Travel tripods: 5 carbon fiber kits reviewed

Just another Canon shooter

Yes, and a heavy wooden tripod is even better!

Jul 29, 2014permalink

Tucabert

How much better would you say?

Aug 1, 2014permalink

Erick L

I have an older Feisol 3441 and CB-30 ballhead. The rubber feet always come out so I do without them. Dirt and water gets in and a section has become very hard to pull out (a bit of cleaning on my part would help though). One leg has come unglued after a couple of years. I've lost two knobs in the wilderness (screws aren't captive) but miraculously found one back otherwise the tripod would have been useless. The legs won't "close" in a reverse position with the short column because the ballhead gets in the way. It's a piece of crap.

Jul 29, 2014permalink

John Brewton

I recently purchased a travel bag, although it must be checked, which will hold my normal tripod. No longer interested in so-called "travel tripods" which to me will always have some compromise.

Jul 29, 2014permalink

Can you remove the center column of the Feisol? I own an older 3401 model, and use it most of the time with the center column left at home - much easier for travel, and more stable.

BTW, after many years of use and abuse - no problems.

Jul 29, 2014*permalink

Expat Nomad

"Considering the clothing choices of some photographers, a blue aluminum cylinder may be the least of offenses in the natural world". Set up, it would appear! ;-)

I wasn't going on the offense, btw...

Jul 29, 2014permalink

You have to admit, wearing that All Blacks beanie is rather risky. It could scare away the Canadians! ;)

Jul 29, 2014permalink

qaz111111

I had a canadian and his wife assault me on an airplane for wearing a "Canada" ballcap. They claimed I didn't represent them properly. Repeated experiences with canadians, including working for one, changed my perception of them to the darker side.

Jul 31, 2014permalink

Photomonkey

No mention made of Feisol's ridiculous rubber feet. They come off at the first use and unless you are very careful are immediately lost. Despite having threaded ends, no thought is given to providing threaded rubber feet. Nor does the distributor seem to think it is a problem.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Alan Ernst

My favourite "rig" for travelling light and for hiking is the Promaster 525t. If you can get this brand in the area you live, do consider it as well (in Canada it is sold through Photo Source). Combined with an older Manfrotto 486 ball head and a Cullmann quick release plate, specs are as follows:
Weight 1.4 kg (just over 3lb)
Lowest height with center column removed 22cm (9")
Extended without center column, 127cm (51") incl. ball head and q.release
Extended with center column raised 147cm (59")
Folded 45cm (18")
This carbon fibre model has five sections but is easy and fast to set up. Included are a bubble level, insulation on one leg, hook on center column to add weight.
Have used it for two years and no issues whatsoever.

If weight is an issue but I need more height, I use the 3 section Promaster T325P which is still ideal for travel and also very light but, with ball head, extends to 170cm max (68") with center column raised.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

stevez

Ditto for me regarding the Promaster T525P. Very well made and flawless leg locks. I use mine with an old Gitzo 175 ball head which is super light.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

In greater Cleveland, Ohio where I live, Dodd Camera caries Promaster tripods, ball heads, quick release mounting plates, speed lights and other accessories. Promaster products are made by various manufacturers in China. Some are very good, some are very bad.

Aug 17, 2014permalink

Derouyag

I noticed that the Sirui ET-1204 is .7lbs lighter than the competition; good thing or bad thing who knows. But... I think the comparison would make more sense if they had used a set of legs that was comparable in weight; like the ET-2204 which is still .1 lbs lighter than the competition. The height is 3" taller which addresses the "not tall enough" complaint. More weight, more height, more options... you get the idea. Apples to Apples.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

photosen

Very useful, I'm digging the mefoto; tripods are the one component where I can't make up my mind about the balance between necessary features, quality and price - with the resulting sticker shock.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

ProfHankD

Under "Reversing the column?", it's worthwhile to note that MOST cameras now are nearly as easy to use upside-down as they are in a more normal orientation, although it might take some getting used to. Also, plenty of cameras (e.g., all my Sonys after the A100) have LCDs that can pivot enough to be easily used. The only problems I've seen are that some cameras will record movies upside-down if the camera is and bouncing a built-in flash off the ground isn't as effective as off the ceiling. ;-)

The biggest problem I've had with flipping a column is that it isn't always the quickest thing to do, requiring some disassembly. Then again, I don't have a very good tripod.... how quick and easy is it with these?

