I currently have three tripods, none of them quite right for my new Opticron MM3 60mm scope which weighs in at just over two lb.
The first tripod has Bogen 3046 legs, and a a Unistar Light alt/az mount. It is a great steady astronomy mount for a small refractor, and it has been my default birding scope, but strictly for use from my balcony. The whole rig with scope is over 20 lb, and I'm guessing legs and head are 12-14 lb of that. it is a great steady base, but the antithesis of portable or quick set up.
Next is my wife's Manfrotto 055XProB with 322RC2 head. It is a reasonable tripod, and more portable than the 3046 rig, but I don't like the 322RC2 head at all. I am not ready to write off all ball heads based on this one, but I don't like the grip mechanism and the ball was both hard to maneuver and didn't hold that well. Together head and legs weigh ~6.5 lb and I gather the legs are about 5 lb of that. It goes up to a nice height (more than I need), but is neither compact nor light. It is plenty of support for the MM3 and damping is very quick.
Finally I have a mid 80s vintage Celestron Photographic tripod with 3-way pan-tilt head (no quick release). This rig weighs about 7 lb. The pan head is not great, but it has a spring counterbalance in the altitude bearing that is useful for sufficiently light telescopes. The spring also gives the altitude motion a sense of resistance away from the horizontal that is almost like having a tension setting in altitude. However in azimuth (pan) it is just locked or free swinging. This is the tripod I have been using today, and it works, but it is strictly an interim solution while I play with my new toy. It is not as steady as the 055 and is not as good at dampening vibration, nor is it as tall with legs fully extended. However it is marginally more compact than the 055 when folded, and there is considerably less cursing involved in using the head.
I have read the recent threads about tripods for light spotting scopes. Some options I see are:
Yes, I admit it, I decided to try the knock-off of the knock-off Chinese tripod. Amazon will let me return if I am unhappy with it, and the reviews have been quite good. Put it down to poor impulse control over the weekend while I was waiting for the scope. If the Zomei doesn't work, I will revert to the sensible step--I'll bring my scope to the camera shop where we bought the Manfrotto tripod and audition different camera tripods.
Any and all advice appreciated.
Alan
The first tripod has Bogen 3046 legs, and a a Unistar Light alt/az mount. It is a great steady astronomy mount for a small refractor, and it has been my default birding scope, but strictly for use from my balcony. The whole rig with scope is over 20 lb, and I'm guessing legs and head are 12-14 lb of that. it is a great steady base, but the antithesis of portable or quick set up.
Next is my wife's Manfrotto 055XProB with 322RC2 head. It is a reasonable tripod, and more portable than the 3046 rig, but I don't like the 322RC2 head at all. I am not ready to write off all ball heads based on this one, but I don't like the grip mechanism and the ball was both hard to maneuver and didn't hold that well. Together head and legs weigh ~6.5 lb and I gather the legs are about 5 lb of that. It goes up to a nice height (more than I need), but is neither compact nor light. It is plenty of support for the MM3 and damping is very quick.
Finally I have a mid 80s vintage Celestron Photographic tripod with 3-way pan-tilt head (no quick release). This rig weighs about 7 lb. The pan head is not great, but it has a spring counterbalance in the altitude bearing that is useful for sufficiently light telescopes. The spring also gives the altitude motion a sense of resistance away from the horizontal that is almost like having a tension setting in altitude. However in azimuth (pan) it is just locked or free swinging. This is the tripod I have been using today, and it works, but it is strictly an interim solution while I play with my new toy. It is not as steady as the 055 and is not as good at dampening vibration, nor is it as tall with legs fully extended. However it is marginally more compact than the 055 when folded, and there is considerably less cursing involved in using the head.
I have read the recent threads about tripods for light spotting scopes. Some options I see are:
- Get a new head for the 055 legs either decent ball head, very lightweight video fluid head, or light weight pan head
- Get a new lighter more compact set of legs and choose a head as above
- See how the $100 Zomei ballhead tripod I ordered from Amazon works
Yes, I admit it, I decided to try the knock-off of the knock-off Chinese tripod. Amazon will let me return if I am unhappy with it, and the reviews have been quite good. Put it down to poor impulse control over the weekend while I was waiting for the scope. If the Zomei doesn't work, I will revert to the sensible step--I'll bring my scope to the camera shop where we bought the Manfrotto tripod and audition different camera tripods.
Any and all advice appreciated.
Alan