carbon fiber in tripods.. differences?

darinwc · Sep 13, 2015

Is there much of a difference in the carbon fiber used in tripods?
-I mean, the cheap models could just as easily use plastic and no one would know.
or maybe certain types are better than others?

summicron1 · Sep 13, 2015

weight, mostly. Carbon fiber is very light.

Something to keep in mind, however -- carbon fiber breaks. If you toss your equipment around much, you don't want carbon fiber. What would be dismissed as small ding in a metal tripod can destroy the structural integrity of a CF tube. Bicycles made of the stuff shatter in wrecks.

On the other hand, my steel bike just got hit from behind by a car and the frame, anyway, survived nicely. Rear wheel? Not so much.

Alan9940 · Sep 13, 2015

Going back many years now to when carbon fiber tripods were first introduced and a few subsequent years later advertisements made a big deal out of 6x, 8x, etc. Not sure what all that meant...my guess is that additional layers were added to strengthen the tube. Regardless, any carbon fiber tripod you buy nowadays from the big names like Gitzo, Induro, Really Right Stuff, to name a few will serve you well for many, many years. And, I don't know what it takes to break a carbon fiber tube, but I'm not gentle with my equipment and I've never broken any carbon fiber tripod leg.

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 13, 2015

Carbon fibre is not easily faked, although I have seen ridiculously cheap Taiwanese tripods masquerading as "carbon fibre" at a Sunday market when they were only plastic!
Carbon fibre bikes are common, but they are not as stiff as butted aluminium/titanium hybrid frames. The multi-weave construction makes them (like tripods) incredibly expensive (as with CF wheels, too -- a pair for time-trialling went locally for $12,600!).

About this weight thing. I really haven't saved a heap of weight over my old Manfrotto 190-series tripod with three-way head. It only takes the addition of just one accessory e.g. spiked retractable feet, or a heavy duty head, and you have defeated the cost-weight benefit of a carbon fibre tripod on weight alone. There is a geeky, gear-freak undertone about them. A few grams saved is not the same as a kilogram or two which is what people with stars in their eyes set out to achieve. I have a Manfrotto CF190CX tripod that has served me well for 8 years; it is heavier kitted out than it was straight out of the box because the head (440gm) must support a heavy camera and spiked retractable feet (470gm) are essential. Match your tripod ... cf or otherwise, to your camera and tripod head.

Alan9940 · Sep 13, 2015

About the weight thing for me... For many years, I lugged around a Ries A100 wooden tripod with single-tilt head that weighed in at about 15 - 16 lbs; used for my 8x10. At 60+, I just can't carry the additional weight of that tripod along with the camera outfit on my back. I recently switched to a carbon fiber tripod (based on a surveyor tripod design) with a Gitzo G1570M head for a total weight of about 7 - 8 lbs. Half the weight of the Ries setup and near as I can tell just as sturdy. Works for me!

4season · Sep 13, 2015

I don't know how to judge the quality of a carbon fiber tube just by looking at the exterior.

But in the context of a complete tripod, I look for something offering greater rigidity at a significant weight savings versus a comparably-sized aluminum tripod. My current travel tripod incorporates carbon fiber tubes and magnesium alloy castings and it's great for it's size and weight.

To date I've owned 4 CF tripods: An original French Gitzo, a recent Manfrotto and a couple of Chinese-made Vanguards. Manfrotto is a bit on the bulky/heavy side due to fancy center column which doubles as a boom, along with the lever-type leg locks which are never as compact as Gitzo-type compression fittings. The larger Vanguard is actually kind of whippy but it's also considerably lighter than a similarly-sized Manfrotto. Near as I can tell, the CF tube walls are relatively thin on that particular model, but it was a tradeoff I was willing to make.

RobC · Sep 14, 2015

The problem is not the tripod weight, it is you. The best option is to go on a diet and lose 8 lbs. That will offset any perceived weight saving you might think a carbon tripod gives you. It will also make you feel healthier, save you a bundle of cash and make walking uphill a lot easier. You'll probably live longer too.

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 15, 2015

RobC said:
The problem is not the tripod weight, it is you. The best option is to go on a diet and lose 8 lbs. That will offset any perceived weight saving you might think a carbon tripod gives you. It will also make you feel healthier, save you a bundle of cash and make walking uphill a lot easier. You'll probably live longer too.

