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Carbon 441 + AcraTech Ultimate Ball Head

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Al Schrank

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I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
 
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
Click to expand...
Al,

I'm so sorry about your camera.. that's terrible.... The 1D must be making you feel better.... ;-)

Gitzo pods quality is world renouned.... but When I compared the Slik Pro 803 Carbon Fiber with the Gitzo at B&H it was no contest to me... the Slik was much lighter, and just as stiff... The legs worked smoother, and it was almost half the price... Ahh the Japanese...

I put the slik Pistol Grip Ball head on it, and man do I love it... Moves right where you want it instantly, and locks just as fast, and YOU CAN'T MOVE IT!!!

It has a Quick Release that is ingenious, and a bubble level.. What more could you want!

The head is a little heavy, but like we used to say in Racing.... "Put the Weight Where You Need It"

Here's what it looks like with my 1D on it...

http://www.pbase.com/image/2323930

Regards, Tony B.
 
After having owned the Manfrotto clips (and having clipped my hands way too many times) and now having a Carbon Fiber Gitzo Explorer, there is NO WAY I would EVER go back to the clip type ever again. 1/4 turn and off you go and I have NO slipping problems as you are NOT supposed to overtighten them in the first place. It is fast and way and "safe" for my hands thank you. I know little about the Acratech...sorry.
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
Click to expand...
 
Lee Rothman said:
After having owned the Manfrotto clips (and having clipped my hands
way too many times) and now having a Carbon Fiber Gitzo Explorer,
there is NO WAY I would EVER go back to the clip type ever again.
1/4 turn and off you go and I have NO slipping problems as you are
NOT supposed to overtighten them in the first place. It is fast and
way and "safe" for my hands thank you. I know little about the
Acratech...sorry.
Click to expand...
Lee,

You're So Right... I forgot about that! My old tripod had the clips...

You're looking off into the distance at what you're going to shoot... Deep in thought while extending your legs.... And... OUCH!!! One of those nasty purple welts! Man, I won't miss that anytime soon.... Good point

Tony B.
 
Forgive me - I almost always poke around and look at other photos. Is that your Bernese Mountain Dog? She/He's a beauty. I owned two in a former life, and still miss them. What great dogs!

Best,
Laurie
Tony B said:
I'm so sorry about your camera.. that's terrible.... The 1D must be
making you feel better.... ;-)

Gitzo pods quality is world renouned.... but When I compared the
Slik Pro 803 Carbon Fiber with the Gitzo at B&H it was no contest
to me... the Slik was much lighter, and just as stiff... The legs
worked smoother, and it was almost half the price... Ahh the
Japanese...

I put the slik Pistol Grip Ball head on it, and man do I love it...
Moves right where you want it instantly, and locks just as fast,
and YOU CAN'T MOVE IT!!!

It has a Quick Release that is ingenious, and a bubble level.. What
more could you want!

The head is a little heavy, but like we used to say in Racing....
"Put the Weight Where You Need It"

Here's what it looks like with my 1D on it...

http://www.pbase.com/image/2323930

Regards, Tony B.
Click to expand...
--
Best,
Laurie
 
Laurie Sokoloff said:
Forgive me - I almost always poke around and look at other photos.
Is that your Bernese Mountain Dog? She/He's a beauty. I owned two
in a former life, and still miss them. What great dogs!

Best,
Laurie
Click to expand...
http://www.pbase.com/image/2323930
Laurie Sokoloff said:
Laurie
Click to expand...
No Problem... That's what they're up there for...

She's not mine... She's my friend Rich's ... Her name is Mia, and she is just the Sweetest dog... What A great temperment!

I did a series of shots for him and his wife.

Interestingly Rich was a Pro Photographer that had gotten out of it... He went to Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, and has worked with some very prominent names in fashion.

Part of this exercise was to show him what digital could do... He was very impressed and might make the move to digital as a hobby... We are considering a D-60 for him. I would build him a fast computer, and get him going... Nice to have friends to share your passion with... And his knowledge on the camera side is invalueable!

Best, Tony B.
 
Tony,

I can't tell from the photo. What kind of clamps does the Slik have on it's legs? The pistol grip looks neat. I had a manfroto pistol grip on my old tripod and while it was great for aiming, it always seemed a little unstable to me. I didn't mention, I mostly am outdoors. How is your stability on slopes, in wind and how do you do ground level shots?

Thanks
  • Al
Tony B said:
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Lee,

That is like night and day. I assume the manfroto clips are the same on all their tripods?

