Dynatran/Amvona Tripod Review

[Scott Weberpal]

I just received my Dynatran AT-838 from Amvona.com and an impressed with it so far. For anyone not familiar, Dynatran is a Bogen/Manfrotto knockoff brand with similar styling but slightly different materials and build quality. The legs lock and unlock with easy and the head moves fluidly, however, now as fluid as a good Bogen/Manfrotto (I'll be using this one for still photography, so fluidity isn't a big issue). The head appears to be made of an aluminum alloy instead of solid aluminum which I don't expect to last as long as a good Bogen. My first impression of the tripod is very good and given the price of $89.99, the alloy head and not-as-smooth motion is worth the significant savings over B/M. If I could afford a nice 3-way B/M I'd buy it, but for the price, the Dynatran tripod is a great deal!

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2068

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I had one for a season and thought it was a fair product, before the head broke due to poor construction this winter. Besides the head breaking, I wasn't entirely impressed with the legs either, the construction seemed a little "cheap" but as I said for the price it was ok. Kind of ironic you posted this, as I type I am browsing for a new setup, I am debating between just buying a new head and using the old legs or just getting an entirely new setup, I am strongly considering biting the bullet and avoiding the knockoff brands and getting a whole new setup. The Manfrotto 322RC2 head has my eye...

 

[James Wilson]

I'm also currently looking for a new tripod, any recommendations?

 

[Wes Carter]

I have had a Bogen 3021 for about 20 years and it has been a real workhorse. It's stable and flexible. In fact, I'm buying another one to replace the old one because I broke one of the leg latches and cannot find a replacement. But 20 years before a breakdown is not bad for a tripod that costs less than $200 ($119 when I bought it around 1988-1990).

Drawbacks: It's a aluminum so it's not as light as carbon fiber and it gets cold as crap in the winter. The center column can get a bit shaky when raised but it still gets high enough for me without it raised.