Jul 28, 2014permalink

koolbreez

I find it disheartening that Giottos is never considered in their reviews. Probably because they are too much of a challenge for any of those reviewed. The Giottos VGR8265-M2N will give any of these a run for their money, and it has the added feature of one of the legs being able to be removed for use as a full size mono pod, something none of these offer. The center column can be reversed for the lowest shooting capabilities, and in normal set-up reaches a little over 66". With its Arca compatible quick release ball head, the Giottos brand shouldn't have been left out of these reviews. This unit meets most every situation a traveling photographer might run into, and should have been featured.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Giotto's was definitely considered, but unfortunately we (myself and Giotto's) couldn't coordinate getting one of their Vitruvians at the same time as all the other CF tripods. Same thing happened with Velbon in the aluminum group, so both brands are now high on the list for future tripod reviews.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

qaz111111

The addition could easily be added as addendums online. The value of your article is not simply on it's dissemination but in repeat and newly searched reads. Hence the value of your website is enhanced, so please go ahead and add the missing pieces!

Jul 31, 2014permalink

StevenMajor

@ Mark Banas
Respectfully,...you could not get one? A multimillion dollar web site could not purchase one? You only review items you can get for free?... and tell companies in advance that you be looking critically at what they send you?
What?

Aug 3, 2014permalink

Malikknows

Great review, thanks DPR. Question: I would find it useful to be able to add my tripod to my gear list. Is it too expensive to add these sorts of accessories?

Jul 28, 2014*permalink

Nice job on a thorough review! Although I wish the Really Right Stuff TQC-14 would have been included. It's about $1100 USD and does not fold to 180 degrees for storage, but I think that is a misleading attribute. These tripods seem to need to remove the head for storage, which is a pain. The TQC-14 collapsed with head on is less than 21" and 3.3 pounds total; this is a travel tripod.

I have a TVC-33 with a BH-55 head and the TQC-14. They are excellent quality, and have never failed. Yes they are expensive, but in this case IMHO you get what you pay for. I would have enjoyed seeing Mark's opinion on the Really Right Stuff TQC-14 in this comparison although there are many single reviews of this tripod on the Internet.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

P-A QC

Not accurate. You can easily fold the legs 180° without having to remove the head.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Thanks for pointing that out. I attempted to edit my comment shortly after posting, but for some reason there is no edit available??. I see that some can do this. I like the way the Gitzo folds up. Is this true for all of them? If so that could save you 4 to 5 inches when folded compared to the RRS TQC-14, and I can see that this is a benefit.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

P-A QC

I would think they all do. I have the mefoto gobetrotter and I confirm that it does.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

John Nevill

"while the leg locks are made from smooth, thick plastic that provides a gloss counterpoint to the rubber grips."
For the record, the CT-3441S leg locks are are actually CNC machined from Aluminium not plastic!

Jul 28, 2014permalink

It's possible that there have been changes in the production and materials. I'll check with Feisol about the latest models, but the sample that was sent had plastic locks. They were tested for electrical conductivity/ resistivity, which is also how to determine aluminum vs. cast magnesium.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

John Nevill

The screwlocks are hard black anodised which acts as an insulator and provides corrosion resistance. Remove a screwlock and do a continuity check on the internals where bare alloy may be found. Thin walled plastic screwlocks wouldn't hold up to the frequent application of a fine threaded torque.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

djohnfot

I have a very similar Velbon that seems to do everything these do yet it cost only 1/2 that of the lowest price reviewed model. The only significant difference is that the Velbon is mostly aluminum. Is it worth double price for carbon fiber?

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Yes it is. Carbon is stiffer and lighter than aluminium, which allows for a more sturdy build, and it is far better at damping vibrations. Carbon fibre tripods are hence lighter and more stable.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

OK...so Manuel may wear a funny hat...but he DOES know what he is talking about !!!!!

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Infrared, are you some kind of troll, or is it that you have no sense of humour - or, worst still, you can't 'get' humour?

Jul 28, 2014permalink

You just don't understand sarcastic humor. Too bad.

Jul 29, 2014permalink

I do undesrstand sarcastic humour - when it is present, which does not happen in the case of your replies.

Jul 29, 2014permalink

djohnfot

True, cf is stiffer and lighter than aluminum but the Velbon is very sturdy. That's probably because it incorporates a center brace. My only question is whether the cf tripods are worth 2X the price for a few ounces less weight.

Were I in the market for a full-sized tripod to replace my ancient Ponder & Best, which is all aluminum but steady as a rock and strong enough to hold a Mamiya 6 X 7 camera with lens, I would by a cf model. That P&B is no lightweight and the latest CF I tried is considerably lighter, which at my fairly advanced age is no small thing.

Cheers!

