dolica CF tripod @ costco

This one only has 5.5 lbs rating

Joeymozzer wrote in post #14769015
How bout this one
Manfrotto 7321YB 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with 3-way Head with Carrying Case
http://m.costco.com …sJk50eT0xJnRvcG​5hdj0mcz0x

I have a Dolica AX620B100 I got for $20 a few years back. Would this be a good upgrade?

cowanrg wrote in post #14768266
It's not. it won't mount my RSS l-plate.

Thanks cowanrg! Not what I wanted to hear, but at least I didnt waste my time..

enzoshadow wrote in post #14771175
I have a Dolica AX620B100 I got for $20 a few years back. Would this be a good upgrade?

yes. cuz it's a carbon fiber and has great legs...

I'm glad I waited...just ordered one. For those in Hawaii, it'll be $93.23 using express shipping. This is for Oahu, so I don't know if the shipping will be the same for the other islands.

I just received my Costco Dolica tripod and it is quite nice! The only thing that bugs me that the screw to fasten the camera to the disconnect plate to the camera is too long and bottoms out on my T3i's battery grip. This leaves the camera to spin on the screw freely on the plate.

I guess I'll just hop over to Home Depot and get some thin rubber strips and build up the top of the disconnect plate so the connection is snug. Or.....I can just grind a smidge off the screw to get it to fit properly.

Used tripod last night. Legs aren't bad. Head frustrates the crap out of me. It's got to go. Still worth $79.

autobotguy wrote in post #14779936
I guess I'll just hop over to Home Depot and get some thin rubber strips and build up the top of the disconnect plate so the connection is snug. Or.....I can just grind a smidge off the screw to get it to fit properly.

Either way would work. If it were me, I'd probably grind down the threads, but be aware, you will probably have to clean up the threads with a small file or a fine grit dremel.

I played around with the in store Sunpak carbon tripod and wasn't too impressed. It seemed to me that the legs were pretty flexible when fully extended. When I pushed down on the tripod, the feet slip on the concrete and the legs splay out. I'm aware you can unscrew the rubber feet so the rubber touches the concrete instead of the metal spike, but it didn't help too much.

Does the Dolica do this too? My only reference is a cheapy tripod so I'm not sure if this is normal.

spyderpig wrote in post #14781961
I played around with the in store Sunpak carbon tripod and wasn't too impressed. It seemed to me that the legs were pretty flexible when fully extended. When I pushed down on the tripod, the feet slip on the concrete and the legs splay out. I'm aware you can unscrew the rubber feet so the rubber touches the concrete instead of the metal spike, but it didn't help too much.

Does the Dolica do this too? My only reference is a cheapy tripod so I'm not sure if this is normal.

I'm in your same boat, I've asked several times for some advice on my cheapy sunpak compared to the Dolica but haven't recieved any. I'm still learning and was wondering if the sunpak is a decent starter tripod (I only paid $13 but it runs $60), I don't have $100+ to spend on a very good tripod so just wanna know if I should keep my sunpak or upgrade slightly to the Dolica. So far for what I do (nothing major) the sunpak is ok, but want a better one down the line , and for $79 wondering if... Thanks

Got my Dolica Tripod from Costco on thursday and it looks like a good buy for the money. Will watch the wear though in a month or so.

Cheers

Got mine.
I can see how the camera screw length could be problem w some cameras.
What is the advantance / disadvantage of the B300 Ball Head over the B103 ??

Joeymozzer wrote in post #14782214
I'm in your same boat, I've asked several times for some advice on my cheapy sunpak compared to the Dolica but haven't recieved any. I'm still learning and was wondering if the sunpak is a decent starter tripod (I only paid $13 but it runs $60), I don't have $100+ to spend on a very good tripod so just wanna know if I should keep my sunpak or upgrade slightly to the Dolica. So far for what I do (nothing major) the sunpak is ok, but want a better one down the line , and for $79 wondering if... Thanks

I have a Sunpak also, hate the damn thing. It buckles under the weight of my 5DII and 24-70. Well, that's an exaggeration, it doesn't buckle, but this IS what happens:

1) The legs bow inwards when fully extended.
2) The plastic bits are actually "rubbery" so they don't keep the camera in place. So, you get creep. Especially at the up/down angle, due to the "heavy" lens.
3) The "plate" for the quick release sucks. When I have it on vertical orientation, the lens will drag the front of the camera down.

That's my consideration of my own Sunpak (that I bought for an "expensive" $60 years ago). Now? I still use it. Haven't had a chance to buy a decent tripod yet, but that doesn't stop me from lamenting the purchase.

However, if the tripod suits you well, then of course it will suit you. If you find no problem with your Sunpak in use, I don't see why asking others will make any difference other than getting buyer's remorse. I think the safest bet with tripods is to "Buy for the Future". Get the tripod you want that can handle what you think/know/want you'll be getting in the horizon and plan around that.

Of course, some do say having multiple tripods is even better. One for travel, one for HEAVY lenses (800mm? 1200mm?), and one that specializes in low angle shooting.

Joeymozzer wrote in post #14782214
I'm in your same boat, I've asked several times for some advice on my cheapy sunpak compared to the Dolica but haven't recieved any. I'm still learning and was wondering if the sunpak is a decent starter tripod (I only paid $13 but it runs $60), I don't have $100+ to spend on a very good tripod so just wanna know if I should keep my sunpak or upgrade slightly to the Dolica. So far for what I do (nothing major) the sunpak is ok, but want a better one down the line , and for $79 wondering if... Thanks

I know. I've been waiting for people to respond to your question and was thinking maybe their costco's don't have the sunpaks?

It turns out that the battery grip for my t3i has a short bevel at the screw entrance that is bumping the disconnect plate on the Dolica tripod, not allowing the camera to sit flush with the disconnect plate. So it looks like grinding the screw down will achieve nothing. This means that I'll have to go with the adhesive rubber strips idea.


UPDATE:
Well neither Lowes or Home Depot had any type of adhesive backed rubber strips, so I just got some wide rubber washers. The washer slid over the disconnect plate screw and held the camera on tight when installed. AWESOME! NOW I can say that this is definitively an great Tripod/head kit for the price. ^_^