DynaTran CF models

[speedracersong]

Can someone tell me the differences between these 3 models? Except for the pricing. I am an amateur photographer and would like to buy a tripod that isn't too expensive yet I still can use as I get better.
994 weighs 5.85 max 13.2
992 weighs 4.75 max 8.8
882A weighs 4.3 max 8.8

And lets say I buy this http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-CARBON-FIBER-MAGNESIUM-ALLOY-CAMERA-TRIPOD-KIT-994_W0QQitemZ170044630426QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30094Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem auction. Is the head that is included any good?

Thank you!

[cfcRebel]

It depends on what type of setup you have. If you are talking about 30D + 70-200f4L + EX flash, then any of the three is fine. If you use a Sigma 50-500, perhaps the 994 suits you better.
If the final price is not much different, get the 994. I have that for more than a year and love it.

Good luck.

[speedracersong]

my max weight for now will have a 30d, 430ex, and a 17-40

[ChrisBlaze]

is that ebay link for the actually tripod?

[speedracersong]

i believe so

[Souwalker]

I never had any luck bidding. Been trying for about 4 months :mad:

[condyk]

I have the 994 with ballhead kit. Perfectly functional and easy to carry around. Comes with bag, tools and carry strap too. Nice. I did a review if you do a search under my username and threads I started.

[Kostyanych]

I never had any luck bidding. Been trying for about 4 months :mad:

It took me about 3 months to get 992 for less then 100 USD. But before I started I saw even 87 USD for it. But I have never saw this price since then.

[speedracersong]

hmm. its getting more and more popular huh?
so the only difference between the 992 and 994 is the carry weight and the total weight of the pod? it has all the same gadgets?

[MarkoPolo]

I have both. The CF92 is roughly equivalent to the Gitzo 1258. Excellent light travel set up. It will fit easily into a suitcase and will work well with lenses up to the 100-400. The CF94 is roughly equivalent to the Gitzo 1327, the main difference being there are 4 leg sections instead of 3. More robust and would probably be able to hold the 500 or 600 supertelefotos. These are well worth the money ( I paid way less than $100US) but are not built to the same standards as Gitzo and are not quite as stable. My only real concern is I think it will be very easy to loose the rubbler adjustable feet and I doubt you could get replacements from amzona. The Heads are adequate, but certainly are not in the class with Kirk, Arca-Swiss, Acratech or Really Right Stuff. You have to follow the bidding process for a while to get a deal, but it can be done.

[speedracersong]

thank you markopolo

[speedracersong]

anymore opinions on this?

[kevinsyn]

how do the 992 and 994 kit compare to say a 3021BPro + 488rc2?

[NAisBEST]

Im recieving my 994 today when I gert home from work. Its my first "real" tripood, so ill have nothing to compare it to, but I will post up a mini-review on my feelings towards it.

[speedracersong]

how much did you get it for if you dont mind me asking?

[NAisBEST]

Ahhhh.....well......lets just say that I didnt get it for a good deal like some forum members. Im assuming as of late the word got out about them, and the prices have been jumping lately. I let my ebay bidding finger get the best of me, but im hoping im not dissapointed. I was originally going to go with the 488RC2 Manfrotto head, and then find a good set of legs. That would run me around 300 for aluminum. I bid the DynaTran 994 up until I won it at $177. For a Carbon with a ballhead, im sure it will be fine. $177 fine? I hope so.

[anthonyhong]

Congrats ! Im still waiting for mine.. only 1 'buisness day' has passed... this is starting to feel like forever!

[speedracersong]

congrats as well. i hope i can get a decent price.

[JNunn]

For a Carbon with a ballhead, im sure it will be fine. $177 fine? I hope so.

That's a good deal. If you look at CF tripods, there's nothing nearly as good for that price. I have their CF902 monopod and the little CF80 for hiking and I think they're great. Can't be beat for the money anyway.

I just got my Benro C-298 and KS-1 ballhead which are really good, but they were about $450.

[NAisBEST]

I just recieved it today. Didnt get to really use it thouroughly, but I am impressed so far. For the price, it seems to me that I couldnt get any better for my money. Ill have to make a mini-review once I use it for a nice session.

[speedracersong]

how much did you get it for?

[NAisBEST]

$177 Shipped to my door, rather quickly might i add.

[condyk]

The ballhead is pretty good. I sold my Manfrotto 488 RC2 when I got my 994 as perfectly fit for purpose. Only thing that is a pain is the QR plate seems to be Dynatran own model and so you have to order extra ones separate and not cheap. The 488 is definately better if you want several QR's for different lenses. Doesn't matter to me right now but it would have in the past and will in the future when I get some longer lenses again.

