joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

They have been made of metal in the distant past, not sure what type. I'm pretty old but not ancient.

I just offered food for thought in the previous post.

I'll grant you that the specific gravity of carbon fibers is less than aluminum.

Tripods made from each material to the same cross section dimensions might perform as well but would weigh differently. The material is just one factor.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Forget me this tripod is crap I'm 6'4" so 56" pod won't work my back would suffer. Not many pods for tall people that are at a reasonable price!

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Of all the Chinese tripods, the Sirui is the best IMO. They make quality products.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

No, Carbon is not likely to be functionally damaged. Aluminum will corrode, expand and retract with heat and cold. They also lock differently with more or less effort depending on heat and cold. Aluminum is just difficult to touch, hold and carry in cold.

BUT consider the mechanics! How does it lock in place? Twist or clip lock. I have seen this vary by brand. Some have wonderful over-sized locks while others are so flimsy that there is movement while presumed in place.

Does it have an extensions bar? Yes, this will destabilize. Get one to fit your size (near eye-level) without the bar.

After answering this question. I could go on but determined you really missed some key criteria to list. I don't think you get it and haven't done your research. Go back on line and look at Really Right Stuff, look at other brands. Look for documentation on functionality, etc. Look at videos and make your own determination.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Look particularly at the load rating. Cheap carbon fiber tripods have legs that flex quite easily, and they are hardly worth the trouble. Gitzos, for instance, are expensive because they are both very light and very stiff. If you are only using short lenses and light cameras you can get away with a cheap one, but if you are using heavier and longer lenses it is worthwhile to buy a decent one.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

... and that you find reliable and a pleasure to use.

You're more likely to have it with you and not leave it in the trunk of the car.

My big, heavy old aluminum tripod now stays at home and even sits on a dolly so I don't have to lift it. Out in the field, I carry a carbon fiber tripod for all the reasons other folks have outlined above.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The ABSOLUTE FIRST thing you should do is contact MT Shooter @ Cameracottage.com and ask his advice. He is considered by many on here as the resident tripod guru and, as a fellow photographer, won't lead you astray. You will be happy you did this! (No, I am not his brother-in-law!)

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

To answer question 5 - for my money, nothing beats wood.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

The same old dilemma we all face as we move along and upgrade our equipment to match our ever increasing photography skills ..., I have a 9 ft Manfroto and a huge 3 geared head ... 2 other aluminium tripods and two Carbon fiber experiments ....

Without my wife knowing that Price is no object when it comes to my hobby..., photography .., ok she suspects ... But has never confronted me on the ..., I have spent thousands on heads and tripods ...

After deciding to upgrade my stable of tripods and wanting only Carbon fiber ..,and keeping in mind that cost was no object.., I went to work along with my brother Dr. F... And guess what we came up with..,you guesses it RRS .... .a little expensive .., but hey .., price is no object .., right ....Then I discovered as did my brother ..., a company called. F O T O P R O. .. "T". Series carbon fiber.. A dead ringer for the RRS carbon fiber at $100 of dollars less ....

Then to top it all off.. My brother found that if you buy from Canada ... They quote in Canadian dollars ... when converted into US Dollars ...About $450 .. NO DUTIES and includes shipping ...about $7-$800 at the sights in US ...

I bought a T-83 3 leg no center column 36 mm carbon fiber ...and I got it from a giant Canadian Retail place called Henery's ...

This is what a lot of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC pros use when they need a hiking tripod and an extremely sturdy platform to use in the water salt or fresh with their big lenses ...

Make a long story short .. Best tripod I have ever used ...so sturdy .., I can hang from it and I'm 200lbs ...5.2 lbs in weight ....not just normal carbon fiber ..but a special density Misubushi wrap ... Stronger than even RRS ...

If I sound like a salesman for the company .., maybe I should be ... Best tripod I have ever used .. Seen or borrowed ....

Do the research .. FOTOPRO ...T SERIES ...... and hey ... When buying from Canada .. There is no import duties if under $800 ...

I recommended this tripod a while back to the forum growd .., fell on deaf ears ... I can afford the best ... Yet love to get a bargine and an exceptional value for my money .. And believe me. .. I will stake my reputation on this tripod ..

They offer other models as well ...all exceptionally crafted ....

aellman Loc: Boston MA

The reason carbon fiber is used in tripods and many other products is stiffness. It is much stiffer than aluminum, thereby dampening vibration.

Al Bruton

I will never go back to aluminum. Love carbon fiber. It is lighter, stronger and far easier to travel with, which I do a lot.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

:XD:

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

As others have indicated, choice can be use dependent. I have a Gitzo carbon fiber that is ten years old. Flown to Europe a half dozen times; also, Africa and New Zealand/Australia and South America. Packed properly airlines should not be an issue.

Weight and stability were important to me and the carbon fiber has proved to be a good choice.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

No, but I have used one that I made myself from 4 boxes of uncooked spaghetti. I also used the same method and material to make a scale model of the Taj Mahal. A photo of the finished product is attached.

Alan's scale model of the Taj Mahal.Void where prohibited by law.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I have a True Temper bait casting rod which was made of hollow steel. Had a great feel for bass fishing in the days before Fiberglas rods. But on topic, my tripod is a manfrotto 190 aluminum. I definitely need a carbon fiber. Just took a series of eagle shots from the side of the road and between the wind and passing cars there was too much vibration. Saw some really good advice in other comments which will be helpful to me.