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Re: Tripod carry options

From:

Rick Sussman

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Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:36:01 EST

 
In a message dated 3/20/2005 1:03:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
 writes:

I have a  Bogen/Manfrotto Tracker Tripod 3175 GN3, and am
wondering if this is close  to what you are dealing with.  Thanks for asking
the  folks!

Bill Moody



Bill,
 Well I think it's something a lot of folks could benefit from too. I  bought 
the new(ish) Manfrotto 458B NEOTEC tripod, which works thusly; when it is  in 
its most compact position it looks much like most tripods, though it has no  
visible knobs or handles on the outside. When you want to extend it, you pull 
on  a leg (I'm not pulling your leg!) and it stays just where you pull it to. 
Then  you do the others, set it on the ground, and adjust the legs for 
levelness. This  is done rather simply and elegantly with a silver "button" at the 
base of the  head (top of the tripod). Each leg can be quickly adjusted to any 
height,  including a rapid lowering for smaller folks. It is all very quick and 
simple. 
 
On the down -side, leg wraps won't work because the largest diameter leg is  
also the lowest leg, that which comes out first and is closest to the ground.  
With the legs extended, the wrap would have to go on the smallest diameter 
leg,  which would then interfere with its closing. There is no hole for a strap, 
 though this isn't really what I was looking for to carry it around in the 
field.  Nor is a carry bag. I think the TRI-PAC is the ideal solution, but I 
don't know  if it would work given the reverse order of the tripod legs.
 
So, this is why I asked for suggestions, etc. and there have been very many  
good tips/advice so far. Thanks to everyone. I think I need to get one in hand 
 and try it, and the only way is to buy it from ABA and give it a go. They 
will  take it back if it doesn't work (I have also e-mailed them about this, as 
they  carry both the new tripod and the Tri-Pack carrier, though I haven't 
heard back  yet).
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD