Uni-Loc tripods

[ajohnw]

I wondered if any one used these and what for. They seem to be aimed at wild life photography in general but offer a unique approach.

They have a web page here

http://www.uniloctripod.com/index.html

The legs can be splayed at any angle and locked. The centre column can also be set at an angle that means for instance that without the legs extended camera height can be adjusted from near ground level to I'd estimate 1.5m very easily and quickly.

I found a used one marked Made In England but thought that they were actually made in India.

John
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[Black Pearl]

They are a spin off from Benbo (bent bolt) and have been around for years. Jessops had the distribution rights so I sold thousands of them back in the day.

They are rock solid, waterproof up to the top of the large bottom section and yes they are good for macro work - you need to practice with them or there is a risk that the legs and your camera go crashing into a heap when you release the handle.

[marlunn]

yep - have had a benbo for ages, fantastic for wildlife, the originals are heavy beasts but so stable and versatile, using one is a bit of an art and putting one up - taking it down has been described as trying to get an octupus into a string bag until you get 'the knack' - they were originally made by Kennet Engineering but now - http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm

[chauncey]

Most of those work about the same way but...heed the balance and unsupported weight.

[ajohnw]

Robin's correct. Some thought about how far the "centre column" is projecting sideways is needed but 1/2 the range is available with it vertical.

Weight wise it isn't too bad 2.8kg. I think it's a lighter version of the MA1220. The centre column extends the height by roughly the collapsed length of the tripod. For a tripod that can get a camera up to my eye height it seems pretty rigid to me especially at this weight. It will go higher but the centre column lets it down a little then.

John
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