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any problems with twist locking legs

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jontys

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hi all im looking to purchase / upgrade to a new tripod ,having looked over the net as i dont have any good choice in my local store's ive come across a few makes but 2 of them keep coming back to me ; feisol and induro, firstly feisol has been reconmended by a couple of people from this site, also no one has any bad words at all! great reveiws accross the hole web and on paper folding size v's max full height size's are just amazing, as im needing something small in fold upto 1300mm ish in use.

secondly ; induro .... ive seen all the mixed reveiws but still im willing to give them a try some how? i spoke to the induro uk rep today who was very helpful indeed. he has stressed to me that the new 'ct' range is different to the old 'c' range ,so meaning no problems i hope, the prices of induro are a little more compared to feisol and folding to max use sizes are not as great as feisol but and i mean but induro to me is a much better looker than the no frills feisol range but looks are nothing compared to performance . the one advantage i see with induro is that the twist locking legs have a non rotating leg system which the feisol range isnt anti rotating . if anyone has any experience on twist locking legs or with these makes id love to hear what your veiws are on them please
all the best jc
 
Hi,

Sorry I don't have any experience with the makes of tripods you mention, but I have had a tripod with twist legs in the past, and now have a monopod with them.

I had no problem with the tripod, and I actually like the twist legs mechanism - can't tell you the amount of times I have nipped my fingers with the push lock type !!!

With my monopod I can rest my full body weight on it and the twist legs don't move a bit.

I guess that what it will boil down to is - the manufacturer. I am sure that there are some poor quality twist-leg mechanisms out there, as well as some great ones. Hopefully someone who has experienced the use of the 2 you have mentioned can shed more light on them.

Best of luck,

Gary
 
i have both types of locking mechanisms and have no problems with either.

QL2
--

'To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.' ~ Jean-
Paul Sartre
 
I've read criticisms of the twist-lock legs that they can get mucked up in muddy and/or wet conditions and become difficult to work. I have a Gitzo GT3530 with these locks, and I've never had a problem with them. Admittedly, I don't take them into the ocean or on mud flats.

I have also heard criticism of the twist-locks that they are harder to work than the clips. I also have a tripod with clips, and I think the twist-locks, at least Gitzo's, are just as easy to use, if not easier. The Gitzo twist-locks take just a tiny movement either way to be on or off. Very nice. I cannot speak for either of the brands you mention.

--
gollywop

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IF you buy a high end tripod with the twist locks you 'should' be okay. If you buy a cheap one you will swear off all twist locks forever.

I am in the dirt and snow/weather a bit. So for me the older style flip locks are the way to go.

I have looked at some of the newer expensive tripods with the twist lock. They seem good-in the store. I do wonder how they will be in 5 years or so with heavy use? The flip locks just work, and you can tighten them as needed. Usually with a screwdriver or allen key. Keep it simple.... Especially if you aren't going to spend $500+ for just the legs.
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I am tempted to add another tripod having seen the new Manfrotto carbon fiber M-Y 732CY tripod that weighs in at 2 lbs. and has clamps to set the legs at any position and sells for $200. I find the clamp style leg locks to be faster and easier to set up and a lot faster to take down. With the twist lock Gitzo I have it often takes over-tighting of an upper section so I can loosen a lower section.
 
Personally prefer the lever locks - find them easier to use on a tripod - have a CF Manfrotto. I also have an Induro CF monopod with twist locks (no problems), very light weight and sturdy. Carry it a lot more than the tripod.
 
I've had flip locks on Bogen's and twist locks on my Gitzo. The Gitzo design is good and doesn't require an upper leg to be tightened to twist the lock on a lower leg.

I prefer the twist locks over the flip locks. They seem easier, and definitely faster. And I don't pinch my hand in the twist locks like I sometimes did with the flips.

When I tighten or loosen the locks on my Gitzo (3550), I just grab all three at the same time on a leg and do them all at once. That's why I think it's faster to unlock them, or lock them all again compared to flips. (At least when the legs are collapsed).
 
As far as twist versus lever locks, it's largely a personal preference. Some people prefer the twist and others prefer the lever. Gitzo are generally considered the gold standard in tripods and they use the twist locks. So I think it's fair to say there is nothing inherently bad about that approach.

I own a Feisol tripod and a Benro/Induro monopod. I've been very happy with both. The quality is very good and the value for money is excellent.

