msicman692

I convinced myself that I needed a good tripod so I went to the B&H app and ordered a Davis & Sanford TR-656C Traverse with carbon fiber legs. I'm pretty impressed with it already and haven't got my Canon on it yet. This thing weighs next to nothing.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Just went to the B&H site and they could not recognize the tripod you named in your post. A different name? A discontinued model?

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Perhaps he means the TR-654C-36.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1113267-REG/davis_sanford_tr654c_36_traverse_carbon_fiber_4.html

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't want to be the one to rain on your parade, but that (Davis & Sanford TR-654C Traverse) is NOT a good tripod for a myriad of reasons. B and H has a very good return policy. Once you put a camera and lens on the tiny ball head, you will realize what I mean and I am sure you will likely be returning it and rethinking you decision about needing a tripod.

msicman692

Yeah I screwed up. It is the 654.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I would use it only with a fairly light weight camera and shorter lenses.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

There is no way on gods green earth I would mount my D810/24-120 combo on this tripod, Maybe a cell phone, just maybe.

LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL

I can't comment on the tripod you bought but a few others who have responded don't seem to think it's a very good one. If you reach the same conclusion, you might look at the Sirui line. I just bought the t-004x from B&H for only $109. It's aluminum but they make a cf version though I'm still not convinced it's worth the extra money.

The T-004x is very similar in specs to yours but it's lighter. Some may feel that it too is too flimsy for a large DSLR but I use it with a D810 and Tamron 70-200 2.8 and find it to be remarkably stable. Having said that I still wouldn't walk away from the camera on a very windy day. It is, after all, a compact travel tripod. The load capacity is listed at 13 lbs.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

I have the Davis & Sanford TR-684C-36 model tripod which when mounted with my Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk11 I find very satisfactory for both photography and video. However, I use a much heavier Manfrotto 055 Pro tripod when mounting my Nikon D7200/200-500mm camera/lens combo. The real benefit of the D&S tripod is when travelling internationally and weight or weight reduction is important. For the extra $40-$50.00, I would suggest if you can to upgrade to the TR-684C-36 model. IMHO you will be better served in the long run, particuarly for lighter weight camera/lens combos.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I think it's a little premature to suggest that the OP bought a piece of junk for a tripod. All we know is that he has a Canon and he has a typing issue. (Just kidding.) I do believe he will have issues with the ball head, which I think is pretty useless for photography and that one on the tripod looks extremely flimsy. I think the proper head is perhaps even more critical that the bipod itself, as long as the bipod can stand up and support the weight, of course.

I have a Manfrotto 190 CF and it does triple duty as I use it for photo/video, holding my spotting scope when on the ground on the firing line and using the spotting scope in a normal fashion. On that one I have a Manfrotto pistol grip ball head, but I have a Manfrotto tilt and pan for my other bigger, older Manfrotto bipod for serious photography work.

Bob Boner

I have used Gitzos for years, but I recently purchased an Induro for about half the price. I am quite happy with it. I have the 213 model which allows the legs to spread. So I can get about 4 inches from the ground with it. It cost about half what my Gitzo cost and seems to be comparable in function (although smaller). I use the Gitzo for large lenses (600 f/4). I am pretty certain that an Induro of comparable size would be quite good and a good bit cheaper.

When I teach photography I suggest that my students consider "what is the largest lens you can imagine owning" and then buy a tripod that would match it. If I had been given that advice, I would have owned far fewer tripods in my life.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You do not mention what model of Canon camera you use, but anything with some weight to it will not sit well. When the information says it will hold "up to 12 pounds of gear", usually that is an over-estimate. Just holding that weight is not enough - it has to stay upright in all conditions, not being unbalanced by a longer lens, the ball head should not "slip" when you change the angle of the camera/lens for a shot and tighten it down, the materials should be sturdy and not subject to breaking under normal conditions of use, such as leg locks and ball head locks. Having carbon fiber legs is not a guarantee that there will be little to no transfer of vibrations - they do not mention the diameter of the legs, which is one factor to consider for this.

My suggestion is that you test it out as soon as possible, looking for the things I mentioned. I would not count on a ballast hook to help with stability - uneven ground and wind can make that work against you. There are some relatively inexpensive carbon fiber tripods that are pretty decent with heavier equipment, but they are not in the $200 price range.

I hope the tripod does work for you, but if it is not adequate for what you need, send it back. Save up for something better.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Getting the advice isn't the problem for me. It would be the following it! LOL

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I’m happy to say I wasn’t foolish enough to follow that kind of advice when starting out. I’d feel pretty silly out doing landscapes with my Zeiss Ikon SW atop my heavy Zone VI wood tripod. I’d feel equally ridiculous if I mounted my Mamiya RB 67 with the 500 f/6.0 APO lens on my little Hakuba HG-6230 C. Because I believe in the right tool for the job I have others in between these two extremes, each suited for particular applications.
I make no recommendations, nor am I condemning your view - this philosophy works for me, everyone may do as they please.

jagdpanther Loc: Los Angeles

Although the below linked article is OLD, it still applies to tripod purchases ...

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm