Good Carbon Fiber Tripods?

iceman (Mike) · #1 23-08-2013, 04:31 PM

Any recommendations on a good Carbon Fiber tripod?

I do like my Manfrotto 055XProB but it's pretty heavy. And getting pretty old. It was 2nd hand when I bought it many years ago.

adman (Adam) · #2 23-08-2013, 04:45 PM

I have the carbon fibre version of your tripod, and it is quite good

It's the 055CXPRO3 - about $500-$600 when I bought it.

Adam

Occulta (Chris) · #3 23-08-2013, 04:45 PM

Funny you should ask!
Just been doing some research myself.

A couple of reviews spoke highly of these:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...odsRRS&key=cat
especially the TVC-24L

And there's always eBay

Haven't used any yet so will also be noting what others have to say as well.

iceman (Mike) · #4 23-08-2013, 04:47 PM

Ugh so expensive!

iceman (Mike) · #5 23-08-2013, 04:48 PM

I guess though, it's like a good lens.

Something you'll have forever hopefully. Probably worth the investment to get a good one with a good ball head.

Steffen · #6 23-08-2013, 04:52 PM

I reckon RRS are the gold standard (I have a TVC-23), but Gitzos are pretty close.

Cheers
Steffen.

Occulta (Chris) · #7 23-08-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Ugh so expensive!

Apparently you gets what you pays for!!!

RB (Andrew) · #8 23-08-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I guess though, it's like a good lens.

Something you'll have forever hopefully. Probably worth the investment to get a good one with a good ball head.

Choose carefully Mike because you'll have to buy one for Kate too.

iceman (Mike) · #9 23-08-2013, 05:10 PM

You're not wrong!

She's already claimed my 17-40mm lens and has now got my 430 EX II flash in her bag too!!

LOL!

Occulta (Chris) · #10 23-08-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

She's already claimed my 17-40mm lens and has now got my 430 EX II flash in her bag too!!

Less you have to carry!!

adman (Adam) · #11 23-08-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I guess though, it's like a good lens.

Something you'll have forever hopefully. Probably worth the investment to get a good one with a good ball head.

I've got an Acratech GP ballhead on mine which I like very much. It will hold anything I put on it with ease. It is good for panaramics - if you invert it it behaves like a levelling base, and it also will function as a gimbal head. Also expensive, but one of the best out there.

Adam

gregbradley · #12 23-08-2013, 06:27 PM

I got a surprisingly good carbon fibre tripod off ebay that is excellent quality. It was $228.

I'll try to find a link and post it.

Greg.

troypiggo (Troy) · #13 24-08-2013, 06:37 AM

Noone has asked what you're going to shoot with it and what weight will it need to take. These are important factors in choosing tripods. And you know the adage is same as mounts - stable, heavy, cheap - you can have 2 of those but not all 3.

I'm assuming it will be for landscapes, knowing the sort of images you post? So it's not like you're going to be throwing a 500mm lens on it with gimbal heads etc? Even if you're using AstroTrac or Polarie etc, might require more stability.

The 055XBPro you've got is the go-to recommended tripod for a reason, it ticks the economy and stable boxes. I have the same.

I also have a cheap CF Benro Travel Angel. It's cheap and light, but not as stable. The legs don't seem to spread wide enough for the weight of camera and head on top. It's find on flat ground with no wind. But it does feel top heavy. I hang my camera bag on it with a clip under the head and that helps, but still feels like the legs should just be a little wider apart.

They're available on eBay. Should show up in a search.

I also got an eBay knock-off of the Manfrotto RC2 mini ball head. It's ok for small lenses but can't take a telephoto. I should have got a better one.

Seen this thread? http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=740131

DavidTrap (David) · #14 24-08-2013, 07:27 AM

I've got a Benro c2580t. Very happy with it's stability and build quality.

I had a look at some a friends' manfrotto carbon tripods and their legs were much finer. All depends on how much weight you want to carry.

DT

Dennis · #15 24-08-2013, 07:38 AM

Hi Mike

I purchased a Giottos 85 series CF which I thought was an excellent CF tripod and I was very pleased with its weight, set up and performance characteristics, until I acquired a Gitzo in a sale.

Even though the Giottos was an excellent performer, the Gitzo was even better in smoothness of operation and those intangibles such as overall feel, pleasure to use and it just kind of disappears when you use it; that is, it performs perfectly as expected so when you are using it, you are not aware of any limitations or foibles and you can just concentrate on shooting.

I have the GT-2531 Mountaineer and I only wished that I had purchased it earlier, it would have saved me money in the long run.

Cheers

Dennis

Marke (Mark) · #16 25-08-2013, 07:50 AM

I've had my Gitzo for several years and is the only tripod
I would consider now personally , it's equipped with a Markins ball head. The Gitzo had quick twist leg adjust very light, stiff and carry a ton of weight for there size.

luigi · #17 25-08-2013, 10:35 AM

Mike: Feisol Tournament.
Very good tripods, not too expensive and really light.

from feisol.net

Dennis · #18 25-08-2013, 01:16 PM

Hi Mike

Just some background information on an experience I had 2 or 3 years ago when I tried a CF tripod (can't remember the brand) in a camera shop. When extended, the legs flexed quite significantly at the twist-style leg locks, even though there seemed little sign of any looseness as I slid the legs out.

Once fully extended (legs only, not centre column), the whole tripod was very bendy and really quite useless. If you can try before you buy, it might be a good thing.

Cheers

Dennis

gregbradley · #19 26-08-2013, 07:19 AM

I checked Ebay. I can't see the exact order I placed anymore but it appears this tripods are marketed by lots of people including Velbon.

Mine cost $228 but they seemed to have come down in price. This looks the same as what I got which I like a lot:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Professio...item2ec9d35bca

Around $168 or less on ebay from several different sellers.

Greg.

mbaddah (Mo) · #20 20-12-2013, 04:17 PM

Reviving an old thread as I'm looking at upgrading my tripods and heads.

Mike how'd you go with your tripod purchase? I've had several Manfrottos over the years and currently own a few Benros. While I thought they were great, that opinion went completely out the window after I had a play with a Gitzo tripod yesterday. Superb craftsmanship and the price reflects it! The tripod just oozes quality and the Gitzo ballhead is leaps and bounds above my Manfrotto 486rc2. I can't imagine what a RRS or Markins is like.

So many choices with the Gitzos though they really do make it tough to decide!