Jim Davis (rudely) replied thusly ---
*so untrue [About a decent cheap tripod]
The Tilt-All line served National Geo photogs for decades, and is available today for $130 from B&H. Helmut Newton still uses one, as does our own Robert Earnest. I think it might be good enough for the PF rank & filers...I know there are better tripods, and Tilt-Alls are too heavy for a backpacker, but if it served these folks well, it can probably serve most photographers, at least until they can step up to the standard-issue carbon Manfrotto.
>>>A tall enough tripod (I'm 6'4") is very expensive and heavy<<<
Tripods in the 70+ inch range max extension are not cheap or compact, and if you add light weight into the equation, expensive.
OTOH, the right gear makes all the difference, and a good tripod is a lifetime investment. Extending the center column on a lightweight tripod (and you could probably get one custom-made for less than
$200 at a machine shop) is going to result in an inferior camera platform.
One of the great eye-openers regarding tripods is to rubber band a laser pointer firmly to the lens barrel on a camera mounted on a tripod, project the laser on a wall 50-100 ft away, and SEE the vibrations that result. Extending the center column clearly results in less stability, specially in the 1/4-1/15th sec range. Your mileage may vary.
>>>, even if I was in the States, thankfully I'm not<<<<
Why the gratuitous slur on the country that hosts this list and its citizens ? That is just rude.
>>> The 190 is a normal height tripod. My other two tripods are about the same height. I have a 190, I like it. I just want a 4-6 inch extension on it.<<<<
Good luck. I am sure that it is a standard gauge commercial-grade tubing that is used, and that you can have one made. One tip: Fill the center column with the foam that is sold at hardware stores to plug holes in walls. It helps dampen vibrations.
--- Luis
