Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I have a US made Tilt-All tripod from the early '80s and it is just too heavy for me (ya, I'm getting older) to launch with it on a photo hike. The only paper work that came with it was a tag. No specifications provided. So, I have no idea what the unit's weight capacity is. The other problem I have is that the included pan head appears to not be a consumer removable item. Thus, if I want to use my gimble or ball head, I must attach them to the pan head. Not what I envision as a nice setup. Clumsy, if nothing else.

The heaviest equipment I expect to place on the tripod is my Canon 6D, Tamron 150-600, and a Nest gimble head. The total weight, rounded up, is 9 lbs.

Given the above, about what price range & make of a new carbon fiber tripod should I get to at least equal or a bit better than the Tilt-All (which as mentioned above, I have no idea what the "starting point" weight-wise is)? Bottom line is I don't want to buy a new tripod only to discover it's not as good as my old one.

Thanks for advice in advance.

amehta Loc: Boston

For a carbon-fiber tripod I think you should be prepared to spend $300-500.

I use the Induro CT213 tripod and BHL1 head with gear similar to yours. It works very well for me.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Good thinking.

The load rating on tripods and heads is for damage. The maximum load you want for functionality is maybe 25% the specified rating for normal use, and at worst about 30%.

For a 9 pound load, look for legs rated at 35 pounds or more. If you can afford it, those 50lb + rated tripods are very nice because they are more stable. But a Gitzo Series 5 isn't cheap either.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Hello Billybob. The two major issues I see are the weight capacity and sturdiness. The weight issue is easy most modern tripods from the major manufacturers list the weight capacity. They also inform you if the heads are consumer swappable. As for stability, I don't think you can go wrong with carbon fiber tripods. You don't mention your price range but you should be able to outfit your self with a suitable tripod from the major manufacturers. Such as Manfritto, Really Right Stuff or other major players. The people at B &H or Adorama are very knowledgeable and helpful. Good shooting!

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

The Tiltall Tripod has a long history. It is a venerable design and my 1960's vintage one still gets regular use. No, the head is not removable. for more info on the history and possibly some repair parts go to: http://tiltallsupport.blogspot.com/p/tiltall-support.html.

To carry the weight of your new rig, you may end up with a heavier tripod than the Tiltall you now have, despite the carbon fiber! Hope things work out for you.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

I remember almost buying a second hand Tiltall tripod some years ago. IIRC I was sidetracked by the fact that I'd just bought a Pentax MX, which I still have and treasure.

The Titall was, I thought, a really elegant design. At that time I didn't consider changing out the tilt pan head for a ball head, or the non-availability of a QR.

Interesting to see the reference on the site of "Star D" tripods; I have a Star D tripod I bought in perhaps 1960. Again, an elegant, attractive design, but...mine has no flop over head, something as a late teen I didn't consider. The center column is geared and crank operated, so it is slow to use. And the internal leg locks, relying on a nylon or delrin insert to expand upon twisting the legs, have quit working, despite my numerous attempts to fix them. But they do give a very sleek silhouette!

So, I stick with my Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with the 3030 QR head, I think that's the model. Heavy, but not too heavy, especially since my dear wife Flora will lug it on a hike while I schlepp a backpack with the K 5 and lenses or the 645n with lenses....

Such a loving wife!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use this tripod with my Nest and will hold your gear

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

To all: thanks for the suggestions. I have studied, to a degree, some of the well known current brands including Gitzo, RRS, and Manfrotto (sp?). I'm leaning toward one of the Gitzo carbon fiber models in the $600-900 range. However, even in that brand's price range there are numerous versions with varying weight capacities. More confusing to me is that some models with higher prices have less weight capacity than some cheaper ones. Does anyone know if some of the price differences (within the same brand) relate to carbon fiber quality? On B&H site, nomenclature varies in their carbon fiber descriptions. For instance, on the Gitzos, some are listed as "6X carbon"; some as "Carbon Fiber Construction; and some as "Carbon Exact Tubing". I suspect not all carbon fiber are equal quality. And of course, one has to determine height and leg section preferences, which affects price.

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

These were made in the Leica factory in Rockleigh NJ - back in the 70s, under license from the Italian designer. They were great tripods, but limited to 35mm and medium format with relatively short lenses.

The issue for you is not the 9lb camera/lens. but the fact that it is a 600mm lens. You will need a set of legs that has extremely good torsional rigidity, and it will probably not be made out of metal, which are prone to amplifying vibrations from breezes and the camera's shutter, mirror, and lens focusing mechanism.

And you want it light. So carbon fiber seems to be the recommendation here.

Ideally, you would need a Really Right Stuff or Gitzo Series 5 tripod - or another brand that has at least a 37mm max diameter on the top tube of the legs. You don't see this in smaller, cheaper or less suitable tripods.

