What Are Benefits of Carbon Fiber?

I am in the market for a tripod and I want one with at least a 72" max height (I am 80" tall). I am looking at Induro tripods as they seem feature rich at a price I can afford. My questions is what are the benefits of Carbon Fiber? I see this one which meets my height requirements, is made of carbon fiber, and weighs 6.3 lbs, at a cost of $665. Then there is this one which also meets my height requirements, is made of aluminum allow, and weighs only slightly more at 7.1 lbs, at a cost of $217. Are there other performance benefits of carbon fiber? Or am I really paying $448 for 0.8 lbs lighter weight? Thanks for your thoughts.

Carbon tripods normally dampens vibrations better.

bmaxphoto wrote in post #15627048
I am in the market for a tripod and I want one with at least a 72" max height (I am 80" tall). I am looking at Induro tripods as they seem feature rich at a price I can afford. My questions is what are the benefits of Carbon Fiber? I see this one which meets my height requirements, is made of carbon fiber, and weighs 6.3 lbs, at a cost of $665. Then there is this one which also meets my height requirements, is made of aluminum allow, and weighs only slightly more at 7.1 lbs, at a cost of $217. Are there other performance benefits of carbon fiber? Or am I really paying $448 for 0.8 lbs lighter weight? Thanks for your thoughts.

I dont think the CF will get as cold to the touch when shooting outdoors/early morning/late nights. And weight. You also get to say you have a CF tripod

It dampens vibration much better, it's lighter, it's nice to work with in cold weather, it's easier to clean, and looks cooler.

Thanks guys. That is what I needed to hear. I am definitely going the aluminum route. I don't need any of those 'features' enough to spend an extra $448. Thanks again.

Yeah, the main advantage is the vibration dampening. As well as the weight and bragging rights
On the downside it is also more brittle than aluminium and more likely to snap/shatter, though I have never heard of anyone snapping their tripod, carbon or otherwise.

Maybe it's best to stick to wood :P

gep01 wrote in post #15627076
Yeah, the main advantage is the vibration dampening. As well as the weight and bragging rights
On the downside it is also more brittle than aluminium and more likely to snap/shatter, though I have never heard of anyone snapping their tripod, carbon or otherwise.

Maybe it's best to stick to wood :P

You laught but I have a wooden tripod ... got board one day at work

I thought weight was the biggest advantage. Which is why I was so surprised to see only a 0.8 b difference between these two models. I know that there are other CF tripods in this height range at a much lighter weight, but they are also a much higher price point. Thanks again for your thoughts, I think the AL is the one for me.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15627114
You laught but I have a wooden tripod ... got board one day at work

Picture please.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15627114
got board one day at work

I see what you did there

The vibration free stability of a heavy duty carbon fiber tripod is very noticable even compared to an aluminum tripod as robust as a Manfrotto 055PROB. I have Horusbennu C-3540V legs and love them.

I have an old Manfrotto 144 (about same dimension as 055) and a wooden tripod from Berlebach at about the same weight. The difference in dampening is enormous. After I got the Berlebach, I have wondered how I could make any sharp images at all on the old Manfrotto. CF tripod is some place in between.

Carbon fiber allows for a lighter weight and greater wall thickness than aluminium, at the same leg diameters .
Hence, light weight doesn't come at the price of decreased stiffness (thin legs) or high risk of bending and dents (thin leg walls) .

I own both carbon and aluminium tripods, and don't think carbon fiber tripod legs do dampen vibrations any better than other materials , nor did I ever find a proper comparison of carbon vs. alu tripods that showed a difference in damping .

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15627114
You laught but I have a wooden tripod ... got board one day at work

I would never laugh at a wooden tripod, but knocking a leg off your dining table and putting a camera on it is not making a tripod

Wooden tripods are quite common for astronomy because of the great dampening.