Dynatran 994 Carbon Fibre Tripod Mini Review

[condyk]

Ok, let's do the sums for a Carbon Fibre and Magnesium tripod that is more than fit for purpose, ever for a larger lens, well built, light, stable and also comes with a very decent Magnesium ball head. Here in the UK we're talking around £270 or so delivered for say a Manfrotto 55 CF with Manfrotto 488 ballhead. Very nice indeed.

But what if you could get pretty much the same for half that price? Would you be silly to take a chance on an unknown brand just to save some cash? Let's face it tripod technology isn't exactly rocket science, so the design side isn't going to be any big deal. What we need to look out for is any corner cutting. I am fussy. I am also unwilling to spend out for a brand name unless I am really adding value to my photography.

So, my original shortlist finally included the 190 and 55 CF Manfrotto's, the 2227 Gitzo or another Feisol (very nice, had two from them before). I am not a big tripod user and I needed one for travel so 4 section and carbon fibre was essential to keep size and weight down. My experience is also that a lighter tripod will be carried and used. A heavy one will stay at home or in the car boot!

I'm thinking the Manfrotto 190 Cf is the one and then I do a final check on Dynatran that a couple of guys had mentioned in the past. i am a tight wad. Why not check 'em out. The reviews are good. I respect what they guys say. They are real world shooters not brand collectors. They are like me.

I check my options there. I see there is a realistic chance I can save £100 or so and lose nothing worth worrying about. I check the images. I am a bit worried about build. I take a chance and bid. I lose a few because they go higher than I want to pay. I lose a Gitzo. I enquire about a SH 190 but more expensive than I can get new ... and he sells it anyway. I bid on a couple more. Finally, I bid and win ;)

So, for we UK types the risk is always import charges when buying overseas. I ended up paying VAT and a £13.50 collection fee. I paid extra P&P for the USPS option as I'd never been hit before via that route but I was this time. I should have saved and gone with UPS. In total, I paid £110 for the tripod, head and P&P from the US and then I paid an extra £28 on top for import related charges. For £138 it is a very decent set of legs, a very nice ballhead and I got excellent service from Amvona. I'm quite sure it'll meet my needs. Is the Gitzo twice as good :lol: :lol: No! Is the Gitzo 'cooler', yes! Do I care ... :cool: Excellent purchase.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri1.jpg
The top of the legs/centre column area is very strong and well put together. very easy to adjust the legs, either single standard position or any variation you like.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri2.jpg
The carry strap is strong with a very easy and secure screw in connection at the top and the bottom fixes to the centre strut hook (see below). Also comes with a decent bag with front pocket, a bag for adding weight/stability once 'erect', if you need it in windy conditions, and an adjustment tool.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri3.jpg
The feet have soft rubber cups which can be easily removed. Nice for my wood floors.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri4.jpg
The hook looks like cheap plastic but it is actually a very light metal; perhaps magnesium. Plenty strong enough to hang a bag.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri5.jpg
The leg locks are secure and easy to use. They have a semi soft rubber coating which seems nicer than using a harder plastic. Easy to put up and take down tho' not as quick as clips.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri7.jpg
The ballhead fixes to a solid plate on the top of the centre column. It is strong and secure but I'd have preferred to be able to remove the centre column, as I did with my ex Feisol. It is fine tho' and adds very little weight while giving the option of use in the field. This shows the Manfrotto head, which I have always been happy with.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri8.jpg
Each leg has a sponge holding area at the top which is nice if the weather is a bit chilly. You can also rest it on your shoulder comfortably. As you can see it is plenty tall enough. I am 5'10' and with the head and 30D camera added it is probably an inch too tall for me in bare feet. No need to extend the centre column. For a six footer it will be ideal.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri9.jpg
Here we see the ballhead. It is their top of the range Magnesium H96 model and light but strong and easy to use. The QR plate is included. I am wedded to my Manfrotto, despite the heavier weight, as I have a few RC2 QR plates and I am now used to it. The Dynatran head is perfectly decent and I would otherwise by happy to use it. The plate is twice the size of the RC2's and very secure. Impossible to move when clamped and also very smooth in all respects, so I am confident it is a very good bit of kit. The panning action is nice and silky.

