DSLRUsers.com

Have seen a few people mention they own Feisol products, just curious to hear more. Hows the quality, ease of use, ruggedness, etc? Any other thought you might have are appreciated as well.

Thanks

Andy

Andy,

Glen had a monopod at the Blues Point shoot on Saturday afternoon. It impressed me because of its (lack of) weight and apparent good value.

I expect I'll be ordering one this week.

Andy

Same comments as Gary I too had a look at Glen's monopod Saturday - these look impressive for the price. If you haven't seen it already, there's a very interesting discussion on nikonians comparing these to the Gitzos at http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=872&forum=DCForumID15&viewmode=all#1

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback! I just bought a monopod on E-Bay, we'll see how it comes out!

ANdy

Andy,
hehehe! look into one of your firetrucks, you can pull out one of the monopod for your private use, is it can be loan?

I wish we had that type of gear...Right now, I'm sitting in the back of an open cab engine in the middle of a monsoon. I can;t even bring my camera with me, it'll get destroyed!!!

A

gstark wrote:I expect I'll be ordering one this week.

I expect you won't be the only one either Gary, it looks kickarse for the money. Their monopod + tripod deals look great too... I now have pod lust.

MCWB wrote:

gstark wrote:I expect I'll be ordering one this week.

I expect you won't be the only one either Gary, it looks kickarse for the money. Their monopod + tripod deals look great too... I now have pod lust.

What sort of ballpark are you talking here?

Pippin,

Glen had the monopod - CF - delivered to his door for Au$92.00!

The monopod is US$60, the tripods are US$180 and 185 for the 3- and 4-section models respectively, plus shipping of course. They also have a deal if you buy both a monopod and a tripod, but I forget the details, and their site is down at the moment. Their ebay ads have pictures of the tripods:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... eName=WDVW

I have had a look at that nikonians thread and had a look around the web and this may be the tripod for me. It will make getting an M10 and RRS quick release plates a little easier on my hip pocket as well (which is very important).

Hey Gary, any possibility of a group buy on the monopods to "spread the love" among members (and potential cost savings?)

Hey Gary, any possibility of a group buy on the monopods to "spread the love" among members (and potential cost savings?)

I'd be in that!

Groovy, the Feisol site is back up. Here is the pricing page.

Monopod US$60
3-section tripod US$180
4-section tripod US$185

Postage:

EMS 5-7 days
Monopod US$20
tripod US$35
monopod + tripod US$40

Air mail 10-14 days
Monopod US$12
tripod US$25
monopod + tripod US$30

Had a look at the tripod specs. 127cm (3 section) or 134cm (4 section) without the centre column (Is it Birddog who refers to this as the monopod on top of your tripod?) seems a little low.

Monopod looks quite interesting, though.

Just had a look at there site.
I’m quite impressed!!!!!!
The tripod looks to be made well.
I’ll be looking into these a little more I’m thinking.

Cheers
Ray

Ok...

Had a weak moment earlier this week and ordered a Feisol CT-3401 tripod. As much as a really good Gitzo would be my pride and joy my finances just can't manage it but the Feisol gear looked on paper to be close enough for me to try them out.

Reviewed their site on Monday http://www.feisol.com Clicked away till I had agreed to reduce my life's savings yet again (purchase is done through paypal) and received an email confirmation of purchase.

Tuesday morning: received email from Feisol confirming despatch of requested goodies (nice and promote).

Wednesday: nothing to report

Thursday morning: turned my back for one moment, probably in the garden, only to be informed by 'er indoors that a package had arrived.
Nice and prompt... can't complain about that for service !!!

So what did I receive you ask...



Clearly no mistaking what was inside the box, so I open it up to find...



... minus the wine of course (but that would have been a nice touch Feisol if your listening )

Basically you get the tripod, a bag and some simple tools for adjusting nuts etc.

The tripod is light as would would expect from carbonfibre. The centre column is aluminium which can be unscrewed to leave just the platform with or without the hook.



The leg locking mechanism, like the Gitzo's uses a twist to tighten approach. Unlike the Gitzo's the Feisol uses hard plastic pieces rather than soft rubber ones... cheaper no doubt but seem to work fine. one suprising aspect is that the legs do not seem to have a compressed air feel to them as per the Gitzo... suprising to me as I seem to recall that the monopod that Glen purchased included this feature.



Never-the-less, setting up the Feisol was simple enough and is definitely lighter than the Gitzo's (although that could prove to be a negative).
At full height it stands at 134cm which is shorter than the 1227 at 140cm but a little taller than the 1228 at 133cm.

Here's a closer look at the legs...



The top arrangement...



And the feet...



On the whole (and I say this without yet taking one single photograph) I think this tripod is quite nice. Whilst clearly not up to Gitzo engineering level I am optimistic that this will do the required job and give me carbon fibre legs at an average heavy metal legs price.

The real test I hope to complete tomorrow at the mini-meet where we will be able to compare up close and personal with the Birddog collection.



Until then...

cheers,

Michael.

I like the hook underneath for hanging a sandbag or weight to increase steadyness. Great idea.

