Suitable carbon tripods?

Twotone · Jun 22, 2023

Hi folks,

I know this has probably been done to death over the years, and with all things there is a trade off, however I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'm wanting a sturdy carbon tripod to for me to take on my travels, it will be my primary tripod so I want something that works well.

I intend to mount my Hasselblad 500CM and also my EOS 30V with 24-70 USM lens (which is quite heavy).

I've not got a massive budget, circa £250/$300!

I've seen quite a few used older Gitzo series 2 types come through on eBay in the £150-250 range on eBay which look well built and seem to come highly regarded.

I'll be wanting one with a hook where possible so I can weigh it down a bit to help stabilise, as I plan to use it for long exposures outdoors.

I've always been of the view that it's better to buy good quality stuff used, than new stuff that's cheaply made, which is why I've not considered any of the newer (Chinese made) stuff.

The only other thing I've considered is a Peak Design Aluminium tripod, however there is a lot to suggest they have more vibration than their carbon equivalents and people should pony up for the carbon version (which is sadly out of my price range!)

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations, I'm all ears!

Thanks!
TT

Trail Images · Jun 22, 2023

I have a Feisol 3301 and alternate using a heavy Mamiya RB67 ProSD with a Wista DXIII 4x5 on my once a week outings. I've had the same tripod for 20 years now with one OEM service a few years ago now.

jeffreyg · Jun 22, 2023

I have a GITZO 1127 carbon fiber with a ball head that I have used and traveled with for a number of years. It will support a Hasselblad with a 250mm lens. The center post has a hook but I have never used that. I originally bought it new so i can't comment on price at this time. It has held up well under various conditions and still looks rather new. When traveling I usually remove the ball head and put it in my camera backpack so the size is not an issue with airlines.

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r_a_feldman · Jun 22, 2023

Take a look at https://thecentercolumn.com/rankings/. The selection of tripods reviewed is getting a bit dated, but the information is still very useful.

Bill Burk · Jun 22, 2023

Vintage Gitzo’s are awkward because they have the classic round leg tripod problem: loosening and tightening the legs must be performed “just so” or you will have the thin legs out when the sturdy legs are retracted and you won’t be able to loosen the collar at the junction you want because the adjacent junction is loose.

Newer Gitzo’s have independent lock if I understand right… that’s a feature worth the premium.

Pieter12 · Jun 23, 2023

I know you’re not considering Chinese tripods, but Leofoto products are quite nice at half the price of others. Take a look at the reviews and ratings on https://thecentercolumn.com/

grain elevator · Jun 23, 2023

Bill Burk said:
Vintage Gitzo’s are awkward because they have the classic round leg tripod problem: loosening and tightening the legs must be performed “just so” or you will have the thin legs out when the sturdy legs are retracted and you won’t be able to loosen the collar at the junction you want because the adjacent junction is loose.

Newer Gitzo’s have independent lock if I understand right… that’s a feature worth the premium.

I find this a total non-issue, keeping the upper locks closed while working with the lower ones isn't hard for me. I suppose OP has to figure out himself what might apply to him.

Steve Goldstein · Jun 23, 2023

My Feisol 3441S travels well - it fits into a small roller suitcase.

Sirius Glass · Jun 23, 2023

I have been using an Induro carbon fiber tripod for years. It takes all the attachments of the big boys, Gitzo & Manfrotto, et al, including various quick release plates.

DREW WILEY · Jun 23, 2023

How long of a lens do you intend to use with that Hassie? That will have a lot to do with the torque and torsion leverage on the legs, and how much of a tripod you need. And remember, the weakest link is generally that tripod head itself, and not the legs. Ball heads can be particularly prone to accentuating vibration.

I have the very first Gitzo CF. It's been modified by me, and has held up well, and has a stronger ply construction than their current equivalent, which I've actually snap! - an unwise tradeoff just to save another 1/2 lb of weight. My later and larger CF, useful for even 8X10 format as well as long heavy MF teles, like my P67 300 EDIF, was made by Feisol. I've had almost no headaches with either, despite the round legs and twist locks. I don't see how else a serious pro CF tripod could be made, sufficient for serious MF and LF gear, or even 35mm ultra-tele purposes.

And while I am often known to be critical of certain kinds of reviews, the previously linked centercolumn one is a must-read. And they actually agree with my own contention that the first thing you should do is remove any stupid center column!

Another thing you should look into, with respect to certain models, is what are now called half-ball leveling devices, which fit into the tripod top in a bowl-like fashion, alleviating the need for a supplementary traditional tripod head, and which are far more stable than ball heads with their stem-like construction. In other words, you can use them in lieu of most tripod heads for moderate tilts any direction, and not just for leveling.

MurrayMinchin · Jun 23, 2023

There are few things more frustrating than a bad tripod, so I'd increase the budget about twofold and get a good one.

I got a Sirui W-2204 waterproof tripod and took out the centre column to get right on the ground if need be. They now make smaller ones of the water & dust proof variety which might be more suitable for airplanes. One leg detaches for a monopod, so I carry a small monopod head as well.

Have a Gitzo low profile head for the 4x5 and a simple lightweight Benro HD1A three way pan-tilt head for smaller cameras.

Zero complaints, 4 season use, out in the wilds.

r_a_feldman · Jun 24, 2023

Steve Goldstein said:
My Feisol 3441S travels well - it fits into a small roller suitcase.