Dec 27, 2014permalink

I don't know how anyone could buy a tripod called '3 Leeged Thing Eddie'. Come on, it's ludicrous! If I had one of those, I'd never even mention I had a tripod to my friends. I'd be the laughing stock of the group.
I have a Triopo carbon fibre tripod (OK, I admit it isn't a very serious name either...) that is a clone of the Sirui, save for having only one neoprene grip. I suspect there's a lot of OEM going on here, as the spiders of all tripods (bar the Gitzo) look very much alike. This is not a bad thing, as carbon fibre tripods have become quite affordable while retaining the properties of this material.
I find, however, that the weight advantage evaporates somewhat when the head is mounted. Ball heads can be quite heavy, though they're very practical.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

yeah..but then...who would wear a hat like you have in your avatar.
Talk about laughing stock!!!! LOL!
That is the two-headed George thing??!!??!!
(Wait..wasn't that a "leave-behind?") :-)

Jul 28, 2014*permalink

That's George Costanza alright. Were you foolish enough to think it was my actual picture?
No matter how many eclairs George Costanza might eat from the dustbin, he'll never be as ridiculous as '3 Legged Thing Eddie'.
And, no matter how silly his ideas, he'll always make more sense than you do in your reply.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Manuel - That is Cosmo Kramer. George Costanza is the bald headed round face bespectacle guy. How can I take you seriously?

Aug 17, 2014permalink

That little argument about turntables is still haunting you, huh...? Get a life. Move on. Anyone with a brain could have deduced I changed my avatar in the meantime. (Except you, of course.)

Aug 17, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

what turntable Cozmo?

Aug 17, 2014permalink

Let me refresh your memory, then: "Good for you. Since this forum is about the Beatles, would you care to share how you fit your Rega Planar 3 etc. into your VW Beatle and play your records while cruising on the freeway?" Do you recognize it?
...On the other hand, you did well to forget it. It was a rather moronic reply, as I pointed out back then, but you can't do without a good argument, can you? Well, you know what they say: "arguing on the internet is like taking part in the paralympics; you might win, but you're still a retard".

Aug 17, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Cosmo - you have to take it easy. Don't you have anything better to do in Portugal? Come over for a visit to the USA and see how we live. . .

Aug 17, 2014permalink

Thank you, but I'll have to decline. I don't want to visit a country where human rights are violated (death penalty? Com'on...!), crime rates are the highest in the world, there is no universal health service, no social security to talk about, public education is the poorest in the northern hemisphere and it's the country where the most hateful people in the world - i. e. republicans like John Boehner and Sarah Palin - live. Besides there is still too much racism and xenophobia. I pass. Why should I want to visit the USA? I am blessed to live in Europe!

Aug 19, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

You are welcome. I thought you would like to enjoy and take photos of the great natural and man-made scenes we have. Too bad you are only aware of the bad things we have. But look at the good side, our freedom of press allow us to know what is happening around us. As for bad public education, it reflect the abuse of freedom we have. Despite this bad public education, the last I heard, the 20 top Universities in the world are in the United States of America. How many Universities in Portugal are in the top 100?

Aug 19, 2014*permalink

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/mar/06/worlds-top-100-universities-2014-reputations-ranked-times-higher-education

Three or four, which is not that bad for a country with 10 million inhabitants. One of them, incidentally, is Coimbra, the one I graduated in.

Aug 19, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Hmmmm … I can't see any University from Portugal in the list of Top !00 Universities in the World the last three years. I can't find Coimbra in either of the list below but I read in Coimbra brochure that they are among the list ranked between 401 to 500.

Check these links below and see for your self:

This next link list the Academic Ranking of World Universities conducted and publish by China.
http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2013.html

I earned Electrical and Mechanical Engineering degrees from MIT and earned Nuclear Engineering from another university ranked 99th in the second list.

Aug 20, 2014permalink

Of course. Rankings tend to favour private universities and benefit the country where they're made. An american rating will favour american schools. What did you expect? Here in Portugal it's the same - rankings are usually established by companies held by financial groups that also hold participations in universitiies and private schools. Plus rankings don't meter the intelligence and erudition of their students, nor their professional skills, do they? It only takes a renowned prize winner to unbalance the rankings in favour of the university the winner graduated from. Rankings are mostly marketing. Nothing prevents one person graduated from a top university from being an a$$hole...

Aug 20, 2014*permalink

(unknown member)

You disparage my country and BRAGGED about your education, now you are making it personal. Yup, your icon reflects who you are.

The research /ranking was conducted by an international organization. The second one was by China. Research the schools listed WORLD WIDE to see if it is Private or Public.

Aug 20, 2014permalink

Please, man, I'm working, OK? Stop wasting my time.