If budget is not a factor, I'd always choose a Gitzo. But when it is (i.e. most of the time) I think Feisol and Benro/Induro are very worthy contenders.
 
thanks for your replies, i do have a small mini slik tripod with lever locks at the moment which is ok but im always catching them through my lowpro sling bag so im eager to try the twist locking system for speed also, induro have said to me that they are very confident with the system and after asking them about wear n tear on twist locks they have said that a fibre washer is only to change But very rarely needed even with heavy use. i am thinking Induro is looking to provide the best service possible after there rare encountered earlier days.Plus the 'new' unknown 'ct' range may surprise many ,a new unknown-ish product range needs good reveiws so im thinking they should be a safe bet but on the other hand im still inclined on to buy a different brand but for sure im going for a twist locking leg!
 
jontys said:
induro have said to me that they are very confident with the system and after asking them about wear n tear on twist locks they have said that a fibre washer is only to change But very rarely needed even with heavy use.
Click to expand...
Yes. I do recommend trying to keep your tripod as clean and dry as reasonably possible. From time to time, clean the thing carefully in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Worst case, replacing those little washers/bushings is pretty easy and inexpensive.

On the other hand, if you're really planning to use this thing in 3 feet of mud/water/swamp, I'd start looking at products designed specifically for that purpose or known to perform in those environments, such as:

http://www.dutchhill.com/products/p900.html
 
thanks for that, im just wondering if there is some protective coating on the carbon legs as i have a few pieces of carbon on my mountain bike which scratch/ mark very easily so as you say about keeping it 'clean' is a must i think for a few reason's

also i was looking at buying a '4 leg' carbon section so the folding size is small enough for a 'backpack'. now could i be right in thinking there is TOO much flex in the smaller leg section as carbon does flex under pressure?

set up d300
70-300mm vr
18-70mm
50mm
and a 'heavy hand'
 
jontys said:
thanks for that, im just wondering if there is some protective coating on the carbon legs as i have a few pieces of carbon on my mountain bike which scratch/ mark very easily so as you say about keeping it 'clean' is a must i think for a few reason's
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You can buy a whole bunch of different protectors:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tripod-Leg-Protectors/ci/13061/N/4289938304

Personally, I don't see the need to add to the cost, weight, and bulk.

I do recommend that you have a good bag to protect the tripod during travel.
jontys said:
also i was looking at buying a '4 leg' carbon section so the folding size is small enough for a 'backpack'. now could i be right in thinking there is TOO much flex in the smaller leg section as carbon does flex under pressure?
Click to expand...
Tripods always involve a tradeoff between rigidity and size/weight. A larger heavier tripod will always be more stable than an equivalent smaller lighter one. And so it is with 2 .v. 3 .v. 4 section tripods. The 4 section collapses down for convenient travel but it's less stable.

Personally, I found myself unable to reconcile the conflicting requirements. And so I have two tripods. One small, 4-section tripod that is ideal for travel. And one larger heavier tripod for maximum stability.
 
you've got a good point, i already have a very small light if slightly top heavy tripod, which im used to so maybe i shouldnt rule it out for use, but im just needing something a little more secure ,instead of a 4 legger jack of all trades, may be i should opt for a 3 legged tripod which is similar weight but dosnt fold down to what i hoped 22inch ish is ok i guess but more stable and much easier/Faster to use

thanks for you info , its all making sence!
 
My Hakuba carbon fiber tripod has 4-section legs and twist locks. I do think the concern about the flexing of the final section is real, and I compensate for that by using the fourth section only when I really need the height (just as I rarely use my long center column in the extended position). When I do, I try to remember to hang my camera bag or something equally heavy from the hook on the bottom of the tripod to help the stability - that's good practice in general, anyway.

As to the original question about twist locks - I have no big problems with mine, but they are the older type locks which require more rotation, rather than the quick-twist locks as are found on the new Gitzos. But after you get used to opening them by twisting as little as necessary, it's pretty quick to tighten them back down. I do shoot on sandy beaches fairly often, and haven't had any problems with keeping the joints clean yet, after about 7 years of using this setup.

Ray
 
hi there Ray, just the other day i didnt have any real concern about having 4 legs in carbon until i told the tripod rep about my set up , which to me isnt too heavy (2.2kg)+ giottos ball head 0.5kg in full, there smallest travel range will withstand 5kg on paper but he stressed to me to go for the next sizes up as my set up wasnt in the comfort zone of that tripod?...i was a little disappointed to hear that as it means a little more weight 0.3kg,a little more size 2" to 3" more and a little more money (£35 to £50 on the next 2 models depending on the same make, .i appreciated his advise on safety in mind and the importance of stability but why state 5kgs ? i think his concern really without telling me was the stability of the 4th leg in such a small carbon tripod and also he mentioned about its best not to fully extend any leg in use, which is very interesting as i always do so for speed then alter afterwards for level.

i must admit it does make sense and other manufacturers would probably give the same advise on recommendations so at the moment 3 legs maybe on the order instead 4, i just wish there was somewhere to look before you buy in my area but its limited ,never mind!
thanks for your advise j
 
I'd have to agree that a 5kg rating seems pretty low. I think my setup is rated at about twice that or more.

Ray
 
5 kg sure is the minimal but when they say you are creeping out of the comfort zone at 3kg wow i give up! i know in time i'll probably end up with more kit so to go for something which will take more pain might be the way foward.

all the best ; j



 
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