Tripods Alloy VS Carbon Fiber

In regards to tripods,aside from carbon fiber tripods being lighter than the ones made of alloy,what else are their advantages?When it comes to being more sturdy,which is better,the tripods made of carbon fiber or alloy?
Thanks.

Apparently carbon is better at damping vibration. I say apparently because I might just be being led up the garden path by marketing rubbish.

A lot depends on the tripod and how its made. CF is lighter and is also better at attenuating vibrations. CF is pretty tough and won't corrode or rot. Generally, the legs aren't the problem...its the other mechanical components (spider, leg locks, etc) that are the problem. For example, a spider that has been machined from a solid piece of metal is better than a spider that has been formed as a casting...castings can have internal, unseen voids that can weaken and fail it over time. Just depends on the brand and how its manufactured.

If you're a hiker and concerned about weight, then CF is the way to go. If not, save yourself some money and go with an aluminum tripod. But one thing is for sure...once the "novelty" of using a tripod wears off, the heavier tripod is more apt to be left behind. But if you're serious about your photography, a tripod of any type is a must.

Lowner wrote in post #14101983
Apparently carbon is better at damping vibration. I say apparently because I might just be being led up the garden path by marketing rubbish.

You're not being led up any path, but good on you to call it out without your own experience to work from.

I've set up both alloy (older mid-large size Bogen/Manfroto) and carbon (light-mid size "freds-carbon-r-us") legs next to each other. While not at all scientific, it takes very little effort with a telephoto to see how long the alloy legs 'ring' if you cause a vibration in them vs. the carbon. Several times as long.

CF is lighter and more expensive, but can be very stable. Weight is the issue with metal sticks. In the studio, an aluminum Manfrotto can't be beat for price and everything else. In the field, CF is king because of low weight.

Manfrotto makes the best metal sticks, IMHO. CF tripods are a mix, I think that Gitzo, RRS and Feisol lead the way here.

Alloy is cheaper, and not a lot heavier if you stay away from the mega big tripods. Testing has shown carbon dampens vibrations better, how much this matters to most of us is a personal call. I think my CF fiber tripod feels more sturdy than my last alloy tripod.

Or you could go wood for the best vibration dampening and lighter than alloys.

Pound for pound, CF is more rigid that aluminum. If the two tripods were of equal weight, the CF would be much more rigid or inflexible. I have both and I prefer the CF beause the legs do not flex like the aluminum does.

When you guys say alloy, are you talking about Aluminum? alloy just means assorted metals mixed together.

FNH wrote in post #14103563
When you guys say alloy, are you talking about Aluminum? alloy just means assorted metals mixed together.

I think the OP is talking about aluminum.

Probably is; technically almost anything of aluminium is an alloy (likewise with steel) since pure aluminium would be altogether too soft to survive in the "wilds". However, he could also be admitting the possibility of brass, bronze, magnesium or titanium tripods in the event anyone were able to locate such beasties. A Mg or Ti-alloy tripod would probably be able to take the weight per load title, but would cost the earth. I think there have been a few Mg-alloy tripods though.

Carbon fiber is also a lot nicer to handle in the cold. Aluminum legs can be downright frigid if they don't have padded legwarmers on them.

tvphotog wrote in post #14103703
I think the OP is talking about aluminum.

I am the OP here.I actually meant magnesium alloy.How does it compare to carbon fiber tripods?
Thanks.

No One wrote in post #14105520
I am the OP here.I actually meant magnesium alloy.How does it compare to carbon fiber tripods?
Thanks.

Alloy, aluminium, magnesium alloy, its all different descriptions of the same "metal" tripod.