Currently have:
Slik 700DX legs
Slik 800DX ballhead
Manfrotto 410 geared head
Bogen 393 pseudo-gimbal head
Everything works great and the tripod legs have stood up to a decade of (ab)use. No complaints other than the weight; with the 410 head I am clocking in at around 9 lbs. For regular hiking with the family I would like something lighter that still will let me get nice stable landscapes with 5DII + nothing heavier than a 35/2 Zeiss.
Looking at the Manfrotto 055 and 190 legs, and possible an Arca-Swiss Monoball P0. Seems like a great setup, but I have no personal experience with either. Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome!
I have the Feisol 3442 legs along with a Markins head. Light weight, compact, easy to setup and use and stable up to my 70-200 lens. I can recommend this setup for your needs.
Thanks, I had not heard of the Feisol gear before but they are not too high priced and extremely light. Do you have the longer center column and if so, is it as stable as they claim?
chez wrote:
I have the Feisol 3442 legs along with a Markins head.
Great suggestion. My lightweight rig is a Benro travel tripod that weighs 2.77 lbs, has a folded length of 17.7 in, and a max height w/column extended of 61.8 in. I also use a Markins ballhead with it. If you're interested in the details I reviewed it here.
I've owned a variety of legs over the years, including Gitzo series 1, 2, and 3. The Feisol 3401 is my choice for a compact travel tripod -- more stable than a Gitzo series 1, and more compact and lighter than any series 2. The 3442 is probably incrementally better with its larger machined spider, but I prefer the smaller package of the 3401, and it's very adequate for my uses.
I don't like the traveler designs with fold-over legs, since they seem inherently less stable, and I like being able to get low.
I also have a Feisol CT 3442 and can highly recommend it. It meets my needs for being light, compact, sturdy enough, and high enough quality for the price. I purchased it at B&H. It was not quite perfect, and Feisol customer service was OUTSTANDING in taking care of the issue.
I also have Gitzo 3 and 5 series tripods (which are certainly not in the light category, but are excellent tripods). The Feisol is not quite up to the Gitzo standard of fit and finish, but it is completely adequate for my needs.
I am using a RRS BH55 ballhead on it while I continue to search for the perfect light ballhead.
The Arca-Swiss Monoball P0, Markins Q3 or Q10, and RRS BH25 or BH30 are the ones on my short list.
I want light, but am not sure I am willing live without a separate pan lock on the BH25. The Q10 seems to be the best compromise between weight and capability.
I have been looking for months and still can't make up my mind. I have seen all of these ball heads in person and most of them operating in the field. I suspect there is no bad choice among them.
While at Yellowstone, I ran into a woman with a Feisol CT3442 and a Markins Q10. She loved her setup and I can see why.
For now, I just "make do" with the heavier BH55, which is certainly an outstanding ball head. It does weigh about as much as the tripod, though.
Yet another vote for the Feisol 3442. Had the 342 for more than 2 years, completely satisfied. I am 6' 1" tall and I have the center post but I don't use it because the height is fine without it.
If you use mirror lock up and 2 or 10 sec or cable you need less tripod. My garage sale tripods seem to work fine when I travel. They are short though.
I use the Feisol 3441T paired with a Photoclam Pro Gold II Easy PQR. The 3441T combines the legs of the 3442 with the spider of the 3441S. It's the same folded length as the 3442, but a smaller diameter for easier packing and less bulk when carrying. The ballhead fits perfectly with legs folded over it, such that I can use the bag supplied with the tripod. The ballhead is handy in design as well, with dual panning bases and a lever release that is adjustable to accommodate slightly different sized plates/brackets. I've used mine with up to 100mm lenses with no problem.
