Topic: What Carbon Fiber tripods are you using? (Read 10045 times)

David R. Gurtcheff · « **on:** February 28, 2005, 03:05:45 pm »

Thanks again: I'm looking seriously at the Gitzo 1227....seems to fill the bill for me.
Again, thanks
Dave

Jonathan Wienke · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2005, 07:24:11 pm »

Quote

I am aware of that. But why pay 50% more for 5% more tripod? Is CF really worth it if you aren't too concerned about weight. A cast iron Dutch oven is way better than an aluminum one until you need to carry it. Put the extra money into something you can use.

It's more like 50% more money for 60-70% more tripod. As Jack says, CF is much better than metal at absorbing vibrations, and it's significantly more rigid for the same weight. It's a night and day difference, not a minuscule fraction of a decimal point only obsessed pixel peepers would care about.

David R. Gurtcheff · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2005, 10:05:24 pm »

To everyone:
I'm a retired engineer and want -to -be photographer (amateur). I really, really appreciate all the help I have received from this site, and I ordered a Gitzo 1227 from B&H in NY.
Very kindest regards
Dave Gurtcheff
www.modernpictorials.com

David R. Gurtcheff · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2005, 12:59:54 pm »

Jack I appreciate your 2 cents, no offense taken, as I respect your opinion. What ball head would you recommend for the 1227?
Dave

richardfreedman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2005, 02:29:36 am »

I replaced my Manfrotto monster just over a year ago with my first CF, a Gitzo 1327 Mk II, and have never looked back since. I shoot weddings, and find it perfect for DSLR or Hasselblad. Paid about $700 CAN at Vistek; still using my customized Slik/Manfrotto hybrid ball head with it, which I absolutely love.

budjames · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:50:33 am »

I've been using the Manfrotto 441, 4 section carbon fiber, with a Manfrotto pan ball head. It's compact and still can expand to almost eye level (I'm 6' 5").

I prefer the lever locks instead of the twist collars found on Gitzo tripods.

I also a Really Right Stuff's quick release mounting plate. My camera bodies are equipped with RRS "L" brackets and all my long lenses have RRS mounting plates.

Bud

David R. Gurtcheff · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2005, 07:42:49 pm »

First off...I hate using tripods..they slow me down and are heavy. I generally use 200 EI and a monopod. My tripod just broke...it was a Bogen. I used it to make night shots during a snow storm, and I suspect the white metal collars became brittle. and broke. I repaired the collar with "gorilla glue", but in the process permantly glued one leg extended! I'm ready for a state of the art carbon fiber. My normal photography is landscapes with wide angle lenses and polarizer, so exposures would normally be relatively short. But on occasion, I do long lens or night work, where a sturdier tripod is needed. I already have a ball head which I really like, and will keep it. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Dave

David R. Gurtcheff · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2005, 10:05:29 am »

Thanks Guys.
Dave

howard smith · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2005, 03:47:25 pm »

I don't use a CF tripod. If you seldom use a tripod, I see little sense in the money. A good metal tripd will provide nearly all the benefits of a CF one, except weight, for less money. I don't use CF because I never carry a tripod very far, and just don't need it. I'd rather spend the money on lunch.

djgarcia · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2005, 06:52:29 pm »

Although I rarely use a tripod anymore in these days of low-noise high ISO speeds and shake-reduction mechanisms, I have a Slick Pro 803 CF with a Novoflex Magic Ball head and Schatler quick release system. This set-up served me nicely in New Zealand the few times I used it with a Contax ND and 70-300 zoom.

DJ

Lisa Nikodym · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2005, 07:47:48 pm »

Quote

I have never made an image that made me say I wish I had a better tripod.

I *have*, though. I've trashed a number of shots because my lightweight Velbon aluminum travel tripod just couldn't hold still in a breeze. I'm thinking about getting a CF one myself to get something lightweight that won't have that problem nearly as often. Hence, I'm highly interested in this thread...

Lisa

Jack Flesher · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2005, 10:03:49 am »

Re the RRS lever clamp...

Be advised that some older Arca-style QR plates were cut to a slightly narrower tolerance than RRS or Kirk currently use, and these plates will NOT lock in the RRS lever clamp.

In fact, my biggest gripe on the RRS lever clamp is that it is NOT adjustable other than open or close. Seems to me it would be a simple matter to have the lever on a lead screw that could be twisted up one turn to tighten or backed off one to loosen the clamping force.

Cheers,
Jack

Jack Flesher · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2005, 10:23:02 pm »

Quote

To everyone:
I'm a retired engineer and want -to -be photographer (amateur). I really, really appreciate all the help I have received from this site, and I ordered a Gitzo 1227 from B&H in NY.
Very kindest regards
Dave Gurtcheff
www.modernpictorials.com

And what head did you buy?

,

Jack

KMOlender · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2005, 11:14:19 am »

The Gitzo basalt tripods are starting to become available. They're very close in weight to CF, quite a bit less expensive (at B&H, the Gitzo 1298 basalt is $340, while the 1228 CF is $460.), and have an improved leg lock, but the total load rating is smaller. I would expect they should be low vibration since they're also made from a composite fiber material. Anyone have any experience with one yet?

DaveLon · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2005, 10:40:29 am »

Has anyone tried the Fiesol CF tripods. Good price if they are good enough.

DS

Stef_T · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2005, 03:54:38 pm »

Another ballhead that I heard quite a bit about was Markins ballhead found Here. This ballhead is very poular among the Nikonians www.nikonians.com crowd, but I am slightly suspect as that site actually sells the head. Mr. Reichman told me that there should be at some point a upcoming review of this ballhead and how it compares to the RRS. All he mentioned at the time was the the Markins was a very fine ballhead, but not quite up to speed with the RRS, however he didn't go into details. I guess we'll have to wait for his review.

boku · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2005, 07:44:08 pm »

Quote

Just a question about the Gitzo CF tripod with regards to model. I am 6' 3" and would like to know which model would be recommended for my height. I'm not as concerned about compactness since I won't be doing alot of hiking but would like one that is lighter than the Manfrotto aluminum tripod that I am currently using.

Thanks for the help

The 4-section leg models (1228 and 1349) have a longer reach than the 3-section leg models (1227 and 1325).

Hope that helps!

Coops · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2005, 03:53:05 am »

you might want to have a look at the Manfrotto Magfiber series, the 055 or 190 series. I have one and have found them to be of top quality.

Jonathan Wienke · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2005, 07:53:16 pm »

I'm using the CF version of the Gitzo Explorer. It's reasonably light and sturdy, and can be configured in unusual ways, which is handy for macro work.

BobMcCarthy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2005, 12:13:21 pm »

Mike has it nailed. The 1325 has the advantage of accepting the leveling base, which I find useful but awfully heavy. (They should make a light weight version of the leveler) When I go lite I leave it off and just attach the ball directly to the 1325 and its very lightweight for hiking

Author Topic: What Carbon Fiber tripods are you using? (Read 10045 times)

David R. Gurtcheff

David R. Gurtcheff

David R. Gurtcheff

David R. Gurtcheff

David R. Gurtcheff