Johann Thorsson wrote:
> I see you have gotten a lot of good advice. I got my tripod 24 years ago, a
> Cullmann 2903.
I have one of those, inherited from my father. Quick and easy to set up
and adjust.
The aluminum construction is very prone to vibration, not only from
wind, but with certain body/lens/shutter speed combos, or something like
that, it will pick up and amplify the mirror/aperture mechanism
vibration. Hold a finger lightly against a leg, then tap it and try
firing the camera, boing! The camera should be independently damped on
this tripod, One can use ones hands, as Oly suggests for all lenses
longer than 50mm:
"Also, to prevent camera shake: When using a tripod, hold the camera
steady with both hands and press the shutter release with the ball of
finger, not with the cable release."
Or bean/shot/sand bag(s) may be draped across the lens and body.
Otherwise, you are likely to get some shots that are inexplicably fuzzy.
Mirror lock-up on the OM-1(n) doesn't help and I wouldn't even trust the
Mirror/Aperture pre-fire with self-timer of the OM-4 series bodies with
this tripod.
> I am still using it. It can go very low, is light and
> sturdy. The head that come with it is kind of clumsy,
The lubrication/damping oil/fluid for vertical motion in mine changed
characteristics over time, leading to a very uneven, sticky/jerky
motion. I tried cleaning and re-lubing, but it never got right. It was,
as you say, not very good to start with.
Also, the center column lock doesn't really hold the column very firmly,
allowing it to rotate even when left down. I think I've got everything
set up and locked on the head, put some twisting pressure on the head
chancing lens or whatever, and the column rotates. I don't know if this
is typical, but I find it irritating.
> but Cullmann now
> makes really nice ball heads which I guess will fit on the old systems.
> Every now and then used Cullmanns show up on eBay and often go between
> $20-60 depending on model, I would say that's a bargain, especially if you
> can find the 2903. 2502 is similar but doesn't go as low.
>
> Just in case you want to consider other models than those already suggested
> (and they are actually probably better than the Cullmanns).
>
I still use mine occasionally, with different heads, for the very quick,
easy set-up and adjustment, but I wouldn't buy one. There are better
tripods available at reasonable prices.
The Cullmann QR system is a favorite of mine. I use it all the time.
(Thanks, Walt!)
Moose
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