tripod - best choice

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On your budget I would take a serious look at Leofoto tripods, which I see are available in Europe though subsidiaries. I have found under stress tests that the alloy / heat treatment of the stainless bolts, and fittings, are superior in quality compared to other chinese brands. And notably Sirui which has been a mainstay in S Africa and also sold in UK. The Leofoto legs - that have been tested - scored top marks on Centre Column reviews. This is hard won praise.

The Ranger Leveling LS-324CEX Carbon Fiber, or the LS-365CEX if you can run to it. This solves costs and other other hassles of leveliing; a center column etc can be added if really needed at some stage. The PG1 gimbal or Jobu Jnr may be out of your reach, so a chinese Benro will be capable or perhaps Sirui PH-10 Gimbal Head, but I've not tested the latter.

I sold on a Gitzo 4 series as too heavy to hike with, and have since finalized on a 3 series Summit LM323C. This has proved more than capable with large Gimpro to support 5+ kg of D5 and 400 f2.8E with a TC. the 2 leg joins are quicker in use and I prefer the 75 ball head leveller system (YB75 with quick-release lever for A-Swiss plates). I think I posted the link to my gimbal head review.
 
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fcotterill said:
On your budget I would take a serious look at Leofoto tripods, which I see are available in Europe though subsidiaries. I have found under stress tests that the alloy / heat treatment of the stainless bolts, and fittings, are superior in quality compared to other chinese brands. And notably Sirui which has been a mainstay in S Africa and also sold in UK. The Leofoto legs - that have been tested - scored top marks on Centre Column reviews. This is hard won praise.

The Ranger Leveling LS-324CEX Carbon Fiber, or the LS-365CEX if you can run to it. This solves costs and other other hassles of leveliing; a center column etc can be added if really needed at some stage. The PG1 gimbal or Jobu Jnr may be out of your reach, so a chinese Benro will be capable or perhaps Sirui PH-10 Gimbal Head, but I've not tested the latter.

I sold on a Gitzo 4 series as too heavy to hike with, and have since finalized on a 3 series Summit LM323C. This has proved more than capable with large Gimpro to support 5+ kg of D5 and 400 f2.8E with a TC. the 2 leg joins are quicker in use and I prefer the 75 ball head leveller system (YB75 with quick-release lever for A-Swiss plates). I think I posted the link to my gimbal head review.
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I found the model you indicated (LEOFOTO LS-365C) at €410.
Would you consider Leofoto above Benro like a quality?
I ask this as I have a benro and i can understand the scale.
I may take a decision in depend how generous Santa Claus would be.
😀
 
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I recast the scores from the Center Column using my weights. I considered an optimum height and placed a penalty on short tripods offsetting the added stiffness you get with a short tripod. I looked at optimum weight from the perspective of what I was willing to carry in a top notch tripod and removed the advantages of a light tripod beyond that point. I also separated Travel Tripod where weight has a higher premium over stability.

Here is my modified ranking for my use:
FLM CP38-L4 II$841
RRS TVC-34L$1,160
RRS TVC-24L$1,030
Feisol Elite CT-3472 M2$600
Gitzo GT3533LS Sytematic$860
RRS TVC-33$1,025
Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic$970
RRS TVC-33S$990
ProMediaGear TR343L$850
RRS TVC-23$915

You might also consider the issue of service. I find RRS to have very good service. While Gitzo has a good reputation, when I actually needed to replace a leg section, I had to order it from Europe.
 
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)
EricBowles said:
I recast the scores from the Center Column using my weights. I considered an optimum height and placed a penalty on short tripods offsetting the added stiffness you get with a short tripod. I looked at optimum weight from the perspective of what I was willing to carry in a top notch tripod and removed the advantages of a light tripod beyond that point. I also separated Travel Tripod where weight has a higher premium over stability.

