Velbon MAXi tripods. Your thoughts?

[n00tch]

I've been looking at getting a tripod for my Powershot A80. I want something that will be durable, will travel well, and can grow with me as I get new equipment. I've heard many good things about the Velbon MAXi 343 E and the 347 GB. I was wondering if any of you might have some recommendations or comments?

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, please tell a mod to move this or delete it if it's not.

[CoolToolGuy]

I have the 343E based on several good recommendations. It does pack well. It may work well for an A80, but I no longer use it.

The first time I used it I was on a beach with my Drebel and the 24-70 L. This is a fairly heavy setup. But the wind was so strong that the camera kept swaying unless I held it still. This was with the column extended. I was trying to use a 'cable release' rather than pressing the shutter button, so I was not getting what I wanted out of the setup. Granted, that is a severe situation, but nonetheless it did not serve me.

The second time I used it was in a theater where I wanted to get the same shot of each of the teams in a play. When I set it up (again with the column extended), every time I touched it the swaying started, and again I had to grab the camera to stop it. The legs and the column are so small and light duty that, upon looking at the setup I realized it is not good for general use with a DSLR and any sizeable lens.

As I said, the 343E may work for an A80, but as you progress I would consider keeping the 343E only as an emergency backup or for travel.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,

[n00tch]

Thanks for the tip! I found your reply to be very informative and thoughtful. Now if I could just get some of that going for the other thread I started asking about lenses and filters for my A80.

[Be_there]

I also have a Maxi 343 and it's awful - not at all stable and falling to pieces within a year. Just about the only duff photography item I've bought.

[n00tch]

Well damn, these guys thought it was the bee's knees.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM

I just won a 347 GB on eBay for 39.00. Hopefully this won't bite me in the ass. :/

[MarkoPolo]

I have the 343 Maxi and it worked pretty well with my old film rebel and a small lens. It also has done well with my G-3. You must put a little downward pressure on the whole set-up to stabilize it, but it certainly is small and packable. Should work ok for an A80.

Having said that, I did have one leg break apart. I sent it to Velbon, explaining I was just about to leave on a trip. They expedited it and got it back in time for no charge!

So, all in all, its not too bad, but it certainly has limitations and is really only good for smaller cameras.

Now that I have a 10D and larger lenses, I bought a Gitzo 2220 explorer with a Kirk BH-3 ballhead and that is mostly what I use.

Hope this helps. Mark B.

[nosquare2003]

The Velbon 343E may work for A80. But I suggest to pay a bit more for a small Manfrotto Digi:

http://www.manfrotto.com/home/

I tried both tripods in a camera shop some time ago. The Manfrotto Digi is much sturdier than the 343E. And they are small and lightweighted.