Excellent MJ, and good to hear you're coming to the mini meet tomorrow (technically today, it's 12.06am), as I'd like to have a closer inspection of Feisol if you don't mind.... Clearly you've done your homework too (comparative heights to Gitzo's 2 series). Thanks for the report & pics.

Ahhhh! You finally lust again! I thought you're waiting for the new butgetary 05-06. Now this the hard part to go:

- What ballhead? what L bracket? What and what and what to lust next?.

The way is not the short way to take you to the final destination, still is along way to reach and never end, but it brings back lot of enjoyful and happiness!!!!!

This is strongly suggestive that my monopod should turn up on Monday.

Thanks for that MJ.
I’m quite interested in the Feisol tripod & from what you have said so far my suspicions are right.

Looking forward to more reports as you find out more about you’re perchance

Cheers
Ray

MJ,
Look thru the Feisol tripod inside that room, it seems to me all your funds gone down to the Feisol, so no furnitures around

Mj,

I like your style, sold the furniture to buy the 'Feisol' tripod . BTW: enjoy your new purchase.


Cheers

Yep... that's about right... it's good that the tripod can adjust to different sitting styles and appears quite strong... as time goes by I should be able to provide a feisol lounge for each guest, taylored for individual preference...

Might take up distribution rights in Oz... watch out Ikea... here comes Feisol !!!

And yes Birdie... am well aware of the frightening task ahead to cure further lusts and even just to commission the Feisol into a working state.
But that's where the mini-meet this morning comes into play... trying out a range of heads on the new legs will be fun methinks and may help to decide the next lust antidote. Also looking forward to a serious compare of Feisol against Gitzo so the members can understand what they get for what.

gstark wrote:This is strongly suggestive that my monopod should turn up on Monday.

I'd say that would be about right... they were far quicker than their stated delivery times, which I think is very good marketing etc on their part.

Michael.

just an update on the prices:

the monopod now costs $US70.

they must have been getting too much interest after people read this thread and decided they could make more money from us.

mj,

did you go for the express or air mail delivery option?

dave.

Dave,

I opted for EMS so I would get the package prior to this weekends mini-meet and then other members could see and touch the product. Interesting that the monopod price had increased !!!

Onyx wrote:Hey Gary, any possibility of a group buy on the monopods to "spread the love" among members (and potential cost savings?)

same here, i wouldn't mind a monopod myself but i don't like the idea of using paypal

Hi All,
The following are my brief impression of the Feisol tripod, thanks to MJ for bringing his tripod yesterday for all of us at the meet can see how is it.

We have had a chance to look at the Feisol tripod from MJ yesterday:
The Feisol is a CF tripod, first look with its design, it's a beautiful tripod in its shape, lighter than other competitor as the Gitzo 1227G, its height is shorter than the G1227G, but with the center column, it can be raised higher than its look.

The Feisol tripod's price is AU$300.00 landed to your door via Internet purchase.

The Feisol tripod is not the same standard as the Gitzo 1227G, the design looks similar, all three legs are little bit not straight in the center of the legs when pulled out all 4 sections, its material is CF but I believed the tubes are thinner than the G1227, vibration can be seen without the camera and lens mounted on it.
by light taping to the legs. The top of the Feisol is just the simple system than the Gitzo, though raising the center column of it with the camera + lens mounted is more harder than the G1227G by using the knob instead of the handle level on the Gitzo.
This will cause the Feisol not sturdy in shooting with the camera and especially with the long lens. In comparison with the G1227G (10) the Feisol rate 5/10, and the Man 055 is 7/10, the Man 055 is made by aluminium but it has better feeling and sturdy than the Feisol.
Well, to get the Feisol tripod, IMHO, you're better save up little bit more to get the G1227G or settle for the Man 055B, coz you're not intent to change your tripod in the near future once you try it out in the field and disappoint with what you got, the workshop at Blues Point last week with the long lens workshop can tell more than I said.
If you're in doubt, there's a workshop on the pinic day at Bobbin Head, you're welcome to test all.

redline wrote:

Onyx wrote:Hey Gary, any possibility of a group buy on the monopods to "spread the love" among members (and potential cost savings?)

same here, i wouldn't mind a monopod myself but i don't like the idea of using paypal

Hi Redline - I have used PayPal quite often and, touch wood, I have never had a problem.

Chris

Mj wrote:

gstark wrote:This is strongly suggestive that my monopod should turn up on Monday.

I'd say that would be about right... they were far quicker than their stated delivery times, which I think is very good marketing etc on their part.
quote]

And so it has.

Small box, ordered Wednesday, in my hands Monday. Looks to be very good; I'll be playing with it over the next few days.

My CM 1401 (sounds like a very old Blue computer that once helped pay my bills) was ordered on 13/1 and arrived today 19/1 and this using Air Mail (too cheap to pay full freight)

Got it at the old price of US$ 60 + US$ 12 as well

Sometimes even I can luck out.

Happy times to all

Joe

Hmm...I ordered mine Jan10 and still haven't received it yet. Really need it this weekend to, going to the racetrack.

Andy

atencati wrote:Hmm...I ordered mine Jan10 and still haven't received it yet. Really need it this weekend to, going to the racetrack.