I've never been overweight or have a weight problem (at 55 , I weigh 56.5kgs) so I don't see how the above can be beneficial. I still ride 200km a week, walk in the morning and afternoon and go swimming. What else should I do to "feel healthier"??

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David A. Goldfarb · Sep 15, 2015

The attraction of carbon fiber for me has been the ability to reduce the tripod collection, because a tripod that supports my largest cameras and longest lenses only weighs about as much (if I use a flat base instead of a center column) as what was previously my medium weight tripod. Vibration damping is a plus, and so is the fact that it doesn't feel as cold as aluminum in the winter, both of which would also be available with a Reis, but that's not cheap either, and it weighs a lot more. I've had as many as five or six tripods at once, but for the past several years I've been down to two CF tripods--a Gitzo 5-series and a Feisol travel tripod.

Mainecoonmaniac · Sep 15, 2015

I bought a Giottos Chinese made carbon fiber tripod and it's the best $200 investment on a piece of photo gear. I traveled to South East Asian and this summer, Greece and Turkey. It weighs just a few pounds without the head. I haven't used others, but it works for me. Pound for pound, I think it's stronger than aluminum. It doesn't dent or corrode. I used it by the ocean at Point Lobos over the weekend and I don't have to worry about salt water pitting the legs.

RobC · Sep 15, 2015

Poisson Du Jour said:
I've never been overweight or have a weight problem (at 55 , I weigh 56.5kgs) so I don't see how the above can be beneficial. I still ride 200km a week, walk in the morning and afternoon and go swimming. What else should I do to "feel healthier"??

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Have a rest

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 15, 2015

No time to rest! There is photography to be done. Get moving!

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Sirius Glass · Sep 15, 2015

Steel tripods are heavier and get heavier with every step when on a long walk or hike. Aluminum tripods are lighter. Carbon fiber tripods are the lightest. Within each material group price is not always a good measure of quality, because a good tripod is strong enough for your camera to be steady, stable and not shake or vibrate in the wind. The ease of setup, extending and retracting the legs, mounting and dismounting the camera, aiming the camera and locking the camera position are important features for you to determine. The cost should not be the sole driver of your decision.

For me, I found that the Induro tripods and heads [http://www.indurogear.com/products/tripods/] was more cost effective and on par with the bigger name brands.

Besk · Sep 15, 2015

I shoot 4X5 and smaller and settled on one tripod for all - an older G 1228 series Gitzo carbon fiber. Plenty light enough for the 35mm stuff up to 135mm and strong and dead enough for my 4X5. If in the wind I hang weights on it.

Edit: I am been thinking of wrapping the top legs with bicycle handlebar wraps to protect the carbon fiber.

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 15, 2015

Bob Eskridge said:
I shoot 4X5 and smaller and settled on one tripod for all - an older G 1228 series Gitzo carbon fiber. Plenty light enough for the 35mm stuff up to 135mm and strong and dead enough for my 4X5. If in the wind I hang weights on it.

Edit: I am been thinking of wrapping the top legs with bicycle handlebar wraps to protect the carbon fiber.

Re wrapping the top leg sections: this is what I have done (with all of my tripods), but with foam rubber slip-ons that make it easier, in all weather, to grip and portage the tripod with the camera mounted. The legs must be disassembled for this procedure, and it can be a bit fiddly with the precise Manfrotto tripods. But well worth the effort! I can't do it with my thinner Gitzo CF tripod, but it's not a chore to cart that around like the bigger Manfrotto.

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AgX · Sep 16, 2015

Here is a very interesting, long article discussing tripods in depth and also hinting at the original question of this thread:

https://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foto-schuhmacher.de%2Fartikel%2Fhardware%2Fcarbon-stative.html&edit-text=

Paul Jenkin · Sep 22, 2015

I have a big, heavy and lumpy Manfrotto 055XProB with a 029(?) three way head and it's really solid but a beast to carry. I do a fair bit of landscape and wanted a travel 'pod and looked at the Sirius range. I went for one of their carbon fibre versions as there was a bit of a weight saving and, over a long day / weekend walking, I'm assuming it'll benefit my knackered old knees.

For me, weight is the only major consideration for carbon fibre over aluminium, steel or other metal alloys.

John Koehrer · Sep 22, 2015

Differences are weave pattern and number of layers.The terms 2X, 4X and 8X refer to the number of layer used in making the legs.
different patterns will change how stress is distributed.

Want to have fun? take a look at some of the articles about CF cloth. I gave it up after a few minutes.

carbon fiber in tripods.. differences?

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