Tripod That You Have Now

[ageha]

The sunwayfoto heads are literally carbon copies of RRS ball heads, why is there such a big diff in weight capacity of the head? One claming to hold up to 40kg while the other says 8kg :O

You know the answer.

 

[Blur Shadow]

The sunwayfoto heads are literally carbon copies of RRS ball heads, why is there such a big diff in weight capacity of the head? One claming to hold up to 40kg while the other says 8kg :O

RRS prefers to be conservative when stating the limits of their products. They did mention that even a BH-30 can handle the larger telephoto lenses on occasion.

 

[Kenneth67C]

Last night I had a go at testing the bubble level and panning of these heads:

All I can say is that the panning base of these ballheads are off, the bubble level is not alined perfectly flat. Maybe I'm anal about it, but it was a bit disappointing to find that when you turn the head thru 360deg, the level doesn't stay flat. The heads with the panning built into the mount were the best at keeping level...did my testing on the Sirui R3203 after levelling the tripod.

I suppose that in use, the slight misalinement would not have a major impact on the pictures which will be cropped anyway soooo...just FYI.

 

[ageha]

Last night I had a go at testing the bubble level and panning of these heads:

All I can say is that the panning base of these ballheads are off, the bubble level is not alined perfectly flat. Maybe I'm anal about it, but it was a bit disappointing to find that when you turn the head thru 360deg, the level doesn't stay flat. The heads with the panning built into the mount were the best at keeping level...did my testing on the Sirui R3203 after levelling the tripod.

I suppose that in use, the slight misalinement would not have a major impact on the pictures which will be cropped anyway soooo...just FYI.

Is the base off or is it just the bubble level?

 

[Kenneth67C]

Is the base off or is it just the level?

Its the bottom part of the ballhead, that panning part.
May have something to do with the eliptical/spherical ball(?).

For panos, best to get the panning head that attaches to the top of the ballhead like the one I have on the PC36.
You can get the one from Sunwayfoto DDH-02/03 panning clamp or the Benro PC-1/PC-0.

 

[Kit]

FYI, bubble levellers are never 100%. They serve as a guide. You got to make the finer adjustments if you are particular about aligning your verticals and horizons.

 

[tonyep]

For panos, best to get the panning head that attaches to the top of the ballhead like the one I have on the PC36.
You can get the one from Sunwayfoto DDH-02/03 panning clamp or the Benro PC-1/PC-0.

It's best to use a proper panoramic head without any ballhead for panorama.

 

[Blur Shadow]

If you want things to be really precise, you would need a leveling base too.

I know because I am trained in the use of survey equipment (those you see for surveying land and buildings), and to be really accurate as you turn, you need to make it flush with the surface, something you can never achieve by merely adjusting the tripod.

 

[Kit]

Yes, the surface on which the rotating device sits on must be levelled first before anything else. All panning should be done above this flat surface.

 

[Kenneth67C]

Yes, the surface on which the rotating device sits on must be levelled first before anything else. All panning should be done above this flat surface.

Yup, I did that, levelled the tripod first checking that the top mounting surface is level using a bubble level to confirm this.

I'll try this again with the geared head to see this is better.

 

[Kenneth67C]

Redid the exercise, this time its still within tolerable limits (within the lines of the bubble level). The geared head is fine but still cannot rely on the manufacturer's built in bubble level.

I think in the end, its best to get a bubble level that you can put onto the cam and use that to level. That would be the most accurate.
Of course with the 5D3, I can use the built in electronic level.

 

[Kit]

http://timgriffithphotographer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/levelfive.jpg

This is a classic photo. No 2 bubble levellers are born alike.....

for finer adjustments, its still back to eyeballing.

 

[Kit]

Redid the exercise, this time its still within tolerable limits (within the lines of the bubble level). The geared head is fine but still cannot rely on the manufacturer's built in bubble level.

I think in the end, its best to get a bubble level that you can put onto the cam and use that to level. That would be the most accurate.
Of course with the 5D3, I can use the built in electronic level.

I never use the levellers on the geared heads (Multiflex and C1 alike). They are at best, for decorative purposes only.

I find that cameras' built-in levellers have too much "range". On my D800e, I can dial in as much as 1/5 deg(both ways) and the leveller still shows that its spot on.

 

[Kenneth67C]

I never use the levellers on the geared heads (Multiflex and C1 alike). They are at best, for decorative purposes only.

I find that cameras' built-in levellers have too much "range". On my D800e, I can dial in as much as 1/5 deg(both ways) and the leveller still shows that its spot on.

I've not see the D800e's leveller, but the one on the 5D3 seems fine. Maybe I'll go kapo the pretty girl at the cam shop and ask her to open one to compare...lol

 

[Kit]

Interesting. I would imagine electronics to be more consistent though. If there are discrepancies, don't know how to fix also. Only camera I know of which allows calibration to be done(by user) is the OMD.

 

[ijnek]

a noob Q...
i hv a sirui t1004 tripod and am thinkin of changing the g10 ball head to a manfrotto as i prefer the quick release feature on the manfrotto.
i hv in mind the 496rc2...
i checked and i should b able to fix the manfrotto ballhead to the sirui tripod.
jus need a confirmation if it's possible or am i missin out some vital info?
thx...

 

[EngCK]

Hi guy,

Jz bought a sirui tx series tripod yesterday with a short column provided, facing problem that couldn't transfer the hook from long to short column (encounter the screw threads is different).

Wondering is it design to be like this(meaning no hook is attachable when using short column)? Or defect?

Thanks for help!

 

[denzelwng4]

Hi guy,

Jz bought a sirui tx series tripod yesterday with a short column provided, facing problem that couldn't transfer the hook from long to short column (encounter the screw threads is different).

Wondering is it design to be like this(meaning no hook is attachable when using short column)? Or defect?

Thanks for help!

better call the shop bro.

 

[EngCK]

I did called them but they said it can't attach hook when using short column?? Just would like to check with anyone of you who own the same tripod.

Thanks!

 

[d2xpeter]

Gitzo G1228 mk2 with foba mini-superball.