CF TRIPODS

[Timothy York]

Hello,
I saw some CF tripods on Ebay with the name Fancier. Has anyone tried these tripods and what are they like? I'm looking for a CF tripod but am unwilling to pay Gitzo's prices. My largest lens will be a Sigma 150-500mm or possibly the 50-500mm on a 1Ds mkII. Thank you.

Tim

[Pete Woods]

Have you looked at Feisol CF Tripods. These are very good (as good as Gitzo IMO) and cheaper than Gitzo

This is the UK distributor but I would think you have one in Canada
http://www.feisoluk.com/

[Jamie Strickland]

Fancier and Gitzo are not even remotely close to the same league

I just got one of theirs (fanciver) for a travel cheapy and its not that great, you can see its pretty cheap

I have a Feisol and its very nice, I had the 3471 and part of the aluminum cracked, apparently some of the older models had a problem and they did this, its a casted piece that snapped

then afterwards I changed to the 3472, its lighter, and the main plate is CNC'd instead of cast and its even nicer and its very sturdy, its not as expensive as Gitzo but at 520 USD its getting close, although they gave me a discount because of the problems I had with the 3471

[Roy Churchill]

I also have the Feisol CF tripod (3372) and have been very pleased with it.

[David Stephens]

The Induro C414 is a great tripod for large telephoto lenses such as your Bigma, for about 40% less than the comparable Gitzo. You've got top quality equipment and will need to spend some real money on your tripod to get great results.

Dave

[Mike Tracy]

The Induro C414 is a great tripod for large telephoto lenses such as your Bigma, for about 40% less than the comparable Gitzo. You've got top quality equipment and will need to spend some real money on your tripod to get great results.

Dave

My less than favorable experience with Induro:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ghlight=induro

[William Malacarne]

Mike

Really sorry to hear of your unfortunate episode. Did the store make good on the Gitzo?

Bill

[Timothy York]

Thanks everyone. I currently use a Manfrotto 055 with the pro pan/tilt. It is built like a tank but weighs more than the tank so am currently looking for something lighter. I may end up going with a Manfrotto CF but for now I will keep looking. Thank you again.

Tim

[David Stephens]

I've got the Manfrotto 055XF (carbon fiber) and find it to be a great medium-duty tripod. It's no "tank", but it gets the job done with lighter and/or shorter focal length lens (below 500mm).

My only complaint is that the feet only slide on the bottoms of the legs rather than screw on. As a result, the feet tend to come in snow and mud, just when you least need it to happen. I've lost a couple. Maybe there's an adhesive that'll bond carbon fiber and rubber-like material that would give a more positive attachment.

Dave

[Nancy A Elwood]

I have the Feisol CT 3371 and really like it!

[Timothy York]

Hi David,
I couldn't find the o55 XF when I googled it, is that the correct designation for it? I like Manfrotto so this might be what I am looking for. Thank you.

Tim

[David Stephens]

Hi David,
I couldn't find the o55 XF when I googled it, is that the correct designation for it? I like Manfrotto so this might be what I am looking for. Thank you.

Tim

Sorry 'bout that, it's the 055MF.