Here is my modified ranking for my use:
FLM CP38-L4 II$841
RRS TVC-34L$1,160
RRS TVC-24L$1,030
Feisol Elite CT-3472 M2$600
Gitzo GT3533LS Sytematic$860
RRS TVC-33$1,025
Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic$970
RRS TVC-33S$990
ProMediaGear TR343L$850
RRS TVC-23$915

You might also consider the issue of service. I find RRS to have very good service. While Gitzo has a good reputation, when I actually needed to replace a leg section, I had to order it from Europe.
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I'm in Europe then I could have advantage for service on EU brands.
RRS and ProMediaGear may be too expensive for me.
I have a smaller Benro 28 AL and after some bad experience I don't want to deal with post_sales service on asian brands.
 
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I use a Robus 5558 and 8880, Both are really well made and solid. And both are on 'Holiday sale' at B&H $150 dollars off. Solid tripods, all I will ever need, and priced right.
I was a Gitzo man for years, but the customer service is just down right crap. I'll never ever buy another anything from that company.
 
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The local consensus I hear is Leofoto is "distinctly" superior to Benro ;-) Yes service/spares of some Asian aka chinese brands is a known risk. The Leofoto agent in S Africa is fully aware of this. They supported Gitzo previously, and also imported tripod spares including seals, washers, leg sections etc. But Gitzo has become unaffordable and the Leofoto is just as good quality. This is the primary reason for the expansion of the brand locally with products tested in Namibia and along the coast as well as mountains. [Edited]

Over the past decade, my experience finding decent tripod legs and levelling bases has proved straightforward, compared to the hassles getting the gimbal head(s) I seek for strength/quality/weight etc. Almost all are inadequately designed. Yet, these are sold at crazy high prices. Just my opinion.... but having modified ie machined a few, I see the inferior quality of the Al alloys and stainless capscrews etc.

The SAfrican made Gimpro stuff is well made and very solid - overkill in fact, as the gimbal is heavy but designed for vehicle mounting mainly.

I have found RRS and Acratech tripod heads to be worth the prices. Jobu also. Sirui heads and most other clones NO! Leofoto is the first I have tried to pass my standards. Also I can get Leofoto products locally without paying huge import overheads via BandH, or Bob Rigby in UK; so no need for Acratech or RRS again (even though good quality).
 
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I have two Gitzo tripods so I am not against this brand. I would love to have a RRS tripod but they cost too much for me.

I have two Induro tripods that I am very happy with. One is a series 4 for use with a 500mm f4 and a gimbal head. The other is a travel tripod. Both are carbon fiber.

Induro is now owned by Benro. Benro has just released a new series of tripods--the Tortoise. It comes in different models. You might want to see if has the features you need.
 
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fcotterill said:
The local consensus I hear is Leofoto is "distinctly" superior to Benro ;-) Yes service/spares of some Asian aka chinese brands is a known risk. The Leofoto agent in S Africa is fully aware of this, having they supported Gitzo with the tripod spares including seals, washers, leg sections etc. But Gitzo has become unaffordable and the Leofoto is just as good quality. This is the primary reason for the expansion of the brand locally with products tested in Namibia and along the coast as well as mountains.
Over the past decade, my experience finding decent tripod legs and levelling bases has proved straightforward, compared to the hassles getting the gimbal head(s) I seek for strength/quality/weight etc. Almost all are inadequately designed. Yet, these are sold at crazy high prices. Just my opinion.... but having modified ie machined a few, I see the inferior quality of the Al alloys and stainless capscrews etc.
The SAfrican made Gimpro stuff is well made and very solid - overkill in fact, as the gimbal is heavy but designed for vehicle mounting mainly.
I have found RRS and Acratech tripod heads to be worth the prices. Jobu also. Sirui heads and most other clones NO! Leofoto is the first I have tried to pass my standards. Also I can get Leofoto products locally without paying huge import overheads via BandH, or Bob Rigby in UK, which I will not buy Acratech or RRS again (even though good quality).
Click to expand...
 
