Tripod head - DPChallenge Forums

02/03/2006 09:45:09 AM · #1

Ok, so I did some shooting with a friend of mine and he tells me that he found this nice tripod sitting in the recycle pile near his house. It's a rather decent little Knockoff product possibly made by Daiwa (the only name visible on it is on the head) with good sturdy aluminum legs which are rather goofy at the top hinges (there's no lock for their angle, but not broken, just the way it was designed). It seems that there are some peices missing on the head which is actually a movie camera head (SILKY smooth rotation on it too... yum). Of course, I don't use a movie camera, I want to use this with my DSLR when I get it.

My friend already has a pro-grade Manfrotto or however you spell it :), so he let me have the tripod. Receive free - give free. Whee!

So the question is now raised... what about a head?

I've heard that these can be picked up rather cheaply and you can still get good quality.

I think I want a spirit level on the head as I'm a little paranoid about the legs... Not that it really makes a huge difference and I never use either of them on my other tripod, but hey, I like to keep my bases covered...

I also like the snap-click mounting plates of some of the better heads.

For my purposes, I think I would like something that could also point pretty close to straight down, but it's not really necessary.

Thanks!

02/03/2006 09:59:30 AM · #2

I am a little suspicious that I have tried for a few minutes to remove the tripod head and I haven't been able to do so. I've never removed a head before, but I don't think it should be so difficult. I am almost wondering if it was thrown out because it does not feature a replaceable head...

I was able to remove the center shaft, and I wonder if it might be possible to get that replaced as well.... hrm I will have to take that down to the shop.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

02/04/2006 01:32:11 AM · #3

Just a little bumpsie daisy.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

02/04/2006 01:56:33 AM · #4

How about a picture of the contraption so we can see what you're talking about. From your first post I thought you were looking for a head but from your second it sounds like you already have one.

Which manfrotto is it that you have?

Message edited by author 2006-02-04 01:57:14.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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

02/04/2006 02:14:40 AM · #5

Daiwa, I believe, is the manufacturer of tripods marketed as "Slik" in the west; I believe in the orient they are called "Daiwa". Daiwa's a large company, they make a lot of stuff, including fishing gear.

I'd be totally unwilling to trust a dSLR to a tripod that had no leg stops; those things are dangerous, man...

R.

02/04/2006 02:19:22 AM · #6

Originally posted by eschelar:

My friend already has a pro-grade Manfrotto or however you spell it :), so he let me have the tripod. Receive free - give free. Whee!

So the question is now raised... what about a head?

I do not have a Manfrotto. My friend has a Manfrotto. He let me have a tripod that he found lying on the street in a recycle pile.

Your first conclusion was correct. I am looking for a head.

My concerns about the head not being removable will have to be taken up with the shop.

The tripod looks similar to most other pro-grade tripods as it is a knockoff of a pro grade tripod.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that before.

02/04/2006 02:23:58 AM · #7

Sorry, it has leg stops to prevent it from overextending, it just hasn't got anything to prevent them from moving inwards. They don't lock into one place. I've seen a lot of expensive tripods like that.

It does seem to me to be a bit goofy. Would you say that it is possible that one of the legs could be kicked in by a careless passerby and tip it over? I almost had this happen the other day doing some low-light light painting, but that was because I was handling the light for the pictures and my eyes couldn't adjust quick enough to see his lens as I stepped over it in the dark. It seemed like it could have happened to any kind of tripod though...

I do actually like the design of my cheaper tripod which has each leg synchronously linked to the center shaft so they move as one.

Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.4 Jena/Flektogon MC

02/04/2006 02:35:55 AM · #8

Silly me. Here is the model number. It is the Daiwa Hi-Ace 1000CT Gyro.

I was unable to find any information via google for this particular tripod. Again, it seems rather decent, but simply needs a new head.

Uusilehto

Canon EOS-1D

02/04/2006 05:10:21 AM · #9

Originally posted by eschelar:

Sounds like one of those tripods, that don't have interchangeable heads. Many cheap-ish tripods are like that.

One thing you could do, is look around flea markets and try to spot some opportunities. I got two Manfrotto #055 tripods and a Leitz ball head for 5â�¬. This old store was selling old stuff off and they were in the bargain bin.

