Clovishound
Senior Member
Post a picture of the damaged knobs and maybe one of us will have an idea.
Post your latest purchases.
- Thread starter 87mstng
- Start date
Post a picture of the damaged knobs and maybe one of us will have an idea.
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Just the rubber sleeves on adjustment knobs. Not worth the effort to take and process photos. Thanks anyway, Clovishound.
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Hey, some great news! I called the person I got the Giottos tripod from and they actually found their copy of the manual. The manual does indeed consisted of a one page pamphlet identifying the parts of the tripod. But it is better than nothing and helps a lot! 
Hey, some great news! I called the person I got the Giottos tripod from and they actually found their copy of the manual. The manual does indeed consisted of a one page pamphlet identifying the parts of the tripod. But it is better than nothing and helps a lot!
That's great.
Some tripods have a removable center column which can be replaced by a much shorter column to allow low-to-the-ground access. Others can have the center column inverted so the camera hangs upside down. Unless you've used a tripod with several features, it isn't easy knowing what all it can do. Glad you are able to get the document.Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Thank you Cindy. This tripod actually lets me do just about everything I can think of. I can position the legs for narrow, medium and wide angles. I can adjust the center column so it can be high on top, out to the side, or straight down (hence allowing me to invert the camera). It also came with a Giottos MH 1000 Ball Head camera mount so I can move the camera into any position. It also came with a built in bubble level, carry-case (with straps), over the shoulder tripod only carry strap, toolbox (with tools), and a plain camera mount if I don't want to use the Ball Head. The only things that seem to be missing are some rubber pads on the ball head and tripod adjustment controls, a cable mount for the toolbox, and optional FP 2021 shoes to provide tripod stability in snow, mud, sand, slippery floors, soft ground, etc.
Sounds like a lateral tripod if you can position the center column in a variety of ways. Those tend to be a little more pricey than standard tripods.
When you say the ball head is missing some rubber pads, do you mean on the quick release plate? Because those QR plates are easily replaceable and aren't overly expensive. Good luck with it. Sounds like you were able to get a very nice tripod.
When you say the ball head is missing some rubber pads, do you mean on the quick release plate? Because those QR plates are easily replaceable and aren't overly expensive. Good luck with it. Sounds like you were able to get a very nice tripod.
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
No, they are not on the quick release plates but are just controls on the ball head and tripod. They are part of Giottos gear, so I am likely out of luck.
BF Hammer
Senior Member
Ordered on Saturday, arrived yesterday. A Chinese brand carbon fiber tripod that finally should live up to the stability standard of my Sirui K-40 ball-head. Massively large diameter legs and stands above my eye level with the legs fully extended. Had the leveling-bowl mount included as well as the expected tools and spike feet.
Artcise AS90C. Same tripod also appears around online with some other branding. For comparison I am showing with my previous Three-Legged-Thing Billy tripod, which is a more typical travel tripod physically, except maybe a bit taller. I think it reaches 61 inches with the center fully extended, the Artcise is 63 inches and has no center column to extend. Yes I placed the Three-Legged-Thing inside of the Artcise for comedy effect, legs fully extension on both. The first photo with the 3rd tripod shows the Sunpack carbon-fiber pod I bought over 15 years ago. Believe it or not I had been using that big ball-head on that skinny tripod for over 3 years. It was a bit top-heavy. I just put the original plastic pistol-grip head on the Sunpack and will likely put in deep storage now.
Artcise
I think I will refer to this new tripod as Pod-squatch.
Artcise AS90C. Same tripod also appears around online with some other branding. For comparison I am showing with my previous Three-Legged-Thing Billy tripod, which is a more typical travel tripod physically, except maybe a bit taller. I think it reaches 61 inches with the center fully extended, the Artcise is 63 inches and has no center column to extend. Yes I placed the Three-Legged-Thing inside of the Artcise for comedy effect, legs fully extension on both. The first photo with the 3rd tripod shows the Sunpack carbon-fiber pod I bought over 15 years ago. Believe it or not I had been using that big ball-head on that skinny tripod for over 3 years. It was a bit top-heavy. I just put the original plastic pistol-grip head on the Sunpack and will likely put in deep storage now.
Artcise
I think I will refer to this new tripod as Pod-squatch.
Andy W
Senior Member
That is an impressive looking tripod. :encouragement:
Clovishound
Senior Member
Well, looks like I'm posting here before the thread I started got approved to be posted in the Deals section. I ran across a sale on the 200-500 F5.6 in the Nikon Store. I was thinking hard about it, since it was a good bit off, and this lens is very well thought of. I need a long tele for my new Z5, and can't justify the $$$ of the 100-400 Z lens. I was about to pull the trigger on it, when I was disappointed to see that it was out of stock.
I checked B&H and they had them in stock for $3 less. I bit. I'm thinking that this lens would not only be a good fit for me at the price, but my daughter could use it times when she needs a little more magnification. She currently has a 70-300 F4.5-5.6E lens. This lens would get her to a whopping 750mm equivalent, vs the 450 equivalent with the 70-300. Of course, this is only when she can pry it out of my hands. She might not like the size and weight of this lens for a lot of situations, but it will be nice for her to have the option when she really needs that extra reach. And, when I'm not currently using it.
It should be here next week. I also got an E-mail from the Nikon Store that they had received and credited me for the return of the defective 105 micro lens, so I went ahead and nervously ordered another for my daughter. Hopefully this one will work.
I checked B&H and they had them in stock for $3 less. I bit. I'm thinking that this lens would not only be a good fit for me at the price, but my daughter could use it times when she needs a little more magnification. She currently has a 70-300 F4.5-5.6E lens. This lens would get her to a whopping 750mm equivalent, vs the 450 equivalent with the 70-300. Of course, this is only when she can pry it out of my hands. She might not like the size and weight of this lens for a lot of situations, but it will be nice for her to have the option when she really needs that extra reach. And, when I'm not currently using it.
