Tripod help please

scott199

scott199

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Hi peeps

Just wanted a owners opinion or general on one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Ultra-Rexi-Travel-Tripod/dp/B003N3VLU4

Ideally some first hand experience of this tripod or maybe the company/manufacturer

Been trying to find a tripod small enough to leave attached to my lowepro but steady enough to deal with most gear. My main reason is something that is under 40cm folders I'm not so bothered about top height as I'm only 5'10 ish.

Gear wise, d5100 and sigma 70-200 now, but looking at the new tamron 150-600 thing when it's out for Nikon, so need to have that in my mind just in case.

Other options would great fully received

Thanks
 
I'm in the process of looking for a travel tripod purely for holidays when my normal one is too bulky, folded size is high up on my importance list.. read good things about the Velbon mentioned but folded size appears to be 36cm without a head attached, as soon as you add one its probably back over 40cm. I've taken it off my list for this reason

Simon
 
I bought the Velbon Ultra Rexi L a few weeks ago, after spending literally months looking for a travel tripod that wasn't going to cost me an arm and a leg! My criteria was that it had to fold up small (less than 40cm), be light, yet sturdy enough to support my 5D3 + 24-105L. I must say I'm not disappointed. Even with a 10cm tall ballhead attached, it still fits easily into the supplied carry bag. The twist locks take a little getting used to, but are second nature now. It doesn't have spiked feet (only rubber) and I don't think you can get spikes for it. Height-wise, at 5'10, you won't have any issues. I'm 6ft and when it's fully extended with head and camera attached, it's perfectly fine for me. Your only consideration is max. load. The specs say max. load 5kg, recommended load 4kg. If you're intending to put heavy lenses on this, then you need to take this into consideration. The Benro Travel Angel, Benro MeFoto and Manfrotto BeFree all made the shortlist, but couldn't compete on the price. Of course, it usually doesn't come with a ballhead, so you need to factor this into the equation.
 
Hi,
I have had the Velbon Ultra Rexi L for around a year now and it has carried everything from a Nikon D600 with 24-84mm lens attached, to my Fuji X-Pro1. I used it for a trip to Italy and fits comfortably in hand luggage. It is solid, steady and lightweight when compared to my old Manfrotto 055xprob. At 5'10 you will be fine with the height. I am 6ft 1" and it is fine for me. It will cope with a larger zoom lens and your Nikon so long as you use a tripod mount on the lens to distribute the weight more evenly. I think it's a very good tripod for the money and have had no problems with mine. The only issue can be the twist locks can be difficult to unlock if your hands are freezing. I used to live in the Outer Hebrides and with the windchill it would often be -5 or so in Winter which made doing anything difficult. Apart from that you will not go far wrong with this tripod. If you want to know anything about it just give me a shout.
 
simonkit said:
I'm in the process of looking for a travel tripod purely for holidays when my normal one is too bulky, folded size is high up on my importance list.. read good things about the Velbon mentioned but folded size appears to be 36cm without a head attached, as soon as you add one its probably back over 40cm. I've taken it off my list for this reason.
Click to expand...

thanks Simon, its something that did cross my mind, but looking around at my budget, i think something will have to give, i think in fairness i may have to sacrifice a bit of folded height,


Simon[/quote]
Hotshots said:
Not had a look at this one but the http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-BeFree-Compact-Lightweight-Travel/dp/B00COLBNTK/ref=pd_cp_ph_0 is only 40cm when folded down and very well built and sturdy. bit more money but it does have a ball head with quick release plate.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that does look like a good alternative, the few things about the Rexi i was worried about, leg locking system being controlled from the bottom, the bit that sits in the mud :( and the fact it doesn't have a hook for ballast (not that im keen enough to be out in these sort of conditions)

So this is a welcome find :ty:


Steve-T said:
The Redged TSC-427K is worth a look, not really a plug for my site but I did do a full review here http://www.stevetuckerphotography.com/reviews/redged-tsc-427k-carbon-fibre-travel-tripod-kit-review/
Click to expand...

Hi steve, this really does look nice, to be fair i didnt put a price range, i was hoping to spend around the £100 mark give or take, and this come at a little to nice for my price range.

But nice review
 
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I bought the Cullman Nanomax 200T Travel Tripod, fitted with a CB5 Ball head.

My main tripod is a Slik Pro 500DX. A very strong and sturdy tripod, but far too big and heavy for travel.

My wife and I enjoy a foreign travel, and I wanted a tripod that was small and light enough to fit into a suitcase or hand-baggage.

I looked at all the options available, but did not want to spend 'silly money', on something just for holiday use, and the Cullman seemed to fit the bill quite nicely.

