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Dynatran 9903- $900 Tripod Review###

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Vladimir Eugene

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Keep in mind that I already own a Sachtler 30 II with Ransford legs. If you have a good sized crew than the 18 Lbs head and the 15 Lbs legs wont bother you. For my personal use- when I was by myself the weight would wear on me quickly.

The 9903 is light weight. The entire thing can't weigh much more than 10 Lbs.

1. It doesn't have a counter balance. If you tilt up or down more than 45 degrees and let it go, it will continue to sink in that direction. The sachtler I can set the counter balance to come back up to a neutral position. Salution, Lock the 9903 before letting it go and walking away from it.

2. It handles the weight very well. I panned and tilted very smoothly with no resistance set. I cant set it to a 1 resistance give it a spin and watch it rotate five times like the sachtler, nor when I increase the resistance the 9903 gets a little bumpy. As long as the resistance is open it pans and tilts very smoothly, I was happy with that.

3. I extended the tripod before mounting the head, and practically hung all 210 Lbs of my self on it- no give. I was pleased with that. I also felt comfortable leaving the camera un-attended on the tripod after locking it. I wouldn't recommend getting this solution if you want to rent it out, but for convenience and personal use- I would have no problem using it for locked off shots, or smooth pans-

Please feel free to ask any other questions or of any details I may have left out.

Vladimir Eugene
 
This is great news vladimir. Thanks!
 
Vladimir Eugene your posts are generally well received. But tracking down solid product information generally is difficult. :)
 
Ok if we're going with cheapo Tripod's what about the Smith-Victor Propod V and Pro V 2-way fluid head?

It costs $200 (Yes that's not a mispelling it does say $200) from BHvideo and can hold upto 25lbs apparently (And yes that's also not a mispelling)!

Might buy one just for emergencies :)!

Paul
 
I bought my wife, a photographer, one of the Dynatran still tripods that have carbon fiber legs. It's not a totally terrible tripod, but it's not that great either. The plastic that goes over the light tighteners slips on the metal and so it often times won't tighten or loosen properly.

Pretty much all their stuff is Chinese knockoffs of well know brands--but they don't do a very good job in understanding what made the original product so good.

Matthew
 
PaulClements said:
Ok if we're going with cheapo Tripod's what about the Smith-Victor Propod V and Pro V 2-way fluid head?

It costs $200 (Yes that's not a mispelling it does say $200) from BHvideo and can hold upto 25lbs apparently (And yes that's also not a mispelling)!

Might buy one just for emergencies :)!

Paul
Click to expand...

I have one of those. 25lbs is a stretch but definitely 15-17lbs or so. Not the same controls as the big boys but functional and light. CAN pull a decent pan with a little practice.
 
Again, I bought this as an affordable light alternative to my 30 II for personal use when I am my own crew. Just sharing my impressions with you

Vladimir
 
Well I wouldn't take the plunge myself. I've bought lighting from amvona and it crapped out pretty quick. Yes it was cheap but didn't even last a few months. I've got a bogen 3066 backup. Even though I'd hate to see those 2 together :(
 
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