Tripod Upgrade | Aluminum v. Carbon Fiber

travischance · November 30, 2009

I'm in the market for a "more stable" tripod than my Manfrotto 725B. I've considered both aluminum and carbon fiber and taken into consideration what my current needs are vs. my future needs (will be adding 300 2.8L at some point).

Ideally, I'd prefer carbon fiber but realize that there are significant costs associated. I've explored the popular brands (Manfrotto, Gitzo, Flashpoint, Giottos, Induro, Really Right Stuff, Vanguard Alta & Benro). I'm obviously flexible but there are a few "must haves"

height no less than 68" (hate bending over to focus and frame)
max load no less than 25 lbs
fairly small folded length (easily packed in luggage)
weight no more than 5 lbs

With all that said, I came across the Benro Travel Angel TRAB269 (http://www.benro.com/products_details_TRAB269#3) and it seems to be a good mix of what I'm hunting for. I've read that Benro is mirrored off the Gitzo system without the cost. Unfortunately, I haven't found any significant reviews on the web. Any Benro users????

I'd like to spend an appropriate amount - but a maximum of $400 or less(ballhead included). Most importantly, I'd prefer not upgrading for a while. Feeback and/or suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Art Scott · November 30, 2009

I use a 4 section AL. Giottos (MT9180) tripod.....and really like it for its versatility
Here is a Carbon Fiber that shows how versitle the Giottos tripods are ...................as with Benro....they are built off the Gitzo design, I think..................

lightyear · December 2, 2009

Tripods
There have been numerous articles addressing your questions,and the answers are somewhat dependent on whether you will be shooting in a studio, taking the equipment in a vehicle to the site, or carrying the equipment (tripod)on your back or in luggage. Your equipment (camera, lens, strobe, etc.) weight and type influences the answer as well.

Briefly, lack of image motion depends on a solid base for the camera(ballhead or similar), shutter speed, and the tripod's ridgidty. Heavier cameras or longer lenses need better stabilization. Heavier mass used to mean more stablity, but the newer carbon fiber tripods do very well in spite of less mass. Some are better than others, and more than three leg segments diminishes srtability, other factors being unchanged. CF tripods transmit less vibration, due to the material utilized.

I have personally found it impossible to buy a tripod on-line, and drive to thenearest dealer stocking the products you MIGHT buy, bringing my camera-lens combo with me to test on the tripod. The leg locks (twist, flip, etc.) might make a difference .

Good luck.

Stan

Stan

Scott_Quier · December 3, 2009

There are two reviews on DGrin (here and here) that might give you another place to continue your research. These are CF tripods, but at a cost lower than some of the more well-known brand names. I've had mine for the better part of a year and am finding it to be a dream to both work with and to travel with. Mine has taken a trip (via check baggage) to AK and it was not a problem to pack. I have had comments that mine is large enough to be classified as leathal weapon, but I intentionally bought it large. Feisol makes tripods of all sorts sizes and configurations. Well worth taking a look.

travischance · December 3, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

quote]

Thanks Scott & Lightyear. I explored Giottos, Fiesol, Benro & Induro legs. Most forums, blogs and review sites listed the more popular brands like Gitzo & Manfrotto but I really wanted CF legs that were "better than middle of the road". Benro seemed to have everything that suited my needs plus a few more. Although there weren't significant reviews on the Benro system, I found more positive than negative ones. Apparently they are very similar to the popular Gitzo series without the extra costs. A few others stated that they owned Gitzo as their primary but used the Benro as a lightweight/travel tripod and were very happy.

All-in-all, I settled on the Benro C-258M8 CF tripod for $325. It holds 26.4 pounds, stands 61 inches w/o the head, folds to 21 inches, 3-stop independent leg spread, 4 sections and has anti-dust and weather seal around the leg locks. http://benro.com/products_details_C-258M8.html#features

I have a somewhat limited budget and unfortunately the better heads were out of my price range (Markins, Acratech, RRS, Kirk) so again I settled on the Benro B-2. http://benro.com/products_details_B-2.html#3

I'm a little leery about the head...a few years from now, I'll upgrade to a better head. Thanks again!!!

