velbon travel tripods

[yegor]

i'm looking for a compact tripod. i'm using rebel xti(400d) with tamron 17-50mm lens most of the time. has anyone tried any of these: http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm

34-39cm folded and 155-161cm extended..i like it! they all have 5-section legs..and they're also very thin(21-24mm)..so my question is: are they steady enough? my cam&lens arent that big..

[sparksdjs]

I have the Velbon Ultra LUXiF for a lightweight travel tripod and like it. I went for this version as it opens to 53" without extending the center column (some of the others are shorter and difficult for me to use). I replaced the supplied pan head with a Bogen ballhead with quick release plate. I don't use anything heavy on it - Canon 10-22mm, 70-300mm, and a 100mm 2.8 macro - and it has worked quite well, absolutely no problems or complaints.

Dave

[yegor]

thanks. i ordered that one too..i'm going to test it tomorrow..maybe i'll post something here

[ghostman]

I've been eyeing the Velbon Ultra line of tripods because they seem to have the smallest footprint in the market. I've looked at the LUXiF and the MAXiF at B&H and I'm actually leaning toward the MAXiF. It's a bit shorter, the leg diameter is smaller, lacks bubble levels on with it's included pan head. But it's .7lbs (.3kg) lighter, an inch shorter when folded and a few bucks cheaper.

I'm curious to hear your experience on the LUXiF and if anyone has had experience with the MAXiF.

[Needsnow]

I'm selling one if anyone is interested. I've used one for the past 3 years. It is a great travel tripod for a light setup.

[ghostman]

Needsnow, I noticed you have a nice set of lenses... not unlike my intended upgrade path (I have the Tamron 28-75 and hope to couple it with a Canon 10-22 and Canon 70-200). Why are you selling it? Does the tripod support all of them "reliably"? I quote "reliably" because I think we have to recognize that this tripod is meant more for its lightness than it is for its sturdiness.

(Yes, I recognize there may be bias with asking the seller about the reliability of his product.)

[Needsnow]

No problem about the question! That is what the forum is for.

I orginally only had the Velbon tripod. Then I bought the Gitzo 2220 + the Kirk BH-3. So I went from around 2 lbs and 14 inches to 6 lbs and 30 inches. For some of the portrait work that I do, I just don't want to haul around the 6 lb tripod. The only issue that I have with the Velbon is not with stability, but when I have to "leave" it for some reason when I am doing a portrait setup. Although it is quite stable, the 40D, with a big lens + external flash makes it look like a daddy long legs! It makes me a little nervous to leave it out in the open. I like the Velbon so much that I have replaced it with a 540A.

I have used this tripod with my XTi, 2x tc, tripod ring and 200L to take great pictures of the moon. So, I can recommend this tripod as 1) something that is very easy to take along, 2) something that will do quite well if you only need to have 2 or 3 legs extended and 3) with a long lens you should keep the load balanced on top with a ring, instead of changing the tripod head orientation and 4) a tripod that you will promise to keep your neck strap on if you are loading it down.

A tripod is a great tool when you have it along! Let me know if you have other questions.

[yegor]

i'm very happy with my new tripod(ultra lux i F). it's very compact and light..and it's even higher than i expected:
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/pict/PICT_ULTRA_LUXi_F.gif
when fully extended, viewfinder is a little bit above my eye level(i'm 184cm tall). it is VERY steady at least with my gear(xti+tammy 17-50 appr. ~1kg). i tried to shake and bend it and i have to say i should put some effort. i dont think even strong wind will be able to shake it. also i used remote control but i havent found any difference with pressing button manualy.
i'm totaly satisfied and can recommend it. however note that i havent tried it with any "masculine" lens (like 500mm)

[sparksdjs]

One thing I did with my LuxiF - I added an eyelet to the bottom of the center shaft. At times I will attach an elastic bungi cord running from it to my camera pack on the ground beneath it, adding significantly to the tripod's stability.

Dave