[synapz]

thanks for that, I have got a pair of Dynatran legs, and im looking for a head. Do you recomend that head?

[condyk]

Head is cool ... I'd be very happy with it had I not been using my 488 for the last year. I might even use it as it has a couple of accurate spirit levels to help with levelling. But I have extra QR plates for the Manfrotto already so less hassle if I cange lenses.

[DavidEB]

how close to the ground can you get, for taking flower shots?

if you tilt the ballhead (either the dynatran or the manfrotto you're using) to portrait orientation, with a heavy lens and a flash, does it hold steady?

can you remove the QR mount from the ballheads to mount one of your own choice (should you eventually choose to go ARCA)?

[cfcRebel]

Nice review Dave. Glad it arrived promptly.:)

[condyk]

how close to the ground can you get, for taking flower shots?

I just put it down and I'd say around 16" from the ground. If you didn't need the centre column to extend up, or didn't need the hook, then you could cut the column and throw away the excess length. By doing this you would get within 4" or so of the plant. This would make a perfectly usable Macro tripod. I also took off the foot cups here which gets you maybe an extra 1/2". I think the Feisol design, where can unscrew most of the column length and just leave the top section for the head, is better.

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri10.jpg

http://www.buzzdns.com/tri11.jpg

if you tilt the ballhead (either the dynatran or the manfrotto you're using) to portrait orientation, with a heavy lens and a flash, does it hold steady?

I tilted with my 30D, 15-30mm which is big and heavy for a widey and the 430EX flash and no problem at all. I don't have anything heavier. Sorry. It doesn't feel like it would be a problem with anything I have used before: Bigma, 100-300mm f4.0, 100-400 IS L, etc.

can you remove the QR mount from the ballheads to mount one of your own choice (should you eventually choose to go ARCA)?

Yes, it seems that way.

[DavidEB]

very informative. nice review.

[cfcRebel]

You can reverse the center column if you want to get closer to the ground for macro. For example,

[condyk]

You can reverse the center column if you want to get closer to the ground for macro. For example,

Nice one Fee ... I never thought of that :lol: works exactly the same on mine.

Another thing I noticed is that you have 3 foot choices: first, you have the rubber feet which are nice for woorden floors; second, you have hard plastic ball feet which again are nice on a wooden floor but also allow you to go lower; third, you screw up the ball feet and spiked metal feet are revealed. Very nice and thoughtful design.

[lakiluno]

What was the overall cost for the outfit? I'll eventually need a high quality tripod thats pretty light, so I need to guage the cheapest options before you get into cheapo aluminium (or heavier) tripods

Leo

[condyk]

What was the overall cost for the outfit? I'll eventually need a high quality tripod thats pretty light, so I need to guage the cheapest options before you get into cheapo aluminium (or heavier) tripods

Leo

Read the text because it is all spelt out ;)

[Juan Zas]

Thank you Dave, nice review.

I am travelling tomorrow to USA (Wash DC & NYC) and one of my ideas is to change my tripod. I have the idea of the Manfrotto 3021PRO with a ballhead 322RC2, but your review has point me out to it. I was looking in the internet and I don´t find the DynaTran 994, but looking to the Amvona page, I found the AT CF 94 that looks identical to yours:

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2117

It´s a little overpriced. Do you have any reference with the 3021PRO?

[cfcRebel]

Another thing I noticed is that you have 3 foot choices: I thought that's standard in those Gitzo, Bogen, Manfrotto tripods. No? :lol:
The spikes are really handy when i'm out in the woods, especially in muddy area shooting shore birds.

[cfcRebel]

I was looking in the internet and I don´t find the DynaTran 994, but looking to the Amvona page, I found the AT CF 94 that looks identical to yours:

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2117

It´s a little overpriced. Do you have any reference with the 3021PRO?Juan, look for them ("Amvona.com") on eBay. I have posted a few examples in another post. Click the links to see the auctions, select "View seller's other items" on the auction page to find more tripods.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1445799&postcount=13

[condyk]

I was looking in the internet and I don´t find the DynaTran 994, but looking to the Amvona page, I found the AT CF 94 that looks identical to yours:

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2117

It´s a little overpriced. Do you have any reference with the 3021PRO?

