as a supplement to my main tripod Manfrotto 055XPROB I bought this very small and lightweight carbon tripod as a travel tripod and weight alternative.
An unrestricted recommendation receives the stand by me not, but the result was in (my) maximum load (still below the advertised max. Load capacity of 3.5 kg) just too bad (see below), but there is nothing to complain about for my normal mode, ie also in light winds and moderate bearing weight.
Pack Dimensions:
The accommodation in / at Fotorucksack designed favorably simply because of the size compared to 055XPROB. The tripod fits about 3/4 in the outside pocket of my backpack photo. Since I anyway aufbewahre only the rain cover in the outside pocket, I need me to worry about whether something might fall out.
The weight and height ago would with appropriate bag also an accommodation side of the backpack possible without the tripod would survive down. Probable stand strap on the backpack so I do not need in the case, which has the advantage that I just can simply turn on the floor the backpack.
Processing / weight:
The legs are fully extended really extremely thin, but otherwise you can not complain. The terminals are easy to use and which extracts function as it should be. Weight? What weight? It is hardly noticeable ;-)
First test build maximum load:
- Legs and center rod fully extended
- Applied weight, about 3 kg (D90 with 2,8er, 80-200 mm, teleconverter, ball head
- On the terrace was a slight wind
Result:
The combination was in a shaky permanent condition. No sharp image was achieved.
The problem was solved only really abzummildern the 2 weakest points by the middle column was clear and the last Teilstueck the legs retracted completely.
Thus, it was useful in light winds and the weight, but not much more. A mirror lock I saved in the tests. This might have still brought something.
Conclusion Maximum load:
- Flunked simple
Field Trial:
Then we went into the field trial this time without heavy lenses. FB 35s, 105s and the heaviest macro lens a 70-300er zoom, but this still is a lot easier than the 80-200er.
In the last part of leg statement I then dispensed largely, ditto the complete extension of the center column. For the weights, the tripod suggests very good. Overall, I indeed feel that more carbon tends to vibrate, and you have to pay a little more to the fact that not too much moved to lightweight substructure during alignment, but overall I was later on the computer in the pictures does not shake recognize. The working height for me was OK (at 1.93 m height), you can look "comfortable" in a crouch through the viewfinder, so far as this is possible at all.
Conclusion:
Too heavy, the coating weight should not be. The more it approaches the final size, the more unstable and more prone wind is the construction. Long exposures of Dompanoramas at night I would not tackle it, depending on the wind pushes even the 055XPROB as to its limits, for normal operation, when the Great is too heavy and bulky, but you do not want to do without a tripod, it is just right ,
Logically, you should still make an appropriately sized spherical head or the like. My ball head is just under 500g a bit too heavy.
For indoors and light weight applied (possibly. Still mirror lock) should use it for the maximum size range (I have not tested).
Supplement 03.01.2012
After Christmas I have the tripod perhaps used for the 4th time. When screwing on the ball head lock nut of the screw is stopped, so that the screw rotates now. Whether this is now a material error or a flaw in principle, I can not judge, at least I stage until further down the stand from 4 to 1 star.
Once the warranty is done, I'm going to submit its comments once again.
Supplement 11.01.2012
Very accommodating Amazon. House repair money gabs back. Since I have now made 1x neg. Experience with the build quality, I'm going to look around times for alternatives and the assessment remains at 1 Star.
