Dpic_arctic wrote:
I went to a camera store in town, and I got to try a bunch of Manfrottos (no Gitzos there). I was impressed with the solidity of the 055CXPRO3, and the I loved its Q90 center column system. It had a nice height, unlike the 190CXPRO3 (the 190 was not as sturdy and I didn't like how short it was). The flip locks on all of them were very convenient. I can't imagine using twist locks. The 055XPROB was very solid as well, and had a nice height, but it WAS heavier because it is aluminum. So now I would rather go with the 055XPROB more than the 190CXPRO3, but the best would be the 055CXPRO3.


As long as you get the 'pod that fits your style, budget, and physical requirements. I just replaced a 190XPROB that served me well but was too small and short. I can't speak for it's ruggedness, but the 3541LS is the one I should have bought originally, very well constructed and solid.

Consider all the excellent suggestions given here then pick the one works for you.

Dave

This is even funnier than the "How many photographers does it take..." thread over in the people forum.

Swamp? Berlebach. Heavier than carbon (or aluminum) but simple and indestructible. If I have to jam one of my tripods into goo, it'll be the Berlebach..

Chris_Platt wrote:
Swamp? Berlebach. Heavier than carbon (or aluminum) but simple and indestructible. If I have to jam one of my tripods into goo, it'll be the Berlebach..

You've been the most to the point person for a long time. Thanks!!!

just have some marine grade spar varnish standing by

sjms wrote:
just have some marine grade spar varnish standing by

Maybe eventually.. if you care. Mine is used to taking a beating rolling around in my trunk. I don't want to spoil it now.

well if you don't "care" and place it in the water often it will start to absorb and other issues will then arise

Feisol. I've got one. I love it. http://www.feisol.net/feisol-ct3441s-with-center-column-tripod-p-38.html

sjms wrote:
well if you don't "care" and place it in the water often it will start to absorb and other issues will then arise

I was kidding. But seriously, simply wiping it down suffices quite well most of the time. There just isn't much place for dirt or grit to hide or gum up the movement and ash is amazingly tough (just ask my ax handle).

I wouldn't advocate a Berlebach as an only tripod. My Feisol and/or Gitzo are the ones I take with me most of the time. I just have a Berlebach and like it. If a tripod has to take a dunking and the Berlebach is within reach - that's the sucker that's going to take the bath. And I won't have to disassemble it to clean it up.

Thanks Chris and Oasisbill. I appreciate the continued comments.

sjms wrote:
Smiert Spionam wrote:
Dpic_arctic wrote:
I have heard that Induro is basically identical to Gitzo, just cheaper.

This is false.

Dpic_arctic wrote:What particular models will last a lifetime (or near to it) under moderate use outdoors?

For starters, the Gitzo actually has a lifetime warranty. Benro/Induro doesn't appear to have that level of confidence in their generic product.



lets make the lifetime warrantee from gitzo a little clearer. they can at anytime refer to any damage as abuse and have done so. also they have another out that they have used call normal wear. normal wear is not warranteed either. immersion into water is considered abuse unless you purchase a tripod specifically designed for said action. of course he have that new wonderful stainless O ring'd little CF beast to amuse and divert funds into their coffers.

sorry SS but their lifetime warrantee has more holes in it then a cheese grater.
I agree with SJMS here about their lifetime warrantee. The center column of my gitzo got stuck in the up position and they turned a deaf ear about repairing it. They never answered my e-mails nor did they return my phone calls.

I know a friend that got his Gitzo repaired for free because of the warranty. It was about 5 years old

Dpic_arctic wrote:
... The flip locks on all of them were very convenient. I can't imagine using twist locks.

One additional comment. Please don't be put off by twist locks. I started out with a Bogen with flip locks and they were nice (though I did have to replace one that broke). I don't find the twist locks on my Gitzo or Feisol to be any less convenient than flip locks. On both pods, they take a little less than a quarter turn to loosen and tighten - very easy, quick, and sure.

I put together a list of manufacturers offering tripods and their web sites.

PM me if you want a copy of the list.

Dpic_arctic wrote:
... The flip locks on all of them were very convenient. I can't imagine using twist locks.


Chris_Platt wrote:
One additional comment. Please don't be put off by twist locks. I started out with a Bogen with flip locks and they were nice (though I did have to replace one that broke). I don't find the twist locks on my Gitzo or Feisol to be any less convenient than flip locks. On both pods, they take a little less than a quarter turn to loosen and tighten - very easy, quick, and sure.


Do the twist locks require two hands to adjust?

One hand on the Gitzo twist locks

The Gitzo twist locks are great. They have a couple of features that really make them nice. Many of these features are showing up on legs featureing twist locks from other manufaturers.

1 - The legs will not twist. This means there is no need to use two hands to loosen or tighten and no need to use a specific tighten/loosen sequence.
2 - The use of multiple threads and a steeper thread pitch means that it only takes about 1/4 twist to tighten and loosen the locks.
3 - The locks have a 'wedge' feature which helps prevent leg slippage as the tripod is loaded. This means that you don't have to really 'crank down' on the locks to keep the legs from slipping.

In usage, when opening my GT3541LS I grip all 3 locks with one hand and unlock all at once with a 1/4 twist. I grab the foot to extend the leg and then 1/4 twist to each lock (top to bottom or bottom to top, doesn't matter) to lock them in place. To fully collapse the leg I usually start at the top (again doesn't matter) and 1/4 twist to unlock each working to the end of the leg. I grab the foot and collapse the leg and then grab and lock all three locks with a single 1/4 twist.

I hope this clarifies why so many of us really like the new Gitzo twist locks. Fortunately these features seem to be showing up in many other manufatures' twist locks as well.

Smiert Spionam wrote:
I can't say about the warranty, never having had to use it (itself a good thing, in my book). There are very few companies that have an ironclad "return it if it breaks for any reason" policy -- the only ones I can think of are small custom shops. RRS is probably the closest to that in this forum, though they've probably got exceptions, too. Mostly, I see a lifetime guarantee as a gesture of the manufacturer's own confidence in the product.

I'm certainly more confident of Gitzo's support than Benro's, in any case. To compare the two is nearly absurd.

The other factor here is the availability of spare parts for the times when you break something and it is your own fault. Gitzo parts may be expensive, but at least I know how to get them.

Dpic, if you know this thing is going to do significant time in the water, there's a lot to be said for having a tough less-expensive tripod on hand. Even if you end up with another nicer one down the line, that sounds like a good job for a 055-series Manfrotto.

I think Think Tanks also similarly stands behind their products. Also in the luggage arena (not photo specific) Briggs & Riley stands behinds their products with full (except for regular wear, which) lifeteim warranty, which means if it gets banged up when checked, they'll fix it.

Sandisk has a Limited lifetime warranty on their cards, and I consider them to be the best. Thanks Lars and plubbry, for the info about twist locks.

How does this look? Does anyone have this tripod?