Amvona Carbon Fiber Pro Series Tripod - $60+Shipping!!!

[PicSniper]

Go to Amvona.com and check their daily "One Deal". Today, they've listed their AT-CF92 Carbon Fiber Pro Series Tripod for $60! It's usually selling for $169.99, so you're saving $109.99.
Weight: 4.9lbs
Maximum Height: 65.7"
Minimum Height: 15"
Folded Height: 22.9"
Maximum Load: 13.2lbs
No. of leg sections: 4
Leveling devices: 1
Adjustable height (reversible) center column
Foam rubber leg protectors included on two of the legs
Quick release leg lock system
Heavy duty carrying case with shoulder strapHere's the linky: http://www.amvona.com/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=2116&category_id=93

http://www.amvona.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/AT_CF92_Carbon_F_49e8df2492f2c.jpg

[NicolasRubio]

I'd love to... but it is not possible :(

[Saint728]

Do you have one or used one before? It could be a waste of money and shipping cost to find out it isn't any good.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[PicSniper]

I'd love to... but it is not possible :(

Why not?

Do you have one or used one before? It could be a waste of money and shipping cost to find out it isn't any good.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

Patrick, I've never had one of their carbon fiber tripods, but I have owned one of their heavy-duty aluminum tripods for years and it has served me well. TeamSpeed posted a link yesterday about a different Amvona carbon fiber tripod (AT-CF94) for $75+shipping, so I placed my order for that one. I did do a lot of searching for reviews before placing my order and was pleased with what I read, so I took a chance. I guess I'll find out when I receive it whether I made a good decision, but, in my opinion, it's not that much dough to spend on a carbon fiber tripod, especially after reading that others are quite happy with it.

[Asimo]

they sell excellent quality tripod . I owned the CF94 and A103

[argyle]

I'd be curious as to the size (diameter) of the smallest leg section...their specs conveniently leave out that info. I've handled an Amvona 4-section CF tripod before, and the smallest legs were literally pencil-thin, making the whole rig feel 'springy'.

[Asimo]

the A103T that I had, they are probably same thickness as my Gitzo 2 series .

but compare side by side, Gitzo quality is better. but performance wise, probably same .

Gitzo center column adjustment is smoother, the leg probably 10-20% stronger .

but is Amvona one bad? definitely not, good deal , hell yeah!

[Tony-S]

Do Manfrotto heads fit these tripods?

[Asimo]

it comes with 1/4 and reverse it , will be 3/8

it fits both ball head and camera mount

[tvphotog]

What's the warranty on it? That'll give you an idea as to whether you should put your money into something else. It is guaranteed to fail somehow after the warranty runs out.

[PicSniper]

This is from their website:

DynaTran™ / DynaPhos™ 1 Year Limited Warranty


A 1 Year Limited Warranty, under either the DynaTran™ or DynaPhos™ brand, currently applies to the following product categories:


1. Lighting – Complete Light Kits – Light Kits
2. Tripods – Still Camera – Complete Pro
3. Tripods - Still Camera – Carbon Fiber
4. Tripods – Professional Video – Complete Systems
5. Tripods – Professional Video – Camera Supports
AT-9901AT AT-9901T

6. Tripods – Professional Video – Heads
AT-9905H AT-9903H

7. Tripods – Monopods – Carbon Fiber
8. Tripods - Monopods – Aluminum Alloy
9. Support Systems – In Studio – Motorized Roller Systems
DSD-3 DSD-1 DSD-4 DSD-6

10. Support Systems – Rail Systems & Accessories – Pro Studio Rail System (rail systems only)
CMR-B3304 CMR-3303 CMR-A3303 CMR-A3304

1 Year Limited Warranty (DynaPhos™)
DynaPhos extends a limited one year warranty to the original purchaser, that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal and proper use for one year from the date of purchase.

[Tony-S]

I just looked at the specs - 4.9 pounds? My Manfrotto 3001BD aluminum legs are only 3.83 llbs. What gives?

