Good budget carbon fiber tripod

[Igor.Burshteyn]

I want to purchase my first carbon fiber tripod. It must be able to hold 300mm f2.8 and medium format rig steady (up to 4kg of load), and be comfortable enough to hold smallish camera like OM4ti or oly 35SP. Can you recommend decent quality budget CF tripod?

 

[adrianzg]

try feisol. they sell on thebay.

 

[ljosha]

I suggest to invest in Gitzo (series 3). Yes, it will cost you a bit, but then you won't need to buy Gitzo after cheap alternative. I am using chinese Benro copy of Gitzo for my medium format rig. It is ok, but not as sturdy as Gitzo.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I suggest to invest in Gitzo (series 3). Yes, it will cost you a bit, but then you won't need to buy Gitzo after cheap alternative. I am using chinese Benro copy of Gitzo for my medium format rig. It is ok, but not as sturdy as Gitzo.

Exactly. Benro are very good, and they're the only 'budget' carbon fiber tripods my wife really likes (she covers tripods for Shutterbug) but if I could afford it, I'd still rather have a Gitzo. Tube construction is a lot more complicated than most people realize.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I rather buy a used Gitzo CF than a new Chinese copy, although the Fiesols are pretty good.

 

[Matus]

I got a Feisol 3442 Tournament recently together with a very light ballhed (Photo Clamm PC 33 NS) from www.reallybigcameras.com - not VERY cheap (thanks to taxes and shipping), but the whole setup weights just udnder 3 pounds and holds my lightweight 4x5 perfectly and folds up small. It is perfect for traveling. I do not look for a better tripod anymore (I had carbon Benro before which was heavier).

I can also say that I was very happy with friendly and helpful approach of the seller (Kerry L. Thalmann)

P.S.
You may want to have a look into a bit bigger model of ball head for your 300/2.8 lens. I find the Photo Clam to work very smoothly. Should you find the above models interesting, do not hesitate to contact them.

 

[35mmdelux]

I bought a used G1228 MKII Gitzo and I consider it one of my best buys, not solely in terms of savings but in terms of quality. Compact, light, works well.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

So choice is pretty down to Gitzo versus Giottos, Benro and Feisol, cheapest being ~300$. I need to decide whether 1.5kg weight difference (upgrading from old trusty manfrotto 055) is worth it.
I've seen some Chinese brands (dynatran? triopo?) for less money - but without established feedback whether they good enough, so probably they are not good enough.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Cheap Chinese OEM carbon fibre tripods are often surprisingly heavy, bulky and fragile.

Personally, much as I love ultra-light tripods, I have to face up to the fact that I could lose a lot more than 1.5 kg by going on a diet...

Actually, one of my ultralight tripods is a wood-and-alloy MPP (long out of production, but you still find 'em for £20-30) which weighs approx. 1 kg without head and will hold 4x5 inch with ease, 5x7 inch at a pinch. 'Deadness' (freedom from vibration) is especially important with the 300mm and wood or carbon fibre will definitely help here.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Roger,
Loosing 1.5kg of own weight instead of investing some $$ into lighter tripod is very good advise 🙂 too bad no followers here @RFF (if at all among photogs)

 

[peter_n]

A used Gitzo; you will never need to buy another tripod. I bought a Benro Arca Swiss type camera plate and was not impressed with the quality.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Peter,
Today's society doesn't favor products that will last our lifetime (and that cost small fortune); it prescribes us to consume something we would like to use and replace within 2 years, just to keep our GAS flaming and gears producers happy.
But seriously, used Gitzo is an option, as well.

 

[elshaneo]

Have a look at this link:

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-cfs6-b.html

I use this SLIK tripod most of the times when I shoot 360 degrees Panoramas ;-)

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

elshaneo,
I'd say Slik 713 CF better is better fit for requirements. Somehow I have no regard for Slik brand, though no idea why actually.

 

[kywong]

Velbon El Carmagne 630? I bought one for a friend for his birthday, and from my limited experience with it, it is hard to fault. It seems better than Benros, which was what I was gonna buy until the salesperson recommended the Velbon instead.

 

[peter_n]

Peter,
Today's society doesn't favor products that will last our lifetime (and that cost small fortune); it prescribes us to consume something we would like to use and replace within 2 years, just to keep our GAS flaming and gears producers happy.
But seriously, used Gitzo is an option, as well.

Igor you are right I'm afraid. I think my used G-1228 cost <$300. Older CF Gitzos are probably even cheaper now that the new CF 6x basalt or whatever are current.

Velbon El Carmagne 630? I bought one for a friend for his birthday, and from my limited experience with it, it is hard to fault. It seems better than Benros, which was what I was gonna buy until the salesperson recommended the Velbon instead.

Good idea and definitely worth the OP's time to look into. I've heard those tripods are very good.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Velbon El Carmagne 630 - nice, but looks like head that goes with it must be replaced, out of the box.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

After some research I see 2 options -
real thing - get some used Gitzo G-1127 and add A-S ball head - in my part of universe both are pricey new and scarce used; no idea how much it would run for;
budget option - get for example Triopo GX-1127 and NB-2S head which look "as good as Benro for half price". On ebay both can be had for 230$ together, but $100 (ouch) shipping brings the whole package to $330 which is already doesn't look so budget option.
*Sigh* back to Manfrotto 055?

 

[Disaster_Area]

I would very much recommend the Manfrotto CF tripods. I bought one before my Rocky Mountain trip last year and loved it. It was slightly heavier than the Gitzo I was looking at, but it was about $100 cheaper and slightly taller. And I actually really like the Manfrotto snap releases as apposed to the Gitzo twist lock style... I just find set up and take down to be much quicker. As to stability... well.. I wasn't able to do a pixel peeping comparison between the two, but I never once felt the manfrotto was wobbly or unstable... and although I rarely use the center column... it's nice to have when you absolutely need some extra height.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

I got used to Manfrotto snap releases as well. I really like their style of quick release plates, too - I will need to get used to Arca-Swiss style, I think. Manfrottos are pleasure to use, functional, simple but quality gear.