shinew7911 Offline Buy and Sell: On
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p.1 #17 · Gitzo tripod CF Vibration Damping | |
OK, here is a thread I found on photo.net discussing similar matter. User "Rob. F" re-posted an article from FLI, i'm going to re-post his. It seems like weight is really the biggest factor in vibration damping. However, given all weight the same, CF is more stable. Here goes:
Okay. Here comes the summary of an article in LFI that addresses the question very well. It will take some typing, but I think it will contribute enough to the thread to make it worth it.
LFI tested eight tripods: two each by four manufacturers. They mounted on the tripod under test a digital camera with a lens having a 1700mm equivalent, in 35mm terms. I guess that means it was about a 1200mm in actual focal length. The camera lens, and tripod head weighed about 4Kg. The lens was focused on a laser dot projected on the wall about 6.5 meters from the camera. The idea was that any vibration during the exposure would spread the laser dot into a measurable pattern on the film.
They tested each tripod in three ways. First, they took a 15 second exposure to check for any movement during the exposure time. Next, they suspended a weight from the tripod head and set in into circular motion, which they felt would simulate the effect of wind perturbing the tripod and camera. Finally, they dropped a sack containing 2Kg. of metal right next to the tripod.
I'll post this much now to make sure I don't lose it by hitting the wrong key again.
Here are the tripods and the results of the first test, the 15 second exposure. They are listed as much as possible in the order of performance, with the lowest vibration first. And the first one is the Berlebach Report 2022, made of Ash wood. It weighs 2.9 Kg. The horizontal angular deviation of the laser, on the film, was 260 seconds of arc. The vertical measure was 330" (" for seconds of arc) Next was a Giottos MT 8170; Carbon fiber; 2.6Kg; 280" horizontal and 320" vertical. A Berlebach Report 8023, Ash wood, 2.7Kg; 270" horizontal and 320" vertical. Giottos MT 9160, aluminum, 2.7Kg.; 320" horizontal, 380" vertical. Manfrotto 055ProB, Aluminum, 2.6Kg.; 370" horizontal, 360" vertical. Manfrotto 055MF3 Mag Fiber: Carbon fiber, 1.9Kg.; 290" horizontal, 230" vertical. Gitzo G1257LVL: Carbon fiber, 1.6Kg.; 330" horizontal, 320" vertical. Gitzo G1198: Basalt fiber, 1.1Kg.; 460" horizontal, 420" vertical.
Now for the pendulum test. Berlebach Report 2022: H 270"/V 300". Giottos MT 8170: H 390"/V310". Berlebach Report 8023: H 310"/V 320". Giottos MT 9160: H 400"/V 340". Manfrotto 055ProB: H400"/V 340". Manfrotto 055MF3 Mag Fiber: H 330"/V 350". Gitzo G1257LVL: H330"/V 310". Gitzo G1198: H 770"/V 440".
The drop test: Berlebach Report 2022: H 290"/V 310". Giottos MT 8170: H 310"/V 300". Berlebach Report 8023: H 430"/V 380". Giottos MT 9160: H 340"/V 350". Manfrotto 055ProB: H 450"/V 370". Manfrotto 055MF3 Mag Fiber: H 700"/V 650". Gitzo G1257LVL: H 910"/V 880". Gitzo G1198: H 870"/V 860".
Not surpisingly, lightweight tripods bounce higher than heavier ones. I'm not sure this much of a factor in outdoor use. It probably means more in indoor studio use.
LFI chose to add up the numbers to get a total score for each tripod--sort of like Consumer's Reports would do. The total angle for the Berlebach Report 2022 (2.9Kg, wood) is 1760". For the Giottos MT 8170 (carbon fiber, 2.6Kg.): 1910". Berlebach Report 8023 (wood, 2.7Kg): 2020". Giottos MT 9160 (aluminum, 2.7Kg): 2050". Manfrotto 055ProB (aluminum, 2.6Kg): 2290". Manfrotto 055MF3 Mag Fiber (carbon fiber, 1.9Kg): 2550". Gitzo G1257LVL ( carbon fiber, 1.6Kg): 3080". And the Gitzo G1198 (Basalt Fiber, 1.1Kg) brought up the rear at 3820".
The original thread can be found here -> http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00IfVN
Edited on Nov 16, 2007 at 08:39 PM
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