Tripod Selection Help

Here's a Benro CF tripod that looks good (3.1 lbs with a 22 pounds weight capacity): http://www.amazon.com …-10&keywords=benro+carb​on

(Someone is selling a used one here for $250: http://www.fredmiranda​.com …/0?keyword=benr​o#10889483)

Stick a Manfrotto ballhead on it for about $100: http://www.amazon.com …OCWUK/ref=pd_si​m_sbs_p_15

mnphotos wrote in post #14898944
Thanks for the suggestion but I already have an aluminum tripod. Weight is one of the important factors, as is quality, in my next tripod purchase.

I guess I'll say this - view this as a while system. The Vanguard you currently have isn't in the same class as the setup I suggested. Even as aluminum, it is decently lighter (over 15%) and likely FAR more stable. You can shave another 0.6lb (for a total of 26%) for an additional $200 for the CF Sirui (which puts you $100 over instead of $100 under).

If you go cheap on either one, you're likely to be satisfied with the system as a whole. My $0.02.

One last note - I'd avoid Manfrotto heads entirely. The cheap ones handle terribly IMHO and there are much better options for the money than the expensive ones (Mg series, etc.).

I just picked up a Feisol as the reviews were pretty good and for the money, it seemed to be a bargin. Time will tell as I should receive it tomorrow.

As for the ballhead, take a look at Vanguard heads. They fit your budget well enough to allow a little overflow to the tripod funds and have incredible weight ratings. I have the ABH-230k which weighs a little over 1 lb. yet supports up to 65lbs (FWIW, I would never try that though). It runs about $120-140. This is my second Vanguard head, loved the first just as much but it was a little cumbersome and weighty.

OP--I am currently using a Feisol 3441s with an Acra-tech GP-s head, and I will say that I like it a lot for a small travel setup. With the center column lowered, the setup is solid with my 7D & 100-400 on it. When you raise the center column it does get a little wobbly, but that is the case with any travel pods.

I am 6'2", and the cam is at eye-level for me with the column fully up--no long expossures there, but I don't mind bending over a little bit as I use live-view most of the time on a pod anyway. Since you are shorter than I, you should be at eye-level with column down.

I really like the Acratech head for its versatility and light weight. It holds solidly. In reverse folding the legs around that head though, I do have to "finesse" the legs closed around it. It fits, but puts a little angular pressure on one leg. I will be curious as to the effects of this over time, but I am not overly concerned about it.

I see you are in Mn. I am in Mpls if you wanted to check out the setup before buying send me a PM.

Thanks for all of the advise. I will mull it over and make a decision as to what way to go.

Are three section tripods more stable than 4 section tripods? One less joint in the legs would seem like it would be more stable.

mnphotos wrote in post #14914490
Are three section tripods more stable than 4 section tripods? One less joint in the legs would seem like it would be more stable.

It depends upon the brand. The innermost section is always the smallest in diameter, so a 4th section is inherently narrower than the 3rd section, assuming an identical size in the outermost section. So the 4th section has more inherent give and a higher vibrational resonance frequency.

Many folks state that their 4-section Gitzos are the equal of the 3-section Gitzos.

I'm specifically talking about these two tripods. They are both the same price and I would like to get the sturdier of the two.

FEISOL CT-3342
CT-3441S

And throw this one into the mix also.

CT-3442

If you are comparing tripods from the same manufacturer with the same largest leg diameter, then adding an extra joint and a thinner leg section can't improve stability, and most probably impairs it. Note that this is a different question to whether the 4 section (or even 5 section) legs will be sufficiently stable for your purposes.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #14914747
If you are comparing tripods from the same manufacturer with the same largest leg diameter, then adding an extra joint and a thinner leg section can't improve stability, and most probably impairs it. Note that this is a different question to whether the 4 section (or even 5 section) legs will be sufficiently stable for your purposes.

Thanks for the responds but you kind of lost me. Not hard to do these days.

My question is whether a 3 sections is more stable than a 4 section tripod. Not whether it's sufficiently stable for my purposes. Does that make any sense?

Thanks,
Ed

On the same tripod series a 3 section will be more steadier than a 4 section.
I was thinking of picking up the Feisol CT-3342 and selling my Benro C358 until I read a review on B&H
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …CT_3342_Rapid_T​ripod.html

DavidR wrote in post #14914831
On the same tripod series a 3 section will be more steadier than a 4 section.
I was thinking of picking up the Feisol CT-3342 and selling my Benro C358 until I read a review on B&H
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …CT_3342_Rapid_T​ripod.html

Yup, I saw that also. So I'm still looking. It seems like a lost cause but I'm in no hurry.

Ed

Have you given Benro or Induro a look?
I think one of these could work for you.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rbon_8X_CT213_T​ripod.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rbon_8X_CT214_T​ripod.html

DavidR wrote in post #14914831
On the same tripod series a 3 section will be more steadier than a 4 section.

Thanks for summarising!

Anyone have an opinion on the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod legs? It gets very good reviews on B&H.

Ed