I'm in the market for a tripod and being the greedy type, I'm looking to get performance, light weight, and low price all in one product. It seems like the Flashpoint tripods give you 2 1/2 out of 3.
Has anyone have a good or bad experience with this item?
Thanks in advance for your input.

isn't their a saying with tripods?

Stiff - Light weight - cheap

You can only have 2 max not all 3

I've never seen them in person, but I have read lots of good reviews about them and positive experiences.

They seem to be a really good buy so why not try them out. Only reason I didn't go for any of them was the length/height of specific models weren't exactly what I was looking for.

Buy one and give us the lowdown. If you aren't happy with it, return it.

Many (most?) of them look like Benros -- so the same caveats, concerns, and benefits would likely apply.

I'm happy with Benro legs. I wouldn't buy the knock-off ballheads, but how hard can it be to make the legs?


Eric

I had a friend whom purchased the flashpoint when it first came out, and he was not impressed. The legs did not hold his MF camera, which only weight 8ish pounds I believe? The rating for the tripod was 25-30.

I have read one bad review online similar to Awasos23. Adorama sells them, so you can always return it if you don't like it. If you get it, post a review here, please.

eric_m wrote:
I'm happy with Benro legs. I wouldn't buy the knock-off ballheads, but how hard can it be to make the legs?


Eric

Well, there are a lot of things that translate into good legs. Off the top of my head, the proportion of CF to epoxy is important, the manner in which the material is laid up, the rigidity of the leg locks, the connection to the spider must be without play, the casting must be rigid, etc....

I'd say that knock offs regardless of ballheads or leg sets are worthy of some significant caution.

J.

Ken_K wrote:
I'm in the market for a tripod and being the greedy type, I'm looking to get performance, light weight, and low price all in one product. It seems like the Flashpoint tripods give you 2 1/2 out of 3.
Has anyone have a good or bad experience with this item?
Thanks in advance for your input.



Sorry to come late to this thread, but I just found this which might be of interest - if not now, then possibly for the future:

http://photo.net/equipment/tripods/carbon-fiber/flashpoint-1128

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com

Helen - who makes these for you guys?

J>

JohnJ80 wrote:
Helen - who makes these for you guys?

J>


I asked the question of our buying department, but apparently we aren't permitted to give out that information - issues about agreements and contracts, that sort of thing.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
www.adorama.com

Thanks for trying.

I would imagine that as a retailer, it would be really helpful if manufacturers had industry standard specifications and testing that meant something that described tripod performance.

I have one of these, the F-1228, and can say only good things about it. I was skeptical at first about buying one, going by the rule that you can only have 2 out of 3, but this tripod has put that rule to shame.

It is solid. It has no problem supporting my Canon 40D w/70-300 IS and hulking 8 pound flash bracket, and the legs have very little vibration (however, I can't say how this compares to a Gitzo or other higher-end models). Everything is strong and smooth; the leg locks are large and strong, and it is very easy to quickly open/close the entire tripod. Of course, the legs themselves are strong, as should be expected from carbon fiber, and they extend smoothly. Also, it is light, even lighter than I expected, just keep in mind that a head could be upwards of a pound or two and adds more weight than you think...I'm using a Giottos 1301 (highly recommended), which is under one pound, but it sometimes feels like more than that; still, quite manageable on a hike or just walking around shooting (especially using the case it comes with, which is well padded). It is tall with a head; when fully extended (without center column), it is 4 or 5 inches taller than me, and I'm 5'6"! This tripod is reasonably priced, quite unusual for carbon fiber, and definitely worth it. I don't have experience with the cheapest one, but have read good reviews and can certainly recommend this one. If I were you, I'd go for it...you won't regret it!