Tripod legs w/ articulating center column?

I've searched here and the web, why do no big names make these? Induro made one but they rarely show up on eBay. Now it seems Vanguard is the only one I can find who actually makes one, http://www.amazon.com …ulti-Angle/dp/B003BQ1D4C/

I have kind of specific needs, as I make videos for my business that require a horizontal access, and have been borrowing a friends Manfrotto legs that have a horizontal option, but sometimes getting a little more flexibility would be great.

Here's an example of what I'm doing: https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=YshquI5uBOg (38 seconds long)

Most of the time I just have my ungripped 5d2 + 40mm pancake lens, so there's not a lot of weight. The thing that I liked about the Induro was twist legs and a hook at the bottom of the center mast to put a counter-weight on. FWIW, it also came with a really kick-ass bag (self admitted bag whore). The Vanguard also has a hook, but the quality appears to be sub-par, although reviewers on Amazon like it.

What are my other options? I need fast setup / breakdown, a height of at least 55" and for the sake of my budget, aluminum will work fine.

Any of the Gitzo Explorer series tripods will fit the bill for you.

http://www.amazon.com …2&keywords=gitz​o+explorer

Jptenberg wrote in post #15959627
Any of the Gitzo Explorer series tripods will fit the bill for you.

Perhaps I should have been slightly more clear about

Also not trying to spend $800 on a set of legs

Fair enough--Here's a less expensive option.

http://www.amazon.com …ywords=manfrott​o+550xprob

Other than these, you really don't have a lot of options for articulating arms, unless you want to start adding arms on top of your ballhead...

Jptenberg wrote in post #15959669
Fair enough--Here's a less expensive option.

http://www.amazon.com …ywords=manfrott​o+550xprob

Other than these, you really don't have a lot of options for articulating arms, unless you want to start adding arms on top of your ballhead...

Looked into it - it's vertical or horizontal, that's it.

I've poked around some of b&h too they have adapters to mount to legs to make this happen but none do the most simple of things, I honestly don't see why it's not more common?

Fiesol sells something that will convert any tripod for ~$130 HERE

You could grab a feisol 3301 or 3401 (3 vs 4 leg sections) for under $300 and add this adapter to get the flexibility you need...

It sounds like you could use a Benro A2970T. That's the Versatile Series tripod with the adjustable center column. It's the 3-section version with twist locks which would make for a quicker setup/breakdown. If you want the 4-section, then look for the A2980T.

It's a lot easier to get the flip lock version (A2970F) here in the States. The twist lock version was sold overseas, so it'll be a bit more work to track one down. I didn't see any currently selling on Ebay.

Mike, there's also the Velbon, though I have no first hand experience with Velbon products;
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …n_Aluminum_Vers​atile.html

...but I am kind of impressed by the fact that it looks really solid and it's got a geared column.

ghost68 wrote in post #15959823
Fiesol sells something that will convert any tripod for ~$130 HERE

You could grab a feisol 3301 or 3401 (3 vs 4 leg sections) for under $300 and add this adapter to get the flexibility you need...

This Looks Cool!

It does look like it woudl work with any Tripod..
I was So not interested in another tripod in my collection, and this may have just saved me.
Thanks!

Oddly, feisol seems to have two products, totally different products, with the seam name. (VH-40) is also, (not surprisingly) a Video Head.

ghost68 wrote in post #15959823
Fiesol sells something that will convert any tripod for ~$130 HERE

Looks great and I already have Manfrotto legs... their site is funny though A 1.2" (28mm) Column is included in this Kit.

It sounds like you could use a Benro A2970T. That's the Versatile Series tripod with the adjustable center column. It's the 3-section version with twist locks which would make for a quicker setup/breakdown. If you want the 4-section, then look for the A2980T.

It's a lot easier to get the flip lock version (A2970F) here in the States. The twist lock version was sold overseas, so it'll be a bit more work to track one down. I didn't see any currently selling on Ebay.

From the research I've done, Benro and Induro are the same company anyway. For the extra $20 over the Fiesol I'd get new legs so I wouldn't always have to take the head off my existing pair and a sporty case to carry it in..

I recently got a Benro A2970T as I much prefer the twist locks over the flip locks. I had a heck of a time finding it and got mine from Australia and the store sold out pretty soon after I got mine. Benro calls them the Versatile, and I originally ordered one from HolgaCamera but it turned out that they were out of stock and then removed the Versatile range from their web site completely. I'm beginning to wonder if Benro have discontinued the tripod, I sincerely hope not. It works really well by the way.

Thanks Peter! While I do mostly use the 40mm pancake (no real weight), how much weight have you hung off there?

Not much. I recently got a Sony mirrorless that I use my Leica lenses with and dumped my DSLR & lenses, and the only really hefty camera I have left is an all-metal Fotoman 617 panoramic, and I'd never use that on this tripod.

The Leica M in the picture is all-metal and I have several heavy brass Leica lenses but this tripod handles those with ease. If you have heavier stuff than me there's a hook on the end of the center column for you to counterbalance what's on the ballhead.

Talking about weight this tripod isn't exactly light at 4.7lbs but but my use is just for indoor and aluminum is fine for that. Benro makes a carbon fiber version that costs around $350 but for indoor you don't need CF. My A2970T cost $140 and it's good value for money.

I was looking for a similar style tripod a couple years ago. I ended up with a Giottos MTL 9360B. I've never handled a Benro but from the photographs, I think it has a better fit and finish.

I did a quick eBay search and several sellers have the Benro A2970T, including Adorama.

Based on my own experience, whatever legs you end up buying, I would make sure the tripod head I selected used the Arca Swiss quick release system. I struggled with the Manfrotto RC2 system for far too long and finally bit the bullet and changed everything over to the Arca Swiss style system. I upgraded everything I owned and it was pretty expensive because I had added lots of accessories since my original purchase.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #15961557
I did a quick eBay search and several sellers have the Benro A2970T, including Adorama.

An eBay search for the A2970T brings up the A2970F. The A2970T is not widely available but the A2970F is, at least in the US.

Adorama does not have the A2970T in stock, but both they and B&H carry the A2970F at a price of $154.

Peter,

My bad.... I didn't look closely enough.