misunderstood and disappointing tripod

[flatflip]

I purchased this tripod ( http://www.adorama.com/FPTPL100.html ) three months ago. I used it 3 times for a few minutes. Each time I used it in landscape mode and tried to also use it in portrait mode. It will not lower to 90' for portrait mode. I have a D7000 but it clears fine. There is a slot for the ball head to go into and it goes all the way in. It is still a little ways from 90' so I have to start closing one of the legs to get it to 90'.

Am I expecting too much? I thought it was a given that it should work in both orientations. I called and talked to two reps at Adorama. They directed me to customer service via email. They forwarded my report to purchasing. They were "sorry for the misunderstanding" because the item description never said it would go to 90' and "apologize for the disappointment". They are "unable to process a return / exchange" and suggested that I direct any further questions to the sales dept.

Do I just need to learn what different tripods will work for landscape and portrait?

Thanks for any intelligent reply, Mick

 

[chaosrealm93]

one more reason to stick to big brands huh?

 

[flatflip]

one more reason to stick to big brands huh?

That was my first thought.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Well, if you want to feel better, if you are not on perfectly level ground you would have to adjust using the legs anyhow, soooo....you just have to do it all the time.

 

[flatflip]

Well, if you want to feel better, if you are not on perfectly level ground you would have to adjust using the legs anyhow, soooo....you just have to do it all the time.

Thanks for the wink (sexy too). See, I feel like I got screwed. About the un-even ground; If I use the built in level to set the tripod, you are still right. Ugh!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I don't have a level on my tripod. I'm jealous.

 

[flatflip]

I don't have a level on my tripod. I'm jealous.

You should buy a nice one like mine. I'd probably trade, sight un-seen.

 

[480sparky39 38]

I don't have a level on my tripod. I'm jealous.

I don't, either. I have a desktop computer with editing software.

 

[Josh66]

Well, if you want to feel better, if you are not on perfectly level ground you would have to adjust using the legs anyhow, soooo....you just have to do it all the time.

But on uneven ground, you adjust the legs to make it more stable. Adjusting them to try to lean the head over more will move the center of gravity away from the center of the tripod - making it unstable.


Can you replace the head?

If the legs are good, just buy a new head and try to sell the old one.

If any of your lenses can use a tripod collar, you can use that too. They will let you rotate the camera without moving the head.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Yup, 0||||||0, and I make my tripod unstable all the time to frame the shot the way I want when I need to go beyond 90 degree portrait.
Not dismissing your statement, just doing what is needed. Lowering one leg an inch or two isn't that big a deal.

 

[Josh66]

Just re-read the OP... When I first read it, it sounded like he was having to lower one leg a hell of a lot more than an inch or two. If it's only a few degrees off, yeah - shortening one leg (while a pain in the ass) probably wouldn't hurt much. I was thinking it was like 15 or 20 degrees off.

 

[flatflip]

I may end up replacing the head. Until then I'll get used to lowering one leg. I haven't actually tried lowering one leg. I have been bringing one leg closer to the center, which really is un-stable.


Edit; I tried lowering one leg and it's not all that bad. I can live with it for now.

Like Adorama said, I misunderstood.

 

[flatflip]

I don't have a level on my tripod. I'm jealous.

I don't, either. I have a desktop computer with editing software.

Mine has a compass too, Hah! Can your desktop thingy edit that? How do you even know which way your camera is pointing? :lmao: :greenpbl:

 

[bazooka]

I've wasted money on a lot worse if it makes you feel any better. At least it kinda works.

 

[gsgary]

You get what you pay for and that tripod was very cheap