Feisol CT-3342 opinions?

PH[O]TOPH[O]TO Registered Users Posts: 29 Big grins
edited June 19, 2008 in Accessories
Can't afford Gitzo, this will be a gift. I've narrowed it down to the Manfrotto 055XPROB (formerly 3021PROB) or Feisol CT-3342 tripods. Anyone have any opinions? Feisol seems to be almost as good as Gitzo CF pods but much cheaper. Ballhead will be a Markins M10, heaviest setup is Canon 5D (or maybe 1DMKIII) and 70-200 2.8 IS. Thoughts?

Comments

  • joglejogle Registered Users Posts: 422 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2008
    I have one of their small ones from a couple of years ago, it's not listed on their site any more. It's suited me really well, the quality is excellent for the price. The Carbon Fiber legs are stiff and fit very snugly together. I travel with it a lot and it has been on about 50 flights in a soft bag with out any problems.

    I also use Gitzo's at work and the only difference I can see is the non rotating leg sections and the leg twist locks that are better on the Gitzo. Although Feisol have upgraded the leg locks since I got mine. Gitzo isn't worth the 3x price difference when I'm spending my own money.

    I'd recommend it over the Manfrotto. I've also got a couple of larger Manfrotto tripods and they aren't as well machined and tend to work themselves loose over time.
    jamesOgle photography
    [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." -A.Adams[/FONT]
  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2008
    My brother has the 3402:

    http://www.feisol.net/feisol-foursection-tripod-ct3402-with-tripod-p-27.html

    He put a Arca Swiss ballhead on it, and uses it for his D300, and lens as long as the 70-200 (and the sigma 50-500). It is a great tripod. Well built, the machined metal parts are very sturdy, overbuilt in my opinion. The legs feature twist tighting, but they seem to hold with no issues that I can tell. Not as fast a flip locks, but also lighter.

    The best thing about the tripod is that it folds to about 19", so perfect for packing. However, it is a bit short at full height, and I am only 5' 6". (this without column).

    In any case, I was very impressed with Feisol, and will get one of these myself.

    Note that they now have a US distributor, so you can order from US and ship from US: www.feisol.net
    Photos
  • joglejogle Registered Users Posts: 422 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2008
    heheh, you find it small being 5'6"!!! I'm 6'2" and find I either get out my right angle finder or get on my knees rolleyes1.gif It's because of this I'm thinking of replacing my big heavy tripod that lives in the boot of my car with the largest Feisol

    I've also got one of their ballheads, it's just as nicely made.
    jamesOgle photography
    [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." -A.Adams[/FONT]
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