[tvphotog]

This is from their website:

DynaTran™ / DynaPhos™ 1 Year Limited Warranty


A 1 Year Limited Warranty, under either the DynaTran™ or DynaPhos™ brand, currently applies to the following product categories:


1. Lighting – Complete Light Kits – Light Kits
2. Tripods – Still Camera – Complete Pro
3. Tripods - Still Camera – Carbon Fiber


1 Year Limited Warranty (DynaPhos™)
DynaPhos extends a limited one year warranty to the original purchaser, that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal and proper use for one year from the date of purchase.

Even the Chinese-made Benro's and Feisol's have a three year warranty. I don't know about this. I think you should apply the $60 to a Manfrotto or something else with a wider usage history. Also, if they're selling this at such a discount, I would bet that no one is buying it and they want to move it out of inventory.

[argyle]

I just looked at the specs - 4.9 pounds? My Manfrotto 3001BD aluminum legs are only 3.83 llbs. What gives?

I wondered about that myself...kinda defeats the purpose of paying for carbon fiber. :D My Gitzo 2540 with Markins M10 head weighs a full pound less than the Dynatran rig. Granted, the Dynatran is a lot cheaper, but when you're hiking for miles, every bit of weight that you can shed helps.

[Tony-S]

I wondered about that myself...kinda defeats the purpose of paying for carbon fiber. :D

Yeah, that's a deal breaker for me. Surely not worth $60 if the legs alone are that heavy.

[PicSniper]

I'm not sure, but there's a possibility that it might be a typo. The Amvona website seems to have many on there. The AT-CF94 is a larger tripod and supposedly weighs less?

Here's an old post from a website I Googled:

http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00OWxL

I recently purchased a Amvona carbon fiber tripod and magnesium head from ebay for my 30d and haven't been disappointed. The whole thing cost me around 100$ with shipping.
The tripod model is the AT-CF92 and the head H95 i do believe.
Its a fairly light weight set up, under four pounds and i'm quite happy with the product. I have to add though, i've not used comparable manfrotto or bogen products.

This person states that the AT-CF92 and a ballhead weighs under 4 pounds. Maybe it's a bad estimate on his part, but maybe it's confirmation that the Amvona website has posted wrong information? Also, might that be the shipping weight that was accidentally listed? I'll weigh the AT-CF94 when I receive it and report back, just to shed a little light on the weight thing.

[irishman]

4 section? 4.9 lbs.? Deal breakers.

[c2thew]

http://cgi.ebay.com/FT6824T-Pro-Photo-Camera-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-Base-legs_W0QQitemZ110462461431QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item19b81365f7

looks like the ones on ebay.

i don't see how this carbon fiber tripod sits at 4.9 lbs. that's crazy

[Asimo]

Guys that weight is not the actual weight of the tripod . I have the tripod myself, Since it has less CarbonFiber layer, it is actually ligther than Gitzo's


I think the weight includes the thick box, thick bag and tools. but even then its not near that weight.

[Tony-S]

Asimo, can you weigh the tripod for us - just the legs (i.e., no head). Thanks!

[Asimo]

sure thing!

[Asimo]

Amvona A103T is 1.5kg

I have a gitzo G1258G 6x carbon fiber around same size is 1.99kg

[PicSniper]

AT-A103T is listed as 3.5 pounds. 1.5kg is roughly 3.3 pounds, so I guess Amvona is listing the actual weights of their tripods...

[jhom]

There are no free rides... Do you really think a $60 tripod is going to have the same stability characteristics of more expensive tripods even if it has some CF in the legs? When it comes to reputable camera gear, you pay through the nose. When you don't you have to worry.

[argyle]

Guys that weight is not the actual weight of the tripod . I have the tripod myself, Since it has less CarbonFiber layer, it is actually ligther than Gitzo's


I think the weight includes the thick box, thick bag and tools. but even then its not near that weight.

There are many reasons why knockoffs are always cheaper than the originals...and this is one of them. I'm by no means a Gitzo snob (only have one), but you really do get what you pay for.

