Tripod legs - snaps or twist ?

JohnJ80 wrote in post #6258333
which CF tripod has snaps?

J

Manfrotto MF series, i.e. 055MF3/4.

I don't believe that is carbon fiber - it's "mag fiber" whatever that is but it is way too heavy to be CF. It actually looks a lot more like fiberglass to me when I look at my mag fiber manfrotto monopod. On top of that, the walls of the legs are really thick.

CF doesn't like point pressure or pressure that is perpendicular to the fibers (something like that) which is maybe more likely with snaps than with a collar sort of lock. So I'm wondering if there are some real CF tripods that have snaps. I'm thinking that that isn't the case and that snaps are not all that compatible with CF.

J.

J. The MF series is made of carbon fiber tubes with magnesium die-casting. Here is a description from the Manfrotto website:

Specifically designed for extreme outdoor assignments, this tripod uses the same construction as the 055PRO but uses different materials for the legs and all metal parts. Like the 055PRO, the 055MF3 has a three-faceted aluminum center column, which can offset the pressure of the locking system and the torsion caused while in the horizontal position. The legs are constructed of 1.2 mm carbon fiber tube combined with magnesium diecasting, quick-action lever locking collars made of magnesium die-casting. Each leg can be set independently in one of four angle settings using the dedicated quick-action leg angle selector. The top spider is made of magnesium die-casting, and includes the clamping system for the dual position center column plus a built-in bubble level. To assure the best thermal resistance, all parts has been assembled using a proven pressure clamping technology that eliminates failure-prone glue joints for greater durability and in-the-field serviceability. A hand-padded carrying strap, supplied with the tripod, can also operate like a hook to hang weights from in order to increase the stability of the tripod during shoots in extreme wind conditions. It is ideal support for all SLR analog/digital camera equipment, medium format cameras and spotting scopes modified for digiscoping applications. PATENTED ...

JohnJ80 wrote in post #6258440
I don't believe that is carbon fiber - it's "mag fiber" whatever that is but it is way too heavy to be CF. It actually looks a lot more like fiberglass to me when I look at my mag fiber manfrotto monopod. On top of that, the walls of the legs are really thick.

CF doesn't like point pressure or pressure that is perpendicular to the fibers (something like that) which is maybe more likely with snaps than with a collar sort of lock. So I'm wondering if there are some real CF tripods that have snaps. I'm thinking that that isn't the case and that snaps are not all that compatible with CF.

J.

CF doesn't have to be light.

ed rader

There is little advantage if it isn't light.

Turns out after looking very carefully at the Manfrotto website, the legs are carbon fiber. I suspect that the reason they are so thick walled is the method of locking the legs. That could also be why they are not light either - epoxy is not light.

J.

Lightness is not CF's only virtue. CF tripods also damp vibration better than any other material except wood.

michaelnel wrote in post #6262253
Lightness is not CF's only virtue. CF tripods also damp vibration better than any other material except wood.

I don't know if I would go there - than ANY other material?

I can find some might fine tripods that are not carbon fiber and are not light. Hence, there is little advantage to making a heavy CF tripod and are cheaper. Besides that, why would you make a thick walled CF tripod if you didn't have to do it? Then you would get light weight to boot.

My original question (now modified) is if there are any lightweight CF tripods with snap locks.

J.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #6258959
There is little advantage if it isn't light.

Turns out after looking very carefully at the Manfrotto website, the legs are carbon fiber. I suspect that the reason they are so thick walled is the method of locking the legs. That could also be why they are not light either - epoxy is not light.

J.

how about price ?

ed rader

JohnJ80 wrote in post #6262609
I don't know if I would go there - than ANY other material?

I can find some might fine tripods that are not carbon fiber and are not light. Hence, there is little advantage to making a heavy CF tripod and are cheaper. Besides that, why would you make a thick walled CF tripod if you didn't have to do it? Then you would get light weight to boot.

My original question (now modified) is if there are any lightweight CF tripods with snap locks.

J.

J....I think you will need to further modify your statement. The 190cxprob weighs in at 4lbs. For many users, it is lightweight. So, how light is lightweight? It will also depend on what you plan to use the tripod for.

ed rader wrote in post #6262946
how about price ?

ed rader

Unfortunately low price often means less features and more compromise.

Snaps for me on a Slik Pro

As stated many a time, they both have their pros and cons. I like Snaps on my tripods and Twists on my monopods. Best of both worlds, maybe...

What are the cons of a twist??

Seems so far like the only reason people like snaps are that they feel secure with the actual sound of the snap?

The only thing I can think of would be speed to setup - and in a 3 section race I can easily come close to a tie with snaps...

I doubt a real life situation would ever come down to those 1-3 seconds difference and if it did you'd likely realize that and bump you ISO to 1600 and pray haha

jhom wrote in post #6264428
J....I think you will need to further modify your statement. The 190cxprob weighs in at 4lbs. For many users, it is lightweight. So, how light is lightweight? It will also depend on what you plan to use the tripod for.

The current crop of thin wall CF tripods like Feisol and Gitzo. Is there any in that weight and load class ("AND" is the important word) that has snaps on lightweight CF tubes? The 055MF3/4 are pretty long in the tooth design wise and do have very thick walled CF legs (not all that light in comparison).

J