Comparison of Adjustable Center Column Tripods

I'm very intrigued and interested in a carbon fiber tripod with a laterally adjustable center column for weird angle shots and flexibility like the old Benbos had.

The ones I have in mind are the Giottos MT-8361 vs. the Induro CX-214.

I would consider shelling out for a Gitzo if it had leg diameters as large as these two examples have, but I don't think I want to go down to a 2- series. Also, the tripod would need to accept Gitzo's lateral column piece, and I don't know if anything in the 3- series of Gitzo CF tripods does this.

Anyone here have some knowledge of these types of 'gymnastic' CF lateral column tripods?

I hope you dont mind but I want to add a question to this. Is their any difference stability wise between these multi adjustable columns compared to the normal vertical only adjustable columns?

Ive been keeping my eye on what the forum members have and it seems that most of them use the vertical only adjustment. I would think the type you mentioned would be awesome. So im surprised that i havent seen more members using them. (of course I havent looked at every members tripod)

elitejp wrote in post #6595073
I hope you dont mind but I want to add a question to this. Is their any difference stability wise between these multi adjustable columns compared to the normal vertical only adjustable columns?

Ive been keeping my eye on what the forum members have and it seems that most of them use the vertical only adjustment. I would think the type you mentioned would be awesome. So im surprised that i havent seen more members using them. (of course I havent looked at every members tripod)

There is a stability difference. It seems intuitive.

Best stability: tripod without center column at all, head attached directly to platform
Not quite as good: head attached to extended center column in vertical position through center hole of platform
Less stable yet: head attached to extended column in lateral or oblique position skewed from tripod's center of gravity.

Then why go for adjustable center column tripod at all, you ask? For reach and for hard to get at subjects and effects, and some use it for certain pano techniques and VR photography - still beats hand held by a longshot.

b.d.bop wrote in post #6592542
I'm very intrigued and interested in a carbon fiber tripod with a laterally adjustable center column for weird angle shots and flexibility like the old Benbos had.

The ones I have in mind are the Giottos MT-8361 vs. the Induro CX-214.

I would consider shelling out for a Gitzo if it had leg diameters as large as these two examples have, but I don't think I want to go down to a 2- series. Also, the tripod would need to accept Gitzo's lateral column piece, and I don't know if anything in the 3- series of Gitzo CF tripods does this.

Anyone here have some knowledge of these types of 'gymnastic' CF lateral column tripods?

I don't have the MT-8361 model, but I do have the MT-7371, with a MH-3300 ball head. This is a "lava" tubed model, which is taller and heavier, but otherwise very similar to the MT-8361 in the carbon fiber series.

I reviewed it here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=493232

At the time I wrote:
"The tripod itself has a significant number of adjustable parts and possible arrangements. I suspect I will use the three position leg spread option (released easily with large controls at the top of the legs), but I doubt I will use the centre column reversed, or remove it and use it horizontally. A twisting collar lock prevents it from turning or being raised (mine is locked down tight). ..... The top of the centre column is most complex, as the camera/ball head mounting plate can be removed and the remaining parts used as a simple three way pan head, with separate controls for “tilt” and “rise”."

That was back in April. Since then, I thought I should at least try the more unusual arrangements possible, so I set up the tripod with the centre column mounted horizontally (it takes a while to figure how to do this!). I suspected this would be the least stable position. I mounted my 40D with 70-300 IS and 580 EX in the shoe, which is my greatest load. I had the legs positioned to the normal position, that is the most upright angle, and extended to the height I normally use (this means the lower section is about half pulled out, because otherwise the tripod is too tall for me to see through the viewfinder (I am 5' 11").

After I mounted the camera, and I must admit, it didn't look too stable, so I kept one hand under the 40D, but when it didn't move, I slowly gained some confidence, and took my hand away.

