Help me pick my new tripod (which compromises would you make):

I'm VERY picky when it comes to my tripod, I'll just put that right out there. I've only had my induro for ~1 year after upgrading my old gitzo gt3530 that I'd had for four years. I like my induro, and it was the right upgrade over my old gitzo, but I've seen some better options at photoexpo and was wondering if I could get some advice as to which way to go next.

My thoughts on my old gitzo: Light, small, but too short. I loved the 2 lock 3 section legs. It's weight was good. Not crazy light, but nice and stable. I really liked not having a center column at all. This was 50" tall, I'm 6'4" so it forced me to get out a tape measure and figure out ~60" is the ideal height of a tripod for me.
My thoughts on the induro upgrade: Rock solid and massive. Better locks than even the gitzo. This thing is too tall if anything with a max height of 63" (60" would be perfect). It's also not light at 4.9lbs (not an issue for normal landscaping, but overkill when hiking). It's also VERY long though at 32" folder w/ballhead...
What I'm after: I'd prefer 3 sections with 2 locks. I want shorter when folded and lighter would be nice. Max height needs to be well over the 50" gitzo and as close to 60" as possible. I've got the shorter center column in here to avoid my issues with columns, but it's still added weight -vs- a platform. I fly with my tripod 1~2 times a year and I hike longish hikes with is 2~3 times a year.

I've got it down to three options. These all have compromises in their specs because you can not get exactly what I want in a single tripod. I'm basically asking for help in picking WHICH compromises to go with:
Option #1: shorter but not shortest folded, 4" shorter than I'd like in use, half the weight. I can also add a short center column to this which gets back 2.5". It's still <3lb with that option, no longer folder, and it's such a short column it won't be in the way using the tripod...
Option #2: new version of what I have now, shorter folded and 20% lighter. Not the lightest or shortest but it's a nice improvement over what I have now w/o any risk.
Option #3:adds a section to each leg which I might hate or might not mind. Shortest option in the group. 1lb less than my current setup, but not as light as option #1. This is basically option #2 with an extra leg section (negative) which improves the folded length significantly...

the length folded comes in for traveling with my tripod. I DO take my tripod on planes with me and I've never had an issue with either my gitzo or induro. I just carried them on outside of whatever bag I had. All of these options are shorted than even the gitzo, and they all "hide" the head which IMHO makes them less imposing as a "weapon". So those are all good things. But option #1 would fit inside my backpack. It would make the backpack just beyond carry on legal (can't really fit it diagonally) but it would fit. Option #2 is no help here length wise, I'd hand carry it (strapped to my bag when not at a gate or security). Option #3 thought gets interesting. It'll fit inside the backpack and be carry on legal. It's damn close to fitting inside a pelican 1500 diagonally as well (the math says it will but that doesn't account for the fact it's wide at it's base and won't fit perfectly corner to corner).

So which compromise makes the most sense? Go with the lightest but 5" short option? Go with the closest (safest option) to what I have now? Gamble on 4 sections hoping I don't hate it for the gain in folded length? I'd love any input you guys have. I know there's no ONE perfect answer out there for me, especially not being as tall as I am. I'm just trying to weigh my options and get the best compromise compared to what I have now.

IMO, there's nothing wrong with 4 sections…

http://www.feisol.net ….php?ref=5&prod​ucts_id=58
check these out!

Looked at your Gear list and my Gitzo GT2531 will easily support anything there (with a good margin for expansion), however it is not very short for traveling - the 2541 (4 section) is a bit better for this. Th Traveler series fold down even shorter but do not extend very high, but well worth checking out.
Personally I prefer fewer leg sections, but then to me the collapsed length is not important, it is to some!

René Damkot wrote in post #13432040
IMO, there's nothing wrong with 4 sections…

yeah, that's what I'm on the fence about. It's 50% more locks every-single-time I setup a tripod though.... Doesn't that get old?

bfleck51 wrote in post #13432109
http://www.feisol.net ….php?ref=5&prod​ucts_id=58
check these out!

yeah, that's option #3.
only you added a (your?) affiliate ID to it....

Fixed - we don't like affiliate codes either.

Jon

johnf3f wrote in post #13432699
Looked at your Gear list and my Gitzo GT2531 will easily support anything there (with a good margin for expansion), however it is not very short for traveling - the 2541 (4 section) is a bit better for this. Th Traveler series fold down even shorter but do not extend very high, but well worth checking out.
Personally I prefer fewer leg sections, but then to me the collapsed length is not important, it is to some!

well, I'm not buying another gitzo. Too expensive for what? If anything my induro is nicer than my gitzo before it. That said, the rest of what you mentioned is all exactly what I'm wondering about... As for weight, I NEVER really check weight specs because if it holds 40lbs it'll hold 5 really well. IE within reason, overdoing the specs make for a more stable setup.


