YATT - Yet Another Tripod Thread

G

galt

Well-known member
I thought I was set on the 503/351MVB Bogen kit.

Rush / EVS (my first choice) is out of stock.

AbelCine evidently only has one guy who can take an order, and he has not called me back 2 days later. Since this was my first experience with them, I don't feel a need to beg them to take my money. I can get lousy srevice/ support anywhere.

B&H (I got one of the rare nitwits on the phone) tells me that this tripod will not work without the mid-level spreader attached, which is contrary to other information I have received. (Does anyone know the RIGHT answer?)

So can anyone refer me to someone who can answer the phone, take an order, hopefully have in stock what I want, have competitive pricing, and give me correct answers (or at least convince me that he knows the correct answer) to my last remaining questions?
 
You absolutely do NOT need the midlevel spreader attached to use the tripod. The legs have stops for three positions--two different leg spead angles, and no stop at all. So the spreader is not necessary. B&H is an honest vendor, but their sales staff is prone to giving out misinformation--that's why EVS is the better alternative.
 
Sorry about your experiences galt. Thanks for giving us a shot first. Boy I have been scratching my head trying to figure out how to get Bogen to send us more of those dang kits. We still have 25 on b/o with them.... :embarasse

But BarryS is correct you don't need the midlevel spreader, because the tripod is just the 2-stage version of the versatile 3182 1-stage tripod. And that doesn't need a spreader. It has a rotating 3-position leg lock on each leg, for tight grouping, loose grouping, and free. Best of luck.
 
"B&H is an honest vendor, but their sales staff is prone to giving out misinformation--that's why EVS is the better alternative."

Ouch.....some of us here prefer B&H for various reasons, but no reason to slag them off like that.
 
Thanks Barry & Rush. I guess I can order from B&H, I probbaly should have just called them back and hoped for a different nitwit. I am just glad you guys are around to keep me informed. That 351 kit just keeps sounding like the right tripod for me, although I am trying to buy a set of used 3046 legs on eBay also for when I need to be tall. If I spent as much time marketing my business as I do shopping for gadgets, I would be too busy to shop foir gadgets...
 
Hey, don't get me wrong. I've ordered a ton of stuff from B&H and it's a great store. Some of their staff is great, but, I've gotten lots of misinformation from uninformed sales people and have had friends also get incorrect information. If you know *exactly* what you want, B&H is fine, but if you need some advice or help with application questions, you may or may not get someone that knows what they're talking about. They also have a tendancy to rush through your order.

EVS has prices that generally meet or beat B&H, it's easier talking to Rush and the EVS staff, and they support our community by donating great prizes for DVXfest. Plus they've got a fantastic track record with members of this site. So that's why I recommend them, especially for folks that need some advice before they order.

pookie said:
"B&H is an honest vendor, but their sales staff is prone to giving out misinformation--that's why EVS is the better alternative."

Ouch.....some of us here prefer B&H for various reasons, but no reason to slag them off like that.
Click to expand...
 
Rush is usually my first choice. Rush, not EVS...

But since Bogen/Manifrotto seems to be mad at EVS :) and not want to ship them tripods, what's a fella to do? Hey rush, how about calling one of your other tripod vendors and getting some "special pricing" to kick Bogen's butt? It doesn't hurt Bogen when I go to B&H, but now if Sachtler or someone stepped up with a competitive price (think another hundred off), guess what I would do? And no, I have still not placed my order. I needed tripod for today, and now I am a couple of weeks from next important shoot.
 
Thanks galt! :)

I would go ahead and order the tripod wherever it's available, I mean you have a shoot to do, and the 351 really are great sticks. If anything changes over here, I will be sure to post about it.

Yeah, the closest good deal from another vendor is the Cartoni Action Pro at $584, but it's a one stage tripod. It does have the coolest one-touch button leg release though, and a mid-level spreader.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=APRO
 
oooohhhh I guess we need to talk when you get into work. Trouble is, on Friday I am almost done by then...
 
Galt, we finally got the 503-351MVB2 Tripods. :thumbsup: $484.95

We have 15 of the 40 we ordered. The other 25 will be here in a week. Email me if you want one. :)
 
Awesome! I dunno about Galt, but I'll be picking up one soon. Just waiting for a check in the mail.

I'm hoping this tripod will be a good investment. One that will last me a while. :grin:
 
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