Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-635 advice needed. (1 Viewer)

[narawood]

Sorry if this post is a wee bit long, but I would appreciate any advice that will help me decide if the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-635 is a good choice. http://www.velbon-tripod.com/sherpa_pro01.htm

I have put off buying a carbon fibre tripod for a long time, mostly because of issues such as:

a) the large number of manufacturers and tripod designs available (makes me head hurt).
b) cost of carbon fibre tripods (best price I’ve seen for this is £140.00 inc p&p).
c) after sales support, spare parts, warranty etc.
d) compatibility concerns (want to get the best out of the gear I already have).
e) stability and durability uncertainties.

The Sherpa Pro CF-635 appears to tick the right boxes (at least to my limited knowledge), but how good a support would it be holding a Nikon ED82A, and Manfrotto 701RC2 head.

I digiscope using relatively heavy adapters and a point and shoot camera (may digiscope using DSLR in the future); in this regard stability gains would be a major factor.

In relation to stability, are 3 section legs always more stable than their 4 section leg counterparts?

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Kind Regards

 

[Swissboy]

....
e) stability and durability uncertainties.

... In relation to stability, are 3 section legs always more stable than their 4 section leg counterparts?

..

I can't answer all of your questions, but can give you at least some feedback. I have a 4 section 6400, i.e. an earlier model than the 640 now offered. I do not think that the 4 sections are much of a problem. This tripod is amazingly sturdy. I use it with my heavy Leica APO77 scope. It has seen considerable worldwide and local use since October 2003, thus for more than four years. And there is still no indication of something worn or wobbly. I don't know whether those clamps are as sturdy as the locking rings. I would have preferred clamps though. But they were not yet available then. I got the 4-section model because it can be packed into a backpack more easily. But it takes a bit longer to get ready compared to a 3-section version.

I had it sent from Scotland (Ffordes) to Switzerland, as those carbon models were so horribly expensive here at that time. So it would have been a bit of a problem if I had needed any support . But, fortunately, no problem so far.

I think it's good to choose a 600 model, as the legs on the 500 models are thinner. I don't like the fact that the ring for the center column is underneath. This does not allow extending it as long as the legs are together. That makes it harder to use the scope from the inside of the car. Gitzo has that ring on top. But maybe Velbon has a different solution now too? I can't see any indication for a bottom or top ring in the photos of the link you posted.

I just checked the Ffordes web site, they are now considerably more expensive than what you found.

 

[mosschops]

I too am almost decided on the 635. I am 5' 7" and most tripods seem either too short without the column raised (Most Sliks and Manfrotto 190) or too tall (Manfrotto 055).
The velbon 635 is i think 132cm with the legs extended so when you add the head and the scope the eyepiece will be almost at eye level so you dont have to bother raising the column which then causes loss of stability. Its also nice and light and has the foam on the upper legs.