Rugged Tripod Recommendation? - FM Forums

Register · Search · Software · Join Upload & Sell · Hosting

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
1 2 3 4 5 end

Archive 2009 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Smiert Spionam
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #1 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

You bet -- glad to help. There are a lot of potential solutions, all with strengths and weaknesses, which is a good thing. Best of luck!

Nov 06, 2009 at 03:13 PM

sjms
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #2 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

all the best on your quest

Nov 06, 2009 at 11:26 PM

ishootsports3
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #3 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Induro is not gitzo, i had an eduro monopod and the bottom leg log froze on me. Its been off to the manufacturer for a few weeks now... bought a manfrotto replacement, much better product

Nov 07, 2009 at 02:26 AM

Chris Noyes
Online
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #4 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

And I've had my Induro CX-214 for 3 years now. Outstanding product. It's traveled quite well, and experienced a wide range of environmental conditions. I purchased it to support nothing more than a 70-200 or my 300 mmm f4, and I'm quite impressed with the image quality and handling it provides. It's not up to the task of mounting my 300 f2.8, but that's not a concern for me.

I'll be the first person to report back when it fails, but, I have no regrets with my purchase, and yes, I compared against Gitzo before choosing. I suppose only time will tell whether Induro is a worthy tripod brand.

I'd be happy to pass along the name of a well-known and established professional that has been using an Induro for a couple of years now . . . and I'm not referring to Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:15 AM

HerbChong
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #5 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

they do better than clip locks.

Herb...

Dpic_arctic wrote:
At least Gitzo probably is more rugged than any other brand. It's just that their twist locks probably won't do as well in water as clip-locks.

Nov 07, 2009 at 05:43 AM

Dpic_arctic
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #6 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Thanks everyone.

they do better than clip locks.

In what conditions have you used twist locks, Herb?

Nov 07, 2009 at 09:39 PM

sjms
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #7 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Chris Noyes wrote:
And I've had my Induro CX-214 for 3 years now. Outstanding product. It's traveled quite well, and experienced a wide range of environmental conditions. I purchased it to support nothing more than a 70-200 or my 300 mmm f4, and I'm quite impressed with the image quality and handling it provides. It's not up to the task of mounting my 300 f2.8, but that's not a concern for me.

I'll be the first person to report back when it fails, but, I have no regrets with my purchase, and yes, I compared against Gitzo before choosing. I suppose only time will tell whether Induro is a worthy tripod brand.

I'd be happy to pass along the name of a well-known and established professional that has been using an Induro for a couple of years now . . . and I'm not referring to Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape

definition of "professional"- i will be compensated for what i say and do.

you work out the rest of what it really means.

Nov 07, 2009 at 10:20 PM

ishootsports3
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #8 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

oh i forgot to mention, that twist lock on the enduro failed after a game in the rain...

Nov 07, 2009 at 11:05 PM

Dpic_arctic
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #9 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

I thought this thread was dying, but it seems like it came back to life today!

Thanks everyone for your continued feedback.

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:13 AM

1fspeed
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #10 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

I might be in the minority, but I think the carbon fiber tripod thing is pointless. When you consider he weight of the camera, lens, and the camera bag over your shoulder, you spent $2-300 extra to shave 3-5% of the total weight. In addition, I haven't seen any image comparisons to that prove carbon fibers superior dampening (as a material it is better, but can you see it in the resulting photo?)

Rugged being a consideration - when CF fails, is does so rather spectacularly. Consider shooting on a rock shore, tripod legs straddling some boulders, you slip, lean on the tripod a bit too hard. The CF leg shatters, the AL leg kinks and bends. Your on a $20,000 Antarctica trip with a two legged CF tripod or a Al tripod with a crooked leg, but otherwise fully functional.

I happily carry the Aluminum tripod.

Nov 08, 2009 at 06:34 AM

Lars Johnsson
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #11 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

1fspeed wrote:
I might be in the minority, but I think the carbon fiber tripod thing is pointless. When you consider he weight of the camera, lens, and the camera bag over your shoulder, you spent $2-300 extra to shave 3-5% of the total weight. In addition, I haven't seen any image comparisons to that prove carbon fibers superior dampening (as a material it is better, but can you see it in the resulting photo?)

