[Dutchie]

I have seen above offer by Bristol camera's. I'm pretty tempted to buy it. But i've also seen a lot of you complaining about delivery times and not even having it in stock.

I need it end of June, so that would give me a fair few weeks yet. Is it worth the hassle?

Velbon Sherpa Pro CF635 & PH157Q - Best Price at Bristol Cameras

And is there much difference between this tripod and the benro's?

Last but not least which ballhead would be suitable. My heaviest lens would be the 70-300. Not planning to get another one that would be heavier!

[Dave]

Dutchie, if you phone them first to make sure they havethem in stock I belive you will be ok. I had the previous model (535) & was very happy with it. I now have the Benro which is built like a tank in comparison. Better built yes, but in reality overkill for my needs & a fair bit heavier. Also substantially more expensive.

Re the Velbon head the only thing I found was you had to be careful to tighten head once positioned, as once I left it a bit too loose & the weight of the lens tipped the camera forward. After this I was more careful & not a problem.

The Velbon is light, versatile & recomended from my experience.

[Dabhand16]

Dutchie - I've got a cf535 with a manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead and am very pleased with them.

Bristol cameras were out of stock of the 535 when I phoned, but promised swift delivery. I ordered on-line that evening and got the tripod in five days.

The 486RC2 ballhead is good for 6kg on the specs, the 488RC2 will take 8kg.

I got the 486 for £49.99, the 488 is £69.99.

HTH

[spacepacker]

For Benro do you mean Benbo. If so I agree with Dave. I use a Benbo, it's a wonderful tripod but heavy. It is very stable, you can get down almost to ground level and excellent in strong winds. It's the best I have ever used but very heavy to carry especially up mountains. I use a Manfrotto ball head which I find to be very secure...Kenny

[Dutchie]

Ok that's good enough to me. I will ring them and ask if it is in stock. And i will see if i can get the manfrotto ballhead. I have no experience at all with the tripod, other then a cheap version i've got for my camcorder. And it certainly won't hold my camera.

I don't need a heavy weight tripod, as i would like to take it with me for outside photography at some point.

Thanks for guys for your advice

[Dutchie]

Dabhand, you've got the 535 velbon sherpa. I'm looking at the height of this tripod and it is 158cms. Now does the head ad another few centimeters on this or is that the max with everything on top?

I'm 174cm long you see, so i'm just not sure which one would be ideal for me. I want to stand straight up and look through the few finder. The 635 is only 7cms longer, but £15 dearer as well.

[Dabhand16]

Dutchie - you are right to be considering this. I'm at work now, but will give you the measurements when I get home.

I think the 535 will be able to get the height you want, but only with the centre column extended. My personal preference is not to use a tripod like this - they are most stable with the camera right on top of the legs, not with it maybe two feet (or more) up the centre column.

The 635 will probably have thicker legs too, which will be more stable, but with a weight penalty. Another thing to consider is that some tripods have three leg sections, and others four. Three are quicker to set up, four might be more compact when closed.

I replaced the pan/tilt head with a ball head.

[Dutchie]

Yeh thats what i'm gonna do. But for now it will do. Ballhead is nice thing to put on my wishinglist for birthday or christmas. I'm not in a hurry with that.

Bristolcamera's are a pain with there descriptions. Can't see any specs on there. Found it on warehouse express though.

[Dabhand16]

OK here are the measurements with the 3 legs extended to their maximum height, and spread out to the max too.

Height to top of column - with column down - 121cm. With column extended to maximum height - 158cm.

I've got a Manfrotto 486 RC2 ball head. Add 8cm with head fitted.

For you, I think I'd swap a slight stoop when using the tripod if you can have the column lower than at full extension. You could gain a little height if the legs were not spread out so much, but not a lot before you start getting stability issues.

The supplied head is OK, but if you do swap it, you will find the 1/4" > 3/8" thread adaptor will probably stay in the head and you will have to unscrew it and fit it to the new head.

Check out the Velbon site I think they have all the info you'll need. They make tripods with clip leg locks (5 designation) or screw leg locks (0 designation).

[Dutchie]

Ah so the 635 is in this case better for me as it comes at 165cms. Then add another 8cms and that will bring it to 173cms. I could go down a little as eye height would be another 3cms or so off.

It is only +/- 200grams heavier. I think I can live with that.

Thanks Graham

[muscle750]

I got the CF645 best thing since sliced bread armed with me Gitto ballhead

[Dutchie]

On thursday I'd ordered the tripod from bristol camera's. And yesterday it came in. I'm impressed