It should be here next week. I also got an E-mail from the Nikon Store that they had received and credited me for the return of the defective 105 micro lens, so I went ahead and nervously ordered another for my daughter. Hopefully this one will work.
Peter7100
Senior Member
Picked up a Tokina 100mm macro on ebay for £205 which I thought was a decent price.
With it being a few years since I owned a macro, I forgot how frustrating macro photography can be at times. However I think this particular lens is great value as my last owned macro lens was a Canon which cost a fortune compared to this one and I don't see much difference in quality or performance.
First effort
With it being a few years since I owned a macro, I forgot how frustrating macro photography can be at times. However I think this particular lens is great value as my last owned macro lens was a Canon which cost a fortune compared to this one and I don't see much difference in quality or performance.
First effort
Fred Kingston_RIP
Senior Member
That's a great lens @Peter7100 Tokina makes great lenses...
Fred Kingston_RIP
Senior Member
That's a great lens @Peter7100 Tokina makes great lenses...
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
I agree with Fred. It is one great lens which I own myself.
Clovishound
Senior Member
After getting the 200-500 lens, I discovered my current camera bag was not going to cut it. The Pup has had this backpack bag in a different color for a while and has been happy with it. I decided to try one and see how it goes. Price was pretty good, and quality seems good.
The only down side is the top compartment does not have any dividers or padding. I planned to put the 200-500 in the bottom compartment, along with the D3400 and it's two lenses. Then put the Z5 with the 24-70 in the top, for easy access. I have plenty of dividers left over from the bottom compartment, but the top has no velcro attachments on the sides to secure them. Not sure if the padding is really necessary, but would feel better if the camera was better protected, and could not move around. I think I will see if some of the padding from my old bag will fit in there. I discovered that all my equipment is way too heavy to keep in a traditional bag. I really need the backpack style to haul this stuff around.
I was also hoping to be able to attach my tripod to the backpack, but it's just too big and heavy. Guess I'll just have to schlep it in hand, or maybe rig a separate carry strap for it. I used to have a carry strap for it a couple decades ago. Fortunately, the IBIS and VR on the new lens is good enough I may not need a tripod as often as I did with my D3400 rig.
I know I could have gotten a backpack that suited my needs a little closer, but everything that was a little better was a good bit more $, and right now I've spent WAY too much on camera gear this year.
Edited to add: I started thinking about swapping the padding from my old bag when making this post. I just went and pulled it out and it fits quite well into the top compartment. My Z5 and lens fits well in it, and I now have space for another two lenses in the top, with easy access. This makes the bag much more usable for me.
The only down side is the top compartment does not have any dividers or padding. I planned to put the 200-500 in the bottom compartment, along with the D3400 and it's two lenses. Then put the Z5 with the 24-70 in the top, for easy access. I have plenty of dividers left over from the bottom compartment, but the top has no velcro attachments on the sides to secure them. Not sure if the padding is really necessary, but would feel better if the camera was better protected, and could not move around. I think I will see if some of the padding from my old bag will fit in there. I discovered that all my equipment is way too heavy to keep in a traditional bag. I really need the backpack style to haul this stuff around.
I was also hoping to be able to attach my tripod to the backpack, but it's just too big and heavy. Guess I'll just have to schlep it in hand, or maybe rig a separate carry strap for it. I used to have a carry strap for it a couple decades ago. Fortunately, the IBIS and VR on the new lens is good enough I may not need a tripod as often as I did with my D3400 rig.
I know I could have gotten a backpack that suited my needs a little closer, but everything that was a little better was a good bit more $, and right now I've spent WAY too much on camera gear this year.
Edited to add: I started thinking about swapping the padding from my old bag when making this post. I just went and pulled it out and it fits quite well into the top compartment. My Z5 and lens fits well in it, and I now have space for another two lenses in the top, with easy access. This makes the bag much more usable for me.
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Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Nice pickup! Looks like a good bag for your gear. :encouragement:
I'm really interested in trying composites so I purchased this reversible Chroma Green/Blue background that's on sale through today. I only purchased the background, but they also have a kit which includes a stand and a clamp (both of which I already own).
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1148749-REG/angler_2254_cbcg_57_collapsible_background_5.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1148749-REG/angler_2254_cbcg_57_collapsible_background_5.html
BF Hammer
Senior Member
Prime Day normally does not feature the big name brands. As usual, I did not see any lens I might be interested in. But I did think to browse for a new backpack. I have never been overly pleased with my Lowepro Mini-Trekker that I bought 2nd-hand about 13 years ago.
So I bought this "PGYTECH" pack. I keep wanting to call it Pig-Tech. I hope it will exceed my quality expectations, but no-name brands don't always do that. Marked down to $159 from $224. I am counting on the more squared shape to give me more storage. I also like having less straps and elastic cordage on the outside. That really bothers me with the Lowepro I have. It also has a small shoulder pack that stows inside, so you can go with the lighter option where appropriate if you are traveling.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0828X4YBV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0828X4YBV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">
So I bought this "PGYTECH" pack. I keep wanting to call it Pig-Tech. I hope it will exceed my quality expectations, but no-name brands don't always do that. Marked down to $159 from $224. I am counting on the more squared shape to give me more storage. I also like having less straps and elastic cordage on the outside. That really bothers me with the Lowepro I have. It also has a small shoulder pack that stows inside, so you can go with the lighter option where appropriate if you are traveling.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0828X4YBV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0828X4YBV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">
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