Its quite stable, but I would'nt trust leaving it unattended, with heavy and expensive camera gear on top, in windy conditions. That said, used with this in mind, it does the job well, and is very compact and lightweight.

Dave
 
Thank you all for the help.

After looking around, its a close one between the Manfrotto befree, looks really nice, seems to work well from reviews, and also come with the name.

on the other hand, the Velbon Ultra Rexi L does have some really nice features, and just from the two reviews above has put in smack in the running.

@domino1999 and @davidfleetphoto

Have you found any problems with the fact the twist locks for the legs sit in the mud and sand ect, have you had any issues with them getting clogged or stuck ?

Also, sorry to be a pain, but the other problem, was no hook for ballast, is the centre a hollow tube, thinking i could thread it and add a little hook ?

also does anyone own or tried the befree ??
 
scott199 said:
Have you found any problems with the fact the twist locks for the legs sit in the mud and sand ect, have you had any issues with them getting clogged or stuck ?

Also, sorry to be a pain, but the other problem, was no hook for ballast, is the centre a hollow tube, thinking i could thread it and add a little hook ?
Click to expand...

As I've only had it a few weeks and the weather's been so bad, I've not taken it outside yet. I've only used it indoors for portraits and macro work. I would imagine that since you need to twist the foot of each leg to lock it in position (if using the lowest section), then your hands are likely to get muddy if it's been standing in mud.

The centre column is a hollow tube, but it has a plastic screw-in end-cap. I was thinking of perhaps drilling a small hole in the cap to attach a ballast hook - I think that would work pretty well, but not sure how much weight it would support.

Sorry, I've not used the BeFree.
 
domino1999 said:
As I've only had it a few weeks and the weather's been so bad, I've not taken it outside yet. I've only used it indoors for portraits and macro work. I would imagine that since you need to twist the foot of each leg to lock it in position (if using the lowest section), then your hands are likely to get muddy if it's been standing in mud.

The centre column is a hollow tube, but it has a plastic screw-in end-cap. I was thinking of perhaps drilling a small hole in the cap to attach a ballast hook - I think that would work pretty well, but not sure how much weight it would support.

Sorry, I've not used the BeFree.
Click to expand...

thank you sir, that is loads of help, so the centre column all ready has thread ?? i was going to get the Fab boys in my work to make me up a little screw cap with a hook welded/attached.

If this does or will work, i would happily have another made at the same time for you.
 
Ive also owned the Velbon for around a year, and have been nothing but impressed with it. The heaviest combo I ever used on it was a Nikon D700 and 24-70 f2.8 Nikkor, so quite a hefty chunk, and it performed exactly how I would want it to. I used to own a big chunky Giottos tripod, but found that I would never take it anywhere because of the weight. No such problems with the Velbon. And yes, the twist locks do take a little getting used to and if you try using them for the first time when your hands are cold, it can hurt. Once they have been used a few times and you are used to the way they work...its all good!
 
scott199 said:
thank you sir, that is loads of help, so the centre column all ready has thread ?? i was going to get the Fab boys in my work to make me up a little screw cap with a hook welded/attached.
Click to expand...

Yes it's threaded and I don't see any reason why you couldn't fabricate a metal end cap with a hook welded to it.
 
thank you all, the Velbon certainly seems to be liked by anyone that owns it, which is in itself a testament.

the befree seems a little illusive in regards to video reviews and such, any idea why ?
 
scott199 said:
Thank you all for the help.

After looking around, its a close one between the Manfrotto befree, looks really nice, seems to work well from reviews, and also come with the name.

on the other hand, the Velbon Ultra Rexi L does have some really nice features, and just from the two reviews above has put in smack in the running.

@domino1999 and @davidfleetphoto

Have you found any problems with the fact the twist locks for the legs sit in the mud and sand ect, have you had any issues with them getting clogged or stuck ?

Also, sorry to be a pain, but the other problem, was no hook for ballast, is the centre a hollow tube, thinking i could thread it and add a little hook ?

also does anyone own or tried the befree ??
Click to expand...
I haven't had any issues with it but and this is a big but, When shooting in horrible conditions I generally have used my Manfrotto and as the other poster pointed out ... you will end up with mud on your hands if the feet are muddy as you have to grab the feet to twist the legs in order to retract the legs. Also, there is no point from which to hang ballast off but I have never used that technique myself. There is indeed a screw cap so you could replace it as you mentioned.

Overall I would recommend it.
 
Thanks again, think im sold on the Velbon, just seems to have slightly more to offer, with a few slight alterations think it will be fine.

i am going to try and get some where i can actually feel and see these things, the befree should be simple as currys stock manfrotto, the velbon......maybe different.

but another question now, if you kind folk would be so nice,

What head ?
 