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Instead of a dedicated video tripod with a 75mm bowl I bought a video head, the Ifootage fluid drag pan head and mounted it on an old Gitzo 2531LVL quick leveling tripod. The Gitzo is no longer in production but it was long the most used tripod for wildlife videographers.

My primary tripod is a Feisol 3472 that is superior to anything from Gitzo and RSS in its design and their equal in build quality. Where the Feisol is superior is in having the ability to remove the top plate by looseing 3 hex set screws in a matter of seconds and replacing it with either the $84 Feisol Leveling Base or the $63 Center Column kit. The leveling base is great for shooting video and panning and also for creating panos of a scene. The Feisol also comes with an excellent carry case as compared to the cardboard boxes I got with my Gitzo and RSS tripods. Feisol also has a Horizontal Adapter at $84 that is available for macro photography and other applications.

The Center Column Kit provides a center column that is 4 times as rigid as ones that are built into regular tripods and even when the column is not raised it increases the height for the gimbal head by 3 inches. I get 3 inches with the center column kit and 3 inches with the gimbal head for 6 inches of height gain which is very useful when photographing animals high up in trees or on a hillside. I can raise the center column 4 full inches for a 7 inch working height gain and have a very stable support for my 600mm f/4 lens and camera.

Since getting the Feisol 3472 I have gotten rid of my RSS tripods and my Gitzo, except for the 2531LVL tripod and the Manfrotto aluminum with the Ifootage head. The Feisol collapses to be short enough to fit crossways in the overhead bin on passenger planes and so never needs to be checked and no worries it will not be available on a trip.
 
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Ovi said:
Hi Steve,
I've seen in some of the YT videos you're using RRS tripod and on some older videos Gitzo.
I wander if you find something that you don't like on gitzo or just you wanted to get a go to RRS?
I'm asking that as I'm looking for a tripod that can accommodate a 75mm half bowl. Now as a mix for photo and video that may be the way to go.
There are not many options in the market you can point, as well to include a good price, weight and collapsing portability.
I was looking in few directions: Manfrotto, Gitzo, Miller, Cartoni, RRS. (In Europe RRS may be too expensive).
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My Gitzo was stolen although I still have a very old reliable Gitzo.
Replacing the Gitzo with a systematic proved a nightmare.
They had quality control problems and the leg joints were out of tolerance making them undo at any time.
I'm no tripod novice and I still have eight other tripods of different types.
I wouldn't buy Gitzo again but I love my RRS heads.
The tripod I finally replaced the Gitzo was is a Manfrotto. Now I'm happy again.
I hope my experience is of help.🦘
 
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I've mentioned Kingjoy tripods a couple of times in these forums. no - I'd never heard of them before either! Apparently they make 90% of the branded tripods on the market as well as their own brand which is far cheaper than our familiar brands.

Many of you, quite rightly, are concerned with the weight loading of tripods. Well FWIW at timeline 16:45 there is a section in Photography Online's latest programme (which is a great monthly/twice monthy programme of broadcast quality) showcasing Kingjoy's latest tripods. One has camo carbon fibre legs and head and comes with a leveling bowl and the other is an extra tall one which was custom made for the photographer but will likely become available to buy.

At timeline 18:10 the photographer hangs his full body weight on the tripod! Maybe other brands will also allow this, but this is the first time I've seen it done.

The camo one - model C86M - will cost 550 GBP.

Following on you can see the extra tall one. He says that it is better than a Gitzo - and better made........ For those interested in film cameras, on the giant tripod the photographer has his Fuji GX617 which shoots roll film at 17:6 ratio. See below.

Here is the video:


BTW - I have no connection to Kingjoy in any shape or form. I would have probably bought one but when I was buying they did not make a tripod with clip locks which I prefer.

