Posted by C at 1:14am Jun 8 '10So, being frustrated with the numerous crappy tripods that are available for exorbitant prices and wanting something heavier and sturdier than those pieces of crap, I searched the ebay.
And this is what I found: ebay: STAR-D D-120 HEAVY DUTY QUICK-SET METAL TRIPOD 21"-51"
For $38 and change I got a kickass tripod. To get a comparatively sturdy tripod new today, would probably cost me close to $400 at the very least and it wouldn't be as heavy, and no way it'd be able to be used for even 20 years before something plastic would break. Not to mention, it wouldn't be heavy enough (and have enough inertia) to resist wind movement and shake from the mirror locking up, and the shutter actuation. This tripod is made with heavy, thick, strong, aircraft grade aluminum and there's virtually no wiggle or flex when all the knobs are locked. Compared to all of the ones (with the exception of the gorgeous ash wood Berlebach that was almost $800) that I tried out at the camera shop chain, this thing is damn solid. Being as old as it is, there's virtually no galling, except maybe in a few tiny spots and nothing warped or any threads stripped.
This thing is built with that kind of everlasting quality that has been disappearing since the 60's. Japanese made, this tripod has a nice solid "Japanese feel" to it. Lots of Japanese and German things are machined well, and with precision.
I love the styling of it. It's so retro looking while being completely functional. Back in those days, things had a unique look to them. I like that look.
Anyway, here's some pics I took of it. Let me know what you think.
View the entire set with comments, here: The Tripod (It's badass) — Set on Flickr
And this is what I found: ebay: STAR-D D-120 HEAVY DUTY QUICK-SET METAL TRIPOD 21"-51"
For $38 and change I got a kickass tripod. To get a comparatively sturdy tripod new today, would probably cost me close to $400 at the very least and it wouldn't be as heavy, and no way it'd be able to be used for even 20 years before something plastic would break. Not to mention, it wouldn't be heavy enough (and have enough inertia) to resist wind movement and shake from the mirror locking up, and the shutter actuation. This tripod is made with heavy, thick, strong, aircraft grade aluminum and there's virtually no wiggle or flex when all the knobs are locked. Compared to all of the ones (with the exception of the gorgeous ash wood Berlebach that was almost $800) that I tried out at the camera shop chain, this thing is damn solid. Being as old as it is, there's virtually no galling, except maybe in a few tiny spots and nothing warped or any threads stripped.
This thing is built with that kind of everlasting quality that has been disappearing since the 60's. Japanese made, this tripod has a nice solid "Japanese feel" to it. Lots of Japanese and German things are machined well, and with precision.
I love the styling of it. It's so retro looking while being completely functional. Back in those days, things had a unique look to them. I like that look.
Anyway, here's some pics I took of it. Let me know what you think.
View the entire set with comments, here: The Tripod (It's badass) — Set on Flickr