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

I had a Bogen 3051 with a 3047 head. It weighed 16 lbs, but was nowhere as stable as my 4 lb carbon fiber Feisol CT 3472. I had movement with a 300mm lens, despite it's "burly" construction, 2 section legs, and center bracing. The Feisol is stable and rigid with a 600mm lens, and on occasion, longer.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I was thinking of buying a tripod made from carbon fiber. But when I saw the price tag, I decided against that one. I looked at one made from an aluminum alloy. It isn't terribly heavy and it is quite sturdy. It has shown some wear and tear. I don't mind a scratch on the legs, it shows some character. Incidentally, one leg unscrews and can be used as a monopod. A metal alloy offers both the best and worst aspects Of the combination. Aluminum is light weight;iron is durable;zinc is corrosion resistant.
Perhaps in the future, carbon fiber won't feel "flimsy" to the touch. May be the tripod will be made of several layers(15) to make it feel substantial. Honestly, I can't wait until a carbon fiber tripod can stand a sharp blow and it won't crack. I need to take photographs now!

Happy Shooting!

repleo Loc: Boston

The guy in the camera store warned me not to leave a carbon fiber tripod in a hot car. I used to hear the same thing about graphite shaft golf clubs. I don't know if it is true, but I heeded the warnings even though I would love a carbon fiber tripod and graphite clubs.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I believe both materials, carbon fiber and aluminum are very reliable. My aluminum tripods are over 30 years old and they perform as the day I bought them. My carbon fiber tripod see less use except when traveling and even so I take most often my cheap aluminum Dolica tripod because it is small, light and to me reliable.

Bill_de Loc: US

With that kind of reliable source how could you not take the advice?
I wish somebody had told me. I keep a graphite tripod in my Jeep as much as it's out. I guess I should get rid of the Jeep.

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Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

The glue used with graphite shafts would break down in excessive heat. When that happened your driver head would go further than the golf ball. However the shaft would be fine, a bit of cleaning and re gluing and you were set to go. (been there done that. 9 years in Arizona)

jcs Loc: USA

That makes one wonder what kind of glue they use on non-carbon gulf club shafts to keep the head from falling off. LOL
Besides that ,what kind of "load" is a tripod subjected to ?
The only reason for using aluminum or carbon fiber instead of the old wooden ones is the weight .

I have been using a pair of carbon fiber ski poles for over 10 years now and they have to withstand a heck more stress than any tripod ever will.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

The main reasons for carbon is vibration reduction and then weight.
Metal vibrates very well. Tap lightly with a metal bar on an aluminum tube and then a carbon fiber tube. One will have a tone, the other a thud. The aluminum is vibrating with a decay time. Any vibration from wind or contact, including the ground contact, will be transmitted by metal legs. Carbon fiber and wood deaden that vibration.

jcs Loc: USA

you're absolutely correct .
I only responded to the OP's question regarding the durability of carbon vs. other materials

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

My carbonfiber monopod and tripod are great. Plus so much lighter. I have not had any trouble with either.

Renegadebgp

I've been using a Carbon Fiber tripod for about 7 years. I have bent legs on several aluminum tripods which made them un closable. Salt spray doesn't bother carbon fiber as much as aluminum. I love Carbon Fiber.

Chian Kho

I have a carbon fiber from Gitzo that I have used for more than 10 years...I am glad I bought one.

Chian

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

One of my carbon fiber Gitzo tripods is about 18 or 19 years old and has seen tons of use. Still looks and works like new. I don't "abuse" it (i.e., run over it with a truck).... But I also don't "baby" it.

My other two Gitzo CF tripods I bought used, so have no idea how old they actually are... but they're roughly the same vintage (Gitzo changed their model designations... mine have the older ones). They both also look and work pretty much like new. I wasn't too concerned buying them used from a popular auction website, because I knew they were very durable. When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised that they looked practically unused (and cost about 1/3 what the Gitzo I bought brand new did).

I don't leave them in my car.... but that's so they don't get stolen, not out of concern for the heat. (SUV without a trunk to hide things in.)

Carbon fiber tripods need to be glued together (usually with special epoxies)... they cannot be screwed together the way metal can (though some metal also use adhesives).

Carbon fiber is quite different from fiberglass (which is what the bodies of '62 Corvettes are made of). Carbon fiber is far, far stronger and can be made thinner and much lighter than fiberglass. CF also doesn't tend to "dry out" and get brittle, the way fiberglass can over time.

JeffinMass Loc: MA

The main advantage of the carbon fiber is that it is lighter weight than conventional tripods. They are also very durable.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I disagree (respectfully). The main advantage of carbon fiber for photography is its vibration damping characteristics. The modern high resolution cameras will capture incredible amounts of detail and that includes major or minor movement caused by vibration. Particularly with long focal length lenses or in macro photography work