The US and Canada arm of tripod manufacturer FLM is planning to introduce a new carbon fibre tripod with a maximum load capacity of 40kg/88.18lbs, but that that weighs only 2.25kg/4.96lbs itself. The forthcoming Berlin 38.4 has four-section legs made from 10-layer carbon fibre and an apex that accepts a flat screw plate or two sizes of leveling bowl.
FLM has launched the Berlin 38.4 on Indiegogo in the second of its crowdfunded projects—the company has already successfully launched the CP26-Travel tripod this same way. It hopes to raise $9,500 to get production underway, and says it has already completed prototyping for the legs.
It is unusual for a tripod apex to be able to handle more than one size of leveling bowl, but FLM says the Berlin 38.4 can be used with both 75mm and 100mm bowls via adapters. Leveling bowls are ideal for video users, while most stills shooters will want the flat base plate so a normal tripod head can be attached.
With no centre column, the Berlin 38.4 stands at a maximum height of 143mm/56.29in, but can support the camera from 8cm/3.14in off the ground via the three-position legs. It folds to 52cm/20.47in and the widest leg has a diameter of 38mm.
FLM expects the Berlin 38.4 to retail for $809, but is offering it to crowdfunding backers for packages starting as cheap as $558. For more information, visit the Berlin 38.4 Indiegogo campaign page.
Hi everyone, Just letting you know that this project has wrapped up on time, and quite successfully. The last of the Indiegogo tripods shipped out last week, and all supporters should receive them by end of this week, at the latest. Even though we fell a few hundred dollars short of our goal, everyone who contributed received a tripod, I'm very happy to say. I hope a few of our customers will share their thoughts online, one has on the Large Format Photography Forum: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?142177-New-FLM-Tripod-for-LF-ULF&p=1430867#post1430867 If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me by email, my address is at the FLM Canada website. Thank you!
Ladies and Gents, A gentle reminder that this project wraps up this Friday, December 1 at 11:59pm PST. We're 77% funded, and even if we don't meet our goal, everyone who orders a tripod will get one. If you use gimbal heads, big heavy lenses, or shoot MFDB/large format, this is one of the best investments you could make. Thanks for looking!
I've been away for a while and just saw this now. I missed the whole campaign :( Is there a way to buy one of these in Austria/Germany/Somewhere in the EU?
Thank you. We'll certainly update everyone when the tripod comes out. The Berlin 38.4 is now just over 50% funded and there are 13 days remaining in the campaign. I hope we get there.
I just wanted to add that the inner apex diameter of the Berlin 38.4 is 85mm, for those who may have some Gitzo/RRS/Induro/etc accessories and are wondering if they'll fit the Berlin. Thank you
Are you talking about the hex to open up the apex to insert the platforms? I'm sure that hex is the same standardized size that on all of our plates and L brackets, etc. 3/16", I think? You probably already have a bunch of them.
We did consider a lever-operated apex, and even made a working prototype, but eventually decided against it for the reasons stated on the Indiegogo page: the hex screw can be precisely adjusted less moving parts, less things to go wrong a lever requires regular adjustment it can be over-tightened, or flipped open by accident it only takes slightly more time to use the allen key as it would a lever
Take it any way you wish, these are merely our findings and opinions. Thank you
Whilst strength and lightness is a good thing, surely having a bit of weight to lower the centre of gravity is sensible in a tripod. Could hang your bag off it I guess.
You can't make a heavy tripod lighter, but it's pretty easy to make a lightweight tripod heavier, if need be. As you mention, just hang a bag of rocks off it :)
Thank you. The tripod is lightweight, that's true, but it's mostly a relative assessment. It's light in contrast to the amount of weight it can handle; it's light compared to older tripods of similar size and load capacities. But it's in no danger of falling over in gusty conditions; the Berlin's quite the stalwart and utterly dependable. We will be adding a hook to the flat plate, via a very short "center post" (2" long), but I'd bet the hook will rarely see use, except in extreme conditions.
Question to Ari: Will this new tripod be available also outside of North America? As I understand it is not a FLM GmbH product, but a FLM Canada product.
Last year, I was one of the crowdfunder of the 26-travel-tripod (which is great tripod! I sold my Berlebach Mini, because the FLM 26 is the better choice for me). About 3 months after the normal production start, it was available at the local store for less money than my "special funding price". OK, now I have a personalized tripod with my name lasered at it.
So this time I will wait... (And use my large Berlebach).
But hey: FLM really has great tripods and great heads! The best you can get for this money. As good as you can get for twice the money from other brands.