[Asimo]

Yes , I owned 3 different Gitzo , big fan of Gitzo actually . plus 2 Amvona , 1 feisol tripod . If you want light, Feisol is the lightest, probably 2lbs in weight. but its missing a center column . Does Amvona tripod worth $60 ? definitely . even a gitzo bag cost more than that . Will it break down? no , its a very simple product . Actually if u open the Amvona tripod .. which I did . the joint is exactly copy of Gitzo.

I spent over $600 for a gitzo leg . and this one cost $60 ? do the math . even use it for light stand or something , still worth it ..haha

[c2thew]

two questions
1) will the tripod go all the way down to the floor?
2) "I'd be curious as to the size (diameter) of the smallest leg section...their specs conveniently leave out that info. I've handled an Amvona 4-section CF tripod before, and the smallest legs were literally pencil-thin, making the whole rig feel 'springy'."

In theory, the marketing gimmick is the carbon fiber. if you take that "carbon fiber" buzz word out of this ad and focus on the the stability and flexibility aspects, than we can rate if this is a good deal or not.

for those who need a tripod, this would probably be a good buy. but for those who already have a tripod and don't really use it as much, than they will be hard pressed to pull the trigger

[Asimo]

1) if you spread the leg outward , you will leave approx 1inches of gab from the center.
2) the smallest leg diameter is 1.5cm

[c2thew]

so the legs spread all the way out to 1 inch off the floor? i mean, if you were to shoot without the center column, how low would it go?

http://digitalbestbuys.com.au/images/manfrotto_709_b_digi_table_tripod_black.jpg

[Asimo]

yes by pulling the center column all the way up . it leaves 1inch from the floor. so it doesn't lay 100% flat.

so the legs spread all the way out to 1 inch off the floor? i mean, if you were to shoot without the center column, how low would it go?

http://digitalbestbuys.com.au/images/manfrotto_709_b_digi_table_tripod_black.jpg

[tvphotog]

Yes , I owned 3 different Gitzo , big fan of Gitzo actually . plus 2 Amvona , 1 feisol tripod . If you want light, Feisol is the lightest, probably 2lbs in weight. but its missing a center column . Does Amvona tripod worth $60 ? definitely . even a gitzo bag cost more than that . Will it break down? no , its a very simple product . Actually if u open the Amvona tripod .. which I did . the joint is exactly copy of Gitzo.

I spent over $600 for a gitzo leg . and this one cost $60 ? do the math . even use it for light stand or something , still worth it ..haha

If one year of use is worth $60 to you, go for it. I would rather get some memory cards for the money.

[c2thew]

If one year of use is worth $60 to you, go for it. I would rather get some memory cards for the money.

i would disagree with this statement. "you get what you pay for" is a cliche these days, especially as new emerging products are made more affordable. look at it this way. if it weren't for cheap ebay triggers, people would be forced to pay $59 for a trigger and another $49 for a receiver. but for 1/3 of the cost, you can pick up a cheap ebay trigger that performs the same task, smaller, lighter, and you don't have to use velcro to keep it from disconnecting from the sync port.

this does look like a promising product. If i didn't already have a tripod, i would have purchased.

[PicSniper]

c2thew, I agree with you. Not all of the inexpensive stuff out there is "garbage". Some of these items are just as good as their higher-priced counterparts. With a little research, one can make an informed decision as to whether it is something to risk buying or pass on. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to make that decision.

On that note, if anyone is looking for a carbon fiber monopod with a ball head, Amvona is running another day-long sale on their website. This time, it's on their AM-107CFK, which is their AM-107CF monopod combined with what looks like their ATH-A01 ball head. This combo is $57+shipping, which I believe to be another great value.

http://www.amvona.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Pro_Series_AM_10_4a412d45e01fb.jpg

[argyle]

i would disagree with this statement. "you get what you pay for" is a cliche these days, especially as new emerging products are made more affordable. look at it this way. if it weren't for cheap ebay triggers, people would be forced to pay $59 for a trigger and another $49 for a receiver. but for 1/3 of the cost, you can pick up a cheap ebay trigger that performs the same task, smaller, lighter, and you don't have to use velcro to keep it from disconnecting from the sync port.

this does look like a promising product. If i didn't already have a tripod, i would have purchased.

