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Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum Tripod Legs
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Apr 16, 2016 15:49:31   #
LTCGuy Loc: Aurora, Colorado
 
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.

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Apr 16, 2016 16:47:11   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)

Vibration depends on your usage. Mount a 600mm lens to shoot wildlife and it is very significant. The purpose is to provide a stable platform. But shooting studio portraits with an 85mm lens at 1/200 or with a flash and it makes no difference because the tripod is merely providing an extra hand to hold the camera and free up the two hands that can do other things.

I've not decided about durability due to travel. But carbon fiber does not corrode due to salt water exposure. That means cleaning is easier.

If you work outside in cold temps carbon fiber is significantly nicer to deal with.

I do use an aluminum tripod at home. If I go out the door it will be with a carbon fiber from Gitzo.

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Apr 16, 2016 17:03:10   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
If you do a lot of car type shooting as many do, just get an old, very heavy alloy pod and save $1000.
If you need to pack it then the weight gets critical very quickly. ;-)
SS

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Apr 16, 2016 17:20:04   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
SharpShooter wrote:
If you do a lot of car type shooting as many do, just get an old, very heavy alloy pod and save $1000.
If you need to pack it then the weight gets critical very quickly. ;-)
SS

It still depends on how it is used. I'm old and too feeble to pack anything more than a few paces from a 4-wheel ATV. But the wind here averages about 12 MPH, and a lot of work is done with a 600mm lens. Not to mention that in the winter (working instead from a truck) it might be 30 or 40 degrees below zero. For those reasons I don't ever take an aluminum tripod out the door.

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Apr 16, 2016 19:08:49   #
lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.
 
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range, ... what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered? ...
Hey, LTCGuy, thanks for posting this topic!
lev29 👍🏻😎

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Apr 16, 2016 20:26:26   #
FJT Loc: Delaware
 
The best tripod is the one you have with you. If you'll carry the carbon fiber because it's lighter then that's the one you should get.

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Apr 16, 2016 21:56:28   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
I have a Carbon Fiber Sirui for travel. It is compat and fits in my carry on bag. At home I have a Gitzo that goes in the car with my equipment. I have made the switch for dampening and weight reduction. I have never had any issue with carbon fiber in all my travels. The other issue is cost and what your budget is. The siru I have is the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822143-REG/Sirui_BSRT2205_T_2205X_5_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
The great thing about that tripod is that it supports 24lbs and won't break the bank at $311
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)

Reply
 
 
Apr 16, 2016 21:58:20   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
Interesting Philosophy !
FJT wrote:
The best tripod is the one you have with you. If you'll carry the carbon fiber because it's lighter then that's the one you should get.

Reply
Apr 16, 2016 23:04:19   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)


I have both and don't know if there is a significant difference.

I am also a bass fisherman and fishers know carbon fiber in rods transmit vibration better than other materials.

So why is it less prone to vibration in pods. Who is being hyped; the fishers or the photographers?

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Apr 16, 2016 23:12:45   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
joer wrote:
I have both and don't know if there is a significant difference.

I am also a bass fisherman and fishers know carbon fiber in rods transmit vibration better than other materials.

So why is it less prone to vibration in pods. Who is being hyped; the fishers or the photographers?


You have used a bass rod made of aluminum?

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Apr 17, 2016 06:04:33   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)


I haven't used aluminum since I sold my old 16 lb Bogen 3051 (Manfrotto 058) and 3047 3 Way Pan/Tilt head. I sold it because it telegraphed all kinds of vibrations, particularly shutter shock, causing lots of blurred images.

I first replaced it with a Gitzo Series 3 Systematic - 3542 - but found it unstable with a 500mm lens, so it went back. I am not insinuating that Gitzos are not good tripods, but Gitzo's ratings are somewhat conservative, and they suggest that their Series 3 are best used with lenses of 300mm or less. In this case 500mm was a bit of a stretch.

I ended up getting the Feisol 3472 - which had thicker top tubes than the Gitzo (37mm vs 32mm) and was noticeably more stable. While not a stable as a Gitzo Series 5 with it's 41mm thick top tubes, it was half the weight, stable enough for my 500 and 600mm lenses, and half the price (at the time 9 yrs ago, it's even less than half the price of a new Series 5 these days). I have stood knee deep in salt water, carried it up mountains and used it in really dusty environments - and since they use no corrodible parts in the leg or leg locks, just a dunk in fresh clean water is all that is needed. After 9 yrs of fairly hard use, the blemishes are just cosmetic. The original finish on the first edition of my tripods was susceptible to superficial scratching - but it did not affect the function of the tripod at all. Current versions have a better finish.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Feisol - but I would pass on the CT3441 and get the CT3442 - more stable, lighter, around the same price $310 plus shipping) and an all-around better performer than the 3441. You don't need or want a center column.

Sirui has a comparable carbon tripod around the same price as the Feisol that is also worth a look. I would pass on aluminum in favor of lower weight and better vibration reduction in carbon tripods.

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Apr 17, 2016 06:46:48   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)


If you are not walking more than a mile to any of your destinations then weight can be thrown out as an option. And, my best advise is that you go to NYC and find Adorama or B&H and test them both, they have them out, you can play with them, carry them around, break them down and put them together and otherwise compare apples to apples. No amount of bull from us is going to make any difference. It is all up to you and your opinion of both. GO TOUCH THEM, IT IS THE ONLY WAY.

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Apr 17, 2016 07:16:40   #
CO
 
Camera Labs did a vibration test on Manfrotto 190 and 055 series aluminum and carbon fiber tripods. Carbon fiber tripods definitely dampen vibration better than aluminum. You can notice the difference just by tapping on aluminum and carbon fiber tripods that are set up in camera stores. They are also nicer to hold on to in cold weather. I'm sold on carbon fiber. I'll never buy another aluminum tripod.

Scroll down to the Vibration results section in this review. There's a video in the review you can watch and see the vibrations.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Manfrotto_190XPROB_tripod/

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Apr 17, 2016 07:31:31   #
OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLhXIm4VSoA

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Apr 17, 2016 07:32:18   #
bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT
 
I have the Feisol 3472 and I love it. You may want to do a site search for Gene51, he does a great job of researching and explaining what you want for a tripod and why.
LTCGuy wrote:
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3441T for carbon fiber & Sirui W-2004 for aluminum as examples), what are the pros/cons of both materials?
1. Weight: I get this.
2. Cost: I get this.
3. Vibrations: Some say carbon fiber does a better job of dampening "bad vibrations". Others say this is not significant.
4. Durability: Is carbon fiber more likely to be functionally damaged during airline & in-the-field travel than aluminum?
5. Anything else that should be considered?
I value the opinions of Ugly Hedgehoggers...other than those who put down questioners for asking questions.
In the $400-$500 price range (Thinking Feisol CT-3... (show quote)

Reply
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