Aug 20, 2014permalink

MayaTlab0

Thanks a lot for these reviews. I've been using for a long time tripods I inherited from my grand-father - needless to say I needed an update regarding current tripod designs and this provided a little help.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Google for Thom Hogan tripod article. It's a quick read and may save you money in the long run.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Luminous Landscape has much better review than this. The reviewer is NOT paid nor accept freebie. If you are from the USA or Canada, you might appreciate the products reviewed are made in the USA. Unless you are a REALLY SERIOUS PHOTOGRAPHER, the price might scare you . . . The REALLY RIGHT STUFF is over $1,000

Aug 17, 2014permalink

Peter Galbavy

I have a couple of older Manfrotto carbon tripods (443, 444 - the first belongs to a friend but I am storing it) and the similar vintage monopod. The carbon components are great and overall very light but the whole thing is still let down by the need to have a metal head that outweighes the rest of the ensemble.

I have tried a variety of ball heads and also a 3 axis video head type thing and in all cases they are the (weight) problem.

Jul 28, 2014*permalink

Jogger

It would be interesting to look at the weight of the actual carbon components compared to the AL versions. I suspect that there isnt much difference at all, since they are just hollow cylinders.

In the bike market for example, AL frames can be made very light, comparable to CF.. the main advantage with CF is the ride quality, ability to shape frames (e.g. aero), and ability to strengthen different parts of independently.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

KonstRuctor

My most favourite tripod is Manfrotto 190MF4. It easy and extremely convenient.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Funkyd3121

$800.00 for a tripod??? You are kidding me. Never!

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Ignat Solovey

You just never been in a situation when $300 brand-name tripod fails you. Actually, Chinese no-name tripods are tripods for $300 that DO NOT fail. And even cheaper. I use Sirui T-1205X... well, there are small issues, but I rarely load it with anything lighter than 1DmkIV and 17-40, and always carry it with me in a backpack (2,2 lbs with head is nothing), and use it in quite abusive way, and I paid $200 for it three years ago. So Chinese CF "gitzoids" are THE solution.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

ornitho1

I would not pay 500$ for a tripod either :-(

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Derouyag

If I had a $200 camera, I wouldn't buy a $500 tripod either... but my D810 with a 24-70 f2.8 might be worthy of a $1,500 mount (Gimbal, ball head, and legs) But then again, I won't spend that $1,500 again, but I probably will spend $4,000 on a camera again in the future... the point is... is your camera valuable enough to get good legs.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Derouyag, sometimes you get what you pay for, and that seems to be the case with tripods and heads. Thom Hogan has an excellent primer on tripods and anyone looking for one should seek out that article which is easily found by Google. Once you buy a quality tripod, you will have it forever. I'm certain that is the case with my Really Right Stuff equipment.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Malikknows

$600 is not too much to support $5,000 in camera gear, methinks. Key is that the tripod will last for years, unlike most of my other camera equipment. I figured, heck, I'll spend the money now, enjoy a first-class piece of equipment and never feel the need to update. I've had the Gitzo Traveler for more than a year and love it. Anyway, I see that it is an expensive piece of kit and others may not value it as I do. I do lots of travel and I do appreciate saving every ounce when I can.

Jul 28, 2014*permalink

Derouyag

JasonC66, I read an article probably about a year ago that matched my approach to spending. In summary the article said that many people buy cheap legs, then intermediate, then advanced; in total maybe $1,000 on legs. Meanwhile, if they had bought the advanced set of legs, they would have only spent $600.00 For my needs $600 is relatively expensive, but I won't spend that money again. I have a great tripod; Siriu M3204, with a Markins Q20 ballhead, and a ProMediaGear Tomahawk Gimbal with the Katana Cradle clamp. On top of that is the RRS L bracket (waiting for the D810 version), lens plates, and B85 Flash Bracket. I hate buying twice; but then I don't want to spend more that I have too.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

jeffharris

I have a Gitzo GT1542T. It's a great tripod.

I chose a Really Right Stuff BH-30 PF over Gitzo ball heads because they work better and are modular, so that if I ever decide to use Arca plates, I can just swap out the platform.

Jul 28, 2014permalink

Andreas Stuebs

I have three tripods and a monopod in actual use. One hefty carbon of Calumet own brand. That is mainly for 4x5 work. A small light one for compact and G2 use - the G2 using primes. My main tripod for outside use is a Gitzo series 1 Traveller but with an Arca-Swiss P0 head. (the Arcs Swiss shop in Germany sold that as a bundle). I don't use it for 4x5 but it will do for my SLR film cameras, my digital cameras and my film 6x4.5 and 6x6 cameras. I do not have any heavy telephoto lenses, so I am very happy with the stability. I am not sure that combination would be able to hold a heavy telephoto lens. I use a Calumet-brand tripod case to carry it.

Jul 28, 2014permalink