Thank you. The new FLM owners are getting ball head production underway, and are not yet ready to market a new tripod in Europe. Therefore, the Berlin 38.4's future will depend on North American orders to see if it will ever be offered at European retailers. As for the store price being lower than crowdfunding, that was due to two reasons: chief reason being that we cannot control the price set by retailers, we can only suggest it and ask that they not undercut each other. At the beginning, some (larger) retailers were selling the tripod at cost in order to encourage sales. By the time we began our second run, our production costs had become more stable and reasonable, and we actually lowered the price of the tripod. Given that the MSRP for the Berlin is projected to be $809, this scenario is unlikely to happen again, though a retailer such as B&H can often afford to offer lower pricing on some items.
I met FLM team last year. Very cool products, and they care about quality. Hope the bankruptcy wasn't accurate, however their business is not a high volume set of items...i wonder how those numbers worked for them.
Thank you, Edward; the company was sold when founder Werner Burklin announced his retirement and his son decided to go into his first career choice, robotics. The new owners are MK Messtechnik of Stuttgart, and they are going to pick up exactly where the previous owners left off. We're all looking forward to the new era at FLM.
Hi Edward, we're here today until 530pm, but not tomorrow. B&H closes on Saturdays, and we're part of their booth area. So I hope to see you today if you can make it! Cheers, Ari
FLM is an established company. Why not just do preorders themselves (perhaps with the condition that all preorders will be cancelled if they don't reach a certain minimum amount) rather than forcing their customers to go through a crowdfunding site, effectively giving up any avenue of recourse should FLM decide, for whatever reason, to just abscond with the money.
From personal experience, I can say that Indiegogo will actively ignore even their own TOS when it comes down to it should a campaign go bad, effectively acting as a shield between a campaign owner and contributors trying to seek some resolution. Why would any legitimate company want to have anything to do with that?
Thank you, chaos and Fazal. We have a good history of successful crowdfunding, our CP26-Travel tripod was 200% funded and 100% loved. The crowdfunding platform is a good way to show our new products, explain the reasons behind their release, and focus on the advantages of having such a tripod. The way crowdfunding is set up also makes sure that we fulfill the orders; we have to give regular updates and Indiegogo has bank information should anything go awry. And please note, this is an initiative of FLM USA/Canada; all updates are sent from North America, and all control of the project is ours as well. We're in no danger of collapse nor do we have any history of bad customer service. Please see our CP26-Travel crowdfunding to see how we handled fulfillments, updates and dissemination of information.
Thank you, Weerterbos; I also use the levelling bowl for any camera larger than a DSLR; it's very effective and strong for the 98% of occasions that I don't need a ball head, and it saves on cost and bulk as well.
I have just bought an FLM tripod ball head Cb-38 FTR and it's a piece of art. It looks very well made and the actual build quality is amazing. The lock with an heavy camera and lens is just perfect. I can highly recommend this brand.
Thank you, trinakie, glad you like the CB-38FTR as much as I do. I became an FLM distributor because I bought a CB-48 and loved it so much I had to call the company. That's why I'm here now.
Actually a great deal. While I've never owned an FLM tripod, by user accounts they seem to be excellent. This thing isn't high enough for my liking, though, although I very much love its shortest setting.
Exactly my sentiments. I'm 5'11" and it falls 2" shorter than where I would like it to be. I would have gladly taken a longer collapsed length at say, 22", to get more height. I hear they are working on a taller model, presumably if this one is as successful as the CP-Travel. So to shorter folks, please support FLM!
I feel your pain guys and that's exactly why I chose a 3 Legged Thing. Check out their comparison table, especially the last two tripods: Albert - 1.79 m / 70.5" (max), 130 mm / 5" (min), 410 mm / 16" (folded), 1.85 kg / 4 lb Winston - 1.85 m / 73" (max), 170 mm / 6.75" (min), 600 mm / 24" (folded), 1.75 kg / 3.8 lbs. https://www.3leggedthing.com/products.html
Roman: That's not comparing apples to apples. Those max heights are including a center column. Some people chose tripods without center column for max stability. They can be useful of course: but you have to know the limits. You wouldn't load a Nikon D5+70-200mmF2.8 on a fully extended column, attempting a long exposure on a windy day.
The Berlin 38.2 is meant for a different class of loads: Long exotic teles, medium/large format film.
@Bing Chow Actually, I am not comparing anything, I was simply stating that 3LT has some nice options for taller people since this thread is about taller people having to use tripods that are too small, if I understand correctly.
As for a comparison, without the central column the Winston is on par with the Berlin (at 1.44 m / 56.5" with a load capacity of 40 kg / 88 lbs) while being lighter, cheaper and potentially more stable (three leg sections vs. four).
Thank you Cerebral. Yes, I've heard that comment a couple of times, and I feel for tall people. Not to worry, we do have something in the pipeline, so if the Berlin 38.4 isn't right for you, please tell others so we can get tripods made for everyone! Thanks Bing, Roman and mosc.
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