Yet another Feisol question...

Ok I could not wait for the local dealer to get the FEISOL CT3401 back to stock, so i placed the order for CT3442 and got it today. (Yeah! finally).

My FEISOL CT3442 does not have the center column. I did not order it and I don't plan to have it.

now goes to my question: Is there a ballhead will allow the NO-center-column CT3442 to be able to be fully reverse folded?

I have googled a lot. There are a lot of pictures showing CT3442 reverse folded WITH a CC. I only found 1 picture that has CT3442 without CC folded with a PC-44NS, which apparently doesn't work very well.

anybody has the experience mind to share? if you have a picture to show how well it is folded that will be greatly appreciated.

I guess it's not the time for me to do a feisol review yet . but would like to share some "open box" pictures for what it's worth.

the box is plain. the bag is about 50cm long. it leaves no room for any ballhead if it is not reverse folded

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The 3442 has a wider base than the 3441 tripods, so any head that can fit on the 3441 and allow the legs to fold properly should fit on the 3442 no problem. The acratech GP-s should fit, as should the markins Q3T, but to be sure you should take some measurements and if you still aren't sure, shoot an email off to Feisol and ask them, they might be able to help.

in the bag there is one tripod, three wrenchs, one hook, and one warranty card(? not sure if it is a warranty card). In other people's pictures I saw a black rubber or plastic on the hook but mine is just a hook nothing else.

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Sirrith wrote in post #14671689
The 3442 has a wider base than the 3441 tripods, so any head that can fit on the 3441 and allow the legs to fold properly should fit on the 3442 no problem. The acratech GP-s should fit, as should the markins Q3T, but to be sure you should take some measurements and if you still aren't sure, shoot an email off to Feisol and ask them, they might be able to help.

Thank you Sirrith. I did ask the FEISOL dealer in here but they can only comment on FEISOL ballhead, which is not something I am considering right now. I am thinking of Markins Q3-TR, or maybe PC 36 (or 40). but before i spend that hundreds of dollars i would really want to make sure. I know there are a lot of people here has FEISOL with Markins Q3. they all showed the picture with a CC. Maybe they can share a little bit experience on the NO-CC version?

I have that same tripod with a Markins Q3 head. No CC. Legs fold around head nicely when I pack it into my luggage. Very compact setup for travel.

Hogloff wrote in post #14671883
I have that same tripod with a Markins Q3 head. No CC. Legs fold around head nicely when I pack it into my luggage. Very compact setup for travel.

Thank you Hogloff. this is very helpful. Guess the Markins Q3 TR is the way to go!

My Sirui K-40x ballhead allows the legs to be reverse folded..

cntangcn wrote in post #14671692
in the bag there is one tripod, three wrenchs, one hook, and one warranty card(? not sure if it is a warranty card). In other people's pictures I saw a black rubber or plastic on the hook but mine is just a hook nothing else.

Dangit! I didn't get the hook with mine.. I might have to email Feisol about that..

silvrbullet wrote in post #14673825
My Sirui K-40x ballhead allows the legs to be reverse folded..

Hi Silverbullet - thanks for sharing the information. However in the picture the legs are not fully folded, is that true? are you able to fully close the legs?

silvrbullet wrote in post #14673832
Dangit! I didn't get the hook with mine.. I might have to email Feisol about that..

you definitely should have a hook if you bought it new. this is a standard accessory comes with the package as far as I have seen in every "open box" picture.

I will have to dig through the case and see if I just missed it.

I think that's as closed as the legs get. I will double check tonight.

some other pictures to compare my Manfrotto 055PROB and FEISOL 3442.

when it's folded, 055PROB is much longer than 3442, (Not to mention it is much heavier)

but 3442 has a much larger plate than the one on 055prob

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the plate on 055prob and ct3442. CT3442's plate is much larger. some people says the large plate will increase stability. i am not sure on that theory.

when both are fully extended, ct3442 is slightly shorter than 055prob, but quite close.

Note, CT3442 has smaller angle among legs, that helped it stand taller

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with such a big tripod plate, CT3442 perfectly matchs my sunwayfoto DB-44 ballhead, a 44mm ballhead. However it will not be able to be reverse folded at all.

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silvrbullet wrote in post #14673832
Dangit! I didn't get the hook with mine.. I might have to email Feisol about that..

I thought I didn't get a hook either, turns out it was well hidden in the netting in the pouch on the side of the tripod bag. Try checking there.

cntangcn wrote in post #14674118
Hi Silverbullet - thanks for sharing the information. However in the picture the legs are not fully folded, is that true? are you able to fully close the legs?

That is what I would call fully folded. If you want them to actually fold inwards and touch at the ends, then you're going to have a very hard time finding a head... When they're folded like that the tripod will fit fine in the bag, so there is no problem.