mainstreetprod
Veteran
I've often wondered why a good tripod costs so much. Most on this board say for serious use you must spend $1500- $2000 or more. I have a used Bogen
3046 legs and 3063 head that is strong and works OK, but would like something with a better fluid head. Not being a crowd follower, I have been watching Ebay for an alternative.
A photography supplier , Amvona, lists their line of equipment on Ebay with no reserve and I have won a lot of good items from them, such as a 1000 watt softbox for $110. THe stuff I have gotten is good quality - and they have 53,000 transactions with 99.6% positive feedback. So I thought I would check out their line of tripods and see if they offer anything decent for pro video .
They have a couple of models that will support up to 30 pounds. After reading the reviews by some that have purchased it, I took a chance and bid on on of them and got it for just over $400. It is their model 9903. Here is one of the
auctions of that model:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PROFESSIONAL-VIDEO-TRIPOD-KIT-PRO-FLUID-DRAG-HEAD-9903_W0QQitemZ200081723089QQihZ010QQcategoryZ30094QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Here a a couple of the reviews left by buyers of the tripod. They look legit rather than contrived to me:
This is an amazing tripod, genuinely worth MUCH more than I was lucky enough to get mine for. The 9903 is leaps and bounds above the 501 from Manfrotto/Bogen head/tripod system I've been using. The movement is MUCH smoother in pans and tilts. There is a brake for tilting which makes your tilts smooth and controlled and it's as easy as flipping a switch to activate it! The sticks are great, very sturdy and well contructed! And the ease of setting up for lower shots can't be beat! For those with the XL2, like me, you'll find that the mounting plate main screw doesn't fit, but the smaller one does. Both screws are removable from their holes, simply unscrew them(the larger one will need to be slid to the larger notch to be unscrewed). The smaller screw fits the XL2 mounting plate screw hole perfectly! However, the screw itself is too small to stay in the plate(it lacks the larger retaining "lip" to keep it in the track) but if you're like me, you won't need to take it off the camera so this problem isn't really that big a deal!
I was pleasantly surprised with this tripod, it is very sturdy, light and well built, the bowl seems smooth and accurate on the bubble. Tested it for a couple of hours, and it is very good, for the price excellent. I use very heavy camera for today’s standards (40 - 45 lb) Sony or Ikegami BetaCam SP with BVV5 back, Chrozsiel Matte box, Anton Bauer Propack 14 digital, and Portabrace cover, and a small body Arriflex 16 with accoutrements and even with all this it holds very very well, all Pans and tilts seem very smooth, and the breaks hold well too. Maybe with time the weight might take its toll but for now it seems a good purchase, the packaging was great, the bag is as good as many top end tripods, and it comes with two handles and adjustment tools, no instructions, (but if you need instructions to use a tripod, then maybe you shouldn’t own one), hehehehe just kidding. Over all, my feeling is that it is as good as a Vinten 10 or 12, with the same kind of features and bag, costing 2000.00. If you use a lighter camera, or less accessories than I do, and use the tripod properly, you should be OK for years to come. Many tripods suffer tremendously because camera operators and even DP’s try to pan or tilt with out releasing the breaks. And for the other member comment about the rings. The rings on the inside of the legs, are for placing weight, ( battery, sand bags etc) under certain, steep angle placement of the tripod, or if Dutching a shot, or heavy winds, moving vehicle, or anchoring, you use those rings to hang weight on the legs for hold or pull down, without restricting you head movements. Maybe im wrong but for years the rings came in handy. Thanks and good shopping.
I will receive the tripod in a couple of days and let you know what I think. Would be interested in hearing from anyone elso who has purchased one.
I fully realize that those who own Sachtler and Cartoni equipment
will be skeptical , but that's OK. For years I've tried to find cheaper alternatives to high priced products of all kinds, and had a lot of success. You don't know if you don't try.
3046 legs and 3063 head that is strong and works OK, but would like something with a better fluid head. Not being a crowd follower, I have been watching Ebay for an alternative.
A photography supplier , Amvona, lists their line of equipment on Ebay with no reserve and I have won a lot of good items from them, such as a 1000 watt softbox for $110. THe stuff I have gotten is good quality - and they have 53,000 transactions with 99.6% positive feedback. So I thought I would check out their line of tripods and see if they offer anything decent for pro video .
They have a couple of models that will support up to 30 pounds. After reading the reviews by some that have purchased it, I took a chance and bid on on of them and got it for just over $400. It is their model 9903. Here is one of the
auctions of that model:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PROFESSIONAL-VIDEO-TRIPOD-KIT-PRO-FLUID-DRAG-HEAD-9903_W0QQitemZ200081723089QQihZ010QQcategoryZ30094QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Here a a couple of the reviews left by buyers of the tripod. They look legit rather than contrived to me:
This is an amazing tripod, genuinely worth MUCH more than I was lucky enough to get mine for. The 9903 is leaps and bounds above the 501 from Manfrotto/Bogen head/tripod system I've been using. The movement is MUCH smoother in pans and tilts. There is a brake for tilting which makes your tilts smooth and controlled and it's as easy as flipping a switch to activate it! The sticks are great, very sturdy and well contructed! And the ease of setting up for lower shots can't be beat! For those with the XL2, like me, you'll find that the mounting plate main screw doesn't fit, but the smaller one does. Both screws are removable from their holes, simply unscrew them(the larger one will need to be slid to the larger notch to be unscrewed). The smaller screw fits the XL2 mounting plate screw hole perfectly! However, the screw itself is too small to stay in the plate(it lacks the larger retaining "lip" to keep it in the track) but if you're like me, you won't need to take it off the camera so this problem isn't really that big a deal!
I was pleasantly surprised with this tripod, it is very sturdy, light and well built, the bowl seems smooth and accurate on the bubble. Tested it for a couple of hours, and it is very good, for the price excellent. I use very heavy camera for today’s standards (40 - 45 lb) Sony or Ikegami BetaCam SP with BVV5 back, Chrozsiel Matte box, Anton Bauer Propack 14 digital, and Portabrace cover, and a small body Arriflex 16 with accoutrements and even with all this it holds very very well, all Pans and tilts seem very smooth, and the breaks hold well too. Maybe with time the weight might take its toll but for now it seems a good purchase, the packaging was great, the bag is as good as many top end tripods, and it comes with two handles and adjustment tools, no instructions, (but if you need instructions to use a tripod, then maybe you shouldn’t own one), hehehehe just kidding. Over all, my feeling is that it is as good as a Vinten 10 or 12, with the same kind of features and bag, costing 2000.00. If you use a lighter camera, or less accessories than I do, and use the tripod properly, you should be OK for years to come. Many tripods suffer tremendously because camera operators and even DP’s try to pan or tilt with out releasing the breaks. And for the other member comment about the rings. The rings on the inside of the legs, are for placing weight, ( battery, sand bags etc) under certain, steep angle placement of the tripod, or if Dutching a shot, or heavy winds, moving vehicle, or anchoring, you use those rings to hang weight on the legs for hold or pull down, without restricting you head movements. Maybe im wrong but for years the rings came in handy. Thanks and good shopping.
I will receive the tripod in a couple of days and let you know what I think. Would be interested in hearing from anyone elso who has purchased one.
I fully realize that those who own Sachtler and Cartoni equipment
will be skeptical , but that's OK. For years I've tried to find cheaper alternatives to high priced products of all kinds, and had a lot of success. You don't know if you don't try.
