jeffff
Posts: 218
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Registered: 5 Dec 2004
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New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 15:38 GMT
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I would like a carbon fiber tripod to replace my aluminum one. I would like it to be a "heavy duty" one, like a Bogen/manfrotto 3021 BN.
Is it useful to get carbon, or is it simply paying more? The heavy duty carbon tripods seem pretty, uh, heavy to me 
thanks,
Jeffrey
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Tri3
Posts: 44
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Registered: 14 Sep 2008
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 17:30 GMT
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Both Bogen and Manfrotto make fantastic tripods. Also check out Gitzo. My Gitzo is pretty sweet. The only thing I wish it had though was a bubble level.
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Thomas Krueger
Posts: 73
Location: Genoa, Italy
Registered: 3 Mar 2006
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 17:45 GMT
updated: 29 Sep 2008 at 17:47 GMT
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Hi Jeff,
I switched to a Gitzo LVL2540, levelling coloumn and bubble. Works like charm (to expect for the price tag). Beeing in the field the carbon legs have to be handled more carefully as a normal alu tripod. But I prefer the lightweight Gitzo over my old Manrotto 755.
Also the Feisol tripods are quite good copies of the Gitzo's.
Have a look at www.stativfreak.de/3Bein.htm - the website is in german but there are a lot of user pictures from various carbon tripods.
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jeffff
Posts: 218
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Registered: 5 Dec 2004
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 19:09 GMT
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the feisol 3401 seems good to me.
www.feisol.com/english/standard.htm
But I can't find out where to buy it, or how much it costs. I've heard from a few people that these are very good tripods although not as cheap as they used to be. Any thoughts about that?
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Thomas Krueger
Posts: 73
Location: Genoa, Italy
Registered: 3 Mar 2006
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jeffff
Posts: 218
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Registered: 5 Dec 2004
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 19:30 GMT
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Thomas Krueger said: Beeing in the field the carbon legs have to be handled more carefully as a normal alu tripod.
Oh, you can't throw it around so much?
And that means that it can't be checked in the airport? That's something I hadn't thought about (my old manfrotto survived many big knocks and hard travels....)
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Sam Rohn
Posts: 66
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Registered: 5 Mar 2008
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 20:21 GMT
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another vote for gitzo w/ leveling column, i have a gitzo 1258 LVL, the leveling column eliminates the need for another leveling device between panohead & tripod, saving a bit more weight in your kit
i never check in any of my photo gear when flying, 1258 is fine for carry on
sam
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jeffff
Posts: 218
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Registered: 5 Dec 2004
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 21:14 GMT
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I don't check in any of my gear either. But in Milan airport they made me, as the week before, someone threw a tripod at Silvio Berlusconi (rotfl)  and from that point on, I guess, even carrying a tripod around was completely illegal in the airport. (as it turned out one plastic clip broke in the checked in luggage but I got the airline to pay for that)
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Sam Rohn
Posts: 66
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Registered: 5 Mar 2008
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 29 Sep 2008 at 21:29 GMT
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jeffff said: the week before, someone threw a tripod at Silvio Berlusconi (rotfl)
was it carbon fiber or aluminum ? 
sam
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halflife
Posts: 145
Location: Romania
Registered: 3 May 2006
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 30 Sep 2008 at 4:45 GMT
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Hello,
Sorry Jeffrey if I jump in with a question also:
what do you guys think about Benro tripods?
Thanks!
Eugen.
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Macro
Posts: 36
Location: Korea, Republic of
Registered: 5 Sep 2006
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Re: New Tripod
Posted: 30 Sep 2008 at 5:40 GMT
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I use a Manfrotto 055MF3. The carbon legs are more $$$, somewhat lighter, and nicer to handle in cold weather. The majority of the weight is not in the leg tubes. Without all the attaching hardware, carbon tubes are super light. I prefer lever-lock legs rather than twist-lock.
I have heard stories from others about not being allowed to carry on tripods, especially with spiked feet. For flights, I put my Markins ballhead in my carry-on pack. Tripod legs are wrapped with clothes and packed in the center of my checked bag.
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Paralaxative
Posts: 14
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Registered: 24 Jul 2008
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