Tall carbon fiber tripod?

I currently have a Feisol 3441T tripod, which is:

- 1.19kg / 2.63lb
- Height of 1.46 m / 57.48 in
- Extended height of 1.75 m / 68.90 in
- Folded length of 0.48 m / 18.90 in

I have an Arca-swiss P0 ballhead on the legs. I am 6' tall and appreciate the height, as well as the ability to handle slopes or uneven ground without being too short.

I used to use the longer center column and would occasionally extend it, but I have since switched to the short center column, so I am never using that extended height. I also never reverse-fold it (except for travel in suit case) so the folded length is a bit longer (I think closer to 22"?)

While Feisol has been great in terms of warranty, I've had a number of issues and some reoccurring issues that make the tripod a bit of a frustration to use in the field and doesn't inspire too much confidence in its durability or reliability.

I bought the tripod in 2015 and basically haven't followed too much of the tripod releases/updates since. In most of the ones I have come across, they are mainly either too heavy and/or folded length is too long OR their max height is too short.

Ignoring any budget constraints, what are some of my leading options in terms of a quality, reliable tall+light tripod?

Many of us here will not use a center column at all, and still want height.

For that a series 3 or higher "Gitzo equivalent" seems to be the best route.

I use Gitzo and Induro in Series 3 and 4. In both series, for my 6' height, I have legs that are taller than I need.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …atic_tripod_ser​_3_4s.html

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …4grnd_stealth_c​arbon.html

Over the years (I date back to before the good-old Tilt-All tank-of-a-tripod) I have used all sorts of tripods and keep coming back to Gitzo. I won't admit to how many I own but, I did stop in the middle of a shoot in San Diego a few years ago, located the local pro shop, and bought another Gitzo to complete the shoot with because the new (non-Gitzo) carbon fiber I had with me simply was not stable enough for the macro work I was doing. The Gitzo worked like charm. Consequently, I only use Gitzo. Expensive? Yes. French? Yes, but, it still works better than anything else I have used.

Some places you can save money with off-brand, or lesser-brand. For precise work, particularly macro or any other close detail work, stability is not an area to cut corners - you will tear your hair out trying to accomplish what should be a simple task. Nature will catch up to your hair soon enough, don't hurry the process along needlessly!

Dan

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18953447
Many of us here will not use a center column at all, and still want height.

For that a series 3 or higher "Gitzo equivalent" seems to be the best route.

I use Gitzo and Induro in Series 3 and 4. In both series, for my 6' height, I have legs that are taller than I need.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …atic_tripod_ser​_3_4s.html

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …4grnd_stealth_c​arbon.html

Those fold to 26" and 28"... pretty long. Possibly I could deal with a longer folded length as it is MOSTLY strapped to the outside (side) of my bag, but that's still quite long. Worse though is the weight - 5 and 6lbs without head. That's simply too much weight to carry on top of my other camera gear + other hiking or backpacking gear...

I find that many people end up carrying too much stuff that they "might need". Carry the essentials and improvise the rest with a few basics you are already carrying or can find laying about. For instance, I have used a monopod with a basic, small ball head lashed to a tree limb supporting a 1Dxx and a 400mm. Not pretty, but it did the job, and I was able to carry less stuff. If I did not have to use that body and that lens, I would not have even had the monopod with me because there are other techniques available that eliminate the necessity to haul the tripod in many (not all) cases. As for center columns, some like them, some not so much. Used properly, they work fine, and may be a better solution for you. Personally, I have used, and often use, center column tripods, like any tool one has to know how to use it, and what the limits are.

I like Really Right Stuff tripods. I have a few of them and they never let me down.

jlt23 wrote in post #18953603
I like Really Right Stuff tripods. I have a few of them and they never let me down.

They seem well-loved and well-made and durable, but the way they've chosen to make the tripods it doesn't seem to hit my marks in terms of height/weight

kaitlyn2004 wrote in post #18953614
They seem well-loved and well-made and durable, but the way they've chosen to make the tripods it doesn't seem to hit my marks in terms of height/weight

the feisol will be one of the taller options you can get, RRS has the TVC 24L that is comparable, but it's a whole lot more stable. I've worked with 3 of those RRS tripods, eventually ended up with the travel version, which is smaller AND more stable than the feisol.... easily more stable. I use the hell out of it, have sand in the legs, but it still works fine, the locks grind a little but incredibly solid with less locking pressure. They also build offset legs, so it takes up less volume, a few manufacturers have copied that concept. I also use the P0 on the RRS tripod, it's a dream to use, even nicer than gitzo.

A couple of options to check out.

I've been extremely happy with my FLM CB-48F ballhead, and thus have been eyeing these: http://www.flmcanada.c​om/new-series-ii-tripods.html Check the specs and see if they might work for you. These are on my radar for a taller tripod.

My Gitzo 3530 has been rock solid for at least 15 years now (my model is not the right specs for you, but a Gitzo 3-series in "L" might do the trick).

Friends with the RRS tripods have all been very happy with them, but it sounds like the specs don't meet your needs.

I just bought a Leofoto travel tripod (LS-284C) and based on the quality of it, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their larger models. No longevity data from me yet; it's too new, but the build quality seems right up there.

