misunderstood and disappointing tripod

[KmH]

Flashpoint is Adorama's 'house brand'. Someone else makes the gear and brands it 'Flashpoint' for them.

You can almost bet the gear maker is somewhere in Asia.

 

[flatflip]

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

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

At least I'm not in too deep, $69 on sale. That would have went well towards a better one though. Maybe a cheap lesson learned.

 

[Josh66]

Put a good head on it, then, when budget allows upgrade the legs.

 

[KmH]

A good ball head will run you about $150.

 

[slate mike]

Why not take the head apart and relieve the slot using a round file or dremel tool?

 

[flatflip]

I probably should try to repair this one and give it to my daughter. Then I can start all over.

I didn't like the screw-locks on the legs either. They are too slow to operate. Seems like I read that they are more sealed from dirt.

Do most photographers prefer quick locks?

 

[Josh66]

I do - but there are times when screw locks are better. For example, screw locks won't pop open by snagging on something.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I do - but there are times when screw locks are better. For example, screw locks won't pop open by snagging on something.

...and they won't snag on vines, and drag the forest with you.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

BHPhoto would've taken it back

 

[Gaerek]

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

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

You also must like unnecessarily stripping pixels from your image when you don't have to.

 

[Josh66]

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

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

You also must like unnecessarily stripping pixels from your image when you don't have to.

I've been seeing the "I have Photoshop" thing a lot whenever levels on tripods come up...

 

[Gaerek]

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

You also must like unnecessarily stripping pixels from your image when you don't have to.

I've been seeing the "I have Photoshop" thing a lot whenever levels on tripods come up...

I see the "I have Photoshop" thing come up a lot for things that should be taken care of in camera.

I've leveled many pictures in PS, but the more level I get it in camera, the more pixels I get to keep. The "I can fix it in PS" mentality is simple laziness.

 

[HikinMike]

I see the "I have Photoshop" thing come up a lot for things that should be taken care of in camera.

I've leveled many pictures in PS, but the more level I get it in camera, the more pixels I get to keep. The "I can fix it in PS" mentality is simple laziness.

How true!

 

[Josh66]

I agree. I like to try to compose so that cropping is not required, unless I want a print other than 2:3 of course.

Not saying I get it perfect every time, but it pisses me off when I have to 'fix' something that should have never needed fixing in the first place.

 

[Gaerek]

I agree. I like to try to compose so that cropping is not required, unless I want a print other than 2:3 of course.

Not saying I get it perfect every time, but it pisses me off when I have to 'fix' something that should have never needed fixing in the first place.

That's exactly it. PS is fine as a safety net, and believe me, I've needed it in the past. But I go out and shoot with a "This photo will be perfect in camera mentality." Not a "I can fix my laziness later" mentality. That's the main difference here.

I rarely crop 2:3, mainly because I don't like to be constrained by relatively arbitrary print sizes. However, I still compose in order to keep as much of the photo as possible.