CF Tripods

[akavalun]

I've finally come to the point where i'm sick of carrying around my cinder

block of a tripod. Its time i get a carbon fibre pod. I'd like to get some

users opinions on some of the off brand tripods. Gitzo and manfrotto cf

tripods are out of my range. I'm looking at getting a velbon, benro, or maybe

an induro. Something in the $250 dollar range probably. I'd like a 3 section,

able to go flat to the ground, i'm over 6ft. so i need a little height,

preferable rotating locks, not levers, i shoot a fairly light 4x5 set up so no

need for a bohemoth! Anybody use any of the above pods? Please give me some

pros and cons if possible. Thanks

[brucecahn]

Check out Giotto. They have a good one in your budget. My store no longer stocks these because we need the space to store cameras, but they are pretty good.

[ilkka]

Why not take a look at the Benro web site. All the specs are there.

 

http://www.benro.com.cn/Product/1/pa1.html

[gdanmitchell]

I own a Velbon "carmagne" 540 and an Induro C313.

 

The Velbon is a smallish (by "real tripod" standards) model that I use for hiking,

backpacking, and air travel. It is fine tripod and, for its size, is quite stable, adjustable,

and easy to use. I like the fliplock system - it sets up quickly and securely.

 

My larger tripod is the Induro C313. This 3 section unit is tall enough that when fully

extended the camera (mounted on my Acratech ballhead) is above eye height. Like you, I'm

a bit over 6 feet tall. It has well designed rotating locks. (This is a Good Thing since it

allows me to adjust for uneven ground and still have the tripod very high.) I purchased this

tripod after reading a very positive review by Michael Reichmann (at Luminous Landscape)

in which he described it as seriously competitive with Gitzo and Manfrotto. I visited a Bay

Area shop that carries Indura (Keeble and Schuchat in Palo Alto) a couple of times and

tried it out next to the more traditional brands and was very impressed.

 

I've now used it extensively (in Death Valley, the Sierra, and elsewhere) and I'm convinced

that it is a very fine tripod. I have no major complaints at all and would purchase one again

after having used it. The only downside from your perspective is that at the time I

purchased it there was no center column short enough to go all the way to the ground. It

goes plenty low enough for me, but you would want to check into that - is it low enough

for you and/or have they since come out with a shorter column?

 

Dan