Vanbar Imaging - opinions please

[Myrtle]

Couldn't figure out where to post this - so here will do

Have spotted a Manfrotto 190XProB and 804 Tripod head combo for $245 + $20 shipping at Vanbar Imaging online site. Has anyone purchased from them and if so what has been your experience in dealing with them? Really wanted to get the 222 pistol grip head but the above combo seemed like too good a price to pass up.

TIA

Linda

[AndyL]

Myrtle,

I have a fair bit of gear (nearly all) plus most of my photographic supplies (film, paper...) from Vanbar for a number of years and have had nothing but excellent service.

[fozzie]

Linda - should Vanbar not have it in stock, here is another on-line store with the combo on Special at $235 + Shipping, who also have a very good reputation out of WA:

http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/product ... ts_id=3583

fozzie

[MCWB]

Have never bought from Vanbar online, but in store a couple of times... great service and no dramas!

[Underload]

I bought that exact combo from Vanbar - no issues at all. Arrived a few days later via courier.

[Onyx]

I bought my Manfrotto Magfiber tripod from them - they're amongst the few photography retailers that carry stock of "hard to get" items. You might pay a little bit extra, but that comes with superior service.

[Reschsmooth]

I recently bought some stuff from Vanbar (online shopping) and communication, pricing and delivery times were all great. My only concern (from poor memory) is that their shipping fees appear a little expensive for small items, but I may be wrong.

[gstark]

Vanbar are generally good to deal with, and the 190 is not a bad tripod.

My primary concern would be with respect to the alternate item that you're considering getting - the pistol grip head.

These are an item that, for me, come under the heading of SLAGIATT. They seem like a good idea at the time, but fail to do the job in a practical sense. Releasing the trigger usually happens with the camera not left in the actual position that you want to have it in most of the time, and this leads to frustration and eventual disuse.

Putting this another way, when you see people - particularly pros - using a tripod, you should consider the point of why is that you never, ever, ever see them using one of these heads.

Stay with a traditional type of head - either pan or better yet, a good ball head - and consign the idea of a pistol grip to the backwaters of your mind, to never again see the light of day.

[Myrtle]

Thanks everyone for the feedback - have now placed my order


Linda

[Reschsmooth]

I agree with Gary - we have the pistol grip and if moving it off the vertical axis, it does not remain static once the grip is released. As Gary said, it is frustrating.

[gstark]

Couldn't figure out where to post this - so here will do

I think trader opinions is probably more appropriate, and so moved.

[aim54x]

Just blew $200 on BW film and paper, at VanBar today, can i just say GREAT SERVICE!!!!

on the topic of the pistol grip heads, i have the 322RC2, and i have no such problems with the position changing when i release the trigger. You could always increase the friction on the 322RC2 if you have this problem I suppose, but I have not noticed it

[aim54x]

 BTW the 190XDB + 804RC2 is a great tripod!!