Feisol CT-3401: Quick review

Just picked up the Feisol CT-3401 with traditional leg locks and no center column. First off if you ever get a chance to order something from reallybigcameras.com then do so! Sent then my email and Kerry got back with me in just a couple hours to ask which leg locks I wanted (my fault for not putting that in the first place) and to let me know the in-stock status. He had the invoice to me before the end of the day and I had the tripod two days later. Amazing service!!

Ok well on with the review.....

Specs: CT-3401 without a center column.

Leg sections: 4
Max height: 132cm /51.9 in
Min Height: 17cm /6.6 in
Folder length: 48cm /18.8 in
Max leg diamiter: 28mm /1.10 in
Weight: 1.19kg /2.62 lbs
Max load: 9kg / 19.8lbs

Unlisted is the diameter of the smallest leg sections (this is the most important to me). It is 19cm

This is a great tripod for anyone who is looking for a light tripod that folds down small but is still very stable. Or any one who, like me, is short. I am 5'4" and at max height with the ball-head (I use a horusbennu LX-3) and camera mounted (T1i) the view finder is approximately an inch and a half below my eye level. So once I lean in to look through the viewfinder it is at the perfect height.

I went with the traditional leg but Feisol does make their tripods with anti-rotational legs as well. The traditional legs work great if you want to save a little money and don't mind having to lock and unlock the legs in a curtain order (bottom to top to unlock and top to bottom to lock). Just don't expect to lock and unlock all the locks at the same time. If you want to do that then go with the RAL legs (it's feisol's anti-rotational legs)

The leg locks function with half a twist and lock tight. Pushing down on the center of the tripod with the legs extended I was unable to get any of the locks to slip. As with any decent tripod now a days the legs can also be positioned at three different angles. The locks for the leg positioning is a simple pull down locks that are easy to use even with gloves and wont slip.

Without the center column the tripod gets super low to the ground. The specs list it as 6.6 inches but it is actually lower then that at just barely above 6 inches (see photos below)

I have only used the tripod today but can find no faults in it so far. Its light, easy to set up, folds down small, is very stable, and dampens vibrations very well. But If you're taller and don't want to bend over to use the tripod then this is not the tripod for you.

If I find any faults or anything else as I use it I will update this to let everyone know.


Now for the pictures....

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I had the same tripod and agree that it was light, stable, and compact. It was a great fool for traveling and hiking and was reasonably priced. I'm traveling with the family and there were a few times I wish I would have kept it as schlepping the 055xprob would have been a hassle.