Rugged being a consideration - when CF fails, is does so rather spectacularly. Consider shooting on a rock shore, tripod legs straddling some boulders, you slip, lean on the tripod a bit too hard. The CF leg shatters, the AL leg kinks and bends. Your on a $20,000 Antarctica trip with a two legged CF tripod or a Al tripod with a crooked leg, but otherwise fully functional.

I happily carry the Aluminum tripod.

Yes CF weight less, but it's also stronger than aluminum. So all those scenario's you wrote about, will more likely happen with a alu tripod than with a CF.
There is a reason all the riders in Tour de France have stopped using alu and use CF instead

and that's because they need a very strong bike when going up and down in the alps

Nov 08, 2009 at 06:53 AM

ishootsports3
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #12 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Lars Johnsson wrote:
Yes CF weight less, but it's also stronger than aluminum. So all those scenario's you wrote about, will more likely happen with a alu tripod than with a CF.
There is a reason all the riders in Tour de France have stopped using alu and use CF instead

and that's because they need a very strong bike when going up and down in the alps

they do have spares however, and it is not unheard of for people to break frames, mountain biking has only just gone carbon and below the pro level its primarily alu, all this said im not sure its really an issue as it relates to tripods

Nov 08, 2009 at 01:53 PM

Lars Johnsson
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #13 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

ishootsports3 wrote:
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Yes CF weight less, but it's also stronger than aluminum. So all those scenario's you wrote about, will more likely happen with a alu tripod than with a CF.
There is a reason all the riders in Tour de France have stopped using alu and use CF instead

and that's because they need a very strong bike when going up and down in the alps

they do have spares however, and it is not unheard of for people to break frames, mountain biking has only just gone carbon and below the pro level its primarily alu, all this said im not sure its really an issue as it relates to tripods

(It doesn't matter but)
every serious amateur also have CF in my country. And many that only practise also. And they did have as many spares when they used alu before

and they also did break even more parts of the bike before.
Or do you really belive that the Tour de France riders had better bikes 20 years ago

Nov 08, 2009 at 02:11 PM

1fspeed
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #14 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

You guys missed my point, CF is stronger in AL, but when it breaks, it fails completely as in it shatters. For me thats the important difference. Bikes are a reasonable analogy. I've gone down in a amateur road race, the bike was a titanium frame with CF fork. Fork seemed to take a lateral impact in the pile up, the CF had shattered and the fork leg could we bent side to side with little force. It would have severed completely if I had attempted to ride it.

Lars,
I think TDF riders are all on carbon machines because they are lighter, not stronger. Weight is paramount in any mountain stage. 10 years ago a TDF Mtn stage bike weighed 20lbs, now they're under 14. As long as the carbon is not damaged they are incredibly strong for their weight. Trek recommends replacing CF parts/frames if damage in suspected, but not visible. You won't find similar recommendations about steel, Al, or Ti frames.

Bikes aside, CF tripods don't make sense to me, but that's me. Lots of people have them and love them.

Nov 08, 2009 at 04:27 PM

Lars Johnsson
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #15 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

1fspeed wrote:
You guys missed my point, CF is stronger in AL, but when it breaks, it fails completely as in it shatters. For me thats the important difference. Bikes are a reasonable analogy. I've gone down in a amateur road race, the bike was a titanium frame with CF fork. Fork seemed to take a lateral impact in the pile up, the CF had shattered and the fork leg could we bent side to side with little force. It would have severed completely if I had attempted to ride it.

Lars,
I think TDF riders are all on carbon machines because they are lighter, not stronger. Weight is paramount in any mountain stage. 10 years ago a TDF Mtn stage bike weighed 20lbs, now they're under 14. As long as the carbon is not damaged they are incredibly strong for their weight. Trek recommends replacing CF parts/frames if damage in suspected, but not visible. You won't find similar recommendations about steel, Al, or Ti frames.

Bikes aside, CF tripods don't make sense to me, but that's me. Lots of people have them and love them.

