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Velbon tripods
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Has anybody any experience with these? I’m considering investing in my first tripod and I saw a Velbon Sherpa (I can’t remember the exact model) in Jessops for about ?80 it seemed good quality, sturdy etc. I won’t be carrying it with me everywhere I go, but equally I won’t be using it in a hurricane so weight, one way or the other isn’t my main concern. I don’t want to spend more than ?100 and closer to the ?80 would be better. Any tips on what to look for when purchasing a tripod would also be appreciated.
Thanks//Cian
Hi Cian,
I got this for my travel photogrpahy http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm It’s small enough and light enough to fit in a haversack and can extend to eye height. It may not be what you want but I have it over a year now and it’s stood up to the test of time and many trips.
For more serious work I use a Giottos, built like a tank but expensive.
Dave
Here’s a simple test if you’re tripod shopping as it allows you to quickly compare tripod stability. Extend it up to it’s max height (but don’t extend the centre column) and then grab the collar (where the three legs meet) with both hands and try and twist it clockwise/anticlockwise. The more it twists the less stable it’s likely to be. As always, it’s a compromise and only you can really decide how much you are willing to trade in stability -v- cost. It really depends on what you’re going to use it for.
Thorsten wrote:
Extend it up to it’s max height (but don’t extend the centre column) and then grab the collar (where the three legs meet) with both hands and try and twist it clockwise/anticlockwise. The more it twists the less stable it’s likely to be. As always, it’s a compromise and only you can really decide how much you are willing to trade in stability -v- cost. It really depends on what you’re going to use it for.
And if you your strength twists it too far :lol: :lol: :lol: ………. consider it sold ! :cry: :cry: :cry:
Have a look on ebay for Benbo tripods, apparently they are made in China and are clones of Manfrottos I think, anyway they are supposed to be fantastic for the money.
I’ve owned a Velbon Victory 450 with 3 way head (not my pics btw) for many many years. It has seen moderate use on & off for 35mm and occasional medium format work. It’s stood the test of time, some travel and lots of knocking about. It’s as sturdy now as it was new. With central column fully extended it’s probably as sturdy as any other in the same league. This is my experience of Velbon and would put them on my short list if I was to consider a new tripod.
As mentioned by others, ultimately it depends on what you’ll be using it for, esp if it will get thrown about if travelling, or using it in various weather conditions, or for reliability when fully extended.
And I have nothing but praise for Benbo. I have one of the first Benbo Trekkers with ball head and it is excellent for small format photography (35mm/digital). Essentially weather proof, and once you get used it (takes some persistence at first) you’ll wonder how people manage with stiff, braced tripod legs. It’s great for tight corners, awkward spaces, uneven ground or those ‘impossible angles’. And it really works.
Thanks for the advice lads, I’ll look into the benbos. The more I think about it, the more I think I’ll want to focus on the lighter tripods, my main motivation for getting a tripod is to get me up off my ass and out and about in the evenings, so I guess something light would be a good idea. It’d also be nice to be able to bring it with me when I travel, particularly as I have quite a long trip coming up in the next few months.
//Cian
Apologies for digging up an old thread, but I just noticed it, and figured I should contribute my experiences
I have a Sherpa 250, and am not overly happy with it. It’s not the world’s most stable ‘pod, it’s ok, but not brilliant, and because of the central column, doesn’t go very low (you can mount the head upside down for low shots, but this is a right PITA). Worst though, it has stupid slip on rubber feet at the end of the legs – rather that should be slip-off. I’ve lost 2 so far, one in a river the other in slightly soft ground, and I’ve nearly lost others on other occasions. Intro 2020 replaced one of them for free, but I didn’t even bother the second time.
I’d avoid the Sherpas and maybe look at the Manfrotto 190, which is probably a bit more expensive than the Sherpa you saw, but seems to be a much better tripod
Just for a bit of balance-
I haven’t used my 190 since I got the Velbon Sherpa Pro,
admittedly probably a different tripod-
And the little feet have never come off once-
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