Velbon tripod feedback?

[keith_anderson7]

This is my first post on this forum. I was using another for a while but kept

finding that my google searches for various things kept pointing me back to

answers that this forum's users have posted, so I thought I'd just migrate to

this one.

 

Anyway, I'm in the market for a lightweight tripod. I have a Manfrotto midi

ball head and a lightweight 3-way head, so I just need the legs. I would like a

tripod that is sturdy but is also lightweight, as I plan to take it camping,

backpacking, hiking, etc, for most uses.

 

I will primarily use it on a Hasselblad 500c/m camera and *may* get into 4x5

photography in the near future as well.

 

I was looking at the Velbon El Carmagne 530, which is a carbon fiber tripod. I

have never been impressed with this manufacturer before but this tripod is only

$263 on amazon, and appears to be a really good ripoff of a Gitzo. It also

seems pretty sturdy. Has anyone used this tripod, or does anyone have general

feedback about whether this is a good manufacturer? Or, do you have another

tripod you'd recommend instead? I'm not married to carbon tripods but I'd

certainly prefer that due to the weight.

 

Thanks in advance!

[ilkka]

Velbon was my first tripod, about 30 years ago. It was not very stable and the leg locks slipped when heavy camera was put on the tripod. I soon replaced it with a Gitzo and that is still is use today. But the Velbon Carmagne series is one of their better (best?) lines and looks very well made. From what I have been hearing and observing, Velbon has improved their tripods over the years, while it seems that Gitzo has gone down in quality. I think you will do well with the Carmagne.

[roamingstudio]

I recently evaluated lots of similar models - Gitzo / Velbon Sherpa Pro / Slik etc. In the end because of available costs ($ to CHF was almost 1:1) and price tags, I opted to import a Gitzo series. However the Velbon's were second choice - the 7xx series was really nice and alot cheaper (outside of CHF land).

 

Website for the Velbon range is here http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ : the Sherpa is also known as the Carmagne I think...

[joe_mueller1]

I sold my Gitzo Explorer and bought a Velbon 730 instaed. It is 1/2 the price of a similar Gitzo - at least here in Europa. And at least as stable and very well made!

Highly recommended

[matus]

As I am looking for a small lightweight tripod I have come across the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-435 tripod . I had a chance to see one life and my impression is following:

- the carbon legs look fine

- the locks seemd to be made of not very high grade plastic, but locked the legs properly (the thing was new, right)

- the base of the tripod (the part that holds all the three legs and column together) seemed like to be made of some tight plastic !!! - but may be there is some metal underneath.

- the lock for the central column was of the same level as the leg locks.

 

Total impression was mixed bag - I am would not be confident about the durability. For the price one could get a Feisol.