Andy

Andy,
Have you got the Feisol yet? It's a long waiting game isn't it?
perhaps it's a "lethal weapons" and it's not allowed to get into the US airspaces and have to go by sea

with the innauguration spectacle today I'm sure it was confiscated as a weapon of mass destruction....and still I wait

A

FINALLY got my monopod yesterday! ordered the 10th, received the 24th. Wow that thing is light! Functions as it should (for now) we'll see in a year or two how it holds up!!!

Andy

Andy,

Unfortunately you did not receive it in time for the racetrack last weekend , but there is always a next time .

I sincerely hope you enjoy your new toy.

Cheerio,

Great to hear it got to it’s new home mate!!!
Fill us in with your thoughts as you get to use it please???

Cheers
Ray

Typical, I get a new toy and it starts raining again......Anyways, had a play with the 70-200 at the track this weekend. Interesting results. Learned that pretty much any filter you stick on it ruins the lens. The VR really changes the way I shoot motorsports now as well. Interesting. I was shooting side by side with my friend who was shhooting Canon 1ds mII with 70-200 and there was no difference in pic quality up to 8x10 prints.....I he spent about $8000 more!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

anyways, might have picked up a gig shooting motorsports for his company (family run, but need another photog)

Love the feisol, can't believe how light it is though..I now understand the earlier post about the copressed air comment, there seems to be a very small exhuast hole that compresses the air inside the pod...more to come!!! For 65 bucks, you can't go wrong with the Feisol.

Andy

Feisol monopod: Ordered 5:30pm on Saturday, as soon as I got back from the Bobbin Head meet... Received notification of dispatch at 3:44am on Tuesday... Delivered to my door 9:15am Thursday...

All I can say is don't bother paying the extra for courier service... It seems to get here very quickly with the normal air mail option...

So Feisol monopod reigns the D70Users forum!

Andy,

atencati wrote:Learned that pretty much any filter you stick on it ruins the lens.

Could you please expand on this a little more?

Great to hear that you're enjoying the new monopod.

Sorry bout that poor spot of English there. They didn't actually "RUIN" the lens. The conditions were a horrible bright sort of hazy/foggy overcast with all sorts of scattered light. Bleh, the c-pl made the pics flat and dull. No hue, saturation. No contrast. No life. Tried with just the uv, everything was hazy and blurred....bleh. Shot with no filter at all, the pics were definitely cleaner, brighter, focus was faster and there was better contrast. Oh well. I wish I had the monopod to play with, I was expirimentig wth the various VR modes and without VR at all. Should have some samples up soon...OH!!! Has ayone had trouble with focus wander when using a c-pl on the 70-200???

On the Feisol side. I have only used the Mono 2 times now and very limited at that but I love it. However, I can't decide if I like the big flat Disc on the top, it can be used with or without. It is huge compared t the 70-200 mount...hmmm

Andy

Time to dig this thread back up again

Quick question...

Can you use any head on the fiesol tripods???

&

Do you still use head on a monopod? Or do you just mount the camera on the pod itself?

Thinking about ordering a feisol but not sure which one???

W00DY

W00DY wrote:Time to dig this thread back up again

Quick question...

Can you use any head on the fiesol tripods???

&

Do you still use head on a monopod? Or do you just mount the camera on the pod itself?

Thinking about ordering a feisol but not sure which one???

W00DY

Order all three of them! their tripod needs head, the feisol tripod can be used by your wife to do the clothes hanger in the backyard or can make the tent as the Indian in Texas, who's settled for the feisol tripod? only MJ.
Weaker and crappy than the Man 190.
monopod does not need head.

Birddog114 wrote:
Order all three of them! their tripod needs head, the feisol tripod can be used by your wife to do the clothes hanger in the backyard or can make the tent as the Indian in Texas, who's settled for the feisol tripod? only MJ.
Weaker and crappy than the Man 190.
monopod does not need head.

Is the Man190 very heavy???

I don't want a heavy tripod or I won't use it!!!

W00DY wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:
Order all three of them! their tripod needs head, the feisol tripod can be used by your wife to do the clothes hanger in the backyard or can make the tent as the Indian in Texas, who's settled for the feisol tripod? only MJ.
Weaker and crappy than the Man 190.
monopod does not need head.

Is the Man190 very heavy???

I don't want a heavy tripod or I won't use it!!!

All they're heavy when you have the head with it, nothing light! how light do you want? light as cotton?
Hey, where are your pano shots up in the Gold Coast which you said before you left? Love to see them with your way doing in handheld

Woody there are different versions of the 190, range between 1.8-2.0 kg. Feisol, which as a tripod hasn't got rave reviews here compared to Gitzo, only has two versions of one tripod a 4 section or 3 section version. I like their monopod, cheap too.

Here is Manfrotto website http://www.manfrotto.com/ maybe cross reference with http://www.vanbar.com.au for prices

The Feisol monopod is Ok cos it's less than AU$100, leek, one of our member broke it in the try, I think it's worth with AU$100.00, but if I didn't have any monopod, I still don't buy it, I'll buy the G1588 cos I knew I'm going for the big gun.