eBay smicktrading tripod review

[bikers1]

Further to http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170940

I bought the T700 tripod legs to replace my very elderly jap tripod, I had a manfrotto 229 head and was looking for some decent legs. A colleague has Manfrotto 055 legs which are very good, typically I was looking for a good deal. cheap b*stard really :)

I took a chance on these T700 legs

The specs are at

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-T700-Professional-Camera-Tripod-Legs_W0QQitemZ7621389723QQcategoryZ3325QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

£39 + £9 p&p

Arrived in two days, stable, solid, well built, wieghty (but I don't need CF)

Here, as promised are some images, I can only give my opinion, I'm not a manufacturer slut so I don't mind if things are not a "name brand" . I can't comment on the heads they sell as I got the Manfrotto 229 off eBay and it is beautifully engineered, but then it was less than half price :)

[bikers1]

more pics

[bikers1]

last pic with head and legs (unextended)

[lakiluno]

Thanks for the pics. I'm going to buy the 550 very soon. I'm buying it with the ball head, so we'll see where we go :D

[Balliolman]

The price has now gone up to £44.99 with postage still £9.00 :-(

[lakiluno]

well...I just bought one (on thursday) - the 550 model with the ball head.

That price rise sucks. Its still pretty cheap compared to other brands though. When I get mine (monday?), then I'll tell you what the head is like. If the heads pretty good, I don't think the bundles where affected by the rise?

[adam*]

Hey,

I'm wanting to buy either the 550 or 700 legs w/ ballhead. I'm just wondering if people believe that due to the price difference (only about £10) is it worth buying the larger legs? You can see my current gear in my sig. and the only possible additions in the future would be a battery grip, tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and possibly a 85mm 1.8. I'm guessing all are not very heavy lenses. Would the extra height be an advantage (I am about 180cm)?

Cheers,
Adam

[lakiluno]

The main thing I'd be consered about is weight. My 550 is pretty heavy, although I've not handled a 700 so I'm not sure about that.

The ballhead is pretty good - not the highest quality in the world, but I've had it for 4 months and it seems to be fine. The lenses should be fine, it can hold my 350, 70-300 and the flash with not much problem - I'd only start worrying about these things with 200mm+ 2.8 telephotos and really heavy bodies.

The tripod is verryyy sturdy, if heavy.

I'm only 5ft 3 (currently :D), and without extending the centre arm it doesn't bring the camera to my eye. Definately get the 700.

Leo

[adam*]

Cheers for the advice leo, I knew you'd probably turn up!

[2005GLI]

thats exactly what my amvona tripod legs look like. You have a much better head though, i hate all of mine.