Libec tripod legs

Hehe, deja vu for me.

Check out this thread a couple of weeks ago by yours truly.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=104668

The thread isn't very informative but my last post is worth reading:
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.
Click to expand...
To update, these legs hold alot of weight. When I approached the 80+ lb zone, I did begin to be paranoid. A videographer tends to worry when a $6,000 camera is 11 feet off the ground and the legs need to be 100% reliable.

Although the tripod gave about a 1/4th of an inch when I slowly put my body weight on top (150lbs slowly added), when I had the camera and crane weight around 85 lbs, I would boom the camera downward very fast and come to a rest. This added weight from the movement (added weight of camera slowing down velocity) sometimes made the locks on the legs 'bump' just a half centimeter. This is nothing much at all (barely noticable), but it was enough to freak me out.

With a little thinking I found a great solution!

Check out these pictures:
1187505077.jpg

1187505139.jpg


I cut three slabs of wood EXACTLY equal to the space between the first stage of the tripod. I stuck those babies in and have two strips of velcro around each one to hold them in place. Now I do not worry about the tripod locks ever slipping. I know when you asked this question you didn't mention a crane or the high weight limit, but I thought I would use this as a time I could update my findings like I said I would in the previous thread.

The tripod is a great one. It is sturdy enough for all cameras. Some things I don't like about it would include how light it is. I also dont like how the angle of the legs don't latch in place or can be tightened.

Conclusion: This tripod is a must if you are strapped for cash. It is the cheapest tripod/highest weight capacity combo I could find. I would definately recommend using a carpet square (or spreader) and sand bags at all times for secure peice of mind. You should do this for all tripods. If you have more money and do not need the high listed weight capacity I would consider some other tripods. Also another plus is that this tripod is a 75mm bowl. I bought a 75mm half bowl and now my Bogen 503hdv can bowl level for easy leveling.

Plus 75mm bowl tripods are a perfect beer bottle holder at waist height! :)
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