Another thumbs up for the Velbon Ultra Rexi L.

I've had mine for about a year and, like all the other owners have told you, I've been very impressed. I use it as my travel tripod and as a backup to my Manfrotto 055CXPRO4.

I use a Manfrotto 498RC4 ball head with it which is a bit overkill really. I probably could have got away with a slightly smaller ball head in reality but I wanted the option of using the Rexi with my heavy FF DSLR gear (I use it for M43 gear mostly). The ball head is the weak link in the whole set up - I really don't like ball heads but they are among the most compact which was the whole point of the combo.

With the ball head on it measures 45cm folded, but to be honest I usually unscrew the head for transportation making it even more compact. It only takes 15 seconds to firmly screw it back on.

The feature that I really like is it's ability to get really close to the ground - much closer and much easier than my Manfrotto.

The leg locks are fine, nothing more nothing less. I tend to over tighten them which makes them bloody hard to undo but that's getting less of an issue now I'm using it a bit more regularly. They have no problem holding up 3kg of DSLR, it's a very rigid bit of kit overall.

What head should you buy??
Well, if being compact is the overriding criteria then it has to be a ball head - Manfrotto 496 (6kg max load) or the even smaller 494 (4kg max load). Either should be more than sturdy enough for your gear.

Cheers

Mark
 
Gupster said:
Another thumbs up for the Velbon Ultra Rexi L.

With the ball head on it measures 45cm folded, but to be honest I usually unscrew the head for transportation making it even more compact. It only takes 15 seconds to firmly screw it back on.

The feature that I really like is it's ability to get really close to the ground - much closer and much easier than my Manfrotto.


What head should you buy??
Well, if being compact is the overriding criteria then it has to be a ball head - Manfrotto 496 (6kg max load) or the even smaller 494 (4kg max load). Either should be more than sturdy enough for your gear.

Cheers

Mark
Click to expand...

Thank you Mark

That has sealed the deal, i will be getting the Velbon i think, the feature you mention, was/is the overriding factor, something i also like (if i use it is a different matter...:P ) but it does open up another angle for me to learn from being so low.

I also agree, my plan was to remove the head, so thanks for the info, the Mafrotto 494 looks good, certainly on the watch list.
 
Hi
Cheers for the help, budget wise I had £150 in mind for the complete set-up

So around £40- £50 max on a head.

But same as the tripod, if it's right then I would spend a little more.
 
Sorry, just thought I'd get that in first.

Just seen a redsnapper for sale, looked at the measurements and all though it's slightly bigger, does seem to overcome some of the faults with the other 2.

Legs fold flat, like rexi, for low shots, but has spikes and a hook, it's also close to half the price when a head is involved on the rexi.

Can anyone give first hand experience please, it this one

RSF-284 & RSH-61 Ball Head
 
:oops: :$ Sorry didn't know redsnapper were such a main stream thing on here,

thanks.
 
I use a sunwayfoto fb36 on my velbon cf tripod.
If I take the centre column out and reverse it the head fits between the legs. The final length is 38cm. I take it everywhere I would have left my old large gitzo tripod at home.
 
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DaveS2 said:
I bought the Cullman Nanomax 200T Travel Tripod, fitted with a CB5 Ball head.

My main tripod is a Slik Pro 500DX. A very strong and sturdy tripod, but far too big and heavy for travel.

My wife and I enjoy a foreign travel, and I wanted a tripod that was small and light enough to fit into a suitcase or hand-baggage.

I looked at all the options available, but did not want to spend 'silly money', on something just for holiday use, and the Cullman seemed to fit the bill quite nicely.

Its quite stable, but I would'nt trust leaving it unattended, with heavy and expensive camera gear on top, in windy conditions. That said, used with this in mind, it does the job well, and is very compact and lightweight.

Dave
Click to expand...

Im thinking about hitting the button on this today :)

A
 
Hi Scott - I know that the REDGED 427K Steve mentioned was too expensive - but have you looked at the TSC-522K - it got a 5* review in AP in December, it's 34cm folded (with the head) and includes the head in the price.

The Velbon is a pretty nice tripod too though, much lighter than it looks and I like the locks on the legs
 
jamestux said:
Hi Scott - I know that the REDGED 427K Steve mentioned was too expensive - but have you looked at the TSC-522K - it got a 5* review in AP in December, it's 34cm folded (with the head) and includes the head in the price.

The Velbon is a pretty nice tripod too though, much lighter than it looks and I like the locks on the legs
Click to expand...

hi James.

that certainly is an option i hadn't looked at, does seem to tick all the boxes, lol gone from cant really find anything, to so much choice.

thanks for that, i will have a good look at it.
 
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