Camera Labs

carbon fiber costs more but is the extra 100 USD worth the few pounds?

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Canon 40D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto 055CX3 + 496RC2
www.thomaslowe.com

I guess the best answer to that is a question. How much and how far are you going to carry the tripod? The carbon fiber stands cuts a lot of weight out of the tripod. It makes them much more comfortable to walk around with. If you aren't planning on doing a lot of carrying, then I think you would be safe with a regular stand. Or you could get an assistant, and they could lug all your gear around. Heh.

haha i'm the assistant for someone else and he has a few carbon fiber tripods i havent carried one... yet. i think i will go for a Carbon fiber because i do alot of hiking with my current tripod and it is a cool factor people see you with a carbon fiber tripod and they think to them selves "wow he must be really good"

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Canon 40D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto 055CX3 + 496RC2
www.thomaslowe.com

... i've read that caron fibre in tripods reduce vibrations more than any other material... so it might be worth your time to do some more research into this.

I've considered carbon-fibre too as I do end up carrying my tripod a lot but I would expect the lighter legs to be less stable on windy days than a regular aluminium one. I guess you need to weigh up the options.

Zorro

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

lol

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Canon 40D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto 055CX3 + 496RC2
www.thomaslowe.com

Check out Basalt Tripods too - Giottos and Gitzo make them and in their price range they are pretty nice. For example, A nice gitzo basalt tripod costs about 350 - the CF model costs like 600+!!! So you can get one of the top names with quality that will really last, and if it doesn't theres lifetime warranty - its not quite as lightweight as CF but definately lighter than Aluminum.

I've been planning my tripod purchase for a while now, and I'm going to get the Gitzo Reporter Basalt Model with 4 tripod leg sections and an acratech ballhead - really good quality, supports a little over 20 lbs. versatile, lightweight - I can't find any faults with the combo!

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NO CAMERA RIGHT NOW
but I have a good tripod?
Support: Feisol 3402n with Kirk Bh-3
http://picasaweb.google.com/davemortimer

i think i've narrowed my selection down to Bogen 190XPROB (non carbon fiber) with the 484RC2 Mini Ballhead the because its inexpensive and versatile. the reason i'm not buying carbon fiber is the CF model is 100 USD more and it only weighs like a pound less(than non CF).

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Canon 40D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto 055CX3 + 496RC2
www.thomaslowe.com

I actually just bought my tripod and I didn't get what I mentioned above. I went with a Feisol 3402n and the Kirk Bh-3...

Its a really great combo and the quality of the feisol is excellent. Its not quite as nice as a gitzo but we are talking literally $200-400 less depending on the models that you compare and the quality feels much better than benro, giottos, or induro....

Carbon Fiber is nice..... And with Feisol, it isn't too pricey.

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NO CAMERA RIGHT NOW
but I have a good tripod?
Support: Feisol 3402n with Kirk Bh-3
http://picasaweb.google.com/davemortimer