Velbon Ultra Luxi F Tripod with 4-Way Pan Head and Case
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List Price: $179.95
Our Price:
$147.85
You Save: $32.1
Features
• Compact, lightweight tripod suitable for modern digital SLR cameras and other systems
• 4-way pan and tilt head with 3 spirit levels and twin handles for easy maneuverability
• Twist-lock leg system requires simple twist and pull to adjust leg height
• 2-section center column and multi-angle legs for low-angle photography (7.4 inches)
• Includes carrying case; measures 15.3 inches when folded, weighs 2.91 pounds |
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Velbon Ultra Luxi F Tripod with 4-Way Pan Head and Case Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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Excellent height over folded length
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My goals were a collapsed length suitable for a knapsack; enough height without center column extended to look over fences; moderate cost; good durability; OK rigidity; and unobtrusive appearance. This tripod has an excellent ratio of height to collapsed length. In general, I am very pleased. Most of the design and quality control appear to be excellent. There are instructions for use of the legs, but limited instructions for the other features; however, the features are easy to figure out.
The legs work easily, quickly, and quietly. Unfortunately, leveling the tripod usually involves shortening the largest-diameter leg extension. Shortening only the smallest-diameter sections is possible, but takes several seconds of concentrated handling per leg. The diameter of the bottom leg extensions is decent, considering the collapsed length. Locking and unlocking the legs requires grabbing the tripod's feet. It is possible to operate the legs without touching the bottoms of the feet, if you concentrate, and want to keep your hands clean. The gold color of the upper fifth of the tripod is overly noticeable. The tripod spider holds the legs and center column firmly. Rigidity of the tripod is respectable, given its folded size and weight. Spreading the legs out by hand increases rigidity, as with other tripods.
The two sections of the center column are joined firmly by a well-machined inner sleeve. A plug at the bottom of the column, that prevents the column from coming out, could unscrewed permanently if the column will be inverted often. I would prefer a 3/8-inch screw between the center column and tripod head. The platform at the top of the center column could be wider; but that also may not be a weak point.
(Terminology: The pan axis allows turning the camera horizontally, for example to look at different points on the horizon. The leveling axis allows the camera to lean to the side, for portraits versus landscapes. The tilt axis allows the camera to look above or below the horizon.)
In addition to the PH-145Q head included with the tripod, I have the smaller PH-237Q head. For both heads:
Loosening the tilt knob loosens the pan angle. I rarely raise the center column, so I would prefer to use the round center column for panning, and adjust the tilt separately. However, when the tilt knob is tightened, the tilt axis tightens before the pan axis; this sequence is OK. The quick-release lever does not have a safety lock, but freeing the plate requires turning the lever 180 degrees, which is not likely to happen suddenly and by accident.
The PH-145Q head that comes with the tripod feels solid. The quick-release plate comes with a built-in tightener for the camera screw. The levels are OK, but I use a level on the camera. The leveling bubble is bigger than the tilt bubbles. The need to remove the leveling handle to fully collapse the tripod, is inconvenient. The washer on the leveling handle can become unscrewed and lost. The option to position the leveling handle on the opposite side could be handy if you have a long-ish lens; otherwise, you could just rotate the quick release plate. About 17 full turns of the leveling handle are required to insert or remove it. The washer on the tilt handle is not captive at all. The quick-release plate can be tightened in the head at 4 positions, 90 degrees apart. The PH-145Q is a bit easier to use than the PH-237Q, except for the leveling handle. If I were not setting the tripod up a lot, I would prefer the PH-145Q.
The PH-237Q head feels solid. The quick-release plate does not come with a built-in tightener for the camera screw. A separate tightener is provided, but it could be misplaced. You could use a coin if you have one. The PH-237Q tilt/pan handle arrived sticky, as if coated lightly with beeswax. I wonder whether the tilt/pan handle could be made lighter. The rubber contact area between the quick-release plate and camera should be wider than the current 7/8 inch by less than 1+1/4 inch. The head works and folds nicely on the tripod, taking up significantly less space than the PH-145Q. The quick-release plate can be tightened in the head at 2 positions, 180 degrees apart. The PH-237Q is quick to set up.
The vinyl piping on the "case" is stiff, and may not be as durable as nylon. The piping will slow cramming the bag into a knapsack. The piping makes the bag hold its shape, so it is easier to put the tripod in the bag. The piping makes it difficult to slide the zipper around the corner at the foot of the bag. It looks as though the bag's cloth might not be waterproof; that could allow wetting, but also drying. The Velbon name on the bag is only about 5/16 inch high, and is not excessively legible. |
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Velbon Ultra Luxi F Tripod with 4-Way Pan Head and Case digital cameras, camcorders for sale