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

Jon wrote in post #13435898
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..

exactly what I'm thinking, option 2 to replace what I have, or keep what I have and add option #1...

tvphotog wrote in post #13436400
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.

yeah, that's the 4 section version of option #1, only with the center column in it already. To me that's "skinny" in terms of the legs. If I were going all out travel that's the setup I'd get as it's light and super short folded.

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.[/QUOTE]

Looked at the Induros/Benros and a few others (+ more recently at Feisol) and they are all great kit - however I live in RIPOFF Britain! As such price becomes more critical, so I bought 4 Gitzos (1was second hand) - why? Simply because I could find nothing better and the alternatives were more expensive! The worst deal I got on my Gitzos was for my GT3530LS which cost about $600 (US) - the best was my USED G1327 Mk2 (plus carbon center column) for about $150. All were purchased from a small high street shop in Wales - E bay/internet etc was far more expensive.
It pays to shop around and from what I see European products are overpriced in the US.

yeah, in your case I'd go with the gitzo. I have nothing against them really except for their pricing. They make good products and have GREAT warranty coverage, but my issue is it seems they've just kept making the same thing forever and not really changed much. The biggest example of that for me is the locks. Induro had their locks for a year or so, and Benro (same company basically) still does, but the new induro locks are superior to gitzos...

The thing I guess we'll never know is how the tubes are really made and how much better some are -vs- others. Gitzo claims theirs are better/best. Feisol made tubes before they made tripods, so I'd assume theirs are good but who knows. All the knock off guys, are theirs good? Stiff? Light? Both? Going by the specs, the induros are pretty heavy for their size, so maybe they're not good at keeping the weight down (mine is rock solid). The feisols are super light, so I'm hoping they're stable....

I have the Feisol 3442. 4 sections is really not much slower than 3 sections. If you fold/open the tripod a dozen times a day, you'd probably notice the difference. What it does allow for is a shorter folded length. No center column. 54" tall. 19" folded length. 2.3 lbs.

no way am I going 4 section on the thinner leg size, not as my primary tripod at least. I'm considering that as a travel tripod in addition to what I get now, down the road, but only if i get 2 or 3 and feel the need to add a travel setup.

Then look at the 3342. Not quite as short when folded but probably short enough. A 3 section will never be as short as a 4 section.

You don't have any gear even remotely heavy so I don't see your concern. I've shot long exposure with the 70-200 @ 200mm/10 stop ND filter (not the heaviest lens out there, either) with this tripod and have no reservations using it that way in the future.

bohdank wrote in post #13440003
Then look at the 3342. Not quite as short when folded but probably short enough. A 3 section will never be as short as a 4 section.

that's option #1... and yeah, I know. It's a tradeoff, hence the thread...

no, but if I overdo it on tripod specs it's just extra weight. There's no such thing as too stable IMHO. The other thing with me, is being 6'4" it seems all the bigger setups come to my eye level. As soon as I step down a leg diameter size (to something like the 3342) the overall height of the tripod is shorter. Obviously they fold to be shorter as well and weigh less, but they're not as tall as I'd like. If I was 6' or under I'd only be looking at the 3342 or 3442, but my height is the primary reason I end up with larger tripods. Their added rigidity is a nice bonus. Their longer folder length and weight is the negative.

no, but if I overdo it on tripod specs it's just extra weight. There's no such thing as too stable IMHO. The other thing with me, is being 6'4" it seems all the bigger setups come to my eye level. As soon as I step down a leg diameter size (to something like the 3342) the overall height of the tripod is shorter. Obviously they fold to be shorter as well and weigh less, but they're not as tall as I'd like. If I was 6' or under I'd only be looking at the 3342 or 3442, but my height is the primary reason I end up with larger tripods. Their added rigidity is a nice bonus. Their longer folder length and weight is the negative.[/QUOTE]

You think you have problems! A (Pro Photographer) friend of mine had to go to the GT5541 to get enough height - luckily for me I am roughly normal height so the standard 2 or 3 series do just fine!
Given that you are , apparently, rather tall, then you are quite correct (IMHO) to look at the larger (3 series or similar) as when tripods are fully extended and the center column is raised a bit then things can get a bit bendy!
As to the comment regarding tubing - all the ones I have tried have been good in their own way - I personally find Gitzo a bit better - though I have not tried them all!

Expensive but the new RRS tripods got me drooling and excellent reviews.

MDJAK wrote in post #13447765
Expensive but the new RRS tripods got me drooling and excellent reviews.

yeah, if money wasn't an issue I'd totally be getting their TVC-33. I love the fact they're 100% american made. My issue with their legs though is the actual legs don't invert when packing it so they're ~4" longer than the feisol of the same specs.

I'm looking at their rock claws though, just to add some good old USA bling to my legs, but they're $93 for a set.

the other thing is I have a loaner Oben from B&H right now that's similar specs as option #1. It's just 4 sections. But yeah, I shot with it yesterday and HATED how thin/skimpy/short it felt. Proved to me instantly that I need option 2 or 3, I just need to decide if 4 sections is worth dealing with to get it shorter when packed...

I've flown with my tripod many times and I find folded length an issue for sure, and I use a large suitcase for that reason. I have a Gitzo 1 series carbon Fiber. It's 3 section. Used to have the 4 but much prefer the 3.

I'm seriously considering biting the bullet, lightening my wallet, and getting the RRS, just not sure which model.

I used to own their BH55 head, but liked the Markins M20 better and sold the BH55