I'm looking for a decent tripod / ballhead setup and could really use some advice. I have searched through the forum and read various articles on the importance of a solid support system (Thom Hogan's Serious Support being the most recent) but am having a hard time deciding what system is right for me.
I am primarily a landscape / travel photographer that very much enjoys hiking into remote places so weight is an issue. Most of the time I will be shooting with a 5D MK II (D800 possibly) and a couple of wider prime lenses. The biggest lens I would ever use on this system would be a 70-200 F/2.8 (or maybe the F/4 variant). I currently don't own these lenses but I would like the support system to be able to handle them in the future. I also enjoy making high resolution stitched panoramics so a ballhead that would make this easier would be nice.
Is there any possibility of me finding such a system for around $500 US or do I have to increase my budget? I prefer to buy things used so that should help a little but I'm pretty new to this stuff and really don't know if I'm in the right ballpark when it comes to price. I know I could easily spend $1000 or more on a good setup but thats really stretching the budget. That said, I do not want to cheap out and would prefer to buy the right setup the first time if I can justify the cost.
ok you read the Thom Hogan stuff and you are getting the idea that a tripod is of major league importance especially in landscape, close up, and other things especially with high res cameras too. a good tripod is a universal thing and goes with any brand camera. so if you choose well you choose for the most part once or twice to cover your travel need too. tripods are tools of composition not accessories. thus you have a few decisions to make as to how much are you willing to compromise.
First you can probably discount any advice I offer as I'm on my fourth tripod and third ball head in just over five years.
Weight was a problem for me too with the 5DII, but I was also saddled with the TSE24, which is one heavy lens.
I finally gave up and resorted to carbon fibre, but this put me in the $600 range (CAD) for a tripod that was on sale - may have someething to do with the fact it's a Gitzo.
I would look into the Oben Tripods at BH. They are sold exclusively there and I am about to order one of the leg & head kits for my upcoming trips. Carbon Fiber with head run from $350-500.
From Glenn NK's post above in the link he provded...
Consider the FEISOL Classic Tripod CT-3301 Rapid. It is carbon fibre, extends to 54.7 inches, weighs in at a whopping 2.59 lbs, can take a center column for more height, and will support 19.8 lbs for $279 Yes, I have this one!!!
Wobble wrote:
From Glenn NK's post above in the link he provded...
Consider the FEISOL Classic Tripod CT-3301 Rapid. It is carbon fibre, extends to 54.7 inches, weighs in at a whopping 2.59 lbs, can take a center column for more height, and will support 19.8 lbs for $279 Yes, I have this one!!!
I was in the market for a compact, lightweight,and sturdy tripod so I recently purchased a Feisol CT-3442 with the center column. I am very pleased with it so far. One thing to consider with Feisol. They can be purchased with or without anti rotation locks on the legs. I thought it was worth the extra money. I purchased mine from Really Big Cameras and the service was great.
After all of the talk of Feisol, I started to look into them. Wow they have some great prices for their carbon fiber tripods. I was looking at the Oben tripods on BH but now I am thinking about getting the CT-3401. Folds up to 18 inches which is great for when I travel. What would be a decent priced head to go with this one?
PSBaxter wrote:
I was in the market for a compact, lightweight,and sturdy tripod so I recently purchased a Feisol CT-3442 with the center column. I am very pleased with it so far. One thing to consider with Feisol. They can be purchased with or without anti rotation locks on the legs. I thought it was worth the extra money. I purchased mine from Really Big Cameras and the service was great.
Paul Baxter
What did you buy the tripod from Really Big Cameras instead of directly from Feisol?
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I have started to look into Feisol and the prices seem very reasonable considering the specs. Most of the people that have them seem to really like them. Anybody have a bad experience with a Feisol product?
I am considering the 3301 and the 3401. A couple of questions on these:
--> How much more stable would the 3301 be than the 3401 (3 vs 4 section legs). I like lower folded length of the 3401 but I think i could deal with the 3301 if the increase in stability were apparent. I know Thom suggested that you try to go with a 3 leg section tripod if possible.
--> Are the RAL legs necessary? Could somebody that has tried both comment on this if possible?
I also did some research into the plethora of ball heads available and am thinking about the RRS BH-40 with lever release or the Acratech GP Ballhead. Both these are roughly the same price but i'm not sure which would be better. It seems like the BH-40 is better received by the community but I like the fact that the Acratech GP can act as a levelling base for doing panoramic work. I would simply need to purchase a nodal rail and then would be good to go (in the future). With the BH-40, I would need to switch clamps to the PCL-1 which isn't cheap. What do you guys think? I guess the Acratech Ultimate would also be an option for saving a little more money.