The new FLM tripods that John mentions above look interesting and I've owned the Leofoto tripod he recently bought since January of 2018 and it's durable and well constructed of quality carbon fiber and CNC-machined aircraft grade aluminum. Take a look at the Leofoto LS-323C; it weighs 3.9lbs, max height is 58.2in (admittedly not so great for you), and folded length is 21.2in. The Leofoto LS line is reputedly better than the LN line.

It's a pity you don't get on with the RRS tripods as a TVC or TFC 24L Mk 2 would be a good solution with a weight of 3.6lb (in the case of the TFC model) and a max height of 66.3in. I briefly used one and it was very stable but just way too tall for me.

The RRS models have a new and improved line called Mk2. With the purchase of a fixed apex conversion kit you can convert a TVC (V for Versa or versatile apex) to a TFC (F for fixed - has a much smaller diameter so does not accomodate a leveling base or center column like the Leofoto tripod but takes up far less volume in your bag). I have bought two of these Mk2 tripod with this feature and it's almost like getting two tripods for the price of one.

RRS TVC-24L Mk2
Weight 3.8lb
Max height 66.1in
Extended height 75.2in (w/RRS TA-2-QC center column)
Folded length 23in

RRS TFC-24L Mk2
Weight 3.6lb
Max height 66.3in
Extended height n/a
Folded length 23in

Charlie wrote in post #18953990
the feisol will be one of the taller options you can get, RRS has the TVC 24L that is comparable, but it's a whole lot more stable. I've worked with 3 of those RRS tripods, eventually ended up with the travel version, which is smaller AND more stable than the feisol.... easily more stable. I use the hell out of it, have sand in the legs, but it still works fine, the locks grind a little but incredibly solid with less locking pressure. They also build offset legs, so it takes up less volume, a few manufacturers have copied that concept. I also use the P0 on the RRS tripod, it's a dream to use, even nicer than gitzo.

Wait which travel version are you talking about? Not positive I follow/noticed any of the offset leg stuff...

sawsedge wrote in post #18954019
A couple of options to check out.

I've been extremely happy with my FLM CB-48F ballhead, and thus have been eyeing these: http://www.flmcanada.c​om/new-series-ii-tripods.html Check the specs and see if they might work for you. These are on my radar for a taller tripod.

My Gitzo 3530 has been rock solid for at least 15 years now (my model is not the right specs for you, but a Gitzo 3-series in "L" might do the trick).

Friends with the RRS tripods have all been very happy with them, but it sounds like the specs don't meet your needs.

I just bought a Leofoto travel tripod (LS-284C) and based on the quality of it, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their larger models. No longevity data from me yet; it's too new, but the build quality seems right up there.

Indeed those new tripods look interesting. I'm using the 3441T with the short column, and I get a weight of 1.149kg and it is 57". I keep going back and forth about the CP30-S4 at 161g heavier (1.31kg) and about 4" shorter height, more compact closed size, or the CP30-L4 at 261g heavier (1.41kg) but about 10" taller max height, even longer closed length.

The L4 seems like the better option for sure, BUT the S4 at 100g lighter (hey, backpacking, every gram can count!) AND smaller collapsed length, shorter but more comparable length to my current feisol... hmm!

peter_n wrote in post #18954714
The new FLM tripods that John mentions above look interesting and I've owned the Leofoto tripod he recently bought since January of 2018 and it's durable and well constructed of quality carbon fiber and CNC-machined aircraft grade aluminum. Take a look at the Leofoto LS-323C; it weighs 3.9lbs, max height is 58.2in (admittedly not so great for you), and folded length is 21.2in. The Leofoto LS line is reputedly better than the LN line.

It's a pity you don't get on with the RRS tripods as a TVC or TFC 24L Mk 2 would be a good solution with a weight of 3.6lb (in the case of the TFC model) and a max height of 66.3in. I briefly used one and it was very stable but just way too tall for me.

The RRS models have a new and improved line called Mk2. With the purchase of a fixed apex conversion kit you can convert a TVC (V for Versa or versatile apex) to a TFC (F for fixed - has a much smaller diameter so does not accomodate a leveling base or center column like the Leofoto tripod but takes up far less volume in your bag). I have bought two of these Mk2 tripod with this feature and it's almost like getting two tripods for the price of one.

RRS TVC-24L Mk2
Weight 3.8lb
Max height 66.1in
Extended height 75.2in (w/RRS TA-2-QC center column)
Folded length 23in

RRS TFC-24L Mk2
Weight 3.6lb
Max height 66.3in
Extended height n/a
Folded length 23in

Have yet to experience RRS in person but apart from price, hear nothing but praise for them. Have recently learned of leofoto too and they seem well liked.The 323 model you referenced, though, at 3.9lbs is pretty heavy - more than 1lb heavier than my Feisol. Even the RRS tip the scales to achieve that height, whereas the lighter ones are quite a bit shorter unfortunately.

Without a center column, the RRS TVC-24 Mk2 or TVC-24L Mk2 (long version) come closest to the mark.

My RRS TVC-34L is 68.5" to the base plate fully extended. It's 24" collapsed. I'd have to check the weight on the website. No center column. Best tripod I have ever owned.

For anyone who is 5'9" like me. You can leave the bottom section collapsed and with a BH-55 ballhead attached look straight to the camera without bending. Super sturdy!

Update: website says 4.5 lbs.