Not a cliche...quite the opposite. If you think for a minute that a $60 knockoff tripod will perform over time as well as the more expensive original, you're being delusional...a tripod does more than just "hold up" your gear. "Emerging products are made more affordable" usually by cutting corners in materials and how they're manufactured. Less carbon fiber, the use of castings instead of forgings, non-stainless steel fasteners, lesser quality of materials, the list goes on. They may hold up in the short term, but long term use is questionable. This might be a good tripod for use as a spare to leave in the trunk of your car for situations that arise when you're just out and about, but for long term use in the field I wouldn't take the risk. I'm not saying that Gitzo is the be-all and end-all, but there are better options out there that don't cost nearly as much. You wouldn't put a crappy $10 filter on a $1500 lens, so why risk placing thousands of dollars of expensive gear on a low-priced knockoff? Caveat emptor.

[PicSniper]

What I'm reading in all of this is simply that just because an item is being sold for much less than an "original" or "name-brand", it shouldn't be dismissed immediately as a junk item. I've read threads before (batteries, grips, bags, etc.) whereby the name-brand manufacturer has their item put together in a plant somewhere in China, only to have that plant put out the same item for a lesser price, but branded with a different label. Then again, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are knock-off artists that make an attempt to build a product that resembles a name-brand product, but do so so at the expense of poor materials and workmanship, which is what you're saying. There are two very valid points here. All I'm saying is, give a product an opportunity to be reviewed by the masses before categorizing it as if someone took a dump in a box, simply because it's priced low.

[tvphotog]

On that note, if anyone is looking for a carbon fiber monopod with a ball head, Amvona is running another day-long sale on their website. This time, it's on their AM-107CFK, which is their AM-107CF monopod combined with what looks like their ATH-A01 ball head. This combo is $57+shipping, which I believe to be another great value.

http://www.amvona.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Pro_Series_AM_10_4a412d45e01fb.jpg
Is the warranty on this one year as well? Is anyone seriously considering trusting thousands of dollars worth of gear to a $60 monopod or tripod?

For those of you old enough to remember, the Trabant had four seats, a motor and four wheels.

I bow to P.T. Barnum, and G-d bless the internet.


The East German Trabant(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

[Tony-S]

Is the warranty on this one year as well? Is anyone seriously considering trusting thousands of dollars worth of gear to a $60 monopod or tripod?

It's actually a $170 tripod on sale for $60. I just need something for my pack that'll support my Korona 4x5 and Schneider 210mm. ;)

I bow to P.T. Barnum, and G-d bless the internet.

Amvona tripods are generally well-received as economical alternatives to the high-end tripods. What may be silly to you may be the only alternative for others. Insulting others on these forums isn't your job, so get off your high horse.

[tvphotog]

Amvona tripods are generally well-received as economical alternatives to the high-end tripods. What may be silly to you may be the only alternative for others. Insulting others on these forums isn't your job, so get off your high horse.

I apologize if you or anyone else feels insulted by my remarks, though I do not see anything personally insulting in my posts. They capsulize what I and others have said above.

To the point: I've experienced the disappointment and loss of money as the result of "too good to be true" deals and my remarks are meant to disabuse members of succumbing to similar temptation. This is not about 'high horses" or condescension.

[argyle]

Was toying with the idea of getting one of these 'pods and leaving in the car trunk for when those unexpected shots may appear...guess I procrastinated too long. I figured this and an inexpensive Adorama Flashpoint ballhead would have made a 'decent' low-priced spare to have lying around. I just recently did some long exposure shots (30-seconds) in the surf off Kauai, and the Gitzo was rock steady, so I'd be hesitant to put it through those kinds of situations. But for a spare to keep handy, I'd give it some consideration.

