Carbon tripods from Velbon/Manfrotto suitable for LF?

[stefan_dalibor1]

Has anybody tried the carbon tripods made by Velbon (Carmagne 630/640) or Manfrotto (Carbon No. One 440/441) for supporting LF equipment of moderate weight (e.g. an AS F-Line with focal range between 75 and 300mm)?<br>

The B&H specs for the carmagne tripods look rather impressive (B;can support25LbsB+ at 3Lbs weight and below 50cm packed length) - is this just marketing hype?<br>

Manfrotto specs are much more conservative (supports up only up to 11Lbs at similar tripod dimensions, and is shown only with an MF camera on top of it in the flyer)...<p>

If you do use those tripods, did you notice any problems regarding robustness/quality? How compare Velbon/Manfrotto carbon tripods to those made by the carbon pioneer Gitzo?

[chris_patti1]

I have the Velbon 630, which I primarily use under my Mamiya 6. I

think it's a very fine tripod; I liked it better than the comparable

1200 series Gitzo. It has proved durable and easy to use. I don't

have much experience using it with a 4x5, since I don't do much with

that format. I think it would be OK for a light weight 4x5, but for

the system you describe I might feel a bit more comfortable with one

of the 1300 series Gitzos.

[trevor_crone]

After many months and some advice from this forum I eventually went for the Manfrotto 441 only a few weeks back. I like the Manfrotto because it has lever leg locks, is very user friendly and quick to set-up. It's also a joy to hike with because of the reduced weight (3.3lbs without head).

 

<p>

 

I use it with an Ebony SW45 a fairly lightweight camera and as yet things have been fine. However I would hesitate to use it in very windy conditions and then only by spreading the legs. This set-up should also be ok with longish bellows extension provided you keep the lens on axis with one of the legs.

[bill_glickman]

I found it way to shaky for LF (I tried the ones rated for 13 lbs

max.) ...my Gitzo mountaineer is much more sturdy, try them out side

by side if you can...I also found that the leg snaps were way slower

than the Gitzo twist connectors...

[e_m1]

Bill, How are legs snaps slower than twisting locks?

[Landrum Kelly]

They aren't. The leg snaps are virtually instantaneous, and in my experience they are very reliable. No twisting lock could be any faster.

 

I now use the Velbon 530 carbon fiber/magnesium legset for all formats. It is light but strong. It comes with the hook and the apron, which should be carried. The pod will support over twenty-five pounds, but for stiffness some extra weight needs to be loaded into the apron--if the weight of the camera is not sufficient to stiffen the setup, which it usually will be with LF, depending on the wind.

 

If I had to do it again I would buy the 630 at twenty dollars more. It about seven or eight inches taller. They are both extraordinarily light.

 

I use the Velbon legset with Bogen/Manfrotto heads. I doubt that there is a better combination out there, dollar for dollar. Bogen/Manfrotto legsets are just too heavy unless you pay a premium for the carbon fiber versions. The carbon/magnesium Velbon is an incredible bargain--and with the Bogen-Manfrotto heads it makes a tough outfit, suitable for studio or mountain hiking. Check out the Sherpa Pro line at Velbon.com.

 

--Lannie

[Landrum Kelly]

I should caution that the photos on the Velbon.com site are not entirely reliable. The 530 Carmagne in the Sherpa Pro line, for example, is shown with twist locks, but the tripod is actually equipped with leg snaps. I still depend on B&H for my specs, and so far they have been accurate every time.

 

--Lannie