CF94 seems identical ... the 994 kit comes with the ballhead. You must buy off eBay and not from their web site. The RRP is high buying direct. You can get a bargain via ebay. Personally I think the 190 and 55 CF Manfrotto's are very good buys if you are paying US prices. In the UK they are rather more expensive and don't offer the benefit over the Dynatron in my view. I don't know the 3021 Pro.

[Juan Zas]

Thanks Dave & cfcRebel

[Mitcon]

Very nice review Dave and glad your pleased with this bit of kit. The only down side I have found with this set of legs is a very slight flaw, don't over tighten the centre column grip when the with the column fully extended as it tends to lock up. I can't see how it will ever be a problem for most folks though unless your 8 feet tall lol. I'm certain this review will help alot of folks make better informed choices, I too am one of those people who like to only buy something for it's ability to perform it's task, not for it's name. Still haven't had a chance to throw the EF 500 & 600mm lenses on this set of legs, I will though right after I get a chance to scratch myself lol. I'm pretty sure that they will still suffice very well though not 2 or 3 section legs which for a real load will always be better but at that cost of portability.

[sjd70]

Thanks Condyk,

Great review with informative pics and comments. I have been looking at Manfrotto products on e-bay (AU) and they are going for silly prices. I have switched to DynaTran and thank you and the forum for putting me on to this product.

Cheers

Sean

[condyk]

I have switched to DynaTran and thank you and the forum for putting me on to this product.


No problem Sean ... I did my PADI originally in Bundaberg. Here's a very old shot taken with my old Kodak P&S with an amazing 3MP :lol: Is Salty's still there? We stayed at a place just over the road. Nice town. Stayed about 2 weeks or so. We went to the Bundaberg Brewery too.

[saad]

All right! Really good review, condyk. Thanks for the detailed info, now I just have to get myself over to the UK so I can finally buy this thing. Can't buy it where I currently am, long story...sigh, 4 months. Can't wait. NEWCASTLE, HERE I COME!

[synapz]

Ive been reading reviews on tese tripods for weeks and finaly puchased one. How long did you have to wait for it to be deliverd?

[non-ricer]

i just got this and im loving it... great writeup btw!!!

[sjd70]

Sadly Salty's Dive shop has closed. I had never seen the signwriting so vivid. It certainly has faded since then.

They still operate the fishing tackle store on a different location.

I have done a refresher dive in their pool out back a few years ago. Sad to see an operator in the dive business leave. It is a very competative area here!

Did you vist the brewery (ginger beer) or the distillery (Bundaberg Rum)?

Great town!

Sean

[IIIMik3]

Just wanted to add to this thread. I recently bought both a CF983 and 985 from Amvona. I have to say that i wasn't too happy w/ the 983. It just didn't feel sturdy enough, BUT the 985 is absolutely perfect. It's everything i was looking for in a tripod. I'd say it's the happy medium between a sturdy studio tripod and a lightweight backpackers tripod. Great build quality, and a GREAT deal. I got the 983 for $101 after shipping and the 985 for $192 after shipping (USD).

to the OP, just to let you know, i actually contacted amvona to see exactly how you're supposed to attach the strap, and the way you have it is incorrect. You're actually supposed to put that small metal loop on the mounting screw and then screw it in. It is not supposed to be on the hook. Personally i don't really like the way the strap works, but i don't even need it, so it's not much of an issue to me.

[condyk]

Sadly Salty's Dive shop has closed. I had never seen the signwriting so vivid. It certainly has faded since then.

Did you vist the brewery (ginger beer) or the distillery (Bundaberg Rum)?


Shame ... They had a great shop front. I still have the dive gear I bought there. Problem is they're barely on the end of the Barrier Reef so the pool side was pretty good, but we couldn't get into the ocean because of weather and apparently the reef is not so good. I had to complete ocean dives in NZ.

We only stopped over by accident. We were on our way north and saw an advert for cheap PADI so stopped off. Very clean and very practical place to live.

We went to both places. Sampled the Rum and we often ordered Bundaberg Ginger Beer throughout Aussie.


to the OP, just to let you know, i actually contacted amvona to see exactly how you're supposed to attach the strap, and the way you have it is incorrect. You're actually supposed to put that small metal loop on the mounting screw and then screw it in. It is not supposed to be on the hook.

Fair enough, but it works better when I do it wrong ;)