Feisol 3441 Leg Spread

I just picked up one of these and am a bit baffled by the leg spread; the legs feel super unstable due to not enough spread on the first setting and the second setting is way too wide for normal use.

Is this a travel tripod issue or just a bad design?

I may return them, but I did a lot of searching and could not find anything that appeared to meet my needs that wasn't ridiculously priced (Gitzo). Is there anything else that is as light, strong (aside from the spread the legs are very stable), and high as the Feisol?

What model did you purchase?

I was all set on ordering a Feisol until I read a review on B&H about the steep leg angles. I'm thinking that's how they keep the weight down compared to other manufacturers. I ended up with going with another Benro, I've had four and have been very happy with them all.

DavidR wrote in post #16097028
What model did you purchase?

I was all set on ordering a Feisol until I read a review on B&H about the steep leg angles. I'm thinking that's how they keep the weight down compared to other manufacturers. I ended up with going with another Benro, I've had four and have been very happy with them all.

I got the 3441t, the steep spread doesn't change the weight at all, but it does allow for a greater max height, which looks nice on paper.

I looked at some Benro tripods, but when I set them up, grabbed two legs, and wiggled them a bit they were all over the place. Which Benro did you get?

Not a traveler tripod but my latest was a C4770T. What model Benro were you looking at that was flimsy?

DavidR wrote in post #16097080
Not a traveler tripod but my latest was a C4770T. What model Benro were you looking at that was flimsy?

I looked at the entire MeFoto line and a couple of other models that the local camera shop had; not sure on the other model numbers.

doidinho wrote in post #16097153
I looked at the entire MeFoto line and a couple of other models that the local camera shop had; not sure on the other model numbers.

The MeFoto line of tripods are a very light duty that are designed to be as small and light as possible, making some sacrifices in stability.

A tripod that would compare 'spec wise' to the Feisol is the Benro C2580T. I had the older version, while not as tall and was heaver than the 3441T, it was a solid tripod.

doidinho wrote in post #16096925
I just picked up one of these and am a bit baffled by the leg spread; the legs feel super unstable due to not enough spread on the first setting and the second setting is way too wide for normal use.

Is this a travel tripod issue or just a bad design?

I may return them, but I did a lot of searching and could not find anything that appeared to meet my needs that wasn't ridiculously priced (Gitzo). Is there anything else that is as light, strong (aside from the spread the legs are very stable), and high as the Feisol?

I do not know of any brands that offer the stability of the likes of Gitzo & RRS. Naturally I have not tried every tripod going but none of the ones I have tried have as wide a footprint as my Gitzos.
If you feel that Gitzo tripods are expensive then have a look on the used market, I had a real bargain with a G 1329 Mk2 - a bit heavy for what you want but very cheap!

johnf3f wrote in post #16097278
I do not know of any brands that offer the stability of the likes of Gitzo & RRS. Naturally I have not tried every tripod going but none of the ones I have tried have as wide a footprint as my Gitzos.
If you feel that Gitzo tripods are expensive then have a look on the used market, I had a real bargain with a G 1329 Mk2 - a bit heavy for what you want but very cheap!

Thanks for your input. I searched for used Gitzo's, but it didn't seem like there was much of a used market where I'm at; everyone that has em are keeping them.

But the gitzo footprints are bigger; even on the more compact models?

According to Feisol, 3441 has preset leg angles at 25, 50, and 75 degrees

Gitzo Mountaineer has preset leg angles at 24, 60 degrees, but new series 1, 2 ,3 and Leveling tripods now feature an upgraded upper casting with an additional third leg spread. Explorer has infinite angle adjustment to 90 degrees.

Benro publishes no information about leg angles, just mention 3 settings, some models have 2 settings, but angle is unstated.

The Manfrotto 055proB has 23°,45°,65°,88°, and the 190 has 25°,46°,66°,88°

doidinho wrote in post #16096925
Is this a travel tripod issue or just a bad design?

I think its a you issue

I have zero problems with stability on my 3441T, and I've used it in pretty much every situation you could reasonably imagine for a tripod.

Wilt wrote in post #16097327
According to Feisol, 3441 has preset leg angles at 25, 50, and 75 degrees

Gitzo Mountaineer has preset leg angles at 24, 60 degrees, but new series 1, 2 ,3 and Leveling tripods now feature an upgraded upper casting with an additional third leg spread. Explorer has infinite angle adjustment to 90 degrees.

Benro publishes no information about leg angles, just mention 3 settings, some models have 2 settings, but angle is unstated.

The Manfrotto 055proB has 23°,45°,65°,88°, and the 190 has 25°,46°,66°,88°

Yeah that's weird, my manfrotto apparently has less spread according to the specs, but in actuality the Feisol has much less.

I think this is deffinately going back on Monday; unfortunately now I need to resume my search.

I don't have the Feisol 3441T, but I have the 3442 tournament and it is rock solid in any situation I've used it in.
It was fine in 20 knot winds in freezing cold in Canada in February when several other photographers had their tripods blown over.

powaysteve wrote in post #16097724
I don't have the Feisol 3441T, but I have the 3442 tournament and it is rock solid in any situation I've used it in.
It was fine in 20 knot winds in freezing cold in Canada in February when several other photographers had their tripods blown over.

From what I understand the 3442 is the same legs with a different spider that has the same three spread angles. Really wish there was a Feisol dealer nearby so that I could check them out.

Were you hanging any weight off the hook in the 20 knot winds? I was in a light breeze the other day and didn't feel comfortable leaving my camera on the tripod to grab a lens in my bag which was by my feet. Also which angle did you have the legs set at, 25 degrees?

doidinho wrote in post #16096925
I just picked up one of these and am a bit baffled by the leg spread; the legs feel super unstable due to not enough spread on the first setting and the second setting is way too wide for normal use.

Is this a travel tripod issue or just a bad design?

I may return them, but I did a lot of searching and could not find anything that appeared to meet my needs that wasn't ridiculously priced (Gitzo). Is there anything else that is as light, strong (aside from the spread the legs are very stable), and high as the Feisol?

Is it possible that you can take a picture showing the spread on the first and second setting?

lsquare wrote in post #16098005
Is it possible that you can take a picture showing the spread on the first and second setting?

Sure, but probably best not to draw too many conclusions from the pictures.

Here is the tripod on the first setting. I measured the spread angle to be 18 degrees which is significantly less than the stated 25 degress and explains why my Manfrotto spreads wider even though it's spread is just 23 degrees.

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