Cullman 2503 (left), Japanese tripod
I came across this Cullmann 2503 tripod at my last stop of the day of collecting. I had already acquired two tripods as virtually the only prizes bagged in the day’s searching, but in my cheapness I contented myself with assembling the Cullmann and carrying it around until I came to my senses. At the time—while I was assembling the pieces—another shopper had peppered me with questions about it—even offering to take it if I wasn’t going to buy it. He was nowhere to be seen when I put it back, but I was pretty sure he would take it if he found it.
This was Wednesday, and I was prepared to live with my decision.
But on the following Monday I happened to find the Cullmann still on the shelf. This could make mere mortals tremble. Is it that no one who had seen the tripod in the interim wanted to pay $15 for it? Was it overpriced or unwanted at any price. While it was possible some were waiting to see if would still be available on the next day—Senior’s 30 per cent off all Tuesday—who has nerves like that?
I had already found a prize—a $5 Canon PowerShot SX110is—so it wasn’t a matter of not having anything to satisfy my collecting. (Much to my embarrassment it turned out I had collected the same camera in a lovely leather case for the same price at a church rummage sale three months earlier)
Anyway, I bit the bullet and accepted that if the tripod was still there and I still lusted after it, there was no point in rejecting it again—we were obviously meant for each other!
I have had easily $15 worth of fun playing with the Cullmann. If you extend the center two-piece column all the way—and the legs all the way—the camera head is above my head by a good chunk. It isn’t rock solid, but it is fine for video work or to hold the position while you compose.
All the adjustments are dampened and very secure when tightened. The finish is faultless, the parts tight and work well, the legs slide out fluidly… I could expound all day!
The Cullmann 2503 weighs 1981 g (4.4 lb.). In comparison the previously featured Japanese tripod weighs 1757 g (3.9 lb.).
The Cullmann came with a leather case the tripod doesn’t fit. The head has to stick out. You can take the head off the centre column and pack the pieces in the bag separately, but that is hardly handy while shooting. The centre of balance of the head and legs is close to the hub of the legs.
The Cullmann has some accessories. There is a cute bubble level that can store on the legs hub, or be placed on your camera’s accessory shoe. There are a pair of arms that attach to the head so you can mount lights on both sides of the camera. There is a horizontal extension arm with its own head. There is a cable release that threads up the head’s handle.
The two bits of documentation that came with the tripod
couldn’t be farther apart in clarity. The guide to the two centre column’s is a simple drawing. The folder that explains all the controls and accessories not only shows several tripods that are not the tripod you have, but features your tripod doesn’t have either. The fact the text is in several languages and they appear in scattered columns just adds to the puzzle!
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