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#1
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Need help on carbon fiber tripods
Hi,
I currently have Gitzo 1228 and 1348 carbon fiber tripods. The 1228 is about 21 inches folded length and weighs 3.4 pounds. I also have very small travel tripods that are 8 inches and less in folded length, but are too small extended and not very sturdy. I would like a smaller carbon fiber tripod, like 12 to 15 inches in length, with 4 sections extending to something like 40 inches or more. Gitzo has a whole new lineup of tripods and the GT1540T ($560) or GT1550T ($640) seem close to what I would like in size and weight. These cost more than I paid for my Gitzo 1228, a much more capable tripod. Is there a lower cost alternative? Carbon fiber tripods were already very expensive but Gitzo's new lineup is pushing new levels of greed. Does anyone have experience with these tripods and what justifies the huge increase in cost? Is there some similar carbon fiber tripod from another manufacturer that is lower in cost but still good carbon fiber performance? (What are the largest leg diameters?) Second question: any recommendations for a ball head: I have arca-swiss B1G and B1 ball heads (B1 on the Gitzo 1228). I would like something a little smaller than a B1 but still have good control (separate azimuth tension and lock from the ball tension and lock). The head should have a 3/8-inch post with no clamp (I'll add a Wimberly clamp). The tripod and head will hold typically a Canon 30D with wide to normal lenses up to 70-200 f/4 L IS plus 1.4x TC. Roger |
#2
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Need help on carbon fiber tripods
"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" wrote in message ... Hi, I currently have Gitzo 1228 and 1348 carbon fiber tripods. The 1228 is about 21 inches folded length and weighs 3.4 pounds. I also have very small travel tripods that are 8 inches and less in folded length, but are too small extended and not very sturdy. I would like a smaller carbon fiber tripod, like 12 to 15 inches in length, with 4 sections extending to something like 40 inches or more. Gitzo has a whole new lineup of tripods and the GT1540T ($560) or GT1550T ($640) seem close to what I would like in size and weight. These cost more than I paid for my Gitzo 1228, a much more capable tripod. Is there a lower cost alternative? Carbon fiber tripods were already very expensive but Gitzo's new lineup is pushing new levels of greed. Does anyone have experience with these tripods and what justifies the huge increase in cost? Is there some similar carbon fiber tripod from another manufacturer that is lower in cost but still good carbon fiber performance? (What are the largest leg diameters?) Second question: any recommendations for a ball head: I have arca-swiss B1G and B1 ball heads (B1 on the Gitzo 1228). I would like something a little smaller than a B1 but still have good control (separate azimuth tension and lock from the ball tension and lock). The head should have a 3/8-inch post with no clamp (I'll add a Wimberly clamp). The tripod and head will hold typically a Canon 30D with wide to normal lenses up to 70-200 f/4 L IS plus 1.4x TC. I have a Gitzo 3 section aluminum tripod (forget the number but it's similar to the 1227), and both Velbon and Slik carbon fiber legs of similar diameter. I've done some tests and actually can't find much difference between them in terms of flexing, weight capacity, etc. A Japanese camera mag ran some carbon fiber tests as well, and the most significant determinant of tripod stability was leg diameter. Tripods are not rocket science--rigidity depends mostly on wall thickness and leg diameter. The Gitzos, I read, have slightly thicker walls and are thus slightly more rigid than their competitors, but the difference is really quite small. I have been quite happy with the build quality of both the Velbon and the Slik. They are not quite as "haute couture" as my Gitzos but they are well designed and completely functional--good leg locks, etc. I haven't checked out their model line lately, but they may have something similar to what you are looking for. Toby |
#4
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Need help on carbon fiber tripods
"Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" writes:
I would like a smaller carbon fiber tripod, like 12 to 15 inches in length, with 4 sections extending to something like 40 inches or more. Gitzo has a whole new lineup of tripods and .... Slik do some nice CF pods, and a 99% of an Arca BH for a fraction of the price. The pods are also a fraction of gutso's price as well... Can get the models for you if need be, drop me mail. |
#5
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Need help on carbon fiber tripods
On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 01:44:05 +0800, Paul Repacholi
wrote: "Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)" writes: I would like a smaller carbon fiber tripod, like 12 to 15 inches in length, with 4 sections extending to something like 40 inches or more. Gitzo has a whole new lineup of tripods and ... Slik do some nice CF pods, and a 99% of an Arca BH for a fraction of the price. The pods are also a fraction of gutso's price as well... Can get the models for you if need be, drop me mail. The Slik ballheads are OK but don't have the great Arca Swiss type clamp system. I'd go Benro for ballheads and tripods for the biggest bang for the buck. The Benro CF tripods are pretty close to a Gitzo in every way, right down to having the same type of logo in the same placement. I have a C228 which is less than half the price of the nearly identical Gitzo. For ballheads, there's nothing that's really a bargain and really good. There's nothing quite as nice to use as a real Arca Swiss, Really Right Stuff, Kirk or Markins ( and a few others). All use the AS clamp system. The Benros are a good compromise for the money, being similar in design to the Arca or Kirk heads. |
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