Review: Feisol CT-3442 & Center Column Kit + Manfrotto 488RC2

I just got the Feisol CT-3442 + Center Column Kit in the mail today.

In short, this is a very stable tripod and it's weight, wait, let me rephrase that, it's LACK of weight was extremely surprising!

The quality of the build is outstanding, as well as the padded nylon zipper carry case (includes padded shoulder strap & zippered parts & plate pocket). Mine included a couple of different wrenches, weight hook (I didn't have it installed for the pictures) and a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter screw.

The main base that the legs & center column attach to does indeed appear to be machined aluminum. The rubber on all of the twist-locks (including the center column) is tactile, yet tightly attached (doesn't turn or move when you really bear down on it).

The silver leg angle adjustment locks appear to be made of cast metal, but there appears to be very little weight/torque on them due to the angle of the legs (that's a +). Each leg fully extended is approximately 38.5" from it's next-door neighbor.

This is the 4-section model and the bottom two legs try to rotate a little bit when locking them down, HOWEVER, if you expand from top to bottom, and then collapse from bottom to top, you can hold onto the section above it if it starts to turn a little bit. I only had one joint turn a little when first turning the knob as I tightened it down way too tight. The legs move very smoothly up & down the shaft.

Measurements:
Ground-top of base plate (no center column kit installed) = 55.5"
Top of base plate to top of center column base plate (fully extended) = 13.0"
Top of base plate to top of 488CR2 (on top of fully extended center column) = 17.25"
Ground-top of center column base plate = 68" (this is with everything fully extended; add the height of your ballhead + plate + view finder to 68" to get the total height).
With the 488RC2 ballhead & plate, it puts the base of my camera body at 72.5" above ground level.

The scope in the picture weights about 3.5 LBS (Kowa 82mm TSN-821M) and was solid as a rock with the center column at half height or lower. There was a scintilla of shake with the center column fully extended, but I would bet even the best Gitzo's exhibit that as well.

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

I glad your enjoying it, i love my feisol monopod and tripod...

Ultimate CC wrote in post #4310547
I glad your enjoying it, i love my feisol monopod and tripod...

Thanks for your help a couple of weeks ago. After handling this tripod today, I'm confident I made the right choice.

no prob, i am just so happy with the quality for the price that i like to spread the word on the forums here...i was leary at first to order one because no one on here used them but i pulled the trigger on a monopod and as soon as i got the monopod i ordered the tripod...its pretty cool because it fits right inside the tripod bag which is nice when flying because I bring my backpack and the tripod case and use them as carry-ons...

Thanks for the write-up and congratulations

I thought I would pass this on for those of you interested in the CT-3442 & 488RC2 WITHOUT the center column kit.

Unfortunately, I don't think your proposed setup will work. The issue is with the two control knobs on the 488RC2. The pan throw-lever & ball tension lever are 180-degrees apart. When you add in the extra rubber on the ball tension lever along with the foam on the upper part of the legs, it blocks one leg from folding in all the way (it sticks out a good 10 or 15 degrees, see the first two pics below).

I see these options if you want to stay with the CT-3442:

1) Pick up a different head that is either a) smaller or b) has controls that are either i) not 180-degrees apart or ii) has only one control knob.

2) Don't fold the tripod legs up and over the head. Simply bring the legs in together and keep the head on top (although this won't allow the use of the bag and will make the folded setup about 4.5" longer). I've done this a lot when moving around and not needing the bag. Makes setup & tear-down very quick.

3)Go ahead & get the center column kit. My CT-3442 & 488RC2 just BARELY fold up when you adjust the 488RC2 into the correct position. It fits fine in the bag this way.

http://s233.photobucke​t.com …John-TX/CT-3442%20Folded/

Hope the pictures show you what you were looking for.
Although they have the head attached to the center column, the head would actually be about 2 inches closer to the base plate if I were to remove the column kit.
However, the head & legs would be even tighter due to being closer to the pivots.
The actual size of the 488RC2 base fits fine, it's those dang knobs. They're just huge in comparison. I bet everything would fold up fine w/out the center column if you reduced the diameter of the tension knob by about half. It's got a good 1/8" of rubber on the outside.

