carbon fiber or aluminum
Sep 20, 2017 14:11:17 #
augieg27
Loc: Central California
I have an aluminum Zomei with a decent ball head that cost me around $100. I'd tried in windy situations and have behaved well. The CF is only about $30 more. Of course, I'm not a professional and it is good enough for me. Anyone has tried?
Sep 20, 2017 14:17:26 #
I have never regretted buying my carbon fiber tripod! Aluminum gets heavier the further you have to carry it!
Sep 20, 2017 16:43:25 #
billnikon wrote:
Really!!! My search only took 5 seconds. https://www.amazon.com/Benro-Adventure-Aluminum-Tripod-TAD18AIB1/dp/B00YEUBCJK/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
And how long did it take you to find an Induro aluminum?
Sep 20, 2017 17:10:14 #
AlfredU
Loc: Mooresville, NC
innershield wrote:
The tripod I am looking at, an Induro carbon fiber model that costs exactly twice as much as the aluminum model with a .8 lb weight savings. Is it worth it. I am not a professional
No.
Sep 20, 2017 17:12:49 #
AlfredU
Loc: Mooresville, NC
foathog wrote:
I have a Tilt All (made my C.M. Marchioni in Rutherford, NJ) aluminum that I bought used for 30 bucks in 1975. It's very well made.
You better hang on to that Marconi. Especially if it was one he made himself. Nobody makes them like that anymore.
Sep 20, 2017 23:59:33 #
Depends on how you plan on using the tripod. I have a 1988 model Bogen aluminum video tripod. It will hold my D7100 and my Tamron 150-600mm lens in 35mph winds (at least), but I don't want to carry it into the woods. My carbon fiber Slik tripod is lightweight and as long as there's not a lot of wind, will handle the above camera/lens combination. Yeah, you don't want to expose carbon fiber to extreme elements for very long. The Slik cost me $80 new and besides being too short for me, it works great.
Sep 21, 2017 01:01:59 #
Gene51 wrote:
It depends on which two you are looking at. The weight savings may not be the only difference. Torsional rigidity is generally better in carbon tripods with the same tube diameters as the aluminum ones. I am pretty sure Induro has abandoned aluminum, as has Gitzo, and several other manufacturers. The price of carbon fiber has come down, and with their better performance, and lighter weight, the carbon tripods represent a better value.
Gene, You are right, Induro doesn't have any aluminum tripods on their website anymore, they are all listed as "discontinued products". They are only offering carbon fiber ones now. B&H and Adorama only had Induro CF legs. Amazon has one Aluminum model listed, the AKB1 for $115.00. Other than the one on Amazon, I couldn't find any aluminum Induro legs anywhere. Not sure where the OP found them.
Sep 21, 2017 01:26:57 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
Aluminum has been found to resonate even in a light breeze. Nature of metal, especially light weight. Not sure on that brand as there are other things to consider like the rest of the fittings etc.
I do carry mine into the back country, so I went for a Gitzo mountaineer to carry. I will never ever part with it, most don't. Knowing how they are built, I would't hesitate to look on ebay for a top of the line used tripod like RRS or Gitzo, etc… to save $$$ . You only buy them once and never look back, but they do come dear even used . Because they last forever and are thus a commodity … Kinda says all you need to know right there.
I do carry mine into the back country, so I went for a Gitzo mountaineer to carry. I will never ever part with it, most don't. Knowing how they are built, I would't hesitate to look on ebay for a top of the line used tripod like RRS or Gitzo, etc… to save $$$ . You only buy them once and never look back, but they do come dear even used . Because they last forever and are thus a commodity … Kinda says all you need to know right there.
Sep 21, 2017 12:37:22 #
In well-made tripods, carbon fiber is better than aluminum for damping vibration. The longer the lens, the more important this is. Sadly, good tripods are expensive. A common, common mistake is buying lesser tripods, finding they don't do the job, then buying slightly more expensive ones, finding they don't do the job, and on and on until a good tripod is finally acquired. In the long run, it's more cost-effective to buy the really good one first. I will repeat: sadly, good tripods are expensive. I know, this is not what people want to hear.
Sep 21, 2017 13:35:48 #
I should of clarified that the other issue was the inexpensive head that came with the tripod. couldn't support my 150 -600 zoom. I put a Wimberley head on it and it supported the lens fine. The Wimberley is just not practical for portraits or other stuff. Hence the search for a quality tripod and ball head.
Sep 23, 2017 21:13:32 #
just got my Benro Tad38c w/B3 ball head. What an improvement over my aluminum tripod and "trigger " head. Well worth the expense. Happy. Will use original tripod with Wimberley head. Thanks for opinions
Sep 23, 2017 21:23:10 #
innershield wrote:
I have an aluminum tripod that's pretty sturdy but the trigger head would not support a 150-600 tamron for sky shots. Got a Wimberley for that and now I would like a sturdy tripod for long exposure images. I like the damping of carbon and the benro head. Kinda pricey for an enthusiast but I think I will grow into it. Thanks for input
I use a heavy bean bag to suppress vibrations. You can hang it under the tripod, but don't let it swing.
A bean bag can be filled with rocks if hiking. I keep one filled with gravel. It makes a big difference. And it lowers the center of gravity.
Sep 24, 2017 14:10:32 #
innershield wrote:
just got my Benro Tad38c w/B3 ball head. What an improvement over my aluminum tripod and "trigger " head. Well worth the expense. Happy. Will use original tripod with Wimberley head. Thanks for opinions
I have a Benro CF very well made product, quality control is great no rough edges on legs work smooth no binding and the same for the Benro B2 Ballhead.
I've owned mine a year now. The price's on these Benro CF tripods are very reasonable you can't go wrong in my opinion.
Sep 24, 2017 14:55:54 #
innershield wrote:
The tripod I am looking at, an Induro carbon fiber model that costs exactly twice as much as the aluminum model with a .8 lb weight savings. Is it worth it. I am not a professional
The traditional rules for tripods are rapidly changing as image stabilization improves. If you are using older long heavy lenses an exceptional sturdy tripod is likely a good investment. OTOH....
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.