For those who are interested in the Fuji pano medium format film camera, there is some more detail at timeline 40:11 in this video:

 
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Ovi said:
I think something, please don't slap me.
Until I get something better I may buy a benro to use it few months and I may keep it as a spare one.
I know... buy cheap buy twice.....
:)
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I think it all depends on what you are requiring in a tripod. I have a Benro Mach3 and love it. For me, it works perfect and I have no desire to get something bigger or better. Maybe if I was toting around a 600mm F/4 I would be more interested in something different.
 
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abc123brian said:
I think it all depends on what you are requiring in a tripod. I have a Benro Mach3 and love it. For me, it works perfect and I have no desire to get something bigger or better. Maybe if I was toting around a 600mm F/4 I would be more interested in something different.
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I have experience with 2 Benro.

a) The first one I still have it, GA269TB2. I bought it at a bargain price on grey market (about € 150 at that time) and It did its job until now.
It's a Go System full of features / Leg=28 mm Aluminium, very sturdy.
After few years of use (with care) I started to feel the wear in two key points:
1. The screw used to tighten the column started to damage a bit the threading from the aluminium or magnezium main apex frame. The only repairing would be to rethread with a slightly bigger thread size. It will last again few years.
That means that the material is very soft and no bushing used.
2. The hose clamp used in every twist lock point got its wear too. I may find a set of new ones on ebay.
The conclusion is the same. They used bad materials not the proper one. For this job would have been useful to have kind of teflon hose clamp.

b) The second Benro, a small one, FIF19AIB0, bad engineered (very bad double pieces center column that can't be locked well)
I contacted Benro Europe via email and after first communication I didn't answer back. I tried to follow up and nothing, no answer.

To prevent this stress I'd pay the Gitzo price because I can order most of the spare parts even after years of use and anyway I hope for a better quality.
 
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Ovi said:
I found the model you indicated (LEOFOTO LS-365C) at €410.
Would you consider Leofoto above Benro like a quality?
I ask this as I have a benro and i can understand the scale.
I may take a decision in depend how generous Santa Claus would be.
😀
Click to expand...
Leofoto is a higher level than benro. It is aiming at gitzo/rrs/tlt and similar. I bought the video Benro at 30% off recently - csrbon tortoise with 3 sections and inbuilt leveling head. It was hard to beat for ~~130 euro. There is still a promotion in Poland -20%. Check f43.pl shop, I am sure they ship in Europe.
 
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ouch!
My hand got deep on keyboard and heated the BUY button of "GITZO GT3543LS EXACT CARBON SYSTEMATIC LONG SERIES 3"
for €743.
Few days delivery time / I hope it would meet expectations.
+ I may add:
- different rubber legs (I can buy cheapo not original)
- 75mm bowl adapter €100
 
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As I mentioned at the beginning, I was aimed for traditional brands due to trust and post-sale service after few years of use.
I'd buy Benro, Kingjoy, Leofofo, ecc. for half price or less.
 
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Leofoto 75 levelling base. there are similar. The QR release is useful to swop heads in seconds

1637594547491.png


Ovi said:
Sorry, I didn't get how would be the rig you tell about.
A link or photo would help.
Click to expand...
 
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Ovi said:
ouch!
My hand got deep on keyboard and heated the BUY button of "GITZO GT3543LS EXACT CARBON SYSTEMATIC LONG SERIES 3"
for €743.
Few days delivery time / I hope it would meet expectations.
+ I may add:
- different rubber legs (I can buy cheapo not original)
- 75mm bowl adapter €100
Click to expand...

I don't think you can go wrong with this. I have a Gitzo Series 3 Mountaineer in the trunk of my car.

I have a Traveler Series 2 barely used. Bought it to replace the 001 below.

And, I have a 30 year old Model 001 Al Gitzo which has been around the world (both ways) a couple of times and just circled the USA for 8,000 miles on a motorcycle. Looks and operates as brand new.
 
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Hi,
I'd ask one more thing to those using carbon fiber tripods.
This is my first CF tripod, it seems very sturdy but I'm sure I have to care it more, it won't bear hits and mechanical strain as an aluminium one.
Do you use any padding or leg warmer to protect it?
 
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