I also have a CT-3441S. I got it because it folds small enough to put in carry-on luggage. However, there are two things I do not like about it.

(1) The 2 sections of the center column rotate. I would prefer no center column at all, but my wife uses the tripod for a birding scope and likes to adjust the height with the center column.

(2) The first angle setting for the legs is narrower than I would like.

Otherwise, it is a good sturdy small tripod. I have had no problems with the twist locks on the legs, but like flip locks better.

Bob

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 24, 2023

The submersible on the Titantic that imploded was made of carbon fiber.

Sirius Glass · Jun 24, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
The submersible on the Titantic that imploded was made of carbon fiber.

Talk about a "what about", but to end this turn down that rabbit hole: But it did not contain tripods. Also there has been no research on using carbon fiber at such depths. There were not safety practices and standard used in that project.

DREW WILEY · Jun 24, 2023

Before I retired, I supplied the special tools and abrasives and so forth to Ellison's yacht workmen, both here and in New Zealand. He was a sly fox and did his "secret" CF yacht trial runs in plain sight, so that even his competition would buy the yachts they made. Only, his would be just a little better. And his team did indeed win the America's cup. The foreman, whom I'd known for a long time, brought me samples of all the kinds of special carbon fiber they commissioned. Ellison's private billion dollar yacht used dense 12-ply for the hull, stronger than steel. That vessel was so big it couldn't even slip under the Golden Gate bridge except at low tide.

But the masts and booms on his racing yacht were only two-ply - Kevlar reinforced and with extreme tensile strength - but if dented or not sanded at the seams and joints in a very specific manner, high risk. And one day I had a good conversation with a former Olympian crew member coming in for supplies. The next day, out on another trial run, a boom snapped and held him under a sail in the water, and he drowned before they could get to him. After that, rules were rewritten stating that in future events, racing yachts have to meet a certain mass rating. Being the lightest one atop the water was no longer the point.

Likewise, my 3-ply CF Gitzo - the first on the market - still works great after 45 yrs, while I've literally seen the legs of their current 2-ply equivalent snap under similar circumstances.

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 24, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Talk about a "what about", but to end this turn down that rabbit hole: But it did not contain tripods. Also there has been no research on using carbon fiber at such depths. There were not safety practices and standard used in that project.

I would never go down in a submersible made from materials used to make tripods.

Disconnekt · Jun 25, 2023

I would say check out Leofoto, they have alot of tripod options on their site. Plus on their leofotousa.com site they having a "Summer Flash Sale" for 20% off, it even applies to stuff they have on sale/open box. The coupon code is SFS2023

Philippe-Georges · Jun 25, 2023

Manfrotto 190CXPRO3, I have, with a Rollei ball head on it, which I think is a bit too heavy, and a Hasselblad quick mount.
It's strong enough for carrying a 500C/M with a C 250mm T* (and shooting at long exposures with the mirror locked up), even my Linhof Technorama 617 seems to be stable on this tripod.
I was told that a CF made tripod is stronger than it's aluminium made counterpart, I haven't tested that...

But I wonder if the disposition in crossed manner of the fiber layers isn't even more important as the amount and thickness of the layers?

Mike Lopez · Jun 25, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
I would never go down in a submersible made from materials used to make tripods.

Would you ever fly over the Atlantic Ocean in a vessel which uses materials used to make soda cans (aluminum) and tripods (carbon fiber)?

Sirius Glass · Jun 25, 2023

Philippe-Georges said:
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3, I have, with a Rollei ball head on it, which I think is a bit too heavy, and a Hasselblad quick mount.
It's strong enough for carrying a 500C/M with a C 250mm T* (and shooting at long exposures with the mirror locked up), even my Linhof Technorama 617 seems to be stable on this tripod.
I was told that a CF made tripod is stronger than it's aluminium made counterpart, I haven't tested that...

But I wonder if the disposition in crossed manner of the fiber layers isn't even more important as the amount and thickness of the layers?

The Gizto and Manfrotto quick release plates work well on my Hasselblad and the the 500mm lens. I never had a Hasselblad quick release plate.

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 25, 2023

Mike Lopez said:
Would you ever fly over the Atlantic Ocean in a vessel which uses materials used to make soda cans (aluminum) and tripods (carbon fiber)?

Not after your explanation.

Sirius Glass · Jun 25, 2023

Mike Lopez said:
Would you ever fly over the Atlantic Ocean in a vessel which uses materials used to make soda cans (aluminum) and tripods (carbon fiber)?

Yes, because they were designed, built and tested to internationally accepted safety standards.

Sirius Glass · Jun 25, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Not after your explanation.

You are too easily swayed. See the previous case. Lack of technical knowledge interferes with making logical decissions.

Mike Lopez · Jun 25, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Yes, because they were designed, built and tested to internationally accepted safety standards.

None of which were contained within Alan's blanket statement of "I would never..." Go back and read it again if you don't understand.

Mike Lopez · Jun 25, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
You are too easily swayed. See the previous case. Lack of technical knowledge interferes with making logical decissions.

Not sure which person you are implying is missing technical knowledge, but my point is that Alan ruled out something out of hand without realizing he's made journeys over oceans in vessels made of the same materials. And the word you're looking for is "decisions."

Suitable carbon tripods?

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