Compared to the "standard" position I normally use (vertical centre column, not extended):

1) It takes some time to convert to horizontal mode, although this would get shorter as experience is gained.
2) You would certainly want to use some sort of remote shutter release, as it feels like holding the body and just pressing the shutter would cause vibration. I suppose I should test this out, but since I have the wireless and wired remotes I could easily use one ....
3) There is some vibration when making adjustments and changes in camera settings, and if focussing manually. This dies down quickly, so a stable view returns without much inconvenience.
4) The arrangement was more stable and "safe" than I expected just looking at the setup. It is even more so when the legs are spread to a more horizontal position.
5) Since I don't do macro shooting, I have little need of this feature, so I can't comment on its effectiveness when used "in anger".

What I have used successfully and much more frequently is the built in three way head feature that comes as part of the adjustable centre column design. This allows me to leave behind the entire centre column and MH-3300 ball head if I am carrying the tripod significant distances (the combination weighs 3.5 kg of which 1.0 kg is the head and quick release, so removing it and centre column drops the total by about 30%, down to 2.5 kg). This setup is ok for me, since the tripod is tall enough for me to use with no ball head or centre column extension, although I do miss the silky smooth action of the big MH-3300!

Maxdave

Maxdave wrote in post #6596536
I don't have the MT-8361 model, but I do have the MT-7371, with a MH-3300 ball head. This is a "lava" tubed model, which is taller and heavier, but otherwise very similar to the MT-8361 in the carbon fiber series.

I reviewed it here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=493232

At the time I wrote:
"The tripod itself has a significant number of adjustable parts and possible arrangements. I suspect I will use the three position leg spread option (released easily with large controls at the top of the legs), but I doubt I will use the centre column reversed, or remove it and use it horizontally. A twisting collar lock prevents it from turning or being raised (mine is locked down tight). ..... The top of the centre column is most complex, as the camera/ball head mounting plate can be removed and the remaining parts used as a simple three way pan head, with separate controls for “tilt” and “rise”."

That was back in April. Since then, I thought I should at least try the more unusual arrangements possible, so I set up the tripod with the centre column mounted horizontally (it takes a while to figure how to do this!). I suspected this would be the least stable position. I mounted my 40D with 70-300 IS and 580 EX in the shoe, which is my greatest load. I had the legs positioned to the normal position, that is the most upright angle, and extended to the height I normally use (this means the lower section is about half pulled out, because otherwise the tripod is too tall for me to see through the viewfinder (I am 5' 11").

After I mounted the camera, and I must admit, it didn't look too stable, so I kept one hand under the 40D, but when it didn't move, I slowly gained some confidence, and took my hand away.

Compared to the "standard" position I normally use (vertical centre column, not extended):

1) It takes some time to convert to horizontal mode, although this would get shorter as experience is gained.
2) You would certainly want to use some sort of remote shutter release, as it feels like holding the body and just pressing the shutter would cause vibration. I suppose I should test this out, but since I have the wireless and wired remotes I could easily use one ....
3) There is some vibration when making adjustments and changes in camera settings, and if focussing manually. This dies down quickly, so a stable view returns without much inconvenience.
4) The arrangement was more stable and "safe" than I expected just looking at the setup. It is even more so when the legs are spread to a more horizontal position.
5) Since I don't do macro shooting, I have little need of this feature, so I can't comment on its effectiveness when used "in anger".

What I have used successfully and much more frequently is the built in three way head feature that comes as part of the adjustable centre column design. This allows me to leave behind the entire centre column and MH-3300 ball head if I am carrying the tripod significant distances (the combination weighs 3.5 kg of which 1.0 kg is the head and quick release, so removing it and centre column drops the total by about 30%, down to 2.5 kg). This setup is ok for me, since the tripod is tall enough for me to use with no ball head or centre column extension, although I do miss the silky smooth action of the big MH-3300!

Maxdave

Very informative post, Maxdave, thanks a million for that. Enjoyed reading about your experience with the rig.

Anybody know anything about that Induro pod?