Tripods - Carbon v Aluminium

Evening all

Apologies if this has been previously covered, my searching skills aren't that good.

I'm buying my first "proper" tripod, and have pretty much decided on the Manfrotto 190 series. My question - the carbon legs are stated as 1.3kg, against 1.9kg for the aluminium - which isn't really that much of a difference - yet the carbon ones feel much lighter in the shop.

For those who have extensive experience in the field, do the carbon legs really make a sufficient difference to justify being double the price?

TYIA

I changed to carbon three years ago...
Cabon fiber works really well: sturdy,
well made, strong, light weight.
Would never go back to Al+++

I have three Gitzo carbons and
use them to support the 500 mm f4 VR.

Try the Gitzo 3541XLS

Get the Really Right Stuff ball head or
the Arcatech ball head or the
Arca Swiss Z1 ball head.

These tripods work well and will last
a life time.

maljo

Carbon - and it doesn't take an expert.
--

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. Edmund Burke

I went to CF(Bogen 190-CX3) a few months ago and saved about 2 pounds, but find the CF performs better, more stable and less vibration - plus quieter and safer, when shooting interiors - less banging and clanging, less risk of damaging furniture - I kept he aluminum as a back up, but hope I never have to use it again! I don't shoot tele beyond 180/2.8, so my comparison is based on wide to medium tele - I wouldn't hesitate to use it for a 300/4, but if I were shooting a 300/2.8 or anhything bigger, I'd want a heavier CF but not aluminum!

WmB

Has anyone experimented with putting cement or sand or something heavy into aluminum tripod legs to make it more stable?
--
Russ

The legs fold into themselves so that would be hard to do. What it has though is a ring to hang a weight on. If you need the weight use a climbers carabiner and hang your bag. It keeps it off the ground if nothing else.
--
Nikon-
http://pdbruce.zenfolio.com

[email protected] said:

Try the Gitzo 3541XLS

maljo

Click to expand...

I would love to try this. All I need is $750. Really I would like to own one and if your 6' tall or more having a taller tripod is a must.
--
Nikon-
http://pdbruce.zenfolio.com

I have a chronic back condition and opted to switch to carbon fiber about a month ago. My back feels much better after lugging around a tripod on my back for 4-5 hours in a shoot. Less visits to the chiropractor

I went from an aluminum Manfrotto 190XPROB to a carbon fiber Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 and don't regret my purchase. It's pricey but not as pricey as some of the Gitzo counterparts.

BTW, B&H has got a $40 instant rebate on the model I purchased right now.
--
Dez

http://photos.dezmix.com

d80russ said:

Has anyone experimented with putting cement or sand or something
heavy into aluminum tripod legs to make it more stable?

Click to expand...

Some tripods have a hook underneath the base plate, to attach a bag or weight for added stability.
--
Dez

http://photos.dezmix.com

Another vote for carbon - switched a couple of years ago after 20+ years using aluminum, does make a difference.

--
Steve Denton

Web Site: http://www.dentonimages.com/
Travel Blog: http://megasteve.blogspot.com/

I found this thread interesting because a new tripod is on my short list of photographic items needing updating. I have been giving a look at the Manfrotto's discussed here. I have an old SLIK U212 from the 1980's not in optimal mechanical condition.

I am just over six feet tall. What would be the right tripod height for me. Furthermore, what are the thoughts about a tripod head? I favor getting a pistol grip.

Fred
--
MinoltaMan78 now SonyAlphaMan07

MinoltaMan78 said:

Furthermore, what are the thoughts about a tripod head? I
favor getting a pistol grip.

Click to expand...

I'd say get a 3-axis head, but it depends on what you shoot.

Pistol grip is very quick to compose, but very hard to make fine adjustments (like leveling, or shooting a multi-frame panorama). I think it's well suited to sports or portraiture - i.e., subjects where shooting handheld might normally be acceptable.

3-axis is slower to make changes, but it lets you adjust just one axis at a time. I find it works better for architecture and landscapes (and makes human subjects impatient). A geared head takes it even further by adjusting each axis with precise control.

Cheers,
Richard

Thanks for all your responses - I've never seen such a unanimous response on these fora. I wish my budget extended to the Gitzo.

One point someone else brought out - I'm 6'2" - I can't imagine there's any tripods that are going to get the camera to my eye level?

The Manfrotto 3021 is pretty tall - the eyepeice might be just at your height with the legs fully extended (but without the center column raised). It'll depend on what head you attach, whether you have a vertical grip on the camera, and if you're shooting portrait orientation. Easily within "comfortable" height.

