want a new 'travel ' tripod

[RobDickinson]

Posted elsewhere easier to copy and paste on phone.

I currently have a Manfrotto 190xprob with a markins Q3T head.

Looking for something much lighter for legs.

Stats on the 190xprob:
58cm folded
1220 high
1440 center column
1.8kgs

I want to beat all these. I want a tripod that weighs much less, that doesnt need a centre column to get to my eye level and one that is stronger also. My eye level is around 1350 (when you add on head/camera etc). Folded size isnt a killer but more compact wouldnt be frowned on.. It will be packed into remote areas, I dont mind if its tricky to carry on planes.

Budget is flexible, I'd rather not spend $800-1000USD on a RRS (TVC-23?) or Gitzo if I can avoid it.

Top of the list at the moment is a Feisol CT-3442, with no centre column. 138cm height, 4 section at 48cm folded, reverse foldable (as I expect all of them to do) solid construction and a total of 1.05kgs. All this for $399 USD

I've looked around at a bunch of alternatives , many are smaller or possibly lighter but I have doubts for all of them so far that they can not only hold the camera off the floor but deal with long exposure night photography in less than ideal situations etc.


One issue I have with the feisol is that the legs dont 'lock' so you cant carry it round by holding one leg. I can solve that with a velcro strap if needed?

[PJ S]

RobDickinson said:

Stats on the 190xprob:
58cm folded
1220 high
1440 center column
1.8kgs

I want to beat all these. I want a tripod that weighs much less, that doesnt need a centre column to get to my eye level and one that is stronger also. My eye level is around 1350 (when you add on head/camera etc). Folded size isnt a killer but more compact wouldnt be frowned on.. It will be packed into remote areas, I dont mind if its tricky to carry on planes.

Top of the list at the moment is a Feisol CT-3442, with no centre column. 138cm height, 4 section at 48cm folded, reverse foldable (as I expect all of them to do) solid construction and a total of 1.05kgs. All this for $399 USD

Er.....which Feisol CT-3442 have you been looking at?
It's 1.13kg and 141cm extended, w/o centre column, and at 28mm diameter it most certainly isn't the largest cross-section available.

Anyway...... http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004E70VLI
http://www.redged.com/archive/TSC-428.pdf
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370903868349 postage might be a deal breaker, unless you'll be in the US

There's the new replacement model with 8-cores http://www.redgedstore.com/tsc-427?sort=rating&amp...
http://www.outdoorsphotography.co.uk/redged-tsc-42...

Also check out the Horusbennu ones I've linked in here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Killwilly]

I am aware that you live in Australia, Rob. Not quite sure if Redsnapper are available there, but they are quite popular here in the UK and might be worth a look.


http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RS-...

[RobDickinson]

PJ S said:

Er.....which Feisol CT-3442 have you been looking at?
It's 1.13kg and 141cm extended, w/o centre column, and at 28mm diameter it most certainly isn't the largest cross-section available.\

http://www.feisol.com/0823tripodsdetails-5.html

[Simpo Two]

Killwilly said:

I am aware that you live in Australia

Rob is our friendly Kiwi, as you'll see on his profile...

(and also means he's banned from landscape competitions due to unfair advantage!)

[RobDickinson]

And as such I'm well experienced in shopping anywhere but NZ...

[bunyarra]

I had a Feisol travel tripod but stability was not good.

Bought a second one from http://www.3leggedthing.com/ : very well made, light and good service.

[RobDickinson]

bunyarra said:

I had a Feisol travel tripod but stability was not good.

Bought a second one from http://www.3leggedthing.com/ : very well made, light and good service.

Which feisol? Friend has an aly three legged thing and its nice but not sure how solid it is

[PJ S]

RobDickinson said:

http://www.feisol.com/0823tripodsdetails-5.html

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-tournament-tripod-ct3... - which is the US site, and the same for the European one as well.
Lack of harmony doesn't bode well for knowing which is correct.

[PJ S]

As per my first reply, check out the Horusbennu FX8349TT and C-3540V.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

[RobDickinson]

That first review of the fx is not selling me at all. Generic. rebranded Chinese tripod with poor damping and a loose center column?

[RobDickinson]

Dont think I want a center column at all if I can avoid it. Will check out the other brand

[RobDickinson]

Hmm RedGed is only 27mm and heavier

[PJ S]

RobDickinson said:

Hmm RedGed is only 27mm and heavier

Redged is 27mm but 8-core vs Feisol's 28mm standard 6-core.
It seems to tick the boxes you've assigned to this exercise, but for me, I'd be more inclined to look at the new 427 Reged.
They should be coming out with their new versions of the ones in the Amazon link, by the end of the year – which may be too late depending on how soon you must have a new tripod, even though the 'froto still works.

As for centre column – necessary feature to set the camera's viewfinder at eye level when stood upright.

The offputting first link review was 2011 – we don't know what improvements Horusbennu may have carried out since for the ones sold currently, in light of that or any other feedback received or random QC tests.
I gave them as a comparison, when you look at the leg diameters and cores number, for the price delivered to your door.

Edited by PJ S on Tuesday 8th October 23:13

[RobDickinson]

CHeers PJ, shame I cant get to see many of these. Gitzo, giottos manfrotto yeah..

[PJ S]

Yep, having to buy in blind faith can be a tricky aspect – but I honestly don't think you'll have any issue, and you could work it to your advantage with the manufacturers.