My story is I tried a Gitzo Series 3 (3541) with a 500mm lens. Seven years ago it cost me $550 new. But it was inadequate for use with a Sigma 50-500 and a D200, which is perhaps a bit lighter than what you have. I wanted a set of legs that was not more than 3.5 lbs, for many of the same reasons as yourself, so a Series 5, at almost 5 lbs, was not under consideration.

Anyway, I returned the Gitzo, since even Gitzo did not recommend that tripod with lenses longer than 300mm.

I ended up getting a Feisol CT3472 (not the 3471 which was heavier and not a rigid), and so far have not regretted it. The tripod was dead steady with the 50-500, and has proven steady, when shooting with care, using a D300, 600mm F4, and a 1.4x TC - for a total focal length of 1260. It is not a well-known brand, but I can vouch for its value - I think they currently sell for around $575. They are engineered from the ground up and not merely copied from another manufacturer. I believe the weight without center column is about 3.4 lbs. and the top section is 37mm, compared to the series 5 which is 38mm I believe.

BTW, I used to work for Leica, in the same facility that made the Tilt-All tripods, back in 1972.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Carbon fiber does not necessary mean lighter weight. You own a good example of this, the 'Nest". It weighs almost exactly the same as an Opteka GH1 gimbal head, I know, I own and weighed them both.

Jim D

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

Actually, when it comes to legs, it does. Always. Provided you are comparing performance (not price, height, load capacity). Besides Many tripods have no issue holding up 9 lbs, but few will hold a 600mm steady. The tripod required to hold a 18lb pro DSLR, 600mm F4 and gimbal steady is no different than the 9 lb Tamron alternative. The key criteria is the 600mm lens, not the 18 or 9 lbs of load weight.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Gene,

You make a good point, and make mine also. I own two CF tripods. One is very light in weight, the other is almost as heavy as my good aluminum one. Why? Because the legs are a larger diameter making it heavier. The lighter one has thin legs and I can not trust it with my 500mm lens, especially if I use a TC on the lens! My Tamron 150-600mm lens is lighter in weight but due to the extended length I would not trust it with that lens either.

The lighter one is great for hiking but when using a long lens I never extend the legs past half their length and end up sitting to use it. The legs may be strong but become too flimsy because of their diameter. For this reason I often go to my aluminum tripod (I like its design better).

Jim D

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Gene, thanks for some useful info. The torsional strength issue is new to me, but seems logical and very important. What I have not had answered is about carbon fiber quality. Is there good, better, best, etc? I reviewed RRS website, but all their tripods are "out of stock" except one of their lower priced ones. Wonder if they only make the tripod upon order? I think MTShooter made a comment on the forum about RRS's carbon fiber material source going out of business.

The Feisol CT3472 seems light enough. It's been a while since I weighed the Tilt-All, but I think it was around 5 lbs., which included the pan head. So, the Feisol model at 3.4 lbs is an improvement.

Interesting about your work with Leica & the Tilt-All connection :)

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

Bill, there are two methods of carbon fiber manufacturing - seamless "pultrusion" used in Gitzo and other high end legs, and wrapped - used in the lower cost tripods. Also the base in Gitzo is low pressure cast, vs high pressure casting on the knockoffs. There is a greater opportunity for voids and inherent weakness in the high pressure method.

The reason why I liked the Feisol, is that they seem to use pultruded tubes, and bypass the casting process altogether, using a high-strength aluminum alloy for the base - and lots of high quality high strength stainless steel fittings and fasteners - not like the knockoffs. At the time Gitzo used just a compression fitting for attaching the base plate to the top of the tripod, which did not leave me too confident with a $20,000 18lb load on it. The Feisol uses specially machined V-tipped set screws - three of them actually, and a matching V groove in the plate. Even one screw will hold everythign in place, so two is good design and the third is insurance.

Gitzo has since redesigned their base and plate assembly to feature more than a compression ring to hold it together - a great move on their part. Even the CT 3442, a super light tripod with really thin legs was usable with an 80-400 and a 300mm F2.8. though its not supposed to work.

Their ball heads are ok, nothing to write home about, but their gimbal seems really well thought through.

Use the Chinese website, not the American one - you will get faster response to questions, and better customer service.

http://www.feisol.com/

It's interesting that both Adorama and B and H are now selling them but hide them in their stores in lieu of the other brands.

Grumpy Loc: Hampshire, UK

Hi,
I use a Three Legged Thing for hiking and travelling. They all have names of rock stars but don't let that put you off, they are well made,light and sturdy. They are also designed by photographers. The one best suited to you would be called Brian I think. They are a small British company but I believe they are now available in The States. I hope this helps.