It looks like the 055XPROB is the equivalent current model (aluminum, $145):
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/14791

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_055XPROB_055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

The carbon fiber version is 2cm shorter, and $400:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/17342

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584476-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_055CXPRO3_055CXPRO3_3_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html

I've carried the 3021 around town on a backpack, and it's a beast (weight and size). You need a pack with a tripod pocket so it can pack vertically.

Cheers,
Richard

filthypuppydog said:

My question - the carbon legs are stated as
1.3kg, against 1.9kg for the aluminium - which isn't really that much
of a difference - yet the carbon ones feel much lighter in the shop.

Click to expand...

Of course it feels much lighter. The aluminium one is almost 50% heavier than the carbon one.

filthypuppydog said:

Thanks for all your responses - I've never seen such a unanimous
response on these fora. I wish my budget extended to the Gitzo.

One point someone else brought out - I'm 6'2" - I can't imagine
there's any tripods that are going to get the camera to my eye level?
--

Click to expand...

We are the same height. Finding a tripod tall enough was a pain. I hate to tell you since it appears you did not want to get a Gitzo, but I went with the Gitzo GT3541XLS. It can extend higher than eye level and it does not come with a center column. Wonderful tripod, but expensive. I went with the Markins M20 ballhead on that one and it is a wonderful ballhead. I also own the M10 Markins ballhead for another tripod and it is also very impressive.

Good luck with your search. I hope you do not have to purchase a tripod more than once like I did before finding the right one.

--
John
http://www.strockphotography.com

Good point, 50 % is a big difference. On the other hand 600 grams is similar to a 0,5 liter bottle of water (which weighs just over 500 grams). If you are trekking for days with a back pack every little bit counts. Carrying from the car park and back, perhaps not so much.

I have the Manfrotto 190 CF4. It's good, but if you are 6' 2" you will need to bend down the use it. I'm 5' 11" and find the tripod a little short in many cases. I don't like to use the center post.

Erik

I guess that was what i was getting at - 1.3kg v 1.9kg seems a lot lighter, but when you load it up with a ballhead, body, decent size lens, flash (maybe), does 3.3kg v 3.9kg make a practical difference> ?

Anyway, I'll take the advice of the group and go carbon, but unless someone wants to have a polite word with my boss re bonuses, its manfrotto rather than gitzo

filthypuppydog said:

Anyway, I'll take the advice of the group and go carbon, but unless
someone wants to have a polite word with my boss re bonuses, its
manfrotto rather than gitzo

Click to expand...

I've been following this and have been as suprized as you that CF has been the 100% answer. Well 99% as I vote aluminum and if my assumptions are wrong please correct me.

First lets talk price. The first outfit mentioned is over $1100! Most CF options range about $200 more for good quality.

Second real world stability. I've heard CF fails in high winds. I've had my Manfrotto 3011 in 50mph winds with zero camera shake. Manfrotto are as solid as any gitzo. No need to weight.

Third weight. C'mon were talking about one pound or so. Unless you're back country weighing grams a no factor. I've taken my outfit several miles in and out and not noticed the weight. BTW mine is an older more heavy than current model.

Forth, price again. You want to lose a $50 used manfrotto (mine was $30) or a $600 gitzo? If you fly.....lots of theft. And any savings on a tripod can be put towards a higher quality lighter ballhead, which IMO can have a greater impact on IQ.

I've not for one second wished I had a CF tripod nor regret having a used solid aluminum.

BTW Older Manfrotto/Bogens which can be had for about $50 on ebay weigh in the same as comparable CF......

Little of this applies to those with disposable income. Heck buy 2 or 3!

El P.
aka
Warren

Alright, here's what I don't quite get...

Everybody says carbon fiber tripods are better than aluminum. OK, maybe from a weight standpoint they're lighter to carry. That doesn't make them better. Lighter is less stable, in my experience.

AND, carbon fiber is used to build high end fishing rods because the material is claimed to TRANSMIT VIBRATIONS better than other materials. Easier to feel the fish bite...

Carbon fiber IS exceptionally stiff, flex-free material, when laid up with its matrix, which is exactly why it transmits tiny vibrations so efficiently. Ever ride a bicycle built with a carbon fiber frame? Every little bump rattles your fillings loose!

SO, with these thoughts in mind, why is carbon fiber touted as such a great photographic tripod material, when what one wants is the most stable, vibration-free platform possible?

I'm thinking a concrete or lead tripod would be more stable...just not very portable...