Yet another Feisol question...

Sirrith wrote in post #14676136
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.

oh really? I was hoping the end point of all three legs could meet...hmmmm...maybe that explained why i saw so little picture on that setup. I also saw somebody saying you need to get CC to better folded...

looks like i need to adjust my expectation or think it again then.

Thanks for sharing the experience!

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.

Hogloff - may i ask, in your case, when the tripod is reverse folded, are the legs fully closed? I mean, all three legs meet at the far end? Thank you!

You should look into an Acratech GP-s. I have one, and it is pretty compact, however I do not know if it will meet your expectations of leg tips converging...

When I travel with my small pod, i usually pack things in around the legs (socks, belts etc...) so I am not wasting any spacee in my bag. I think it might cause more dead space with the legs touching because you couldn't pack things as tight.

Maybe this helps ?

cntangcn wrote in post #14676241
Hogloff - may i ask, in your case, when the tripod is reverse folded, are the legs fully closed? I mean, all three legs meet at the far end? Thank you!

No they do not meet. They wrap around the head, but the tips don't touch. May I ask why you need the tips to touch?

Hogloff wrote in post #14677886
No they do not meet. They wrap around the head, but the tips don't touch. May I ask why you need the tips to touch?

thank you Hogloff.

without any experience on this, I was imaging that if the tips don't touch, when there is an outside force applied to the bag from the side, the leg might be squeezed on the ballhead clamp and cause some damage? and if the tips meet, the force will be handled among legs but not between legs and the clamp?(sorry if this idea sounds like st*pid)

I thought maybe there is a ballhead like Q3 can be small enough for this. but if not, i guess i have to live with it then.

Thanks again!

Jptenberg wrote in post #14676790
You should look into an Acratech GP-s. I have one, and it is pretty compact, however I do not know if it will meet your expectations of leg tips converging...

When I travel with my small pod, i usually pack things in around the legs (socks, belts etc...) so I am not wasting any spacee in my bag. I think it might cause more dead space with the legs touching because you couldn't pack things as tight.

thanks for the suggestions. after read every reply, sounds like it is not possible to have a ballhead like that, and to let the legs not touched is the only way to go.

Petersman wrote in post #14677775
Maybe this helps ?

Thanks for providing the information. I checked this thread and apparently the legs will be closed smaller than the diameter of the plate but will not be able to fully closed - maybe I am just imaging something that should not happen.

cntangcn wrote in post #14680208
I was imaging that if the tips don't touch, when there is an outside force applied to the bag from the side, the leg might be squeezed on the ballhead clamp and cause some damage?

With any travel tripod you should be using that dead space between the legs by stuffing small stuff like underwear or socks or whatever in there, otherwise you're wasting space in your suitcase. The secondary effect is resistance against the kind of shock you describe. Put your clothes in and around the tripod legs and don't worry about it. Carry the ballhead in your bag in the cabin.

cntangcn wrote in post #14680208
thank you Hogloff.

without any experience on this, I was imaging that if the tips don't touch, when there is an outside force applied to the bag from the side, the leg might be squeezed on the ballhead clamp and cause some damage? and if the tips meet, the force will be handled among legs but not between legs and the clamp?(sorry if this idea sounds like st*pid)

I thought maybe there is a ballhead like Q3 can be small enough for this. but if not, i guess i have to live with it then.

Thanks again!

If you are looking for a great travel tripod, the Feisol 3442 with Markins Q3 head is it. It folds down into a really compact package, easily fits into most any sized luggage. Nice thing about this setup is that it is very stable in use. I've used it with lenses up to 300mm F4 without any issues. It does have a hook that I use to weigh down the tripod if it gets very windy. Just pack a small cloth bag that can be filled with rockes or sand.

I've travelled all over with this setup and never had problems of damage during baggage handling. The tripod and head are very strong. I highly recommend the setup for travel.

peter_n wrote in post #14680341
With any travel tripod you should be using that dead space between the legs by stuffing small stuff like underwear or socks or whatever in there, otherwise you're wasting space in your suitcase. The secondary effect is resistance against the kind of shock you describe. Put your clothes in and around the tripod legs and don't worry about it. Carry the ballhead in your bag in the cabin.

Thank you peter_n. that sounds the best way to protect the tripod/ballhead for transportation. but after arrive the destination and start to take the tripod with me to walk, I thought the unclosed legs will make me feel uncomfortable and worry about damage. apparently other people's experience told me dont worry about it

Hogloff wrote in post #14680480
If you are looking for a great travel tripod, the Feisol 3442 with Markins Q3 head is it. It folds down into a really compact package, easily fits into most any sized luggage. Nice thing about this setup is that it is very stable in use. I've used it with lenses up to 300mm F4 without any issues. It does have a hook that I use to weigh down the tripod if it gets very windy. Just pack a small cloth bag that can be filled with rockes or sand.

I've travelled all over with this setup and never had problems of damage during baggage handling. The tripod and head are very strong. I highly recommend the setup for travel.

thank you sir. this combination appears very popular. if nobody has problem to carry it around I should just stop over-thinking and go for it!

FEISOL 3442 is, indeed, very light and stable. When I hold my 055prob in one hand and Feisol in another hand, I was like, "wooo, you really get what you pay for".

OK Q3 TR. now start to search online and figure out a better price. life is fun!