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Djarum
sage
Reged: 03/12/09
Posts: 377
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Has anyone seen this tripod? I saw this at Ritz camera store the other day. It really looks like it could be a good photo and bino tripod for my 10x50's. Here is a link:
Modo Maxi
Has anyone seen this tripod?
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Celestron Astromaster 130eq with a 60mm finderscope
Bushnell Legend 10x50
TMB planetary 5mm EP
Enhanced Wide Angle 6mm EP
Plossl 10mm EP
AT Paradigm 18mm
AT Paradigm 25mm
Plossl 32mm EP
Ultima 2x barlow
Baader M&SG and UHC filters.
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 308
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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Good for terrestrial viewing. Only goes to 60 inches high. You could not use it for astronomy, as it would not go high enough for most people to get under it. Is it tall enough for you? Two pound load capacity might be enough. What I have learned here is to get twice the load capacity weight of the binoculars that you will use. (That helps for off center loads)
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Oberwerk 11x56, Nikon 12x50se, Fujinon 16x70, William Optics 22x70, Oberwerk 25/40 45degree 100mm
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Erik D
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 3714
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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That tripod is OK for backpacking trips with a 2 lb binocular if you want to sit on the ground and not extend all leg sections. I have a 728 digi tripod that can go up to 64 inches. As Robert says, OK if you want to use it for terrestrial viewing. With the 4 section legs extended the tripod legs will flex with very little downward load.
I also have two Bogen 3001 tripods with 3 section legs. They are stronger than the 728 but only ~ 5 ft tall. I used one for a spotting scope years ago. Have not used it for nearly 10 years. Bought a taller tripod a week after my first pair of 20X80s arrived.
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/3011.htm
The Manfrotto 055/Bogen 3011 is the least tripod I'd recommend for use with Astro binos. Have a look at Garrett Optical for their series 3000 tripod too. Invest in a good one and you won't have to buy another when you upgrade to 60-100mm binos.
http://www.garrettoptical.com/product-p/series3000.htm
ERik D
Edited by Erik D (11/21/09 07:09 AM)
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Djarum
sage
Reged: 03/12/09
Posts: 377
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I'm looking for something portable. Also, I usually sit when I am viewing, so the height isn't a problem. I currently use a light weight sunpak when sitting, and it works just fine with my 10x50 except the pan head doesn't quite have the angle I need when viewing closer to the zenith. The legs wouldn't be extended all the way. For quick sessions, I usually don't even spread the legs out. I use for more of a monopod. I was thinking this would be a good replacement since the ball head allows for more angle.
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Celestron Astromaster 130eq with a 60mm finderscope
Bushnell Legend 10x50
TMB planetary 5mm EP
Enhanced Wide Angle 6mm EP
Plossl 10mm EP
AT Paradigm 18mm
AT Paradigm 25mm
Plossl 32mm EP
Ultima 2x barlow
Baader M&SG and UHC filters.
Edited by Djarum (11/21/09 11:27 AM)
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Erik D
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 3714
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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"Portable" means different things to different observers. For one person it may mean packing it on a 3-5 day hiking trip with food and bedding. For the other person it's walking a few hundred yards from vehicle to observing sites. To me a 9 lb tripod is just as portable as a 3 lb tripod if I am walking a few hundred feet carrying nothing more than my optics and tripod. Don't know what your needs are.
A good quality Manfrotto grip head alone is priced around $100:
http://www.adorama.com/BG3265.html
The 785 tripod and grip head can be had for under $50 from Amazon sellers. I don't know what kind of quality to expect from such a low cost tripod. Sometimes low cost heads still have play when you think you have it locked down.
Looks like the 785 is designed for a light wt camera around 2 lbs. You can mount a 2 lb 10X50 on just about any inexpensive tripod. But you will probably want to get another as soon us you move up to 12X60 or bigger binos.
I have about 1/2 dozen from flea market and yards sales. None of them cost more than $25. Some can support a heavy load to 10+ lbs. I don't use them at all except as loaners to friends and relatives.
I purchased this Manfrotto 728 B about 5 yrs ago:
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/3405.htm
For me it was an ultra-litet tripod I can carry on a nature hike. Price was just over $100. Less than what I paid for my Bogen 501 fluid head alone. I have used the 728 B no more than 2 or 3 times since. Only to mount 42 or 50mm binos for testing. I usually don't mount binoculars 12X60 or smaller. I want to use a head with better fluid motion when I do mount 15X or bigger.
If you want to give the 785 tripod a try do order it from a dealer with a good return policy. I have had good luck with Adorama Camera and Eagle Optics.
Consider buying used if you want to save $$. The old light wt 3001 with 3126/3130 head shows up often. The 3001 legs are more robust than my 728 B tripod.
ERik D
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Djarum
sage
Reged: 03/12/09
Posts: 377
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I really don't plan on buying larger binocs any time soon.
I went and took a closer look at the tripod. The head seems fine, but the middle mount when extended fully is rather flimsy, so that might be a deal breaker. What was also interesting was that it was rock solid at the legs unless the last section was extened. But if I was sitting, I wouldn't need that. I already get a bad back when using the telescope, so for me, using my 10x50's and siting in a fold out chair is something just for quick observing and is relaxing for me, so I'm not all that wild about standing using my binos.
For me, portable is something that I can put in a backpack for hiking. I don't do overnight hiking, but I do do 5-6 mile day hikes. In that sense, the portability is for my camera. I think the tripod would be a step up from my sunpak for photo use. I think you are right about it for binoculars. I think it would be suited ok for maybe some 10x42 roof prisms, but maybe not the one's I have.
Typically, I don't spend enough time on a singe object to really care about the binos being steady without my hands on them.
Thanks for the suggestion on the flea markets. I never thought about that. Even if I found some decent tripod legs, I could get the head I want somewhere else.
I looked at other heads while I was at ritz, and none of them were as ingenious as the one that was on this. Manfrotto needs to make a bigger brother to this that is not as expensive as the real high end stuff.
Dj
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Celestron Astromaster 130eq with a 60mm finderscope
Bushnell Legend 10x50
TMB planetary 5mm EP
Enhanced Wide Angle 6mm EP
Plossl 10mm EP
AT Paradigm 18mm
AT Paradigm 25mm
Plossl 32mm EP
Ultima 2x barlow
Baader M&SG and UHC filters.
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