dave_l. Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 <p>I know asking this sort of question is probably beating a dead horse, but there are some options I don't see discussed much, and I wonder why. Ok, here's the situation:<br> I have a budget of about $400 for a new set of tripod legs. I am primarily a backcountry and travel photographer, so weight is always a huge issue for me. Whatever I choose is going to be lugged up mountains and carried on multi-day hikes. I do not use big lenses and I do not photograph wildlife. The longest lens I would use is a 300 f/4. I use an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. <br> I realize that my budget means no Gitzo legs (unless I'm buying them used, and they seem to be rare on the used market for good reason). <br> Right now, I'm looking at the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3/4 and 190CXPRO3/4 legsets, but I do not see much discussion about them.<br> Opinions? Other options?</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsjons Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 <p>Feisol makes some pretty nice carbon fiber models that are very lightweight and would fit into your budget. They're not quite as nice as Gitzos, but for their prices I think they are a good option. I've had a CT-3442 for about two years now and like it quite a bit.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_eastman Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 <p>I will second the Feisol. I have a CT3441S and am very happy. At $ 388.00 it fits in your budget.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eoinmurphy Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 <p>Some of the best budget tripods & heads come from Giotto.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbcooper Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 <p>Got a Sirui last fall and I'm quite happy with it. Not quite as smooth as a Gitzo, but for the price I can live with that. I use an Acratech V2 with it...very light and strong combination. Most Sirui legsets fold 'traveler' style, so they pack small. They also make a flat folder model. In the 'N' series, one leg can be detached and used as a monopod. I got <a href="http://www.sirui-photo.com/en/products.html?proTypeID=100036816&proID=100322614&proName=N-2204">this CF model</a> for under $400 at Amazom. It has retractable spikes, comes with both long and short center columns, and a nice bag.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 <p>+1 on Feisol. Couldn't be happer w/ the 3442 set I have (w/ Markins M10)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theadore_horvath Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 <p>I have a Feisol CT3401 (w/ Acratech Ultimate) and like it very much. It is good value at $219. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_l. Posted March 18, 2011 Author Share Posted March 18, 2011 <p>This is very useful info, and I've settled on getting a Feisol. Two more questions:<br> 1. Is it worth paying for the RAPID anti-rotation legs?<br> 2. Is it worth paying for the 3442 vs the 3401 (Tournament vs. Classic)? What's the difference?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 <p>1. probably yes. otherwise, you have to sequence the legs since there is no anti-rotation lock</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_4136860 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 <p>You can pick up some great tripod legs that are very expensive new cheaply if you buy second hand ones.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theadore_horvath Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 <p>Dave: <br> The regular legs work well if you take a few minutes to practice and get used to deploying and retracting the sections in sequence, as Howard said.<br> Regarding your second question, send an email to Really Big Cameras and Kerry Thalmann will give you good advice. I was undecided regarding the 3401 vs. 3402; Kerry opined that, other things being equal, the 3401 would be more stable, though the difference would be minute. Good luck.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_henderson Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 <p>I don't know these tripods , but I have used a tripod extensively, maybe 80 days a year, for 15 years. I don't have a routine for which legs to open or close in which order, and whether to lock one leg lock in place befor unlocking another on the same leg or whatever. I don't think I'd want - or indeed would tolerate- a tripod where that was necessary. I'm happy to have new processes assocites with majot camera changes since that might improve my photographs. But a tripod? If you can spend a few dollars on getting you the freedom to open and lock in any order that takes your fancy ( if thats what the "rapid" feature does), then to me that would be money very well spent- indeed it might well be a prerequisite to keeping a tripod.</p> <p>This thread largely seems to promote Feisol. Are they better than Benro?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_l. Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 <p>This thread is out-of-date, but I thought I might post my decision. In the end, I decided to save up and purchase a Gitzo GT2541. I found a floor model for sale at LCD4Video. Yes, it sounds a little shady. But this is an honest business based in Detroit that bent over backwards to give me good, personal, customer service. it. I can recommend them wholeheartedly.<br> The tripod is, of course, extremely well made. No regrets on saving up for it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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