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Carbon Fibre Tripods – opinions/advice/feedback please
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I have a good and reliable Manfrotto 55 with a three-way (pan & tilt) 141 head. Had it for ages and have recently upgraded the head to a 488. The tripod weighs about 2.5Kg and I am thinking of investing in a carbon fibre one (about 1.2 to 1.6 Kg) – getting older and still trying to walk as far as a young ‘un!
I was wondering if anybody has any experience of carbon fibre tripods or any relevant advice – brand, stability, value-for-money, strength, etc.
I would consider the Manfrotto 190MF4 (1.6Kg, 131cm max height, 46cm folded) – can get for £190. I have also been looking at a Triopo G1128 – never heard of the brand (1.2Kg, 141cm max height, 46cm folded) – about £120.
All comments/thoughts/advice gratefully received.
Regards,
BrianHave a look on ebay for Benro carbon fibre tripods, made in China but a complete rip off of more expensive brands with superb quality for the price. I got one about two years ago and love it, I would prefer clamp locks rather than twists but that’s nit-picking. They even had some pics on one of the forums of a large chinese guy swinging out of one at a trade show!
This is the one I got but you’ll get it cheaper again on ebay:
I have the Benro C228, too. I bought it a year ago and I abuse it since… it is made very well. The only thing that I regret that I got one with a centre column, which can be very annoying when you want to get very low on the ground. The locking system works very well for me and it is much harder to break it than the clamps on a Manfrotto. It is not the shortest on the market, about 60cm, but it’s very light compared to the weight it can hold. Oh, and if you fully extend it, it’s much higher than the Manfrotto at 1.6m.
I’ve the Manfrotto 055 MF. I love it. Rock solid with a 40D and 100-400L on it. The pan and tilt head I have is heavier than the legs.
Awaiting delivery of Benro C169 – very light, 5-piece folds down to about a foot – just what I want for long walks and packing into suitcases for holidays. Willl give an update when it arrives.
Hi All,
I have a Manfrotto 055 tripod with 141 head, excellent but a heavy combination.
Does anyone know please if the Benro C228 Carbon Fibre is suitable for low to
ground use without having to invert centre column? If not what is?
Also are there Benro lightweight heads available capable of taking a reasonable amount of weight?
Where is a reputable place to get a Benro at good value?Thanks,
DominicHi Dominic
Yes, the 055 with the 141 is a heavy combination – but sometimes that is a good thing! I have a Benro C169 – it is a seriously light and compact tripod. I use it for travelling (it fits in a small suitcase) and for walking (put it into a rucsac),
It is light and needs some additional support in strong winds – the centre column has a hook for hanging a weighted bag. I still keep my Manfrotto 055 for shorter walks but hope to use the Benro more in the summer.
It is basically a copy of a more expensive make and is very well made. I looked at the larger ones in a store in Abu Dhabi and they seemed very impressive. Didn’t invert the centre column or anything like that. The heads looked just like the (Italian?) brand they are copies of.
They were also considerably cheaper in Abu Dhabi (Grand Store Abu Dhabi Mall, Tel: 971 2 6817817) than from HK.
Dominic, I have a FEisol Tournament tripod and find it superb. They’re a bit more expensive than the Benros, but I was put off the latter a wee bit by what seems to be a Russian roulette situation re what you get from the Ebay retailers quality wise, though glad to hear yours has worked out well Brian. I’m very happy with it, and it does go low (I don’t have the center column – it’s tall enough 99% of the time without it).
John
Yes, John. I looked at the Fiesol as well. It looks like a great tripod. I went for the Benro because it had the smallest folded length (35.5cm) with a useable full height (146cm) that I could find. Remember, I have the Manfrotto 055, so I wanted something to take travelling and, importantly, walking/hiking.
I see it is now available for £175 delivered from HK.
I also changed from the 141C head. A great head but awkward for carrying around. I got a Manfrotto ball head. The 486RC2 is a bit heavy but a great bit of kit.
I also looked at the Triopo – great value for money. Went for the slightly smaller Benro.
BM wrote:
I also looked at the Triopo – great value for money. Went for the slightly smaller Benro.
Hmmm… Hadn’t come across those in my searches for some reason. How much more like a Gitzo can they make it look! I’ve also seen ads recently for Kood CF tripods. No idea what they’re like to use, though they seem to be around the £170 mark after a quick google, which isn’t too bad for cf
Thanks John and Brian for the replies. More information to work with!!!
Thanks again,
DominicHi John,
Did you get the Feisol Tournament tripod from the US, or is it available closer to home???
Also what head did you put on it and is it light?
What weight will it hold?Thanks in advance,
Dominic
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