Sam N
20-Feb-2011, 02:34
Short Version:
Induro/Benro head broke. I can either replace it for $60 and hope the next one lasts, try to use a 488RC2 instead, or get something else altogether.
Long Version: I've got a Toyo 45D (4x5 monorail, on the light-ish side but still 12lbs or so). I'd been using an Induro CF Tripod and an Induro 3D-L-34 Panhead. It's a discontinued model so it was very inexpensive (under $50).
The head had some of the usual chips and bumps, but it's never fallen from an extended tripod or with a camera attached. The most it's suffered is a fall from the height of the closed tripod (about 2 feet) and some mild bumps on door jambs.
I recently got out my camera only to realize that the top joint of the head had cracked and was rotating freely. I called Induro support to see what to do and they kept telling me to just send it in. A few days later, I get a call from Induro telling me they won't fix or replace the item because it's been "mistreated". Interestingly, my Manfrotto 3001 and 488RC2 are still going strong after all these years of "mistreatment". They offered to sell me the Benro version of the same head for the "discounted" price of $60. Of course that same head seems to be on sale at Amazon now for the same price... Thanks a lot MAC.
Should I...
1) Just buy another one of these same head (this time the Benro HD-3, which is apparently a relabeled Induro 3D-L-34) and hope this one holds out better.
2) Try to make do with the 488RC2. The specs say it will hold 17.6lbs but it's a bit tricky moving a 4x5 on a ballhead and mounting the camera to the tiny RC2 quickrelease.
3) Get another head altogether. I'm a student so I'd like to avoid spending too much on a head, but I'm open to reasonable suggestions.
Before the breakdown, the head seemed to work adequately. The camera didn't shift around after tightening the knobs or anything.
Induro/Benro head broke. I can either replace it for $60 and hope the next one lasts, try to use a 488RC2 instead, or get something else altogether.
Long Version: I've got a Toyo 45D (4x5 monorail, on the light-ish side but still 12lbs or so). I'd been using an Induro CF Tripod and an Induro 3D-L-34 Panhead. It's a discontinued model so it was very inexpensive (under $50).
The head had some of the usual chips and bumps, but it's never fallen from an extended tripod or with a camera attached. The most it's suffered is a fall from the height of the closed tripod (about 2 feet) and some mild bumps on door jambs.
I recently got out my camera only to realize that the top joint of the head had cracked and was rotating freely. I called Induro support to see what to do and they kept telling me to just send it in. A few days later, I get a call from Induro telling me they won't fix or replace the item because it's been "mistreated". Interestingly, my Manfrotto 3001 and 488RC2 are still going strong after all these years of "mistreatment". They offered to sell me the Benro version of the same head for the "discounted" price of $60. Of course that same head seems to be on sale at Amazon now for the same price... Thanks a lot MAC.
Should I...
1) Just buy another one of these same head (this time the Benro HD-3, which is apparently a relabeled Induro 3D-L-34) and hope this one holds out better.
2) Try to make do with the 488RC2. The specs say it will hold 17.6lbs but it's a bit tricky moving a 4x5 on a ballhead and mounting the camera to the tiny RC2 quickrelease.
3) Get another head altogether. I'm a student so I'd like to avoid spending too much on a head, but I'm open to reasonable suggestions.
Before the breakdown, the head seemed to work adequately. The camera didn't shift around after tightening the knobs or anything.