I think milling 1/32 or 1/16 inch from the top of the lock would gain a couple inches of spread at full extension, enhancoing stabiity. Sorry, my math is way too rusty anymore to give any sort of number.
runamuck wrote:
I think milling 1/32 or 1/16 inch from the top of the lock would gain a couple inches of spread at full extension, enhancoing stabiity. Sorry, my math is way too rusty anymore to give any sort of number.
This is an interesting idea. It would be pretty straightforward to figure out how much to remove to gain a specific increase in spread.
The math is pretty straightforward. If r is the radius from the leg joint to the lock, and d is the amount shaved off of the lock, the then the increase in angle is given by inverse sine(d/r). Since d is quite small compared to r, this is approximately equal to d/r, with the answer being given in radians. To get it in degrees, you simply take (360/2pi)*(d/r).
Yes, as you spread the legs you lose tripod height. If the initial leg angle is given by theta, then the change in percentage terms of the height of the tripod is given by (d/r)*tan(theta).
I've thought about this to gain spread on my PMG tripod. But you'd need a jig to either cut all three at once, or do one at a time with the ability to dial in exactly how much to shave off at a time and make it repeatable.
I would use a router with a metal cutting bit, kind of like jointing wood, but no way am I risking a $1000 tripod!!!!
7075 aluminum supposedly. now you an use whatever method you want to try but you gotta get it precisely right on all 3 surfaces 120 deg apart, calculate leg angle/material to be removed, surface flatness and a few other things before having at it. otherwise you will not have a very level tripod in the end. personally i wouldn't waste $200 that way unless i have a guaranteed return for working it for a specific reason.
peter_n wrote:
Have you actually experienced instability with the tripod?
No, but in all honesty, I have not used it in the field much yet. I took it to Venice and used it twice while there and did not have any issues. At home, when playing around with it inside the house, it was easy to make the tripod vibrate, but that was doing things that I would not do while putting it to use. I would prefer a wider spread on the leg angles though, but I can live with it the way that it is - once I get more time in the field with it, I will have a better feel for stability.
Abuttolph wrote:
No, but in all honesty, I have not used it in the field much yet. I took it to Venice and used it twice while there and did not have any issues. At home, when playing around with it inside the house, it was easy to make the tripod vibrate, but that was doing things that I would not do while putting it to use. I would prefer a wider spread on the leg angles though, but I can live with it the way that it is - once I get more time in the field with it, I will have a better feel for stability. ...Show more →
Any more thoughts on the tripod? I’m looking for a small travel kit to take on trips where photography is not the main purpose, so bringing my RRS 24Ls is not really necessary. I would love to get a TQC-14 kit, but the cost of the Leofoto is so appealing. Wondering if you have any additional thoughts in the last month or so if owning it.
I took it out a few days ago and really enjoyed using it. I used it on a mildly sloping area in a park, and also on the boulder and cobble bank of a river in which everything was uneven. The tripod worked just fine. No issues at all. That was my first time using it in a landscape photography environment and I was quite pleased.
I have also used this Leofoto tripod on and off over the last month and it has replaced a travel tripod I've used for many years. It's just a better tripod; folds smaller, is lighter, and has aluminum hardware and better quality carbon fiber. I bought it on trial but I'm keeping it.
I understand that leg angle affects stability but this Leofoto isn't that different from most travel tripods out there. On the left below it's with the Benro tripod it has replaced, and on the right with a RRS TVC-24. The leg angles really aren't that much different, if at all. In the 8 years I've been using the Benro I've only experienced one issue with stability and that was on top of a mountain. I'm hoping nobody's trying to mill the stops to gain a bit of leg spread because this tripod has leg angles that are very similar to many out there.