Scott_Quier · December 3, 2009

uncletrav wrote:

Scott_Quier wrote:

quote]
All-in-all, I settled on the Benro C-258M8 CF tripod for $325. It holds 26.4 pounds, stands 61 inches w/o the head, folds to 21 inches, 3-stop independent leg spread, 4 sections and has anti-dust and weather seal around the leg locks. http://benro.com/products_details_C-258M8.html#features

I have a somewhat limited budget and unfortunately the better heads were out of my price range (Markins, Acratech, RRS, Kirk) so again I settled on the Benro B-2. http://benro.com/products_details_B-2.html#3

I'm a little leery about the head...a few years from now, I'll upgrade to a better head. Thanks again!!!

I've seen/held just one example of that ballhead (eoren1 had rented it and brought it to the '09 Shootout) and I was not greatly impressed. I hope that the one I held was not a good, representitive sample of the the B-2 product.

As for the tripod - how's that working for you? It sure looks nice in the page you indicated.

puzzledpaul · December 3, 2009

Have no experience myself with Benro gear, but remembered attached page when reading this thread...

pp

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

travischance · December 3, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

uncletrav wrote:

I've seen/held just one example of that ballhead (eoren1 had rented it and brought it to the '09 Shootout) and I was not greatly impressed. I hope that the one I held was not a good, representitive sample of the the B-2 product.

As for the tripod - how's that working for you? It sure looks nice in the page you indicated.

I purchased both last night & haven't rec'd either. Thank God for return policies if turns out to be "junk"!!! We'll see - I'll repost once I recieve both.

travischance · December 3, 2009

puzzledpaul wrote:

Have no experience myself with Benro gear, but remembered attached page when reading this thread...

pp

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

I saw this same link as well PuzzledPaul. However, I found it from a link in a forum from Photo.net from '97. I'm pretty sure that Benro has made significant changes since then. If it turns out to be "junk", I'll certainly return it. Thank God for AMEX's policy when returning products.

puzzledpaul · December 3, 2009

<< I found it from a link in a forum from Photo.net from '97. >>

Hmmm ...interesting as Tom Webster has 2007 on the pics and also refers to a letter received from Benro, dated in this year too.

I don't know TW personally, btw - other than being a member of a macro site that he set up some time ago, then decided to take up photography full-time a few (couple?) of yrs ago.

I came upon this review shortly afterwards when checking his gallery / seeing how he was doing ...

Anyway, I hope this is all irrelevant and what you've ordered is fine ... me - I use ancient, very cosmetically challenged, series 5 ali Gitzo gear bought used off fleabay ...

Hope all goes well

pp

travischance · December 3, 2009

puzzledpaul wrote:

<< I found it from a link in a forum from Photo.net from '97. >>

Hmmm ...interesting as Tom Webster has 2007 on the pics and also refers to a letter received from Benro, dated in this year too.

I don't know TW personally, btw - other than being a member of a macro site that he set up some time ago, then decided to take up photography full-time a few (couple?) of yrs ago.

I came upon this review shortly afterwards when checking his gallery / seeing how he was doing ...

Anyway, I hope this is all irrelevant and what you've ordered is fine ... me - I use ancient, very cosmetically challenged, series 5 ali Gitzo gear bought used off fleabay ...

Hope all goes well

pp

Sorry - I meant '07 not '97. You stand correct! Fleabay! Love it - <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/Laughing.gif" border="0" alt="" >

travischance · December 4, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

uncletrav wrote:

I've seen/held just one example of that ballhead (eoren1 had rented it and brought it to the '09 Shootout) and I was not greatly impressed. I hope that the one I held was not a good, representitive sample of the the B-2 product.

As for the tripod - how's that working for you? It sure looks nice in the page you indicated.

Scott:

Thank You for this post. I was able to cancel the order on the Benro ballhead and broke down and purchased the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. Seemed to get great reviews and didn't break the bank that much more.

travischance · May 11, 2010

Paul JA Hennis wrote: »

Travis,
Are you happy with your tripod? Have there been any problems? I just ordered the C-257M8 and am awaiting delivery.
Paul

Paul:

I'm very happy with my tripod. To date, I haven't had any major issues with it (as I use it daily). The only pet peeve I have is that one of the legs continues to become loose more than the other two requiring me to tighten it with an Allen wrench every 5 days or so. Outside of that, I've experienced zero issues & am very happy. It's very lightweight & compact. It's been on two flights where it was packed in my checked luggage (I use Nike bubble kneepads when I'm shooting & wrap them around the tripod when checked in luggage).

Tripod Upgrade | Aluminum v. Carbon Fiber

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