jon_robert

For film The Nikon FE2 will be a loved tool. Next the Nikon FM2 is as good as it gets in a full manual with light meter. Each can be had on ebay for about $150.00 The FM3 is a combo of the 2 and new issue but $500.00 or so. I would buy the FM3 except I have 2 lenses that I like mounted and ready so I have each FM2n and FE2. I have 2 Yashica FX3 Super and Super 2000 they are much wimpier but good. Can be had on ebay for about $100.00 I would go with Nikon in film because I calculate they will be the last player standing due to the digital is better craze. I would not buy a digital SLR they are very costly and due to electronic and computer issues the life span is to cry over. I have a sony Mavica digital for computer needs and a scanner for my good pics obtained via film.

Forget the height criteria what good is a tripod that you find excuses for not taking along? I am 6' 4" also. I do not hesitate to take these. If the weather is very cold place them inside you coat and the will be warmish. I use Nikon FM2 and FE2 with Sigma 28-300 and 18-35 lenses. They are HEAVY and I have no stability complaints with the Biloret's. I sought diligently for the mother of all practical tripods and found it (them) in the vintage German Bilora Biloret tripods. And quality construction! They have the space saving ball head compared to the pan tilt. I do not need a panning handle. I bought the 3 I have on ebay at less than $20.00 each. The 3 cover every need I have. For the ultimate in a light weight pocket model, the aluminum 1007K. Flat-ish with legs all in a row when "folded" to 10" long. Or similar Biloret aluminum model. Maybe not the most durable for the very heavy handed like me but very light. For standard tripod photos I use the awesome 2037 brass beauty with out notches.. This is 11" folded and what I would take with out concerns on an African safaris or other once in a life time trip. If I carry my close up bellows setup I use the 2037 model with notches. Apparently the 2037 came with and with out. The one with notches allows the legs to be literally horizontal with the camera only 4" or so off the ground. Or any other height. With a close up bellows you can see how this could be an advantage. Also it is handy to do on the roof of a car or similar. I found only one modern day equivalent at only one place in my searches. It was at Circuit City and not prominently displayed. Rather the 3 were just sitting on top shelf of the racks. What good is a tripod that you find excuses for not taking along? I do not hesitate with these.

Let me try to get you going. F/No is the f-stops you can choose from. and the ft or distances that can be flashed using those f stops. The colored triangles are automatic settings to choose from that should also have a required associated f-stop. In manual you get no atomatic flash shutdown via the sensor mounted on the flash. So you must estimate the effect the flash will have at the distance the subject is. You could end up with a washed out face at 4'.

I use Nikon FM2n and FE2 with Sigma 28-300 and 18-35 lenses. This pair covers everything I need for typical Indoor and outdoor shots. I do have a 50mm lens and reversing ring on a bellows for close ups but that is rare. For cities and indoors the 18-35 does 90% duty for more wide open spaces the 28-300 does 90% duty. I prefer the active lens on my FE2 in auto when needing long exposures like at night or indoors without a flash.

I use Nikon FM2 and FE2 with Sigma 28-300 and 18-35 lenses. They are HEAVY and I have no stability complaints with the Biloret's. I sought diligently for the mother of all practical tripods and found it (them) in the vintage German Bilora Biloret tripods. And quality construction! They have the space saving ball head compared to the pan tilt. I do not need a panning handle. I bought the 3 I have on ebay at less than $20.00 each. The 3 cover every need I have. For the ultimate in a light weight pocket model, the aluminum 1007K. Flat-ish with legs all in a row when "folded" to 10" long. Or similar Biloret aluminum model. Maybe not the most durable for the very heavy handed like me but very light. For standard tripod photos I use the awesome 2037 brass beauty with out notches.. This is 11" folded and what I would take with out concerns on an African safaris or other once in a life time trip. If I carry my close up bellows setup I use the 2037 model with notches. Apparently the 2037 came with and with out. The one with notches allows the legs to be literally horizontal with the camera only 4" or so off the ground. Or any other height. With a close up bellows you can see how this could be an advantage. Also it is handy to do on the roof of a car or similar. I found only one modern day equivalent at only one place in my searches. It was at Circuit City and not prominently displayed. Rather the 3 were just sitting on top shelf of the racks. What good is a tripod that you find excuses for not taking along? I do not hesitate with these.

I would recommend the following for backpacking and they are cheap. I find no problem with a lack of quick release. They spin on quite nicely as I briefly ponder my composition. I use Nikon FM2 and FE2 with Sigma 28-300 and 18-35 lenses. They are HEAVY and I have no stability complaints with the Biloret's. I sought diligently for the mother of all practical tripods and found it (them) in the vintage German Bilora Biloret tripods. And quality construction! They have the space saving ball head compared to the pan tilt. I do not need a panning handle. I bought the 3 I have on ebay at less than $20.00 each. The 3 cover every need I have. For the ultimate in a light weight pocket model, the aluminum 1007K. Flat-ish with legs all in a row when "folded" to 10" long. Or similar Biloret aluminum model. Maybe not the most durable for the very heavy handed like me but very light. For standard tripod photos I use the awesome 2037 brass beauty with out notches.. This is 11" folded and what I would take with out concerns on an African safaris or other once in a life time trip. If I carry my close up bellows setup I use the 2037 model with notches. Apparently the 2037 came with and with out. The one with notches allows the legs to be literally horizontal with the camera only 4" or so off the ground. Or any other height. With a close up bellows you can see how this could be an advantage. Also it is handy to do on the roof of a car or similar. I found only one modern day equivalent at only one place in my searches. It was at Circuit City and not prominently displayed. Rather the 3 were just sitting on top shelf of the racks. What good is a tripod that you find excuses for not taking along? I do not hesitate with these.

I use Nikon FM2 and FE2 with Sigma 28-300 and 18-35 lenses. They are HEAVY and I have no stability complaints with the Biloret's. I sought diligently for the mother of all practical tripods and found it (them) in the vintage German Bilora Biloret tripods. And quality construction! They have the space saving ball head compared to the pan tilt. I do not need a panning handle. I bought the 3 I have on ebay at less than $20.00 each. The 3 cover every need I have. For the ultimate in a light weight pocket model, the aluminum 1007K. Flat-ish with legs all in a row when "folded" to 10" long. Or similar Biloret aluminum model. Maybe not the most durable for the very heavy handed like me but very light. For standard tripod photos I use the awesome 2037 brass beauty with out notches.. This is 11" folded and what I would take with out concerns on an African safaris or other once in a life time trip. If I carry my close up bellows setup I use the 2037 model with notches. Apparently the 2037 came with and with out. The one with notches allows the legs to be literally horizontal with the camera only 4" or so off the ground. Or any other height. With a close up bellows you can see how this could be an advantage. Also it is handy to do on the roof of a car or similar. I found only one modern day equivalent at only one place in my searches. It was at Circuit City and not prominently displayed. Rather the 3 were just sitting on top shelf of the racks. What good is a tripod that you find excuses for not taking along? I do not hesitate with these.