Weifeng 717 and 718 heads and tripods topic

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Just most popular entry level normal video tripods and heads.

Available at:

Heads are also available at our deals (as part of carbon tripods) : http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1325/special-deals-weifeng-carbon-video-tripods-and-monopods

oscillian

I have the 718 but I find the quick release plate to be too loose when mounting my Konova 80cm slider. The 717AH plate looks much tighter so I'm trying to choose between that or a Manfrotto 701HDV. Could someone with experience of both the 717 and 701 please list pros/cons. On ebay the 717 is described weighing both 825g and 1100g. Which one is true, since I would prefer a lighter, yet sturdy head. Happy shooting!

LongJohnSilver

At the moment here in Europe it's easy to find the WF-718 pro under several names. I couldn't find waht's the difference between the 717 and 718.

Someone can help?

vicharris

I have two of these. One on a small tripod for run and gun stuff with low profile desired and one for my slider. Just love em for the price though one of mine is Dracast and I forgot who the other one was from. All the same though.

LongJohnSilver

@vicharris thanks :)

vicharris

Oh, sorry, I don't know the difference either but still a great deal. V probably knows.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@LongJohnSilver

As I remember difference is in the head QR plate. On 718 head it consist of two parts - one is sliding, but not removable, and one is inserted part. In 717 it is just one sliding QR plate.

oscillian

The 718 head is smoother for pans and tilts than the 717 but the insert 718 QR plate can't be tightened enough for a slider mounted on top (plastic friction parts). I switched to a Manfrotto 701 and haven't regretted it a bit. Just as smooth as the 718 but a lighter head and with better "counter balance" feel (bounce back) at the extremes when tilting.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

I switched to a Manfrotto 701 and haven't regretted it a bit.

I constantly get messages about exactly reverse.

steve221

Is the difference between the 717 and the 718 the legs? After watching several videos (Fancier vs Weifeng vs 717/718 vs FC-270) they have similar heads but legs are different. Ball/no ball, plastic/metal. Can you get one head with different legs?

bmorgan83

I have 2 of the 717 heads… they're great. feel good. pan well… the only issue i've had is I had one drop, and some of the plastic parts broke (the knob that tightens the arm down, and the knob that tightens the quick release plate). Fortunately I was able to find some replacement parts for pretty cheap. Definitely a great deal for what you get.

Riker

Can someone confirm if this Bilora model is rebranded Weifeng?

http://www.holga.net/bilora-936-video-pro-treppiede-p-6721.html

hellokevin11

Where can I order the 1.8m pro in the U.S.? I see the short one for sale and I am also worried about getting a fake model. I've seen some sold that look nothing like the weifeng but they cleverly put the 717 in the name of the tripod.

This will be my first real tripod, I am using hacked gh1 and manual prime 50mm, so money is tight!

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@hellokevin11

on ebay.

vstardust

Have you used Weifeng 717 head to attach 70-100cm slider to a single tripod? Does it hold properly without leaning?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

If you ask me, I do not advise doing this. It is better to have two tripods with lighter heads.

vstardust

Thanks for the quick answer. I have two tripods that I use the with the slider right now, but since I'm working alone I thought it would be much more convenient just to use one. You did mention here: http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/comment/33360#Comment_33360 that it's possible to customize 717 to lock it really tight. Do you think this is the right solution to a this kind of problem? I haven't seen any sturdy lockable tilt-heads around.. those would be perfect.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

May be try to use http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weifeng-75mm-Half-Ball-for-Bowl-type-Video-Tripod-75BF-Bowl-to-Flat-Adapter-NEW-/190847027222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6f5e8816 without head at all?

vstardust

Nope, I don't think that would be very good idea since I would need a tripod to half ball adapter as well. But thanks.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Nope, I don't think that would be very good idea since I would need a tripod to half ball adapter as well. But thanks.

Hmm, you mean that you have tripod and 717 head with flat base?

For flat tripod - just mount QR plate and tilt whole thing using tripod legs :-)

zigizigi

@vstardust

I have a DIY 1m slider made of industrial rail. It's a heavy one, 2kg+ made of thick aluminium with steel rods. I initially designed it with elements to mount it on two tripods, but eventaully bought a spare 717 plate to mount it in the middle. It's much more convenient to use it this way. It works silk smooth, doesn't even lean to lean, so to speak. 717 is sturdy enough for this. I never bothered to use two tripods ever since.

mrbill

Having just bought the 717 head for my varavon slider/motorroid, I'd like to buy the legs so I have a complete second tripod. Any deals available for legs only?