Triopo tripod on eBay

[Hacksaw73]

Has anyone any experience with these tripods:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180225473107&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCKCK_Pr7_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=180222530697&itemcount=7&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&usedrule2=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DDR%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3 DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D6

They have a few nice features and the price is right, but is it worth it in the long run?

[René Damkot]

Looks like yet another Gitzo clone.
No idea about the quality though: Never heard of the brand.

[slimninj4]

That looks exactly like a Gitzo. I would love a Gitzo but way to expensive. I will have to stick with a manfrotto or Gioto instead.

[alexf9496]

Has anyone any experience with these tripods:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180225473107&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCKCK_Pr7_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=180222530697&itemcount=7&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&usedrule2=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DDR%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3 DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D6

They have a few nice features and the price is right, but is it worth it in the long run?


No experience, but a quick search turns out that this is another Gitzo Chinese knock-off, similar to the products put out by Benro (also sold on Ebay).

http://www.triopo.cn/en/product.php?action=type&id=2

Since you're asking, IMO...no, it's not worth it in the long run. I believe in the "buy cheap, buy twice" rule, especially since it's something you'll be using long term. Do a search on Triopo products and see if there are any real world user reviews. There's a good one on a Arca-Swiss K1 Chinese knock off. You can see where they cut corners on manufacturing and how it shows up in the product quality. It may look nice in the pictures, but the shoddy workmanship translating to worn ballheads, direct friction screw contact with the ballhead, poor castings, etc... really makes you wonder if you'll trust a couple thousand dollars worth of camera gear sitting 6 feet above the ground.

YMMV

[Hacksaw73]

No experience, but a quick search turns out that this is another Gitzo Chinese knock-off, similar to the products put out by Benro (also sold on Ebay).

http://www.triopo.cn/en/product.php?action=type&id=2

Since you're asking, IMO...no, it's not worth it in the long run. I believe in the "buy cheap, buy twice" rule, especially since it's something you'll be using long term. Do a search on Triopo products and see if there are any real world user reviews. There's a good one on a Arca-Swiss K1 Chinese knock off. You can see where they cut corners on manufacturing and how it shows up in the product quality. It may look nice in the pictures, but the shoddy workmanship translating to worn ballheads, direct friction screw contact with the ballhead, poor castings, etc... really makes you wonder if you'll trust a couple thousand dollars worth of camera gear sitting 6 feet above the ground.

YMMV

Thanks all for the info, and to Alex for the reality check. I'm trying not to buy twice anymore and the thought of my 400D with L glass falling to the ground is pretty sobering...

As I've just ordered a Manfrotto monopod I think I'll "keep it in the family" and get a Manfrotto one instead.