//koti.mbnet.fi/uuslehto/img/randomcrap/manfrotto.jpg

The tripods are the old model and are a bit scruffy, but mechanically they're about the same as the new #055's.

02/04/2006 07:28:48 AM · #10

Quite possible there. I was wondering if that was perhaps the case. I wonder if the shaft can be replaced. I guess it's possible that this is why it was thrown out. Heavy beast to lug around just as a Flash mount...

Problem for me is that I'd have to hop on a plane and travel several thousand miles before I came to the next available flea market. Second hand goods are NOT popular in Asia. It's either nearly new and overpriced or simply unavailable. I know of over 100 camera stores around Taipei and only ONE of these carries second hand digital cameras (plenty have old MF camera gear which is rather funny because they aren't accepting 2nd hand goods from the general public).

For computers, I know of probably 3 times that number of computer stores and there are just TWO 2nd hand computer stores.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

02/09/2006 10:02:13 AM · #11

Dragging this back out again.

I had a good look today at Gitzo tripods and heads as well as some cheaper heads. I'm quite impressed actually at the quality of my cheap little freebie.

I am currently considering having the current head chopped off and replaced with something that I can use to mount a proper mounting plate to.

Although I live in a very industrial part of the world, I haven't found anyone who is at all willing to weld in aluminum.

I'm quite sure that I won't be able to find anyone who can tap a thread. This is rather disappointing, but I've never been one who gives up easily on these sorts of techinical challenges.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what sort of place might have aluminum welding equipment? I haven't seen any simple machine shops around Taipei at all.

I will take a little trip down to the Gitzo shop to see if I can pick up a mounting plate with the appropriate screw.

I've already received one tip to go to a fire department as these often have their ladders and other equipment serviced.

Any other tips would also be appreciated.

Bugzeye

02/09/2006 10:33:55 AM · #12

Before you chop anything off. Look at the bottom of the head where it attaches to the tri-pod. I use Bogen/Manfrotto, In order to detach the head I have to losen 3 set screws at the bottom of the base that the head mounts on, then turn the head counter clockwise to losen and detach. I bought my tri-pods for my video cameras which weigh about 10-12 pounds depending on what I have mounted on cameras. It does not have a center brace, never had one of these tri-pod's collapse or even start to lean for that matter. I use it with my SLR with total confidence that it is stable.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

02/09/2006 10:42:30 AM · #13

If it is one of the cheaper models as mentioned above in this thread. The heads are not meant to be removed. However they can be, in the center of the head their may be a plastic or metal cap that you can pry off. From there you should be able to slide the head off the post. However If this is the case I would prob return it to the dumpster and go out and buy a new one. You can get a pretty decent rig for a fair price if you shop around.

02/09/2006 10:29:01 PM · #14

Hrm odd, I thought I replied to this last night.

Anyhow, the first thing I did was to look all over for plastic caps and things that could possibly reveal screws or something to remove it.

I've found nothing. My nearest guess is that the proper tool for the job is going to be a blowtorch or a grinder. More likely than not, it will be a grinder.

I had a look last night in the shop at a number of tripods by Gitzo, Manfrotto, benro and the like, as well as some heads. It was very interesting. I actually feel that the tripod I have come into is quite a decent little workhorse. It's not as light as carbon fiber or the Gitzo basalt models, but aluminum keeps it light and strong as an ox. Just the way I like it. I was looking at 400-500 dollar tripods from Gitzo and decided that within the single shaft leg models, what I have is one of the sturdiest and most solid tripods that I saw in the shop. Stability is NOT a problem. I would feel confident with this rig with the neck extended a good foot with at least five or six pounds. More if I put some weight on the bottom.

Having said that, I would rather spend 20-50 dollars to get this thing versatile and workable than spend 200-500 dollars on just a set of legs for something that is a tiny bit lighter and has a better name-brand. Then I really could be guilt-free in purchasing a nice gitzo head I've got my eye on for around 150 dollars US.

I'm off to check it out today.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

02/10/2006 05:13:42 AM · #15

Fanfare Music.

