I've found that "stiffness" is good and it certainly helps in alleviating the effects of wind, mirror slap, shutter slap, touching the camera, etc., but nothing tames these problems like mass. The more lbs or kilos (if you prefer) the better. If you want the very best performance, I can't recommend low weight with extreme lenses. I use the strap and sling 'um over my shoulder - or I use one of my sons as a bearer.
I use a Bogen (Manfrotto) 3258 most of the time. I also have a 3246, but it's not really stable enough for the really big lenses. Even at it's lowest position, I've had the the upper part of the legs vibrate making the whole tripod vibrate ever so slightly. This is not noticeable with the shorter lenses, but it's a problem with the big ones like the 1000 mm that are pushing the weight limit. Six little wood blocks one on each side of the upper part of each leg kills the vibration, but it's a pain and still not the best answer. I have a 20 lb. barbell weight that I fitted for a 3/8" socket using two steel disks and a cut down one inch bolt and nut drilled and tapped for 3/8". Sometimes I fit this to the 3/8" screw on the bottom of the center post. This takes care of the 67's mirror and curtain slap quite nicely. Regards Bob... --------------------------------------------------------------- "I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them long winter evenings." -- Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Sawyer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Hi PDML, > > I need some input regarding the Induro Alloy Series, specifically the > A-414. > > I've been using an old Bogen 3221W with everything but my A600 and a 3036 > for the latter. I do nature photography mostly, and neither is well > suited, > weight-wise, to hauling any distance. Hence, I want something that is > light > and will handle even the A600. > > Most carbon-fiber offerings are well out of my price range, though I noted > both the Feisol and Flashpoint CF items recommended here a couple of > months > ago. Those two are still a bit pricey, though not excessively so. There > are > a couple of other purchases on the near horizon, so I'm watching costs > right > now. > > Yesterday, I saw (and lifted) the Induro A-414, which was selling at a > local > store for $199.00. It claims to handle as much total weight as the 3036 > hernia-maker, weighs only a couple of pounds more than the CF counterparts > mentioned, and seems pretty sturdy and torsion-resistant (the A600 is long > and has the mount at the back end). And it will fit in my checked luggage, > a > requirement. It looks like what I need, but I want to bounce the idea off > of > everyone here before I pull out my VISA and add to the household debt. > > I am grateful for any and all input. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