[PicSniper]

I apologize if you or anyone else feels insulted by my remarks, though I do not see anything personally insulting in my posts. They capsulize what I and others have said above.

To the point: I've experienced the disappointment and loss of money as the result of "too good to be true" deals and my remarks are meant to disabuse members of succumbing to similar temptation. This is not about 'high horses" or condescension.

You didn't see anything insulting in your posts? P.T. Barnum's reference alone would insinuate that if you purchase an Amvona product or some other non-name-brand item, we'd be one of the "suckers" that are "born every minute", correct? That's a tad insulting, no?

Once again, let me reiterate what I posted before. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. Yes, there are a lot of low-priced items out there that are not worth an investment, no matter how small that investment may be. However, there are some products out there that offer a surprising bang-to-buck ratio and people need to be aware that these items do exist. My experience with an aluminum Amvona tripod has been a very positive one. I have also researched their items and have read many positive reviews about their items. Because of this, I am inclined to pass along what I believe to be a good deal to my fellow POTN'ers. I have been helped over and over by POTN'ers who have posted their experiences with certain items and feel the need to return the favor, whenever possible. When I receive the carbon fiber tripod and monopod and put them to good use, I will post my new experiences here for the POTN members to read, for the sake of helping others to either save a buck on a worthwhile product or deter others from following in my footsteps. In the meantime, please keep an open mind and don't negatively judge something just because it's not a name-brand item or because it happens to be a considerable savings over a brand that you hold in high regard.

[MarkoPolo]

FWIW, I have had and used both the 92 and 94 Amvona tripods. I paid more on E-Bay, but I still think they were excellent values. No, they are not Gitzos, but for $60 or $75 you just can't go wrong. Probably, the one thing I noticed as a difference is the need to open and close the legs sequentially. I would have no hesitation in buying or using either model. i do prefer 3 leg sections, so that became an issue. I do remember reading somewhere (no, I don't remember where) that these were later marketed as Benro ,Flashpoint or one of the "bargain" brands in the US. If that's true I suppose the extra cost really covers the three year warranty. At any rate,I would go for it.

[tvphotog]

You didn't see anything insulting in your posts? P.T. Barnum's reference alone would insinuate that if you purchase an Amvona product or some other non-name-brand item, we'd be one of the "suckers" that are "born every minute", correct? That's a tad insulting, no?



You're the one who is taking my remarks personally. There are those, however, who will not evaluate an item and will only look at price. Perhaps you're not in that group.

I won't try to educate you on the difference between a general allusion and a personal insult. I suggest we leave this go as a difference of opinion.

[Tony-S]

I apologize if you or anyone else feels insulted by my remarks, though I do not see anything personally insulting in my posts. They capsulize what I and others have said above.

It doesn't matter if you insult one person or a group of persons. An insult is an insult.

To the point: I've experienced the disappointment and loss of money as the result of "too good to be true" deals and my remarks are meant to disabuse members of succumbing to similar temptation. This is not about 'high horses" or condescension.

Then perhaps you should have simply stated why, based upon evidence instead of personal incredulity, why such a tripod isn't worth $60 instead of inferring that there are "suckers born every day" (unless you were alluding to some other quote of Barnum's :rolleyes: ).

You're the one who is taking my remarks personally.

Your offense was to presume that you know what is, and what is not, a good value to others on these forums.

There are those, however, who will not evaluate an item and will only look at price. Perhaps you're not in that group.

There are many people on these forum who own Amvona CF tripods and they are generally regarded as very good values for the money. Many of us have heard good comments from our fellow POTN members such that price alone is not the sole factor in our decisions. Don't be presumptuous.

I won't try to educate you...

Gee whiz, thanks. :rolleyes:

...on the difference between a general allusion and a personal insult. I suggest we leave this go as a difference of opinion.

It's not a matter of "opinion." Your suggestion that anyone who considers the purchase of this tripod for $60 is a "sucker" is crystal clear.