Anyone use a builders level tripod

Not sure about the weight limit, but it gives me an idea for something else that I need a tripod to hold. And cheap is good for this as long as it is somewhat sturdy. Wonder if any of my local building stores would have those in stock so I could look at them.

Some of the old surveyor tripods would probably do what you need, might be heavier than needed to carry around, but might be cheap enough to do what you want.
 
The one you have from Amazon is good and solid. I needed a tripod to carry a camera/lens/head setup of about 55lbs. It did the job.
 
Paul F said:
The one you have from Amazon is good and solid. I needed a tripod to carry a camera/lens/head setup of about 55lbs. It did the job.
Click to expand...

Did you use that exact Bosch. Just wondering if it was hard to deal with. Seems like getting the legs level might be tough?
 
Yes, I have the Bosch BT160. I don't know what you mean about tough to deal with. When the legs are unlocked, they slide down by themselves (very loose) and the lever locks them tight. It does not have a level.

I've had other brands as well. The surveryor's tripods are all pretty much the same. Keep in mind that they do not have spreaders to keep them from collapsing completely flat. Notice that it has sharp spikes for feet as it is expected to be mostly set on soil. They are nothing special, but they are solid.
 
I just thought the legs might not slide out as easy as a regular tripod.

Would you say the Bosch is as heavy duty as a heavy duty photo/video tripod? Would you recommend using it instead if I can get a deal.

The problem I'm have is my tripod is twisting in a circular motion when I crank the handle on my slider. But I had a pistol grip. So I have a bunch a week links. Just trying to start eliminating,,,lol.
 
Quick Cal said:
Would you say the Bosch is as heavy duty as a heavy duty photo/video tripod? Would you recommend using it instead if I can get a deal.
Click to expand...

I can't answer that, but I can say it can take a lot of weight and is solid vertically. But it's not as solid as my Vinten carbon fiber tripod when it comes to twist. It's a $50 tripod, not an $1200 tripod so don't expect miracles.

Quick Cal said:
The problem I'm have is my tripod is twisting in a circular motion when I crank the handle on my slider.
Click to expand...
Then you may not like the Bosch. I replaced the top with a Miller 100mm bowl so I don't recall how solid it was regarding twist. With the Miller bowl it is not as solid as the Vinten and I worked on it to make it as solid (twisting) as I could.

Quick Cal said:
Are the blue pieces on the Bosch plastic?
Click to expand...
The blue parts connecting the legs to the top are metal. The blue parts with the red lock handles are metal. The bottom blue part is plastic.
 
Tripods twist like crazy with no spreader, to make them not twist takes a lot of strong design work at the leg pivot. I once made my own wooden tripod and didn't build a spreader for simplicity, I then found that it would twist a lot when I was panning a camera. Built it for stills anyway so not a big deal.
 
Yes I use a surveyors tripod for photography and video. Much more stable ( esp in a wind) and with a higher load capacity than most photo or video triopds and the twin tube design makes them very twist proof. You don’t need to buy expensive Bosch branded ones - go on ebay and buy a generic one. For even more sturdiness get a set designed for total stations. They are all dirt cheap compared to video/photo sticks but not without problems;
Limited height range due to one stage design and no spreader ( although you can buy a survey spreader as an accessory)
They don’t pack down very small.
You will need to make or buy some kind of adapter to convert from the survey standard 5/8unc thread to the photo standard 3/8unc.
 
Cameras cost a lot. They are delicate. They need keeping level. They need to stay rigid when you pan, tilt and slide. They need to be quickly moved and levelled. They need the support to be absolutely reliable. The need to be able to be used on any type of surface. They mustn't collapse or twist or bend. This tripod seems to do very few of these.

Seriously - you want to t thousands of pounds worth of kit on a childrens pocket money tripod? What bodges will you have to do to keep it safe? Rope, straps, timber struts - absolute madness.Hesvy duty solid tripods and supports cost money! Builders tripods don't have the same demands. Theirs just need to stay where they are put - twist and unbalanced loads are not catered for as not needed.
 
paulears said:
Cameras cost a lot. They are delicate. They need keeping level. They need to stay rigid when you pan, tilt and slide. They need to be quickly moved and levelled. They need the support to be absolutely reliable. The need to be able to be used on any type of surface. They mustn't collapse or twist or bend. This tripod seems to do very few of these.

Seriously - you want to t thousands of pounds worth of kit on a childrens pocket money tripod? What bodges will you have to do to keep it safe? Rope, straps, timber struts - absolute madness.Hesvy duty solid tripods and supports cost money! Builders tripods don't have the same demands. Theirs just need to stay where they are put - twist and unbalanced loads are not catered for as not needed.
Click to expand...

Do you have any idea how much a leica total station or scanner costs or the tolerances for stability required for them to operate correctly?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top