 Theresa L. Witt |
Quick release for a Velbon Luxisf tripod I am interested in the Velbon Luxi-sf tripod which has a ball head but I cannot seem to find a quick release system that will fit on it. Does anyone know if there is one??
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Ken Raymond |
Your best bet would be to check with the manufacturer.
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Mark Feldstein |
Most ball heads, like the tripod they're secured to, have either a 1/4-20 or 3/8" threaded screw that can be used to secure a quick release plate. The Velbon should be no exception to that, although I could be wrong. So, unless your ball head has some kind of non-standard system of attachment, you can probably use any manufacturer's quick release plate. My own preference for large format cameras like 4x5 is the Linhof Ball Head with Linhof Profi III quick releases. The Hasselblad plates that attach to the camera body work with their own quick release plate. Take a look at bhphotovideo.com under your tripod. And also check out the goodies at Reallyrightstuff.com Custom made brackets, ball heads, quick release plates, etc. just for fun. Take it light.
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George Anderson |
If you want a quick-release ballhead, you'd be better off buying one made that way to begin with rather than try to piggyback a taller QR plate on top of the little PH-353. I'm not thrilled with the Luxi SF leg system. I know it's a low-priced travel tripod, but..that trunnion shaft system has proved to be a total pain in the rear for me. Half the time one or more leg sections wedges solid in its plastic bushing and can't be rotated loose. I think it has something to do with mass-production tolerances of the legs. I keep the legs very clean and have tried everything from dry graphite to wax, to no lubricants at all - but still, they jam. You may find yourself spending a lot of time trying to wiggle the legs loose while other people are taking pictures. Compared to something like the Neo Carmagne, Gitzo CF, or even the Bogen 3001, this setup is absolutely primitive. The Velbon PH-353 ballhead is a good little ballhead for the Luxi SF, it is tight, easy to adjust, and holds better than you'd think for the size and price. But it has no QR option. Velbon does offer some well-made magnesium QR ballheads like the 61Q and the larger PH-273QL (a first-rate ballhead) if you want to stay under $150, but I'd certainly consider a different tripod.
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Theresa L. Witt |
Thank you for the input. I have a friend who bought the Velbon Luxi-SF tripod from B and H Photo and they recommended a Bogen quick release system. When she received it it didn't fit so she modified the top the ball head by filing it down some how. I really don't want to do that. I did check with the manufacturer and it looks like they don't make one for it which I find kind of odd. What I am looking for is a light weight tripod that gets low to the ground for macro photography that is easily packable for travel. Any suggestions.
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Mark Feldstein |
I'll tell ya Teri, when your friend filed down the top of the ball head she bought, at the same time, she probably voided the warranty. It's also a risky proposition because you rely on these things to allow you flexibility and ease of use while also holding your camera firmly to the support it's attached to, whether a ball head, quick release or tripod mount. I'm with George on this one. If I were you, I'd consider a different tripod, get the sturdiest ball head and quick release you can afford for now and the future. I tend to sleep better at night knowing my camera mounts won't dump the camera unless I deliberately release it from the mount. Besides, a flimsy tripod that's unstable or one that becomes unstable, or has legs that stick is of no value in doing quality work. Adios
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