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Thread: flip locks vs twist

  1. #1
    Loic Carbonnier
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    Default flip locks vs twist

    Is there a preference among you guys between flip lock style tripod and twist style
    Is anybody using Benro
    Thanks

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    Don't have a lot of experience here but some of the "flip-lock" systems are noisy. I like the twist-style of the Gitzos.

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    The flip-locks have a tendency to get caught on brush and small branches, which isn't a problem with the twist style leg locks. In addition the flip -locks have tensioning hardware (bolts & nuts) for the clamps that require adjusting with tools occasionally. As you can probably tell by now my preference is for the Gitzo twist locks by a wide margin.

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    I'm still using both. Based on my own experiences, the flip-locks are easier to operate. Period. I'd say by default and design, flip-locks are just easier to use.

    If you have brush and small branches around, the tripod legs themselves could be caught in them, too, and so could many things else and so, don't worry about it

    And I use a Gitzo tripod.

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    I've got both and have no preference. I think that people over-analyze much of this stuff. Probably half of the people claiming one is better than the other haven't even really tried the other. Anyway, I like them both equally.

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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    Flip locks have a tendency to loosen often and must be checked periodically when supporting heavy equipment. FYI- I am always checking the twist style locks on my tripod as well, but they do not require the paranoia associated with flip locks. And, yes, I have used them all!

    Chas

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    I have used both and they both seem to work fine. My new Vanguard 284 CT has twist locks. I do like the lower profile of the twist locks though.

    My old SLIK tripod had flip locks, very easy and quick to pull the legs out, but one of the locks broke when I was using it. However, it was -8 degrees so I don't know if I can blame the manufacturer for that. I pulled one leg out hard and the mechanism inside the lock broke.

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    I have both. Flip locks are easier & quicker to use, IMO.

    I've yet to have a flip lock slip, but I always have to re-tighten the twist locks (they loosen much more on me than the flip locks).

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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    For the guys using flip locks above....what gear are you using? My guess is not heavy gear, like big teles, heavy pro bodies, gimbal heads, etc.

    Chas in Toyko

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    I'm using a gimbal head and 500L f4.5 on my flip-lock tripod with metal legs - it feels more solid than my carbon fiber twist-lock tripod.

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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Allen Hirsch View Post
    I'm using a gimbal head and 500L f4.5 on my flip-lock tripod with metal legs - it feels more solid than my carbon fiber twist-lock tripod.
    What tripod?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Charles Glatzer View Post
    What tripod?
    Carbon with twistlocks: Benro

    Metal with fliplocks: Manfrotto/Bogen

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    Quote Originally Posted by Charles Glatzer View Post
    For the guys using flip locks above....what gear are you using? My guess is not heavy gear, like big teles, heavy pro bodies, gimbal heads, etc.

    Chas in Toyko
    You certainly sounds very confident, Chas

    My monopod is a Manfrotto that use flip locks. On the top of it sits RRS head + (at least) 200-400 f4 + D300 + battery-grip. When needed, I would even lean on this whole set-up (monopod extended) to get some rest while standing (so that flip-locks equiped monopod is now also carrying part of my body weight on top of whatever already sitting on it). I got that monopd a couple of years ago and I have yet to tighten anything on it.

    Sometime ago, my primary tripod was an older (> 10 years) Manfrotto tripod that has flip-locks. Same gears as above, basically, but with a bigger ball-head plus Wimberley side-kick.

  14. #14
    Loic Carbonnier
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    Thanks for the infos, I would like to find a flip locks tripod to support 30lb any ideas?

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    I have both and do in fact use super teles. I actually like the flip locks better on my inexpensive Manfrotto then I do the twist ones on my high dollar carbon fiber model.

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    I have used both, if I am moving from place to place looking for birds I like flip locks I can deploy faster and with less motion then my twist lock tripods. I have never had my manfrotto slip on me and I am sure over the years i will have to tighten the tension bolts no problem. Have Manfrotto monopod flip locks I have never had it slip even when using it for a hiking stick. I do have a new giottos with twist locks and wimberly head. Every now and then I have tighten the twist locks more after setting up. Once set it is rock solid.
    I guess it would depend on style of shooting are you moving from location to location or do you spend more time in one location.
    Just make sure it will handle you weight and more for best stability.

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    I prefer twist locks. I've seen several people have trouble with the flip locks loosening up. It just requires a quarter turn with a wrench to fix BUT if you don't have the wrench...
    It really isn't a big deal if you have minimal mechanical ability. I am constantly surprised at the number of people who don't even know "lefty loosey - righty tighty". All but one of the folks who had trouble with the flip-locks sent the tripod back to Bogen for adjustment. The smart one asked me to fix it...

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    I think it's what your accustomed to using. I have both but prefer the twist lock.

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    I have used both, but had a bad experience with the Feisol travel tripod twist locks. I think it's specific to Feisol, and it didn't seem to be a problem with a Gitzo I tried. You have to set up the legs in a specific order, otherwise they won't work, and therefore it can be more time consuming. Also, on my Feisol, unless you really tighten the twist locks very hard, the legs tend to slowly collapse. However, I also had a bad experience with my Manfrotto CF flip-lock tripod. I lost the rubber foot on one of the legs, and that seemed to allow the end section of the leg to slide in and out, so that the flip lock no longer worked. I took it to a (fairly) local camera store, who repaired it for me, but the leg sections are held together by a complicated-looking mechanism, which was hard for the salesman there and myself to sort out.

    Richard

  20. #20
    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    The Manfrotto tripods I used in the good old days had twist locks that worked well. The flip locks ...well I gave you my opinion, perhaps the newer models are better, but you will not find me putting my big guns atop them . The new Gitzo models lock extremely well without having to bear down on them like the older style. Despite the positive lock I check the legs every time I reposition the tripod. An ounce of prevention ...

    Chas

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