Hi All, I am currently in USA and I am on my way to Thailand and surrounding countries for 6 months or so. I have just gotten 2 new lenses, a 18-200 VR and a 12-24 so I am set lens wise. I still need to replace my old heavy tripod and I have been thinking of getting one of the gitzo replicas called Benro. Since they are from China I am wondering if it is worthwhile to wait till I am in BKK and get one there. Any thoughts would be appreciated.Thanks Bill

i'm not living in bkk, not sure about the market there, but assume the price's not gonna be cheaper.

since you're also planning to go neighbour countries, if you go to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, i'm sure you'll find a decent tripod among many choices.

recommend BB plaza, Sungai Wang Plaza, both are located in Bukit Bintang. I just bought one Manfrotto for about 4000 baht.

hope that helps

JJ

See the FAQ at the top of this section for a list of possible sources:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69086

Fotofile is my default shop in Bangkok and they have a healthy collection of serious tripods and heads.

Good luck.

and Foltofile sell Benro:

http://www.fotofile.net/product_cate.php?qid=16

and Foltofile sell Benro:

http://www.fotofile.net/product_cate.php?qid=16

I bought a velbon sherpa tripod with a benro ball and socket head from there. It holds about 2.5 kilos so would be fine for your set up and it is also a lot smaller and lighter than most, so I actually take it wth me and use it