planning on putting it through
its paces on the Napali Coast in Kauai in a coupla weeks. I'll comment on how it
did when I return. FYI, got it at B&H for about $125 for the whole kit. Tripod
alone is about $50. Anybody used this setup? Comments? Thanks ...
-- Ken Newman, February 27, 2000
One word of warning about 'tilting' the pan-tilt head to get a vertical composition. I
did it often enough with a small Slik (don't remember the model) that I used to
own, and finally damaged the tripod screw on a Rebel (plastic mount) when trying
to point the camera up and down. As soon as I upgraded my camera body I gave
my tripod to a friend that will use it for his handycam and got a couple (3221 &
3001) of manfrottos with 'real' photo heads. BTW, I use the 3001 (190) with a
small 115 (3029?) head and it fits inside any bag that I travel with, just remove the
head for travel and install it later, that makes it even more convenient for travel
than my old slik, and certainly a better platform!
-- Ignacio Feito, April 18, 2000
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/cheap (10 of 15)7/3/2005 2:21:27 AM