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I'm looking for some legs to attach to my soon to arrive markin MB 20 head. At times I would like to hike with these and take them back country skiing. I'm thinking of the CF Benro models. I've not seen the actual tripods "in the flesh" and I've got a couple of questions..if anyone can answer..

1. In terms of stability...do the three section legs have a great deal of advantage over the four section?

2. In terms of compactness for hiking or skiing around with a backpack with tripod attached..is there much difference between the 3 and the 4?

Any thoughts appreciated

I am wanting to know the same, although I guess if you have 3 legs there is less to set up and put down.

I'll let you guys know in a few days as I ordered a C-328 n6 (4 section carbon same specs as the c-358 n6) from Hong Kong yesterday
the 4 section is about 110mm shorter folded so it may make a big difference on how and where you carry it out in the field as at 610mm, it should fit inside your pack and it won't get caught up when in thick bush etc. plus it will fit in a suitcase easer for flying
I went up one size in legs (from 3 section C-227 n6 being the spec that should work with my gear) to keep the stability as you are adding a larger tube to the outside of the 227's sizing plus getting a taller tripod with a higher rating that packs smaller although at a weight penalty

I have a Gitzo 1325 (3 section CF) and a Benro A228 (4 section aluminium). The Benro was purchased to take to NZ and has since been used by Alpha 7 in Europe. It performed admirably in both places. I can't pick too much difference between these to be honest. The 3 section is marginally more stable and a tiny bit lighter, but it cost about 8 times the price of the Benro. So from my experience:
- 3 section unless space is an issue (4 section is shorter)
- aluminium unless weight is a major issue (eg it's going to be carried for a long time)

In terms of stability, 3 section legs are better than 4 section, the less moving parts, the more stable it can be. But the tradeoff can be its folded length, 3 section legs are usually longer than 4 section legs and they both extend to same height I suppose.

3 section legs are easier to setup and adjust, faster to deploy and retract.

shakey wrote:1. In terms of stability...do the three section legs have a great deal of advantage over the four section?

The three section tripod will be more stable for the reasons that Yip mentions. It is a bit ligther but longer when folded.

2. In terms of compactness for hiking or skiing around with a backpack with tripod attached..is there much difference between the 3 and the 4?

I use the Benro C-127. It is certainly short enough to easily fit on the outside of a 50l pack. Since you are going back-country, the carbon tripods will make a big difference.

I have found it very stable with any of my lenses, even with the 300mm f4. For stability, just put your pack on the hook and for a long lens, hold the lens down firmly.

The current model number of the one that I have is the C-157. To carry over a number of days, myself, I would not go larger then the C-257

HTH,

André