OT: Fancier/Weifeng Tripods?

corug7 wrote on 4/13/2004, 10:10 PM
Okay, great deals on Chinese Tripods, but are they worth it, or should I just swallow hard and buy the Vinten or maybe something from the US. Dreammaker on Ebay seems to sell a lot of these, and he gets decent feedback, but if anyone on this site has any inkling about these things I would appreciate a reply. Thanks, y'all.

Corey

Comments

rmack350 wrote on 4/13/2004, 10:50 PM
I've never seen a Weifeng head used professionally so I can't compare them but the pictures make them look like a bad choice.

Even the little Vinten Vision 3 is lightyears away from most consumer heads so you really get what you're paying for. The question is whether you can stand to pay so much for a truley superior head and sticks.

Things to look for in a good head and sticks:

-Right size for the camera
-fluid motion
-bubble for leveling
-ball base for quick leveling
-several drag settings
-quick release camera mount with fore/aft slide adjustment for balancing camera.
-Sturdy legs that lock and unlock with one turn
-sturdy spreader for the legs (some attach at the top of the first stage-seems nice on uneven terrain)

-Easy access to service and support
-can it support a teleprompter? (usually you'll rent a tripod with the prompter)
-is there a Mitchel adapter plate available (in case you ever want to put the camera on a professional dolly)

Of course all this is really expensive but you should think of it as the difference between a car and bicycle.

If your wallet says "Bicycle" you might want to look at Manfrotto products. They're commonly found in the states and presumably in Europe.

ROb Mack
farss wrote on 4/13/2004, 11:20 PM
Miller recently released an excellent tripod for the solo videographer, aptly named the "Solo"!
Great thing is no speaders and you can set it up with only one hand and the legs will lock in three positions including very low to the ground. Yes it isn't that cheap and yes I'm biased as it's made in Australia. But regardless they're a fine set of sticks and well worth the money.
Any decent set of sticks will outlast many cameras and most likely you. Spend more than you can afford, good tripods are an investment, they appreciate.
FuTz wrote on 4/14/2004, 6:33 AM

If I had to buy a tripod right now, the first thing I'd look for would be a ball head adjustment.
And I'd probalby look at brands like Manfrotto, Vinten and -quickly since I probably can't afford it- Sachtler.
Tripod is a kind of thing you don't mess with: you buy the best you can and you'll probably stick with it (ha!) for the next decade, at least. You buy crap and you'll have to buy another one in a short period of time.
corug7 wrote on 4/14/2004, 8:19 AM
Thanks for the feedback. I know I sound like one of those whiny guys who keeps asking questions because he doesn't want to hear the truth, but here is the http of the tripod I'm considering. Please take a look and let me know what you think, even if to tell me why I "should absolutely under no circumstances buy this tripod." Thanks again.

Corey

PS: I would only be supporting a VX-2000 with the tripod, but want a heavier duty one for supporting booms, etc.
rmack350 wrote on 4/14/2004, 8:26 AM
No HTTP link here.

Booms? Aieeee!

Booms need counterweights. If you get a boom for a tripod make sure it ONLY mounts on the sticks-not the head. And then get much heavier sticks than you thought you'd need. And wheels.

Rob Mack
corug7 wrote on 4/14/2004, 9:14 AM
oops.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3808625231&category=3319&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

please take a look...
rmack350 wrote on 4/14/2004, 9:33 AM
Ah, that's better.

It looks like it's got the right number of fingers and toes. The questions are can you get it serviced and can you buy parts. Specifically, the fluid action can wear out and the knobs can break.

He lists the wheeled dolly as being available separately. If you try to put a small jib on this you'll want those wheels. Also, Do you want a 1/4-20 screw on the slide plate instead of the 3/8-NC listed? You should ask if this is available. (This will be an issue with many video heads)

I couldn't find these elsewhere on the internet. To me that's a bad sign. Go look at Manfrotto and Miller and get some prices. Maybe you'll decide that the Weifeng tripod is worth a gamble.

Rob Mack
corug7 wrote on 4/14/2004, 10:07 AM
Rob,
Thanks for taking the time to look at this stuff. I think the company offers a 1/4 in screw as an alternative plate, as some of their other heads have both options included. I checked out the Weifeng company website, and they really have some killer stuff, including a multiple tripod head/track system similar to those used to shoot "bullet time." Thanks for the advice. If I do try it out, I'll reply with my findings.

Corey
farss wrote on 4/14/2004, 1:33 PM
I had a look at it. It's a 'fluid drag' head not a fluid head. Basically what that means is you've got a fluid damping system with variable friction. This is not the same as a fluid head where you can alter the amount of fluid damping.
I know that sounds like nitpicking and its hard at first to tell the difference UNTIL your in tight and you try to do a smooth pan but there's too much striction so the pan starts with what seem a tiny jerk but looks horrid on the big screen.
Take a look at the Miller Solo, better yet, try one out with a DS10 head, at least with gear like Miller you get your hands on it before they get their hands on your cash.
We bought 10 cheap Chinese tripods and have around 5 Millers, some of the Millers would be 30 - 40 years old and still going strong, the Chinese stuff is OK for the money, but so far three have gone wobbly and changing the shims hasn't helped.