I guess the cheapest solution (buying new) would be the Feisol 3301/3401 without RAL (~$215) and then a Acratech Ultimate ($289). Adding the L-Bracket (~$140) and the total cost comes out to ~$650. Maybe I can find this stuff used and bring the cost back down to $500. The better setup (RAL legs and GP / BH-40 ballhead) would cost an extra $170, bringing the total to ~$820.
I'm pretty sure this would be a pretty decent setup. Thoughts?
Gahnix wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I have started to look into Feisol and the prices seem very reasonable considering the specs. Most of the people that have them seem to really like them. Anybody have a bad experience with a Feisol product?
I am considering the 3301 and the 3401. A couple of questions on these:
--> How much more stable would the 3301 be than the 3401 (3 vs 4 section legs). I like lower folded length of the 3401 but I think i could deal with the 3301 if the increase in stability were apparent. I know Thom suggested that you try to go with a 3 leg section tripod if possible.
--> Are the RAL legs necessary? Could somebody that has tried both comment on this if possible?
I also did some research into the plethora of ball heads available and am thinking about the RRS BH-40 with lever release or the Acratech GP Ballhead. Both these are roughly the same price but i'm not sure which would be better. It seems like the BH-40 is better received by the community but I like the fact that the Acratech GP can act as a levelling base for doing panoramic work. I would simply need to purchase a nodal rail and then would be good to go (in the future). With the BH-40, I would need to switch clamps to the PCL-1 which isn't cheap. What do you guys think? I guess the Acratech Ultimate would also be an option for saving a little more money.
I guess the cheapest solution (buying new) would be the Feisol 3301/3401 without RAL (~$215) and then a Acratech Ultimate ($289). Adding the L-Bracket (~$140) and the total cost comes out to ~$650. Maybe I can find this stuff used and bring the cost back down to $500. The better setup (RAL legs and GP / BH-40 ballhead) would cost an extra $170, bringing the total to ~$820.
I'm pretty sure this would be a pretty decent setup. Thoughts?...Show more →
Gahnix wrote:
Anybody have a bad experience with a Feisol product?
Sure, take a look at this. I could show you an equally disastrous Gitzo picture but that doesn't mean that Gitzo makes crap stuff either. It's likely that you get tighter QC and less product variation with higher-end brands like Gitzo and RRS but you can still get lemons too.
In general, tripods made by companies like Benro and Feisol can be stable and fit for purpose, whether they last as long as the top brands is not clear yet though. If you're interested in using the tripod for travel get a carbon fiber 4 leg-section type with the anti-rotation locks, they are really worth the extra money. I would not buy another tripod without this feature and both my current tripods have it.
I think many users would recommend the Markins Q3T ballhead for a traveler, but the Acratech seems to have the features you need. If you do settle on a tripod, take a look at how the tripod's folded legs handle the ballhead. Many travel tripods have legs that fold back over an extended center-column and with some ballheads it can make for an awkward package, that's why the Markins Q3T is so popular; it was designed specifically for travel tripods.
You can reduce your costs by buying directly from China. This is my travel tripod from a reputable dealer. Sell the B1 ballhead new for $80 and buy a Markins Q3T for $289 and you'd have a good setup costing $560. Benros are good for smaller people (I'm 5ft 8in) but if you're >=5ft 10in definitely focus on the Feisols.
Compact, sturdy, lightweight, inexpensive……pick two. Really want sturdy? It needs some heft. That's what keeps it from shaking. It's the price we pay for slow s/s's.
Makaveli6103 wrote:
What did you buy the tripod from Really Big Cameras instead of directly from Feisol?
When I started looking at the Feisol I read a few blog entries that referred to Really Big Cameras. I looked up there web sit, sent an email and Kerry Thamann actually called me back on a Saturday no less. His prices were the same a the feisol site and he offered free shipping. I was very pleased with the whole transaction.
Makaveli6103 wrote:
Which feisol would you recommend for travel? I am 6'1
I am 5' 11 1/2" and the CT-3442 with the center column kit is almost too tall for me - legs fully extended, center column collapsed with my BH-40 ball head.mounted. It is just right without the center column but I like having the column. The column adds about 2 1/2 inches.
PSBaxter wrote:
I am 5' 11 1/2" and the CT-3442 with the center column kit is almost too tall for me - legs fully extended, center column collapsed with my BH-40 ball head.mounted. It is just right without the center column but I like having the column. The column adds about 2 1/2 inches.
OK Great. I think the CT-3401 will be fine for me then.
