Carbon Fiber vs Aluminium Tripod Legs

[Bryanbmur]

I have searched through the forum hunting for a good discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of carbon fiber versus aluminium tripod legs.... no luck.

I understand the carbon fiber legs are lighter and possibly better at absorbing vibrations, however CF comes at a price premium.

What do others have to say in regards to the differences in carbon fiber versus aluminuim trip pod legs.

THANKS!

[fireplug]

I guess with carbon fiber you have less weight, stronger then plastic, and probably has less vibrations to it. Yea and it is expensive. With Aluminum its heavier, I think it might be stronger then carbon fiber, maybe a little bit more durable (at least with my experience). Also I have found with aluminum you will need to lookout for more rust then with a carbon fiber tripod...I hate rust. :<

[illusionest]

fireplug covered most of the points for both, i personally like carbon fiber because its soo much lighter to carry around!

[FJT]

I have a carbon fibre tripod purely for weight reasons ... I sometimes end up hiking with mine so weight is very important!

[Palladium]

Carbon firer does not transfer the cold like aluminum does.

[ed rader]

I have searched through the forum hunting for a good discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of carbon fiber versus aluminium tripod legs.... no luck.

I understand the carbon fiber legs are lighter and possibly better at absorbing vibrations, however CF comes at a price premium.

What do others have to say in regards to the differences in carbon fiber versus aluminuim trip pod legs.

THANKS!

carbon is lighter, stiffer and more expensive :D.

ed rader

[jsinon]

Carbon firer does not transfer the cold like aluminum does.

Ditto, aluminum will suck the heat right out of your hands. The biggest advantage is the weight though. Good gloves will take care of the cold hands.;)

[aram535]

I think one of the biggest differences is the price as well. I don't hike or carry my equipment by hand so its no big deal for me, but if you go on a long hike the a few extra pounds less maybe a good thing.

Me, I'm usually carrying a 1Ds Mark II and 1D Mark II ... weight to me is very subjective as my bodies weight what feel like 20 lbs each.

[cameraman51]

Aluminum in the studio. Carbon fiber in the field.

[Bryanbmur]

Thanks all for the excellent comments and suggestions!

[venkidesh]

weight is the big factor between both and ofcourse price too

[P51Mstg]

If you are wondering...... Aluminum DOESN'T RUST..... So thats not an issue... For that matter, CF doesn't rust either.

CF is SUBSTANTIALLY stronger than AL.... Actually CF is more on line with steel as far as stregnth goes........

Mark H

[Todd Lambert]

Aluminum doesn't rust, but it does pit - especially when exposed to saltwater. For a good example look at aluminum beach chairs.

I use CF Gitzos and I swear by them. I routinely put them into places where I wouldn't even want to put my hands. They wash up nice and easily - no worries.

[eelnoraa]

It seems there is common misunderstanding about CF vs Al. Here is a few comparison: 1) if you use the same volumn of Al and CF (so same thickness of legs), Al will be significantly stronger, but also significantly heavier. This why people use Al in studio for heavier equipment. 2) to make tripod into the same strength, CF is only about 30% lighter than Al alloy, because you actually need to more CF (volumn wise) to obtain the same strength. This is why people use CF for portable purpose. And 3) CF will be significantly more expansive.

[J-dubya]

another + for carbon...it's either straight or broken. there won't ever be a bent/crooked leg

[JWright]

If you are wondering...... Aluminum DOESN'T RUST..... So thats not an issue... For that matter, CF doesn't rust either.

CF is SUBSTANTIALLY stronger than AL.... Actually CF is more on line with steel as far as stregnth goes........

Mark H

True... Rust occurs on iron or steel.

Aluminum will corrode and corrode badly, to the point where it will fail. Ask any Navy Aviation Metalsmith...

Carbon Fiber is being used more and more in the structural parts of aircraft, because of it's high strength to weight ratio.

[ben_r_]

Put the money into it, its well worth it! Go Gitzo! ;)

[MrGreen]

Don't forget the fact that CF will dampen vibrations a lot better than aluminum.

[Todd Lambert]

And it LOOKS cooler!

[Hogloff]

The only real reason to get a CF tripod is for the weight. If you will not be carrying your tripod any distance, save a lot of money and get a good Manfrotto 055 series tripod. However, if you have to lug your tripod any distance, the extra money spent on a CF tripod ( I'd recommend Feisol as it is reasonably priced and performs very well ), is well worth the couple pounds of weight saved.

[2ean]

another + for carbon...it's either straight or broken. there won't ever be a bent/crooked leg
And you'll be hard pressed to find a broken CF leg!

[p32shooter]

carbon fiber burns [don't ask!!!!], aluminum melts

[Todd Lambert]

LMAO, good to know!

[jacobsen1]

I went with carbon because:

it doesn't get cold in the winter
it's lighter
it doesn't corrode
less vibration
I was upgrading from aluminum, so CF was a nice step up in materials as well as all the other functions that changed
hopefully if something were to fall into it, it'll bend and pop back where metal would bend and crease (all depends on the situation)
it looks badass

[CyberDyneSystems]

For $100.00 bucks (at the time) I picked up my first "good" tripod,
A Manfrotto 2001 pro aluminum tripod (the model number is now meaningless in the current line up, it was a smaller lighter version of the 2021 also replaced with a new name. )

It's a relatively small tripod compared to the ones I use now, but it does all I need it to, except manage to work well with the large big gun super-tele glass,. this got me looking for a larger tripod.

After much messing about with lower cost options I got the large three section systematic CF Gitzo..
It taller, sturdier and much better than that $100.00 manfrotto,.
it is also MUCH lighter!

... and it cost 6x as much!!!!

[tigerotor77w]

... and it cost 6x as much!!!!

This is the part I don't like, either. :P

What's the longest lens you used with your Manfrotto?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I tried the 500mm on it. .. not a great idea...
It's also a bit short requiring the use of the center column for eye level.. this is why it's only good for light weight stuff.
I'd say it's fine with a Bigma or 100-400mm sized lens.


You can get the the newer version of the 2021 pro though (don't know the model number)
..but the 2021 pro will absolutely handle the 500mm,. it's a big sturdy tall tripod, under $200.00
It's just heavy aluminum.

[tigerotor77w]

I'd say it's fine with a Bigma or 100-400mm sized lens.

Interesting. It would seem like a decent Manfrotto could be used with a 70-200, then... good news. :P

[snails]

Interesting. It would seem like a decent Manfrotto could be used with a 70-200, then... good news. :P

I use the 70-200 on a Manfrotto 055xProB (488RC2 head), it works great.

[tigerotor77w]

I use the 70-200 on a Manfrotto 055xProB (488RC2 head), it works great.

I'm, ah, still a level below that... I'm on the 190XDB and a 3265 (pistol-grip) ballhead. :)

It *seems* already, though if I mount the quick release to the body, a 200mm lens is a bit shaky.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Interesting. It would seem like a decent Manfrotto could be used with a 70-200, then... good news. :P

Oh yeah, no problem at all!