Feisol tripod advice

[PBrooks]

Hello all! I am looking to replace my 4x5 tripod as my current one (3021 with 3047 head) was well great all around. But, it has been totally messed up by baggage handlers and it was a little heavy. I have been looking at the really big cameras website and can't decide on the CT 3442 or the CT 3471. The 3442 strong points are that it is really light like 2.3 pds.. It also has 28mm legs where the 3471 has 37mm legs but at the weight of 5.07 pds. That maybe a blessing though. I don't plan to buy the center column as the tripods have a hook under the center anyways. I am worried about the resonance of these, are there users out there? I am also not sure whether to order the CB 50D ball head or one of the PhotoClams (I don't know which one). I would appreciate any advice you guys and gals could give me. Thanks in advance!
PBrooks

 

[Mark Fisher]

I have the 3442 and it is perfect with my 4x5 and Hasselblad with moderate length lenses. I'm using the medium sized Kirk head and it has worked well also.. I tried to put a Kodak 2D 8x10 camera and it was definitely straining. Also, ask Kerry for his advice. He is the owner of the shop and a real good guy. He knows more about those tripods than anyone here I suspect.

Mark

 

[jeroldharter]

I have the 3342 and the 3372. Unless you really need something short for travelling I suggest the three piece legs which are very solid.

Which 4x5 camera and largest lens do you plan to use? I use the smaller 3342 for an Arca Swiss F-Line field camera with no center column and an Arca Swiss Z1 ball head and it is solid enough with a 300 mm lens. If you use a large monorail, you might be pushing it. I use the larger 3372 with a Wehman 8x10 and it is rock solid. The Feisol will seem like a big improvement over your current tripod, which I used also.

 

[PBrooks]

Speed, Crown Technika V, I have a heavier bogen tripod but it is the size for my 14x17. I do plan to use 300 and 400 fuji T's on the 4x5 so I do need it to be solid. I also need it to collapse small for travel over seas. Have been reading good things about the Feisol tripods for a while now and I know that Kerry sells them and is a sponsor here so I thought I would throw him some business. The main reason I was looking at the 3471 is that it has 37mm legs, thinking that maybe it would be less resistant to shake.

 

[Mark Fisher]

I can tell you that the weak link in my tripod mentioned above is the head. For my Tachihara (240mm max) and my Hasselblad, it is perfect. The head is the part that was not up to the job on the 8x10. I think that the smaller tripod would work, but you may want to consider a beefer head if you use the heavier lenses. If you are OK with the weight, though, you might as well go with the heavier legs too.

 

[PBrooks]

Hello Mark, they seem to be two designs. The 3442 seems to be the tournament edition with a wider plate at the top. The CB-50 seems like a pretty sturdy ball head or no have I missed something.

 

[gregmacc]

Feisol are great

I am another very satisfied Feisol owner. I have the 3342 and can not fault it in terms of build quality and reliability. I have it matched to a Markins M10 ball head. This system easily supports A Nikon D200 with Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 zoom (very bulky). I went for the the X3 section legs for stability reasons. The Markins and Feisol products are very well regarded on the Nikonians forums. I found Kerry extremely helpful and informative. Hope this helps
Cheers

 

[jeroldharter]

Speed, Crown Technika V, I have a heavier bogen tripod but it is the size for my 14x17. I do plan to use 300 and 400 fuji T's on the 4x5 so I do need it to be solid. I also need it to collapse small for travel over seas. Have been reading good things about the Feisol tripods for a while now and I know that Kerry sells them and is a sponsor here so I thought I would throw him some business. The main reason I was looking at the 3471 is that it has 37mm legs, thinking that maybe it would be less resistant to shake.

Like most everyone else, you have competing goals of solid but light and compact. I think that the smallest tubes on the 3342 are larger (and I assume more solid) than the smallest tubes on the 3442 so unless the longer 3342 simply won't fit in your luggage I would go that route. If you get the right ball head, the legs flip 180 degrees so that the head is stored between the legs for transport. It is good to check with Kerry on whether your head will fit. With a good ball head, this will be a good lightweight tripod.

The 37mm tubes are much beefier and would take up much more room in the suitcase. The top platform is larger diameter also.

 

[jeroldharter]

Pics

Here are some pics of my gear which might help you compare.

 

[PBrooks]

Just wanted to give ya'll a update and a praise to Kerry. I ordered the 3471 on the 19th and it just arrived on the 21st, super fast shipping and Kerry was super at answering all my questions as I knew he would be! This thing is great leg diameter like my bogen 3036 but about 20 pds lighter.