Tripod too good to be true?

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
Check out this website. I just ordered the Kessler 8 foot crane (awesome by the way, I just need to get counter weights!)

Anyway, I needed a good tripod to take the weight. Most tripods which can take lots of weight are ridiculously expensive.... but I found a Libec T68 tripod at B&h which has a HUGE capacity of 98lbs....

What do you guys think? I think there is a good chance that is a typo considering all other tripods in its price range are much more expensive.

I ordered it anyway, should be here sometime this week. I guess this thread was to see what others think, kinda like taking bets before it gets here and I can look at the tripod itself.

Thanks!

EDIT: WEBSITE: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/459151-REG/Libec_T68_2_STG_TRIPOD_f_LS_22_SYSTEMS.html
 
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:ignoring lazy question regarding not being able to get to b&h's site:

I dont know much about the t68 but I do have a libec h38 head that I love and it was oddly inexpensive (380 i think). I know they make quite a bit of gear for the big ENG and studio cams so it wouldnt surprise me about the capacity - the price is outstanding though. Possibly because it doesnt have quick locking legs and is aluminum and not fancy CF. Things that wouldnt matter much with the crane really. I hope this works well - could make the kessler an even cheaper option - might have to get one.
 
Sometimes you can pickup a used Davis & Sanford Mark III (or Mark II) with a head on eBay really in the money ($200 or less). I bought two (sold one) and, trust me, they are the absolute bomb for a jib arm/crane.

I bought it specifically for a crane -- forget the specs, you can park a house on top of it!

T68 looks like a good deal for the money--I'm not crazy about 2 stage legs under the weight of a crane . . . the dynamics of swinging a crane on top of a set of sticks (however slowly and carefully) are a lot different than having a heavy ENG camera on it--center of gravity is all over the place.

A good set of surveyor's sticks *might* work depending on how long (and heavy) your jib is going to be by the time you add camera and ballast.
 
well, thats just the legs - what about a head?

the thing about going with lower priced gear is that (especially with a crane) do you want to have saved say $700 on cheaper legs, only to find out that the locks arent as strong as say a bogen or vinten or something and one day between shots your $6000 camera comes crashing to the ground ?

i saw it happen on a lower priced bogen tripod once. if someone hadnt been standing close enough to catch it, the dudes xl2 would have easilly broken in half!

not to say this tripopd wont be great - i just dont know of anyone using them for jibs - the kessler website gives a number of tried and true suggestions - i wouldnt veer to far from those
 
wgzn said:
well, thats just the legs - what about a head?

the thing about going with lower priced gear is that (especially with a crane) do you want to have saved say $700 on cheaper legs, only to find out that the locks arent as strong as say a bogen or vinten or something and one day between shots your $6000 camera comes crashing to the ground ?
Click to expand...

Thats why I am buying cheap but checking the weight it can handle. As far as the head, I bought the new 503HDV and will be putting it on the ball relocator at the end of the crane. I bought the fluid swivel for the base, that way I don't ruin my head!

I just got the crane today and I put it on my $150 coleman tripod made for bestbuy type cameras and still photography. It held the weight of the crane and hvx, but started to bend under the pressure. I quickly stoped playtime.

picture of a very very cheap tripod and the crane
1185338622.jpg
 
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=Prodigy=,

i would suggest getting three Bogen/Manfrotto Quick Super Clamps. Once you set your tripod height just attach them just below the first and second stages of your new tripod. This will add extra support and security as you add weight to the tripod. I do this with a set of Vinten Carbon Fiber legs and my EZFX jib. It works great.

Jim
 
dregenthal said:
Sometimes you can pickup a used Davis & Sanford Mark III (or Mark II) with a head on eBay really in the money ($200 or less). I bought two (sold one) and, trust me, they are the absolute bomb for a jib arm/crane.

I bought it specifically for a crane -- forget the specs, you can park a house on top of it!

T68 looks like a good deal for the money--I'm not crazy about 2 stage legs under the weight of a crane . . . the dynamics of swinging a crane on top of a set of sticks (however slowly and carefully) are a lot different than having a heavy ENG camera on it--center of gravity is all over the place.

A good set of surveyor's sticks *might* work depending on how long (and heavy) your jib is going to be by the time you add camera and ballast.
Click to expand...

(I love Jim's idea re: clamps . . . great idea!).

This is what I was talking about. And you won't need to buy a 503 (which is not near heavy enough for your application) . . . if your're fast, total money, under $40 including shipping: http://cgi.ebay.com/Davis-and-Sanfo...136954102QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280136954102

(and no, it's not mine) . . . but you're welcome.

P.S. sandbags are always a good idea with tripod/crane--jib arm setups.
 
Sandbags are a good idea. I recently used my EZFX jib on a remote beach in rural Mexico and didn't want to transport heavy weights on the airplane. I took a bunch of empty sandbags with me and filled them on location. When we were done at each location we dumped out the sand... got on the 4x4 ATVs we were using to travel the beach and went to our next set up... refilled the bags and all was good.

For indoor shoots closer to home I do typically use steel weights.

Jim
 
Sand bags are a must. I will look into those clamps.

The Tripod came in today!!! But without instruction book..... isn't that odd? Now I can't verify the weight capacity...

Well it was smaller than I thought but rugged. The legs tighten nicely but the angle of spread doesn't lock (has little resistance), which means I'll use carpet and sandbags for sure.

I did a quick test and put all my body weight onto the tripod slowly. I was practically off the ground before I felt the first slight (1/4 inch) slip...

That means it held about 150lbs before I felt any give. I am not saying this is made to hold that amount. I am just saying that the 98lb stats might be accurate.

I'll update more, and will probably call the manufacturer to ask what the weight limit is to verify.
 
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