imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The 5 section legs are enough to turn me off ......

Shoot Happens

You're absolutely right about tripods for tall people. I am 6'3" and the only one I could find that is perfect for my height and with room to spare is Really Right Stuff but it was very expensive.
I have an aluminium tripod and it works great inside because I usually mount a flash on it but for my camera and lens, it is now only carbon fibre.
I really believe tripods are another one of those photography issues where you get what you pay for.

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Both can be right, at least in my non-scientific guess. Fishing poles are designed with significant taper and therefore it makes sense that they would better transmit motion.
Carbon tripods have different overall design and the carbon materials are laid out mike differently, so it seems very possible that they would dampen vibration to a greater extent.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You also need a tall tripod if you are shooting up - as with birds and airplanes !

LTCGuy Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Sounds interesting. Any Hoggers have experience with Fotopro tripods? Anyone know of any independent reviews? I just looked at the "Henry's" website (Canadian retailer) & Fotopro is not listed as a tripod brand thjey carry.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Except with cameras having tilting or articulating LCDs.

An under rated feature to be sure.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

To me "how quick and easy the leg locks work" is very important--Linhof is my favorite, but I like Bogan too--I have never tried to buy the cheapest, and durability has never been a problem--just me, but I think a tripod that has a little weight might be more stable than a similar one that was lighter
Stan

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

:thumbup: - a law of physics......

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

Given today's materials and their properties, weight seldom results in stability, unless you compare tripods made of the same material. Comparing aluminum to carbon fiber is like comparing apples and oranges - both are fruit. In order for an aluminum tripod to be as stable as a carbon one, it does have to be heavier. But if you keep the weight the same, the carbon fiber is usually much lighter and more stable. A tripod choice based on how much it weighs is a foolish one. A tripod choice based on it's load carrying capacity is just as foolish.

Tripod truth can be found here:

http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-1/ (read all three sections - many myths will be busted)

And in the Gitzo catalog which you can download here:

http://www.gitzo.us/service/request+a+catalog

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Back a long time ago the wooden tripod was the rage for a great tripod and it's stability,than aluminum tripods came along they were the greatest things sense sliced bread and now we have carbon fiber tripods and now it's better then two slice's of bread. I guess the next greatest tripod will have to come from the star's or from where ever. I think get the best you can afford and be happy about it I know I am, some of what I have serves me very well I like my aluminum tripods each one for different environment's.

LTCGuy Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Many, many thanks to all who took the time to reply to my question. At this time:
1. I do not have the big bucks, nor can I justify to myself or my wife, the cost of a Really Right Stuff tripod.
2. I am leaning toward carbon fiber.
3. My intent is to visit B&H while I am in New York in July. I will then heed the advice sent to me by a Hogger to handle multiple tripods.
4. I will do my best to select the "best" tripod I can find for my $600 budget (legs & Ball head)

reader Loc: Los Angeles

Sounds like a good plan. Let us know what you choose and why.

LTCGuy Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Will do.

LTCGuy Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Said I would report back when I decided what to do, so here I am. Visited B&H while in New York last month. Wow! What a camera store! Looked at, handled, & asked questions about a number of different tripods (legs?). Quickly setted on carbon for my uses, then Feisol & Sirui for quality at my price point. Also looked at a few ball heads. Could not then decide between the two brands/models. Got home, thought about it some more, & ordered the Sirui W-2204 legs & the Sirui K-20X ball head from B & H. Remained within my $600 target for both.

Why the Sirui? 1. After listening to the many, many good responses from Hoggers, carbon won out over aluminum because of the good arguments presented RE corrosion, vibration (there was some controversy), & of course "the best tripod is the one you have with you" (weight). 2. I liked the sturdiness. Top tubes were 29.4mm diameter. A Feisol that I looked at had even larger top tube diameters, but the entire unit would not fit, folded, inside my largest suitcase. 3. The Sirui seemed well-made. 4. I just liked it.

My thanks to the many Hoggers who helped with this.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Maybe the laws of physics are different in New York ! ??