I've only tried the gitzo at the store, but have tried them many times on various visits. It seemed like it was hard to tell how far the had to be turned to loosen and tighten. Is there a click or stop I missed?

What head do you use? Are you shooting out doors? What about cold weather with gloves on?
  • Al
Lee Rothman said:
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
automatic
 
Al Schrank said:
Tony,
I can't tell from the photo. What kind of clamps does the Slik
have on it's legs? The pistol grip looks neat. I had a manfroto
pistol grip on my old tripod and while it was great for aiming, it
always seemed a little unstable to me. I didn't mention, I mostly
am outdoors. How is your stability on slopes, in wind and how do
you do ground level shots?

Thanks
  • Al
Click to expand...
Al,

I can tell you the Head is VERY stable... and a pleasure to use... Ohh! did I mention it's only $69 !!!

I have not used the Tripod on any slopes.. But I don't see a problem, as it's very ridged, and you can tilt the legs individually.

It has the Twist type locks.. But they are very fast, and smooth. You would get used to it in no time..

That is what is indispensable about having a Pro Store like B&H close to you.... You have everything you could imagine at your fingertips, and play with it to your hearts content... And there's just nothing like seeing/touching/handling, and Using something before you buy it... It's just not possible with mail order..

Regards, Tony B.
Al Schrank said:
Tony B said:
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Tony,

I wish I did have B&H next door. I am in Atlanta and haven't found a store a really like. So I buy much from B&H online.

Do you have any longer heavy lenses on the camera. I am hoping to get either the 2.8 400mm or the 4.0 400mm DO by fall, but just bassed on th 70-200mm wonder about, or am afraid of slipping and stability.
  • Al
Tony B said:
Al Schrank said:
Tony,
I can't tell from the photo. What kind of clamps does the Slik
have on it's legs? The pistol grip looks neat. I had a manfroto
pistol grip on my old tripod and while it was great for aiming, it
always seemed a little unstable to me. I didn't mention, I mostly
am outdoors. How is your stability on slopes, in wind and how do
you do ground level shots?

Thanks
  • Al
Click to expand...
Al,

I can tell you the Head is VERY stable... and a pleasure to use...
Ohh! did I mention it's only $69 !!!

I have not used the Tripod on any slopes.. But I don't see a
problem, as it's very ridged, and you can tilt the legs
individually.

It has the Twist type locks.. But they are very fast, and smooth.
You would get used to it in no time..

That is what is indispensable about having a Pro Store like B&H
close to you.... You have everything you could imagine at your
fingertips, and play with it to your hearts content... And there's
just nothing like seeing/touching/handling, and Using something
before you buy it... It's just not possible with mail order..

Regards, Tony B.
tony b35095 said:
Tony B said:
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
automatic
 
Al Schrank said:
Tony,
I wish I did have B&H next door. I am in Atlanta and haven't found
a store a really like. So I buy much from B&H online.

Do you have any longer heavy lenses on the camera. I am hoping to
get either the 2.8 400mm or the 4.0 400mm DO by fall, but just
bassed on th 70-200mm wonder about, or am afraid of slipping and
stability.
  • Al
Click to expand...
Well I have the 70-200 2.8 L, and there is no problem with that.

I do plan on getting the 100-400 4.5 L IS for a motorcycle race in late August... So I guess when I get the lens I'll find out.

I bought a Gitzo G1578L MkII Carbon Fiber monopod, and I'll be shooting the race with that, and the 400 though

B&H has a 2 week return policy... Why don't you call and explain, that not being able to try it first you are leery that it won't work with your lens... And make sure they say it's ok to return....

Explaining that you're a good customer probably wouldn't hurt... When ever I ask them for anything there, I tell them to look up my purchase history... After that, they really snap to it!
;-))

Best, Tony B.
 
Cold weather shooting with gloves has NOT been a problem. I shoot about 80% outdoors all year around. I live in high altitude so no wonder. I also cover Illinois to the West Coast so I see it all. Once you HAVE the Gitzo and have worked with the twist lock you get to know NOT to overtighten as it is absolutely unnecessary. Many complain that the clips wear out. That is from misuse PERIOD. They will last indefinetly if used properly, like so many other things I suppose. Nothing to catch on stuff as well like the clips can occasionally do.
Al Schrank said:
I've only tried the gitzo at the store, but have tried them many
times on various visits. It seemed like it was hard to tell how
far the had to be turned to loosen and tighten. Is there a click or
stop I missed?

What head do you use? Are you shooting out doors? What about cold
weather with gloves on?
  • Al
Lee Rothman said:
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
automatic
Click to expand...
 