Having been thinking about this all night (drive home) I'm thinking I'll go with one of the thicker two (ie #2 or #3). I need to try a 3 lock 4 section setup for a bit to see if I go insane with 50% more locks or not, if not I'll go with that and have the best of both worlds (short and tall) except only 1lb lighter than what I have...

as for the 3 lock/4 section issue, I also shoot in/around salt water a LOT, so I have to break down my entire setup and wash it once every couple of months. It's also 50% more locks to clean which is never fun...

Yup, another "what tripod shoud I get" thread.

mmm. . . I was about to place my order on a gitzo or Benro.
How does the "water resistant" feature on Feisol? I have been looking for one that I can use in water and salt water. I think I'm sold on Feisol.

my vote would go for option 1 with 4 section or option 3

jacobsen1 wrote in post #13433016
yeah, that's what I'm on the fence about. It's 50% more locks every-single-time I setup a tripod though.... Doesn't that get old?

I assist a photographer who has a Gitzo 3540.
I can open all locks at once with one twist… YMMV if you have small hands.

René Damkot wrote in post #13434743
I assist a photographer who has a Gitzo 3540.
I can open all locks at once with one twist… YMMV if you have small hands.

no, I have massive hands actually, I've been playing with a loaner Oben B&H sent me last week and I can easily open all three locks at once. I still have to close three -vs- 2 though when setting up. And it's still 50% more to clean, but possibly the top set would stay cleaner since they're higher. I'm going to use this loaner Oben a lot in the next week intentionally to see if the 3 locks thing bugs me or if it's no big deal.

Shane W wrote in post #13433436
Yup, another "what tripod shoud I get" thread.

I'll be sure to start saying that in threads...

Shane W wrote in post #13433436
Yup, another "what tripod shoud I get" thread.

Yup, another asinine comment in a thread that actually asks reasonable questions and is seeking reasonable opinions...

It's too bad you just HAVE to click on all those threads you don't want to read....

Shane W wrote in post #13433436
Yup, another "what tripod shoud I get" thread.

Then don't read or reply to them. Your comment is more of a waste of space than the typical "what tripod" thread.

Personally I'd say for travel and hiking you want something light over something thats the perfect height. Why? Because, at least for me, I rarely just position my camera at eye level and leave it there when using a tripod, so it can be inconvenient at times if its not as tall as I'd like. However, I will always have to carry that tripod when I intend to use it, and that's not going to change, so it is always inconvenient to have a heavy tripod. With that in mind, I'd pick the lightest of your options and just live with the height

On topic please

Sirrith wrote in post #13435103
Personally I'd say for travel and hiking you want something light over something thats the perfect height. Why? Because, at least for me, I rarely just position my camera at eye level and leave it there when using a tripod, so it can be inconvenient at times if its not as tall as I'd like. However, I will always have to carry that tripod when I intend to use it, and that's not going to change, so it is always inconvenient to have a heavy tripod. With that in mind, I'd pick the lightest of your options and just live with the height

yeah, I obviously don't just set my tripod up at full height most of the time, but I'd say 50% of the time it's at max height? The other issue I have with shorter, is it's smaller leg diameter and lighter also mean less stable. Always a tradeoff. That's exactly what I'm trying to decide between though... #1 is light and short, #2 is the direct replacement to what I have now, but a bit lighter and shorter, #3 adds another leg section to what I have now, is still a pound lighter, but a bit shorter again -vs- #2....

the pisser is I go to photoexpo specifically to look at just these things. I fell in love with option #2 at the show. But now looking at spec sheets I'm considering the other two. Had I just lined them up IRL at the show, I probably could have made this decision on the spot...

Had you looked at the other two at the show (even not lined up)? If you did, and still "fell in love with option #2", then that's the one you'll regret getting if you buy #1 and have to stoop a little when you'd rather be at full height. If you haven't seen the other two IRL, then stick with the known. This is all assuming you'll be getting rid of the current Induro. If you're keeping that, by all means get a shorter (collapsed), lighter tripod for hiking and use the Induro when you're traveling by car..

Ben,

I've got the Feisol 3441t, which will work with just about any gear, perhaps not a heavy prime. I've been very happy with it over the past year and a half, with several trips to sandy and gritty places.

For a travel tripod, it's very beefy, with large diameter, sturdy tubes. I got it as I'm tall, and never liked the shorter travel sticks. The twist locks are rock solid, and I've never been concerned about stability.