They have made rules for pro's in Tour de France and other races. So they are not allowed to make the bikes very light. If they didn't have those rules they would (especially in the high mountains) make the bikes a lot lighter.

Nov 08, 2009 at 04:40 PM

1fspeed
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #16 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Current limit is around 13lbs if I'm not mistaken, and their is discussion about lowering it further. Pros could go "a lot" lighter as you suggest, but they would likely be totally custom bike built specifically for racing with limited life spans. I say this because as much as I'd love some $5000 Zipp carbon road wheels, I know I' destroy them in a summer of riding, but if I'm time trialing against the worlds best, all they have to do is last a few races. Different requirements.

Nov 08, 2009 at 04:57 PM

Lars Johnsson
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #17 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

I would belive that the good pro's already are using custom built bikes. And they also have very different bikes from one stage in the race to another.
I also do understand that CF is weaker when getting a high shock. (like hitting it with a metal bar) But also CF is a lot stronger when you try to stretch it or trying to bend it. And what's the possibilities of your tripod getting hit with something for that "high shock". It's more about stretch & bend when it comes to tripods

Nov 08, 2009 at 05:05 PM

1fspeed
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #18 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Lance rides stock, at least that's what Trek marketing would have us believe.

Your probably right about tripods. I just like the Al ones.
Be well
Ryan

Nov 08, 2009 at 05:40 PM

Chris Noyes
Online
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #19 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

sjms wrote:
Chris Noyes wrote:
And I've had my Induro CX-214 for 3 years now. Outstanding product. It's traveled quite well, and experienced a wide range of environmental conditions. I purchased it to support nothing more than a 70-200 or my 300 mmm f4, and I'm quite impressed with the image quality and handling it provides. It's not up to the task of mounting my 300 f2.8, but that's not a concern for me.

I'll be the first person to report back when it fails, but, I have no regrets with my purchase, and yes, I compared against Gitzo before choosing. I suppose only time will tell whether Induro is a worthy tripod brand.

I'd be happy to pass along the name of a well-known and established professional that has been using an Induro for a couple of years now . . . and I'm not referring to Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape

definition of "professional"- i will be compensated for what i say and do.

you work out the rest of what it really means.

I have no intention to spar with you about my post you felt compelled to comment on in a rather snide way. One of the Mentor photographers on a recent photo outing I attended at Arches National Park (Mentor Series Photo Workshops, sponsored by Popular Photography Magazine) was using an Induro. This photographer does quite a bit of this type of freelance work in addition to his very successful commercial work. This individual has been making is living through his photography work for over 25 years.

Let me know when Popular Photography invites you to be one of their mentors.

Nov 08, 2009 at 06:44 PM

jhom
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #20 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Chris Noyes wrote:
sjms wrote:
Chris Noyes wrote:
And I've had my Induro CX-214 for 3 years now. Outstanding product. It's traveled quite well, and experienced a wide range of environmental conditions. I purchased it to support nothing more than a 70-200 or my 300 mmm f4, and I'm quite impressed with the image quality and handling it provides. It's not up to the task of mounting my 300 f2.8, but that's not a concern for me.

I'll be the first person to report back when it fails, but, I have no regrets with my purchase, and yes, I compared against Gitzo before choosing. I suppose only time will tell whether Induro is a worthy tripod brand.

I'd be happy to pass along the name of a well-known and established professional that has been using an Induro for a couple of years now . . . and I'm not referring to Michael Reichman at Luminous Landscape

definition of "professional"- i will be compensated for what i say and do.

you work out the rest of what it really means.

I have no intention to spar with you about my post you felt compelled to comment on in a rather snide way. One of the Mentor photographers on a recent photo outing I attended at Arches National Park (Mentor Series Photo Workshops, sponsored by Popular Photography Magazine) was using an Induro. This photographer does quite a bit of this type of freelance work in addition to his very successful commercial work. This individual has been making is living through his photography work for over 25 years.

Let me know when Popular Photography invites you to be one of their mentors.

I'm curious...what were the other mentors using?

Jim

Nov 08, 2009 at 07:00 PM

1 2 3 4 5 end
FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 4 5 end