I used a Gitzo for a few years and still couldn't get used to the twist locks for the leg sections. One has to lock each section of the legs in the correct order, and when I am in a hurry I often forgot and got it wrong half of the time. Other than that I like Gitzo for their built quality and light weight. If you don't mind the twist locks then I don't think you will be disappointed.

I traded my full size Gitzo in for a Bogen 444 recently, but kept the table top one to use as a super light tripod.
 
Hi Al,

The ArcaSwissB1 is a delight to work with. I have it mounted on my Manfrotto Carbon 444 (4 section tripod). When the camera is mounted at the top of the ballhead, you can pan smoothly in horizontal.

The B1 has a notch which can catch the mount protuding out of the ballhead to put your camera at precisely 90 degrees from the tripod axis allowing you to shoot in portrait mode and pan up and down. Looking at the Acratech from B&H website, I dont see how you can do that. The only problem I see at this position is that the setup can tip over to the side. So what I normally do is hang my bag in the tripod centered in its axis. While you can pan vertically, you can't pan horizontally because your camera is at the side of the tripod. That's why the Siidekick is a good addition because it realigns the camera's axis with the tripod so you can pan bothways.

I own this tripod setup for my D30 and 70-200IS and I love it but altogether it costs over a grand -- that's what hurts.

Good luck on your buying decision.

-AlexM
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
Click to expand...
 
Also ... on 444 locks, they serve as VISUAL cues that you can confirm/verify that they're locked. Though I only owned a cheap tripod with twist lock, my normal reaction would be double checking that they're really lock by twisting again unless the expensive ones have some sort of markers indicating the locked position.

-Alex again.
AlexM said:
The ArcaSwissB1 is a delight to work with. I have it mounted on my
Manfrotto Carbon 444 (4 section tripod). When the camera is
mounted at the top of the ballhead, you can pan smoothly in
horizontal.

The B1 has a notch which can catch the mount protuding out of the
ballhead to put your camera at precisely 90 degrees from the tripod
axis allowing you to shoot in portrait mode and pan up and down.
Looking at the Acratech from B&H website, I dont see how you can do
that. The only problem I see at this position is that the setup
can tip over to the side. So what I normally do is hang my bag in
the tripod centered in its axis. While you can pan vertically, you
can't pan horizontally because your camera is at the side of the
tripod. That's why the Siidekick is a good addition because it
realigns the camera's axis with the tripod so you can pan bothways.

I own this tripod setup for my D30 and 70-200IS and I love it but
altogether it costs over a grand -- that's what hurts.

Good luck on your buying decision.

-AlexM
Al Schrank said:
I lost my Carbon 441 tripod in the ocean. So I need to replace it.
It had my camera on it. I've already replaced it with a 1D.

I have played with the gitzo carbon tripods in the store, the twist
type leg holders don't seem very nice, compared to the manfroto
snap clamps on my old tripod.

What are your experiences/opinions?

The Carbon 441 is rated at around thirteen pounds, the gitzo at 26.

Will 13 pounds be enough for a 1D and 400mm?

I'm also looking at the Acratech Ball head. Do any of you have
experience with it. I guess it would be that vs the arcaa-swiss b1.

I think I will be adding a wimberly side kick later if that matters.
  • Al
--
automatic
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Does the QR head let you flip to portrait orientation?
  • DL
tony b35095 said:
I put the slik Pistol Grip Ball head on it, and man do I love it...
Moves right where you want it instantly, and locks just as fast,
and YOU CAN'T MOVE IT!!!

It has a Quick Release that is ingenious, and a bubble level.. What
more could you want!

The head is a little heavy, but like we used to say in Racing....
"Put the Weight Where You Need It"

Here's what it looks like with my 1D on it...

http://www.pbase.com/image/2323930

Regards, Tony B.
Click to expand...
 
Don Lashier said:
Does the QR head let you flip to portrait orientation?
  • DL
Click to expand...
Yes Don,

There's a channel up the right side of the housing, when standing behind, you can tilt it over to the right untill camera is veritcal...

Regards, Tony B.
Member said:
Member said:
I put the slik Pistol Grip Ball head on it, and man do I love it...
Moves right where you want it instantly, and locks just as fast,
and YOU CAN'T MOVE IT!!!

It has a Quick Release that is ingenious, and a bubble level.. What
more could you want!

The head is a little heavy, but like we used to say in Racing....
"Put the Weight Where You Need It"

Here's what it looks like with my 1D on it...

http://www.pbase.com/image/2323930

Regards, Tony B.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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