Cheapest Carbon Fiber tripod available

[jeromego]

im going backpacking in the Grand canyon this fall, what would be the cheapest carbon fiber tripod available in the market. i dont really need an expensive one since i will only be using it for this trip. a 5d2 and 24-105 will be used on this. thanks.

[Exposure101]

Go to bestbuy.com and search for Velbon carbon fiber. They have one for $200 and it's a pretty well known brand too.

[jeromego]

Go to bestbuy.com and search for Velbon carbon fiber. They have one for $200 and it's a pretty well known brand too.
will i be able to mount my 488rc2 on that? i have the manfrotto 190xprob and 488rc2 right now but i think its too heavy to lug around when i backpack. im actually looking for something where i can still use the ballhead that i have. but ill check that one out. thanks.

[Bob_A]

Jerome, do you mean "cheapest" or "best budget" tripod? I sometimes find cheapest = useless/waste of $.

I'd stick to a good brand and select the tripod and head based on the weight of the camera/lens combo that it needs to support.

[jeromego]

Jerome, do you mean "cheapest" or "best budget" tripod? I sometimes find cheapest = useless/waste of $.

I'd stick to a good brand and select the tripod and head based on the weight of the camera/lens combo that it needs to support.
bob, im looking for the cheapest one. lol! im only going to use this once, only for this trip and probably just use it a few times for some night shots during this trip. i dont really want to spend $300 for a tripod legs.

[T.D.]

Have you considered renting one? Or maybe borrowing one?

[Bob_A]

bob, im looking for the cheapest one. lol! im only going to use this once, only for this trip and probably just use it a few times for some night shots during this trip. i dont really want to spend $300 for a tripod legs.

B&H has a pretty good selector filter for tripod legs that should narrow things down to what you need. You can pick carbon fiber, the maximum load and price range and see what comes up. I saw a few Slik ones for around $200.

[Exposure101]

will i be able to mount my 488rc2 on that? i have the manfrotto 190xprob and 488rc2 right now but i think its too heavy to lug around when i backpack. im actually looking for something where i can still use the ballhead that i have. but ill check that one out. thanks.

I'm not sure to best honest. Just get the model number off Bestbuy.com and look it up on Amazon. I'm sure you can find out whether it fits or not by doing a little research. I wish I know the answer so I can just tell you but I dont. :confused:

[jeromego]

Have you considered renting one? Or maybe borrowing one?
i didnt even think of that... thanks. ill try to check some online rental sites.

[jeromego]

thanks for all the suggestions.

EDIT: found some for rent. thanks.

[tdodd]

Have you considered renting one? Or maybe borrowing one?
Or buying second hand and then reselling, possibly at no loss at all.

[tvphotog]

A good tripod will last a lifetime. Check ebay and the Selling forum here, and you might find a real bargain at the price of a couple rentals.

[RDKirk]

Do a good comparison of price versus capacity, size, and actual weight savings with aluminum tripods. You might find yourself paying $100 just to shave half a pound of weight. You might be better off losing that half pound somewhere else.

[Jon]

im going backpacking in the Grand canyon this fall, what would be the cheapest carbon fiber tripod available in the market. i dont really need an expensive one since i will only be using it for this trip. a 5d2 and 24-105 will be used on this. thanks.

Have you considered renting one? Or maybe borrowing one?

i didnt even think of that... thanks. ill try to check some online rental sites.

Or buying second hand and then reselling, possibly at no loss at all.All of the above - I'd go for the lightest good tripod I could find either rented, borrowed or bought and figure on reselling it when I was finished if I bought. A couple of days in on your trip you'll probably be regretting every unnecessary ounce.

[Wilt]

Do a good comparison of price versus capacity, size, and actual weight savings with aluminum tripods. You might find yourself paying $100 just to shave half a pound of weight. You might be better off losing that half pound somewhere else.

Agreed. Manfrotto CF tripods are not a terrific weight saving compared to the equivalent aluminum tripod from them.

[jeromego]

thanks jon. i think im just going to rent one from cameralensrental

[rklepper]

im going backpacking in the Grand canyon this fall, what would be the cheapest carbon fiber tripod available in the market. i dont really need an expensive one since i will only be using it for this trip. a 5d2 and 24-105 will be used on this. thanks.
You are looking to put a 5D on the cheapest tripod available?:eek:

[jeromego]

You are looking to put a 5D on the cheapest tripod available?:eek:
doc, i already have the 190Xprob and the 488rc2 but this set up is too heavy for backpacking. so i was thinking of getting a carbon fiber just for this backpacking trip. i dont really want to spend much just for one use.

[randaddy]

I have the Velbon from BestBuy with a 488rc2 on it, work well. I've also heard the Flashpoint CF tripods from Adorama were pretty good as well, I believe those run for $179 for the medium size legs.

[jeromego]

I have the Velbon from BestBuy with a 488rc2 on it, work well. I've also heard the Flashpoint CF tripods from Adorama were pretty good as well, I believe those run for $179 for the medium size legs.
thanks, ill check them out as well.

[RPCrowe]

I modified a SLIK Pro 330DX tripod by substituting the shorter SLIK center column to save weight and substituting an Adorama Flashpoint F-1 Arca Compatible Magnesium Ball Head for the heavy SLIK OEM Pan Tilt head.

The result is a one pound and fourteen ounce tripod which will support a 30D or 40D camera with either a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. I use a Really Right Stuff L-bracket to mount the camera/lens without the tripod ring.

An Arca Compatible head combined with an L bracket will make any light set of tripod legs more sturdy because you don't have to hang the camera/lens cantilevered over on its side to shoot a vertical shot.

The one drawback of my SLIK conversion is that it is fairly short in height. However it is light in weight, sturdy and cost less than $150 head included.

[ben_r_]

Not all carbon fiber made items are equal... Some CF tripod can weigh the same or more than a comparable aluminum tripod.

[jeromego]

im thinking about just renting the giottos mt 8340 http://www.cameralensrentals.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=48 i hope this is lighter than my 190xprob

[Maxdave]

A Giottos MT-8340 tips the scales at 1.25 kg (2 lbs 12 oz), about 70% of the Manfrotto's 1.80 kg (4 lbs.).

I have the Velbon 530A El Carmagne (purchased at Future Shop here in Canada, owned by Best Buy). It weighs 1.4 kg (3 lbs) but a bit less if you only use the short part of the centre column.

Maxdave

[liupublic]

How about a Monopod to save even more weight?

[liupublic]

Agreed. Manfrotto CF tripods are not a terrific weight saving compared to the equivalent aluminum tripod from them.

Just did all the research and comparison. Bought the exact same set up as the OP. 190XPROB + 488RC2. The Best Buy Velbon is 2.8 lbs without the head. 190XPROB is 4 lbs. You will save 1.2lbs. So it's $200 for 1.2 lbs saving.

I would suggest to look at the ebay one instead. Depending on height available, start at $120 + shipping.

I thought about buying the 190CXPRO3. Basically carbon fiber version of 190XRPOB. Could not spending the extra $100+ for 1.2lbs saving. (there is a $50 rebate instead of $25 rebate.)

[82NoMe]

Flashpoint (http://www.adorama.com/FPTPF1128.html?searchinfo=flashpoint+tripod)

[tvphotog]

Check the reviews of the Flashpoint on the web. I read one that said it was not very stable.