Cheap tripe er tripods - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/17/2006 12:09:32 AM · #1

. OK, I admit it, I have a cheap crappy tripod and I like it.

It's light, compact and as tall as I am. Maybe one day when I've actually got a camera to put on it, I will get a better set of legs, but for now, plastic and cheap aluminum are it for me!

I find that I can keep it steady and still pretty well for what I shoot, but I am going to be picking up some heavier gear soon.

To be honest, I mostly use it as a flash stand, but as a curiosity, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for lubricating the seld-used toy.

I would love to find some kind of teflon spray or something that I could spray into the cheap plastic friction areas to make this puppy glide.

I want something that won't eat the plastic the way many solvents do and I want something that uses teflon because I like the way it lubricates and it sounds cool.

Any suggestions as to where to start looking?

Thanky!

wavelength

Nikon D300

01/17/2006 12:13:26 AM · #2

If you want to pick up a good tripod pretty cheap, look up Amvona.com through ebay. Their auctions are awesome, and you can get stuff pretty cheap on weekends and off days.

AdrianQ

Pentax *ist DL

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC for Canon

01/17/2006 12:14:27 AM · #3

Try silicone lube spray. It more-or-less dries and won't get everywhere. Just don't get on your fingers and transfer it to your lens as it can be difficult to clean off properly.

yido

Canon EOS-5D

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

01/17/2006 12:23:26 AM · #4

ditto on the silicone lube.
BTW, I just sent you a PM regarding the Tokina.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/17/2006 01:44:00 AM · #5

Depending on what system the legs use for locking, silicon spray may not be a good idea. You may find you get creep under load.

R.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/17/2006 11:05:16 AM · #6

Thanks.

My legs work just fine. I'm more worried about the head. I wouldn't consider lubing my legs for the very reason of creep. I want less creep, so I can get more load.

Funny thing, girls have the same opinion of me. They want less creep too.

Wavelength, thanks for the look-up, I live in Taiwan, so anything through ebay/paypal is not even an option. As I have been through before in the forums, they are completely not set up for ex-pat's.

I have to do my internet shopping direct. That includes my membership here which was graciously provided by another member.

I wonder where I can find silicon lube here...... hmmmm... Ok, got the chinese word for silicon...

You don't recommend using a teflon spray for the head parts?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/17/2006 11:38:48 AM · #7

Most of the spray lubes will have some kind of solvent in them that may damage the plastics and render your lovely , functional, but cheap tripod unusable.

I would suggest a light oil, or, better yet, if you can disassemble it or access the areas that need lubrication, a grease. If you want to sound cool, you can use lithium grease, but just plain red grease would be fine.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/17/2006 11:43:31 AM · #8

I don't think it would be wise to start attempting to disassemble a plastic device, but I may look closer when the sun rises. My sister is sleeping on the floor.

I also don't have many tools here. Just stuff for my bike.

What about cooking sprays? I can't see that they would have toooo many solvents in them.

I read a great article about teflon once, but I can't find it anymore.

It was about building heavy telescope mounts for dual mounted 6 foot telescopes in tandem for 3d astro photography. hmmm..

Message edited by author 2006-01-17 11:45:40.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/17/2006 01:03:33 PM · #9

Originally posted by eschelar:

I'd avoid cooking spray, the oils will go rancid and may smell bad.