BEST CF TRIPOD

What is the best, lightest carbon fiber tripod?

Hiking and all around use.

Wouldn't that depend a bit on your needs? Such as if you have light or heavy gear to use it with. Your needs if you have a 400/2.8 and a TC isn't the same as if you just want to use the tripod with a camera and a light-weight lens.

Gitzo's are lighter and better built than Manfrottos, by they cost a lot more. I like my Man 055cx

For travel, Gitzo and Feisol. Look at the reviews on the tripod sticky. I like my Feisol 3441t and sold my travel Gitzo 1541t.

if money isnt the issue here, the 6 series gitzo are the best.

swear by our Gitzo 3531S legs. Taller folk may need a 3531LS. Really tall folks may need the Gitzo 6 series.

RRS also,

Kyles wrote in post #12617480
RRS also,

+1

Expensive, but well worth it IMO.

pwm2 wrote in post #12616348
Wouldn't that depend a bit on your needs? Such as if you have light or heavy gear to use it with. Your needs if you have a 400/2.8 and a TC isn't the same as if you just want to use the tripod with a camera and a light-weight lens.

Definitely need to answer this, before you'll have an adequate answer

Indeed factors that matter:

what you like to shoot
what you shoot most often with (especially lenses)
where you shoot (studio or top of a mountain after a long hike)
how much weight you are willing to tote up that mountain
your height (drives the leg length)
packeting size (drives 3 or 4 section legs)
budget (can you do a top end RRS or Gitzo...or will you go for cheaper aluminum)
do you want a column or not (personally, never again)

I would pass all the tripods and go for the RRS tripod.