Cold weather may have had something to do with the stiffness of the tripod head or perhaps it was the simple fact that I dropped it on it's head a few times while getting ready to head out in my quest.

I tried removing the head one last time while discussing my problem with my downstairs roommate and *sloop* off it twisted.

I'm free! Free at last!

The head has a small threaded screw (is it 3/16?) that took just a few moments to find a suitable adaptor for.

I am now faced with my original question and challenge.

Which head?! I tried quite a few and read up on some that I didn't try as well including: Giottos, Manfrotto, Friesel, Slik, Benro and some others that I can't remember the name for.

I am considering two choices

#1 Velbon 5kg ball+socket with wide QR mounting plate and dual unidirectional spirit levels. (3000NT or around 85 dollars US)

+ small and VERY light (Magnesium construction)
+ decent quality construction and very well-thought out
+ dual spirit levels allows for partial level information even when shooting side pano shots as well as with the camera mounted underneath the tripod for ground level macro shooting (which would actually work quite well in concert with the hotshoe mounted levels that I saw in the store too)
+ wide base platform for attaching to tripod mount on camera
+ actually has it's own kit for mounting to the small threadscrew, circumventing the need for the adaptor I already found.
- no separate rotational setscrew; if you want to rotate, the ball/socket loosens at the same rate as the axis rotation

#2 Gitzo G1278M (5KG) with omnidirectional bubble level and a BEAUTIFULLY smooth panning movement
+ Woah - this thing feels like butter - operational feedback is LIGHT YEARS beyond the look and feel of all other products tried today Every single peice of it works perfectly and feels delightful
+ panning rotation is THE smoothest I've ever felt and can be rotated with moderate pressure from a fingertip with control
+ mounting plate is much smaller than the Velbon, and can be removed and replaced from any of the 4 basic directions, allowing perfect 90 degree switches (I don't think this is actually important though)
+ all adjusting switches have excellent operation and can be pulled and moved to suit comfort level and relevant equipment
+ teflon coated ball is SMOOTH in operation
- omnidirectional spirit level is completely pointless if doing anything other than trying to find the absolute level for the tripod head.
+ once absolute level is found, panning is perfect
- if you want to pan while shooting portrait orientation for much bigger panos (yes, I do), spirit level is useless
- expenSIVE
- heavy (I don't know the exact figure, but I would guess 70% heavier than the Velbon)

OK so it feels right now like I am about 60-65% in favor of the Velbon and 35-40% in favor of the Gitzo. The price is an issue, but only a minor one. I'd rather do it right for a little more money the first time than save a bit of money only to have to get something else the second time.

Is there anything that I'm missing here? I'm quite confident that the Velbon will be everything I need, but it certainly feels odd to be leaning in the favor of a cheaper and lesser name brand even when I'm not considering the price as a major decision making factor.

Is it possible/worthwhile to take the thing apart and grease the ball? What kind of grease?

Thanks. I think this will be the last question in this thread :)

Bugzeye

02/10/2006 02:27:20 PM · #16

I do not know much about either brand. But they both sound pretty decent from the info you have posted. Going by said info, I would pick Gitzo.

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

02/10/2006 02:52:38 PM · #17

Yuo never go wrong getting a gitzo. I have 1578m, I think thats the one...Definitely a 1500m series ballhead.

Moves like butter.

02/11/2006 01:27:27 AM · #18

I forgot to mention that the price of the Gitzo is nearly double the price of the other. (3000NT vs 5600NT)

I have been trying to consider the different uses and benefits, but from what I can tell so far, it looks like the primary difference in operation is that pano would be as good or better with the Velbon if the tripod is not able to be flat, but better on the gitzo if on a flat surface.

I better solution would be to turn my original clunky head that came with the freebie (which has a very nice albeit stiff rotation) and turn it into a dedicated Pano setup, and mounting it (it has the 1/4-20 thread common to cameras) the leveled tripod head. In this case, it would probably be better to have the much lighter Velbon.

I'm quite confident that either head will be amazing and really excellent, but I can't help but think that for some uses, the Velbon is actually better. The only real drawback is that the Gitzo is sooo much smoother.

Because the tripod itself was free, I'm not really afraid of spending the money on either of them, but