[speedracersong]

wouldnt i need different QR if i had multiple cameras? i always thought the QR was the thing that attaches the camera to the head. the thing with the screw. no?

[condyk]

On a long lens it is advisable to use a QR plate with the tripod mount. On a smaller lens you can use the mount on the camera base. So, yes, if you had multiple camera with smaller lenses then you can mount to the base. If you have multiple camera's with longer lenses with tripod mounts then you use them. Whatever, you can either use one QR plate or multiple. If you use multiple it is just quicker and less hassle.

[speedracersong]

ahh thank you

[dazzlebea]

I'm also a very happy Dynatran CF994 owner. Won mine back in September for $122.50, that is $146.50 shipped. I love it, it is very sturdy and easy to use. Somehow I thought after reading Condyk's mini review that it was possible to reverse the center column, but either it can't be done or I'm too dense to figure out how ;)

The only problem I had was that my storage bag was not stitched properly, there is a 2-3inch gap in one seam. No big deal for me since I don't really use the bag, however Amvona's response was a bit short: "our apologies", that was it :(

Anyway, the tripod is great!!!

[NAisBEST]

. Somehow I thought after reading Condyk's mini review that it was possible to reverse the center column, but either it can't be done or I'm too dense to figure out how ;)



It took me a couple of minutes to figure out that you can indeed reverse it. Right under the ball-head, theres a 'wheel' that is used to tighten the elevating center column. If you remove the hook, and loosen the wheel as if you were to raise the column, you can flip it over and reinstall it. I used it last night in this manner, and it wokred great :)

[speedracersong]

man i just paid a super premium. 183 shipped. hopefully its worth that much

[NAisBEST]

man i just paid a super premium. 183 shipped. hopefully its worth that much

Trust me, its worth more. I used it for my first shoot thursday night and it did everything I needed it to and more.

[StealthLude]

how do the 992 and 994 kit compare to say a 3021BPro + 488rc2?


Id take the Bogen Setup w/o even thinking twice.

Same thing I have, and my friend has the 992... Even he likes my setup better.

[tumblew33d]

Another thumbs up for the CF994. I needed a tripod and didn't have a Manfrotto or Gitzo sized budget.

So far it's been great. Agreed, it's not going to be the same quality as the premium brands CF offerings, but I'm glad I took the time to wait and bid rather than spending the same amount of cash on an Aluminium Velbon or something similar.

[kevinsyn]

Id take the Bogen Setup w/o even thinking twice.

Same thing I have, and my friend has the 992... Even he likes my setup better.


992 is suppose to be smaller and lighter too though right?

[NAisBEST]

Its all personal preference in needs. The CF994 had everything I needed in a tripod, and then some, at a low price. Im glad I made the purchase. I was going to go with the Manfrotto 3012b/488rc2 combo, but I reconsidered once I heard good things about the Dynatran's . Im more than happy with this one.

[condyk]

I looked at all models I could find up to around £300/$550 and none added value in context of my ACTUAL real world usage. It is called fit for purpose. If my purposes where different then I might have made a different choice and I might not. Same with my car. Sure I would kinda like to drive around in a [insert flash car of your dreams] but I got better things to do with my money than waste it on vanity. If someone has the $300 Manfrotto and they are criticising a model like the Dynatran 994 that many others have and who feel does the job well why don't they go buy a $1000 Manfrotto? Why don't they get the top of the range Gitzo? Apply the same 'logic' to themselves! Nah, they are talking BS based on lack of experience. Buying an over the top tripod is as dumb as buying a cheap and nasty one IMO. If you want to throw money away then feel free ... BUT, don't apply the same rules to others who have more common sense and who know what they need.

[ironbelle]

I purchased a Dyna Tran 828 Tripod off ebay last year for 36.67. I took it to a friend who has a studio and he said there was nothing wrong with that tripod and he was impressed with it. It cost less than the plastic Vivitar I purchased a while ago and the Dyna Tran has alot metal on it. I've been treating my 30d like a baby so I don't know if I have the balls to use it. LOL

[keefyboy]

Some careless person ran the price up to $197 last night. Way over what I'm willing to pay.
I guess people get too excited in the final few minutes. :rolleyes:

I saw it go for $137 a week and a half ago. I just wish their "buy it now" price was alot more reasonable. For $431, I'd go with an established brand name.
-Keith

[tumblew33d]

Try auctionsniper (http://www.auctionsniper.com)

Set it up and wait it out. You'll get it for a decent price eventually.

[cfcRebel]

Christmas shopping season is here. Hence the higher average final bid on CF992 and 994.
Agree with condyk. Most of us with limited budget would rather spend the $$$ on camera and glass. Also, it's not like we are sacrificing alot by getting the Dynatran. :)