Anyone own a Velbon Sherpa 200R Tripod?

[Elisha]

I bought a Velbon Sherpa 200R out of impulse and also cause i had a gift card for a camera shop that has nothing that interests me!

I can't seem to find much user opinions on this particular model.
Does anyone have one of these and are they half decent?
Or is there something better I can get for under $150?
I paid $99 CAD for it out of which $50 was covered by the gift card.

[Don Kondra]

I have the Sherpa 550R, it's rated for + .5kg over the 200R and the legs will spread almost level with the ground.

First thing I did is put away the pan head and bought a ball head with quick release plates....

For what you paid, I don't think you'll find better quality. In hindsight I would have bought the legs and head seperately.

Cheers, Don

http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/sherpa200R.html

[Rhys]

I'm not keen on pan-tilt heads either. Unlike Don, I prefer the 3D heads.

[Elisha]

@Don, where did you get the replacement head?
also does the new head increase load capacity or is that just the feature of the body itself?
i don't need anything with extreme weight capacity.

my current a700+Grip & batteries plus flash and lens approximately weigh less than 2.5 kilos.
and that's with the heaviest lens attached.

is the load rating of 3.5kg the absolute max or is that just an average?

[Don Kondra]

@Don, where did you get the replacement head?
also does the new head increase load capacity or is that just the feature of the body itself?
i don't need anything with extreme weight capacity.

my current a700+Grip & batteries plus flash and lens approximately weigh less than 2.5 kilos.
and that's with the heaviest lens attached.

is the load rating of 3.5kg the absolute max or is that just an average?

I bought the ball head and plate from B&H.. QHD-71Q My second plate I bought off ebay for ~ 1/2 of B&H's price and less shipping cost :)

Just found this, a much better price and includes a plate

http://www.adorama.com/VNQHD71Q.html

As to the load rating, if you go over a bit it won't fall over but you might start to notice some vibration or flex... the legs and heads are usually rated seperately.

The nice thing about the Velbon's is their relatively light weight, you might be more likely to take it with you compared to a heavier model.

Cheers, Don

[jekostas]

@Don, where did you get the replacement head?
also does the new head increase load capacity or is that just the feature of the body itself?
i don't need anything with extreme weight capacity.

my current a700+Grip & batteries plus flash and lens approximately weigh less than 2.5 kilos.
and that's with the heaviest lens attached.

is the load rating of 3.5kg the absolute max or is that just an average?

There's really nothing inherently "wrong" with a pan head, it's just that for most still photography, ball heads are simply easier to set up and use.

This video will explain what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snMEHqu4gSs

When I got my legs, I ended up going with a Benro head, and it's been excellent so far, nice solid lockup for taking moon shots etc. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498019-REG/Benro_450_621_KS_0_Ballhead_with_Quick.html). If you DO decide to switch to a ball head, look for one with a weight rating of at least double of what you want to put on it, perhaps more.

In terms of the legs, yeah, the Velbon Sherpas are all pretty reliable legs, and for the price, they really can't be beat unless you feel like ordering in a Feisol or Benro from China, and the quality of those can be a little bit uneven.

[Elisha]

Thanks for the info Don and thanks for the link Jekostas.

so it seems like the ball heads are lots quicker and more flexible as well and support more weight if you get the better ones.

so does that mean that the weight rating is what the head can handle and nothing to do with the legs?

also Don, how easy was it to swap the head? Does the original head just screw off?

mine is still in the box since i haven't decided if i want to keep it yet.

[Don Kondra]

so does that mean that the weight rating is what the head can handle and nothing to do with the legs?

True, up to a point :) The head rating tells you how heavy a camera/lens combo will work with it's locking mechanisms, etc. The leg rating tells you how much head/camera/lens it will handle without problems like flex, etc.


also Don, how easy was it to swap the head? Does the original head just screw off?

Yup, a firm twist usually will do it..

If you don't mind spending a little more money the Benro head allows you to pan, useful for panorama shots..

In other words, when you loosen the one side knob on the Velbon head, the camera is free to move in any direction. With the Benro, loosen one specific knob and the camera is still locked in it's up/down position but allowed to turn in a circle, a feature you might like.

Cheers, Don

[Rhys]

The head just unscrews. Some heads have a 1/4 bolt and some have a 5/8 bolt. Before buying a new head, unscrew the old one. Check the size by comparing the 1/4 socket on the bottom of your camera. If your camera will fit on the tripod without a head then it's 1/4 inch. Otherwise it'll be a 5/8. Then you can buy the head, knowing which to get.

[Elisha]

awesome. good info guys. thanks for the insight!

so basically i can use any brand head as long as it would either fit on the 1/4 or 5/8 stud?

[Don Kondra]

At this level it's not a concern. And if so, an adapter is ~$6...

Cheers, Don

[jekostas]

The head just unscrews. Some heads have a 1/4 bolt and some have a 5/8 bolt. Before buying a new head, unscrew the old one. Check the size by comparing the 1/4 socket on the bottom of your camera. If your camera will fit on the tripod without a head then it's 1/4 inch. Otherwise it'll be a 5/8. Then you can buy the head, knowing which to get.

I'm certain you meant 3/8", right?

The socket on the Velbon (actually, all the Velbon Sherpas) is 1/4". This means you can put tripod ball heads with either 1/4" or 3/8" sockets on it, the latter with a reducer bushing. These bushings will actually generally come with the ball head, I know Manfrotto and Benro do.

[Rhys]

Yup. My error. I did mean 3/8.

Those bushings can be a pain in the rear. I put one in my Manfrotto head and screwed it onto my Cobra tripod. I can get the head off but the bush is stuck fast on the Cobra tripod. If you need it to come off at some point, I suggest a washer on the tripod before you put the bush and head on.

[Elisha]

oh good. so i at least have options.
thanks for all the info!

[Glasstream15]

I have a Velbon tripod with a Velbon ball head. The head came with a tool to tighten and loosen the bushing. Stays in my camera box.