Elmerviking

I am considering buying a more lightweight tripod than my Manfrotto 144 aluminum. I am looking at a Manfrotto Befree Gt carbon fiber tripod. Right now you get a $80 mail in rebate. Do any of you have any experience with this model?
I have a Nikon D7100 with my heaviest lens being the Nikkor 80-200 f 4.5.
What do you think?
I am pretty tall...6.2 feet.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Stability I think would be fine, height probably not.

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

It's light but the legs are pretty skinny. The head is next to worthless. Even at $320, I think you can do better by spending a little more. Maybe get one that does not require a center column extension to get to 5 ft in height.

Elmerviking

What do you suggest Gene?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Have an aluminum befree MKBFA4-BH I bought it along with a Manfrotto travel backpack, which has room for my 15" MacBook Pro. The backpack has a long side pouch for the tripod and the backpack is big enough for my D500 with an attached lens and for a Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 G2 birding lens + all of the pockets, nooks and crannies for all your accessories. The tripod is sturdy enough for my birding set up (I believe it's rated for about 9 lbs), but fairly lightweight and compact at 16". I'm sure the carbon version is even lighter. It is a bit short at 4' 9" (I'm 5' 8"), and I do have to stoop if using it standing up. For birding, much of the time I'm sitting on the ground or on a bench so it's fine in those situations.

Elmerviking

Do you experience any vibrations from your tripod? Is the carbon fiber that more vibration resistant in your opinion or is it just a sale trick?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

A travel tripod trades off stability for height, weight, and load capacity. I take the befree when I'm going to be hiking all day and it serves me well even for birds in flight, but you have to be a little careful on how much force you use with it. Carbon is more stiff than aluminum but the thin leg weakness is at the joints whether its aluminum or carbon. I do not take the Befree when I'm shooting landscapes or for astrophotography, or in heavier winds or when the car is close to the shoot. For those cases I have a relatively compact SIRUI carbon fiber EN-2204 which folds to 19" (with the head), has much thicker legs, a 31 lb load capacity and, with a ball head, is 5' 7" at the quick release plate, so I don't have to crouch when using it. I have to strap it under or to the back of my backpack, but only weighs 3.3 lbs. For studio work, I've got a heavier duty aluminum Vanguard. You are not going hiking too far with that one. Now the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 494 Center Ball Head for $319 on Amazon has better specs than the one I own.

Elmerviking

Thank you for your opinion!

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

I just researched and ordered the Benro FTA28CV. Check this one out and compare the head and features. It is the smallest in the industry and rock solid.

I think the Manfrotto Is more consumer targeted with it's type of interlock system. The Benro is a top choice for the professional.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Please consider Benro and Induro. They have many models available. You want to get a tripod that keeps the center column non extended.
I like and recommend this model.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=benro%20tma38cl&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Light-weight tripods will blow over in a slight breeze. Save lots of money and just drop your camera on the ground. Will that $80.00 rebate pay your repair bill? Not even close. If you have any regards for your gear get as far away as possible from cheap tripods. The only value for cheap tripods is to the person/s who will sell you a replacement of higher cost. Contact Carter @ The Camera Cottage, AKA MT Shooter here on the UHH, he is a straight-talking expert on this subject. The phone call is FREE. Your camera isn't.

jsfphotos Loc: New York, NY

Check out the Benro Travel Angels. They're reasonably light, come in varying heights, pack up small enough to fit in carry-on suitcase and can definitely handle the weight.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Decide what you want and check eBay and CRAIGSLIST.

Used tripods are very inexpensive.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I would buy the (190xxx) Manfrotto tripod. They have different variations of the 190 model in their lineup. They have the clamp or turn fasteners, they have 3 and 4 sections, they have aluminum, carbon fiber, and I think steel leg models, and they offer about 4 or 5 different ball heads and other heads to boot. I think the BeFree is a little too lightweight for my tastes. They range in price from a little under $200 to over $300 with a ball head. I got the one with their ballhead with the Arca Swiss clamp because all my lenses and cameras have those plates on them.

Elmerviking

I have an old Manfrotto with an ArcaSwiss ball head. At least twice I loosened the plate instead of the ball head by mistake. Both times I catched the camera before it fell to the ground! I use a Peak Design plate with the strap attached to it. That plate does not have the small protruding screws that prevents the camera to fall off. That is one reason I am considering Manfrotto with their quick lock system.
Well...I know that they are leight weight and can tip over in breezy wind, but too many times I never brought my heavy tripod when I needed it
Isn’t a travel tripod better than none?