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

It's been awhile since this thread's been alive, but I'm hoping John (or anyone else) can answer this for me! I'm thinking of getting this setup here. One thing I like though is the ability to get low. The specs say it can go down to 6.3", but does that still apply with the center column? In other words, does it split somehow? Or would I have to take the center column out and replace the plate it came with, moving the head from one plate to the other in the process? That sounds like it'd be a pain. Any thoughts?

Yes, the center column WOULD need to be removed (along with the main plate) in order to get within about 6-7 inches of the ground.

However, there is a threaded stud on the bottom of the center column for a weight hook. (I think it's 1/4"; it might be 3/8"). Regardless, I think you could attach a ballhead to this stud, and use the camera upside down, hanging UNDER the tripod.
I'm thinking this would get you even closer to the ground and at the same time, allow you to raise the center column to adjust your ground height.
I'll pull might out this afternoon and have a look.

you would have to take the center column out, but its really not that big of a deal to do...

John_TX wrote in post #6168785
Yes, the center column WOULD need to be removed (along with the main plate) in order to get within about 6-7 inches of the ground.

However, there is a threaded stud on the bottom of the center column for a weight hook. (I think it's 1/4"; it might be 3/8"). Regardless, I think you could attach a ballhead to this stud, and use the camera upside down, hanging UNDER the tripod.
I'm thinking this would get you even closer to the ground and at the same time, allow you to raise the center column to adjust your ground height.
I'll pull might out this afternoon and have a look.

Cool, I appreciate that. In terms of removing the center column though, I'm still not sure I understand what's involved. Removing the column sounds easy enough, but do I then have to spin the head off of the center column's base plate, spin it back on the base plate it came with, and then reattach that? Does it require any tools to do so? Or does the center column separate from the base plate it uses, so you can just pop it right in? If so, then it sounds like no big deal.

On a somewhat related note, does anyone have experince with the PB-70 Horizontal Adapter Kit? It says here that it's compatible with the Tournament series, so I suppose that might be another way to get low to the ground. I'm somewhat interested in that adapter anyway, as I think it'd be useful in close up/macro work.

Your review and pictures were really great. I'm still wavering between this setup and the Manfrotto 055MF4, but reviews like this have me very tempted by the Feisol. The advantages on the Manfrotto seem to be that it's cheaper (especially with the rebates going on this month), includes both a horizontal adapter and split center column, and that the brand is more recognized and respected, which may not be a big deal. The ability to flip the legs around the head seems HUGE to me. It makes the CT-3442 several inches shorter when collapsed, but it's actually several inches taller when opened. Plus it's lighter. I'd basically pay a net price around $345 for the 055MF4 + 488RC2, or $525 for the CT-3442 + PB-70 horizontal adapter + center column + 488RC2. That's a significant difference, but it may be worth it to get something that's easier to carry around.

Ok, the stud on the bottom of the center column is 1/4" (same size as most cameras). My center column kit came with a weight hook, that is 3/8" threaded. It also came with a thread adapter (1/4" to 3/8") so the weight hook can be attached to the bottom of the center column. Thus, you should be able to pick up a small & inexpensive ballhead to fit on the bottom of the center column if you want (so you don't have to remove your main head all the time).
A quick look on B&H shows they have at least 20 smaller ballheads under about $30.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …140&cmpsrch=&cl​tp=&clsgr=

The plate where you would mount a ballhead on the bottom is ~7" above the ground. Just casually holding my 40D up to the plate and measuring, the top of my flash was about 3" above the ground. Depending on the head you use, you could easily put the camera (upsidedown) on the ground.

Hope this helps!

These two pics show the 1/4" stud on the bottom of the center column.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Two more pics: showing 3/8" thread adapter attached & weight-hook.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Final two pics: The first pic shows the center column extended down a couple of inches. The last one shows it all the way down (e.g. the 488RC2 is sitting on top of the adjustment knob by the main plate).

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I love my Feisol 3442 but have the 488RC4 attached. The legs do not fold in closely but that is alright.

darkninja67 wrote in post #6169302
I love my Feisol 3442 but have the 488RC4 attached. The legs do not fold in closely but that is alright.

Same with the 488RC2, there is one leg that folds up enough to easily fit it in the carry bag, but it doesn't quite fold as tight as the other two...but it's not even an issue for me. Simply has to do with the way the 488 controls are; they're 180-degrees apart from each other and interfere a tad bit.