question for groucho

[Master Mason]

Groucho,

I am trying to decide on a tripod, I am down to either the Giotos MT-8241 or the Slik 714. I actually like the slik a little better, but it has a 1/4 thread on the top, and most of the ball heads need the 3/16.

How did you over come this with yours, as your head you use has the larger theads as well?

Thanks
Gregg

 

[Groucho]

Howdy MM!

I actually use an adapter that came with my Bogen monopod that my friend gave me. It's just a thin metal piece that threads onto the tripod/monopod and gives you the proper size attachment screw.

Adorama has some solutions on this page, looks like if I didn't already have that adapter, I'd go with just a little $3 bushing.

BH has some similar stuff here - in fact, their bushing is all of $2. Neither place shows one that looks quite like mine, which has a cork top IIRC and is maybe 1-2 mm thick.

In fact, it looks like Acratech, Giottos, and probably other heads come with the adapter bushing in the box. Bogens appear not to (and I don't remember getting one with my Bogen head.

 

[MICKEY88]

Groucho,

I am trying to decide on a tripod, I am down to either the Giotos MT-8241 or the Slik 714. I actually like the slik a little better, but it has a 1/4 thread on the top, and most of the ball heads need the 3/16.

How did you over come this with yours, as your head you use has the larger theads as well?

Thanks
Gregg

I bought several of these for my tripods when I bought new ballheads and pistol grip heads..


http://cgi.ebay.com/Benro-1-4-to-3-8-Tripod-Monopod-Adapter-NEW-x-4_W0QQitemZ140169629487QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30091QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Master Mason]

Ok, I went with the Slik 714 and the Bogen 488 ball head and the adaptor....

I liked the height and the spiked legs better on the slik, it is a little heavier and did not come with a case which were it's two negatives.

The whole set up is actually a little heavier than the velabon I was using, but it is also over twice as strong.

 

[MICKEY88]

Ok, I went with the Slik 714 and the Bogen 488 ball head and the adaptor....

I liked the height and the spiked legs better on the slik, it is a little heavier and did not come with a case which were it's two negatives.

The whole set up is actually a little heavier than the velabon I was using, but it is also over twice as strong.

ritz camera ususally has tripod cases in stock..

 

[Master Mason]

thanks, I look, unforunately the one Ritz we had around here that was more than a couple of display cases closed around the first of the year. Once I get it home, I take a look and figure out how best to carry it.

 

[Anewman]

thanks, I look, unforunately the one Ritz we had around here that was more than a couple of display cases closed around the first of the year. Once I get it home, I take a look and figure out how best to carry it.

You know those folding chairs that you can find at walmart and such...

They look like this

Well some come with a decent little case that might fit a tripod, and they come in various sizes(for kids and adults) and colors. While not padded they seem pretty durable and some have adjustable straps.

 

[Groucho]

To carry mine, I took the original strap from my camera bag (replaced with an Op/Tech SOS strap) and attached one to the center column and the other to one of the legs of the tripod. This allows me to sling it over my back fairly effectively, although it does slide a little.

I figure that one of these days, I'll buy Op/Tech's tripod strap. I'm not concerned about a bag for it as that's one more thing to carry around, and getting the tripod in and out of the bag will be a pain.

And when I'm running from place to place with it at night, I usually just carry it with the legs extended and brought together... or if it's not crowded, maybe over the shoulder.

MM, enjoy the tripod, I hope you like yours as much as I like mine!