NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/photo/19899

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-17 | 3.3 KB

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From: [e-mail]
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: wooden tripods
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 15 Nov 92 22:11:23 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
Distribution: na
Organization: Minnesota State University System
Lines: 49

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Lloyd Lemmermann) writes:
> I'm about to replace a recently-stolen Bogen tripod, and I'm considering wood.
> I am familiar with brands and the positive attributes of wooden 'pods, but I'd
> also like to know about the pitfalls that some of you users have discovered
> through everyday use. Especially those pitfalls that would cause you to
> recommend against one.
> My cameras include medium format and large format field cameras (4x5), used
> both indoors and out.
> E-mail if you like, but this may make for interesting reading on the net.

I've owned a Zone VI "lightweight" for several years now.  I've since
given all my other tripods away to friends.

Here are some of the positives.  It is sturdy and steady.  It takes a
lot of abuse (water, sand, cold, mud, snow, getting tossed into car
trunks, etc.).  It is easy to set up and use in a variety of
situations.  You don't have to worry about your hands sticking to
metal in very cold conditions.

Have you ever seen a survey crew using metal tripods?  I haven't.
Every one I've ever seen has always used wood tripods.

But there is an important consideration that might be considered a
negative by some in some situations -- it seems to weigh a ton after
lugging it over hill and dale all day.  But compare its weight to that
of the studier metal tripods and you'll see that there isn't much of a
difference -- they all weigh a ton.  Given a choice of a metal tripod
and a wood tripod of similar weights, I'll take the wood one every
time.  To deal with those situations where weight is a great concern,
I've recently begun to think about a monopod for some situations.  But
then again, I shoot 35mm, which is somewhat more amenable to monopods.

If you plan on using it indoors, it is also worth mentioning that it
has spike feet only.  Perfect for outdoors, but less than perfect on
an expensive hardwood floor indoors.  Therefore, I also bought from
Zone VI a folding gadget that lays on the floor with indentations to
accept the spike feet of the tripod, thus insulating the floor from
the tripod.  I've never had occasion to use this gadget, however.  A
more cost-effective solution (and more compact to carry) would be to
buy three hard rubber floor protectors from a hardware store (these
are designed to sit between a hardwood floor and heavy furniture).

If I had it to do again, I'd buy another wood tripod in a flash.
--
   Paul L. Schumann, Ph.D.           |  VAX:  IN%"[e-mail]"
   Professor of Management           |  Office Phone:       [phone]
   Mankato State University          |  Secretary's Phone:  [phone]
   Mankato, MN   56002-8400          |  Fax Number:         [phone]