Oh, I thought ALR was something else, to do with the angle locks.
Momentary brain lapse.
The lack of ALR in the biggest Feisols has been shown to be meaningless, as the legs dont' rotate, anyway. There is too much friction. This has been reported by many users, and confirmed by Kerry.
Also, according to Feisol's marketing blurb (take that for what it is) they purposely chose not to incorporate this as it would have forced them to make the walls thinner. Considering how much they improved other features, this could actually be true.
Yes, but the CT-3442 starts at "only" 28mm, and with 4 sections, the bottom section is quite thin. There isn't nearly the same friction as with the 3372.
Even the 3472 (4 section) is significantly beefier than yours: It starts at 37mm, and ENDS at 28mm.
The 3442 is also an older design, using a different type of CF, which may be slicker. Several owners of the 3372 and 3472's have reported here specifically that their legs don't rotate under normal use, and Kerry (@ Really Big Cameras) says the same thing.
Cableaddict wrote:
Yes, but the CT-3442 starts at "only" 28mm, and with 4 sections, the bottom section is quite thin. There isn't nearly the same friction as with the 3372.
Even the 3472 (4 section) is significantly beefier than yours: It starts at 37mm, and ENDS at 28mm.
The 3442 is also an older design, using a different type of CF, which may be slicker. Several owners of the 3372 and 3472's have reported here specifically that their legs don't rotate under normal use, and Kerry (@ Really Big Cameras) says the same thing.
Maybe they're all lying, I dunno, but I doubt it....Show more →
That may be, just wanted to clarify about this specific model since that's what this thread is about. However, I don't find it to be that significant of an issue and I'm still undecided but I'm leaning towards keeping the Feisol and returning the Gitzo I also purchased to compare it to.
Well, the clear finish on the 3442 legs is smooth so that doesn't help with the rotation issue either.
Most of the time the legs don't bother me, but every now and then I'll get one stubborn leg or two that just wants to spin and spin and not unlock either. I have to hold the leg and the lock REALLY FREAKING tight to get it to move.
I suspect it was locked that tight from temperature changes since I never crank on them that much.
Don't think for one second I don't like my tripod though. I use it almost every single day, and compared to my friend's Manfrotto 190XPROB it weighs SIGNIFICANTLY less while being bigger too.
MrGreen wrote:
Well, the clear finish on the 3442 legs is smooth so that doesn't help with the rotation issue either.
Most of the time the legs don't bother me, but every now and then I'll get one stubborn leg or two that just wants to spin and spin and not unlock either. I have to hold the leg and the lock REALLY FREAKING tight to get it to move.
I suspect it was locked that tight from temperature changes since I never crank on them that much.
Don't think for one second I don't like my tripod though. I use it almost every single day, and compared to my friend's Manfrotto 190XPROB it weighs SIGNIFICANTLY less while being bigger too....Show more →
I noticed the issue with the twist locks. That's really the only issue I've had with the Feisol; I have some concern about that problem worsening later on down the road. After a few years use I ran into issues with my Giottos' twist lock legs becoming a real PITA, which is what caused me to look for a new tripod recently.
tkr2099 wrote:
I noticed the issue with the twist locks. That's really the only issue I've had with the Feisol; I have some concern about that problem worsening later on down the road. After a few years use I ran into issues with my Giottos' twist lock legs becoming a real PITA, which is what caused me to look for a new tripod recently.
Yes, looking at it long term wise I'm worried that the twisting might wreck the legs. I've already noticed some significant scoring in the clear finish because of the twisting, and eventually I would guess that it would go through to the carbon fiber itself, thus letting water and crap contaminate the CF and break.
That makes the assumption that water breaks down CF. The CF is actually CF encased in plastic polymer, and I can't see any reason that water would weaken plastic to any significant degree.
In my opinion, the convenience and security you get with Gitzo's ALR and g-locks more than justify the additional cost. In 10 years from now, I will still be enjoying the leg locks and convenience.
MCLMM wrote:
That makes the assumption that water breaks down CF. The CF is actually CF encased in plastic polymer, and I can't see any reason that water would weaken plastic to any significant degree.
MrGreen wrote:
I've already noticed some significant scoring in the clear finish because of the twisting, and eventually I would guess that it would go through to the carbon fiber itself, thus letting water and crap contaminate the CF and break.
"Significant scoring" of CF is something to be concerned about. It's not about contamination, but strength. If the twist locks are scoring the surface of the legs then the substrate(CF)/matrix(resin) can eventually be compromised.
I just checked the CM-1471 Monopod I've had for 7 months and used pretty regularly... no scoring at all of the legs from the twist locks. Nor would I tolerate any.
Could you post close-up image(s) of the "scoring" you're seeing?
Are we maybe discussing longitudinal scratches, as opposed to circumferential scoring? The former would of course be of little consequence, and they're going to show up eventually on every tripod getting lots of outdoor use. Keep your legs clean and your locks well-maintained.
Thanks for the review I am really interested in the Ballhead. I just bought the Manfrotto 498rc2 the 488 replacement and I hate it. You have hardly any free moment from side to side with their new design. I plan on returning it for a refund so I just may look into this photoclam. I do have a new Manfrotto 055 aluminum that is a pretty good tripod but I sure like this one you reviewed
I am wondering if the head is made by the same people who make the Feisol ballheads? If so I wonder how well they will last because I have heard the Feisol ballheads aren't all that great?
