MrGreen
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 p.2 #15 · Review: Feisol CT-3442 tripod, Photoclam PC-40NS ballhead | |
kevdav wrote:
Great Review MrGreen, your review is a great help for people like me who are trying to buy a tripod set but aren't sure what to buy.
after reading your reivew I am almost certain that I would buy the same set up that you have, but was wonding if you have had any sort of issues with your tripod and the head over this period of time. also what do you think about the Induro CT214 is it worth considering.
thanks
Glad you liked my review. I wrote it from the point of view of someone just like you because I too was in your boat once.
First off, let me just start with I have been very happy with my tripod thus far and I do not for one second regret buying it. The tripod has worked very well for me and has afforded me many opportunities for photo taking that my old one never would have allowed for. It's great.
That said, yes I have had an issue with it. I had one of the upper leg locks completely become unglued from the carbon fiber tube. Sounds pretty bad, but really it's not. This happened about 6 months or so into owning it, so it was still well under warranty and "fairly new." I could post the pictures I took of it, but honestly it really wasn't a big deal. Nothing to freak out about either way.
I contacted the store I bought it from and was given the option to send it back for repair free of charge, or they'd give me instructions on how to repair it myself so that I could keep using it and not have any down time. I opted for the latter because I use my tripod A LOT! Hey, that's what I bought it for after all. Fixing it was pretty damn easy actually. All that was required was assembling the shims in a certain order and then super gluing the main threaded lock piece back onto the tube, wait overnight for it to cure and it was ready to go again.
Other than that I've had no issues with my tripod and would still buy another Feisol. Stuff happens and nothing is perfect as you know. I've read about the fabled Gitzos failing and needing to be repaired too. I believe this was a rare, or uncommon case at the least as I haven't heard of this happening much at all.
As for Induro I disregarded them when I was looking around for my tripod because they offered nothing in their product line that met the specifications that "I" needed. I'm sure they're a good company as many people use them, but I myself have no experience with them. All I know is the Feisol worked out to be perfect for me. Size, weight and the price were exactly what I wanted.
Cableaddict wrote:
Excellent review, and I'm glad to see all the good points, as I'm about to get a 3472LV.
I was slightly concerned about leg rotation, but no so any more. Plus the 3472 has much larger diameter legs, so they should twist even less, due to more surface area.
The only thing I don't like about the PC heads is where they put the level. Being on the side, it makes the larger level work for fore-aft leveling, when horizontal is really more important. That's rather picky, but why didn't they put the level on the front?
Well, Thanks.
As for issues with my ball head - NONE. The Photo Clam has been astoundingly solid and flawless. I think any hesitation on people's part because they're "new and untested" should be completely disregarded now. They've been around for many years now and many people have used them to the extent where they can vehemently say they are awesome.
I've used two PC heads now (you can search for both reviews) and I really, really, REALLY like these heads.
I don't abuse mine by any means, but I most certainly do not baby it. I take it hiking all the time, it gets dirty A LOT, wet A LOT, and pretty much anything else A LOT! I've never cleaned it and thus far after heavy use it's still smooth as butter, locks tight and solid, and works like it did when I first bought it.
Photo Clam heads are AWESOME. There I said it. 
Oh ya, about the level I would agree. It's not in the best spot, but it is useful. I've used mine a couple times, but for the most part I never level off the head because I shoot at very wide focal lengths and point the camera in odd directions.
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