carbon fibre mono and tripods

[KerryPierce]

In the FWIW department.

I've recently become a great fan of carbon fibre. I've had a Feisol monopod for a couple of months and received my tripod yesterday. I'm still shopping for a new head for the tripod, but it seems like it will be exactly what I wanted, especially compared to the prices of other carbon fibre units.

I bought both of them through Ebay, but just found a pointer to the company web site, where they have very good prices if you buy both a mono and tripod at the same time.

FWIW, the tripod is so cool and light weight, that I'm thinking of just leaving the monopod at home and using the tripod either as a monopod or a bipod, when I don't want or need the full tripod.

http://www.feisol.com/english/enconnect-n.htm

[nito]

Hi Kerry, what is their max extension height. I'm after a light tripod that can reach 180-190 cm.

[stubbsy]

I've had a look at both the monopod & the tripod at birddogs. While they aren't the same build quality as the Gitzo's their price is lower too. There are a few other posts around here with favourable comments on these too.

[KerryPierce]

Hi Kerry, what is their max extension height. I'm after a light tripod that can reach 180-190 cm.

Wow Dunno where you'll find one with those specifications. Using the center column fully extended like that will likely introduce a lot of shake. You might want to look into a good head that has a lot of height.

The Feisols are a little short for my tastes, but the weight more than makes up for that for me.

[KerryPierce]

I've had a look at both the monopod & the tripod at birddogs. While they aren't the same build quality as the Gitzo's their price is lower too. There are a few other posts around here with favourable comments on these too.

I prolly should have guessed that Birdy would have them.... They've only been available in the states, until very recently, through Ebay, direct from the factory.

[Nnnnsic]

I didn't think Birdy had them.

I know MCWB has a tripod, and there are quite a few members who have the Feisol monopod.

I'd like to see the stability of it with something heavy like the 80-400 on it, personally.

[stubbsy]

I've had a look at both the monopod & the tripod at birddogs. While they aren't the same build quality as the Gitzo's their price is lower too. There are a few other posts around here with favourable comments on these too.

I prolly should have guessed that Birdy would have them.... They've only been available in the states, until very recently, through Ebay, direct from the factory.

As Leigh has already said, birddog doesn't have them (he's not called Gitzo Guru for nothing ).

The ones I looked at were brought along by some members.

[KerryPierce]

I didn't think Birdy had them.

I know MCWB has a tripod, and there are quite a few members who have the Feisol monopod.

I'd like to see the stability of it with something heavy like the 80-400 on it, personally.

Are you talking about the monopod or tripod, for stability? The 80-400 is a relative lightweight for a long lens, at just shy of 3lbs. The Bigma is 4.1lbs and the Sigma 100-300 is 3.25lbs. Even the Sigma 70-200 is slightly over 3lbs.

The monopod handles the weight just fine.

As soon as I get a head on the tripod, I'll be using the big guns on it. I'll probably be hanging my camera bag off the hook on the tripod, but will test it both ways to see how it works.

I got the 3401 tripod, which is 4 section legs. The 3 section leg tripods are said to be better for stability.

[birddog114]

MCWB has the Feisol tripod, not me, I'm with Gitzo

[nito]

Wow Dunno where you'll find one with those specifications. Using the center column fully extended like that will likely introduce a lot of shake. You might want to look into a good head that has a lot of height.

The Feisols are a little short for my tastes, but the weight more than makes up for that for me.

Maybe 180-190 cm is too much. At least eye level and a bit beyond.

Darn, the highest tripod I have used barely extends to my eye level and I have to hunch to align. Some of them are really bad.

[MCWB]

Did someone say I had some Feisol whatsit?

Yup I have the 3401 (4 section) CF tripod, coupled with a Manfrotto 488RC2 head. Having played with Birdy's Gitzos previously and the AUB and M20 heads on the weekend, my combo is obviously not up to that sort of standard. However mine set me back ~$300 for the tripod itself (like Kerry I got the excellent monopod at the same time, about $400 shipped in total) plus $166 for the head and QRP, so $466 all up, rather than getting pocket change from $1500 for the Gitzo/head/QRP.

I bought these knowing full well they aren't the best, but I bought the legs because:
(a) I'm going around Europe in August/September, and I therefore wanted something very light, so it had to be CF.
(b) None of the Manfrotto or Gitzo CF legs were anywhere close to my budget, ergo Feisol. I went with the 3401 as it's a bit more compact when fully folded up.

In terms of head, I considered the AUB, but optioned up as I'd want it we're talking US$300 + shipping, so it's unlikely to end up on the happy side of $450 in Oz, and that's without QRP (add another $50 min)! If you're spending that sort of money, the Markins/Kirk/RRS offerings are probably worth the small amount extra I'd think!

I know Birdy thinks I'm somewhat silly for making this choice , and I am fully aware that I'll probably upgrade this combo at some later date, but given that I wanted a light tripod and head for my trip, this IMO is an acceptable compromise in terms of bang for buck. At this stage of my lens lust career I'd much rather put $1K into glass than a tripod/head combo.

In terms of what it can handle, I forgot to test it with the 80-400 VR on Saturday , but it can hold the 80-200 2.8 1-touch at any number of weird angles, and that's with the head attached to the body (no tripod collar) so it's a pretty bad scenario.

[phillipb]

but it can hold the 80-200 2.8 1-touch at any number of weird angles, and that's with the head attached to the body (no tripod collar) so it's a pretty bad scenario.

This scenario always worries me. I can't help feeling that there's too much strain on the mount.

[birddog114]

MCWB,
Don't get me wrong! I never against anyone wills, you can have the Feisol and you'll happy with it, I knew there's budgetary within your limitation.

I just want to advice the best way to get and won't update the leg in quite long time, say 10 or 20 years or never have to buy another one.

My tripods and heads are far more than the standard which I have with the lenses, can handle up over 600mm under any harsh conditions and guaranteed without any vibration, very sturdy, even with the full gimbal head mounted which I've just received last Friday but no time to show it on Saturday at the mini meet, propose for the 500mm AF-S in the near future.

You'll enjoy your new toys in the coming trip and posting feed back your experiences with the Feisol.

[birddog114]

but it can hold the 80-200 2.8 1-touch at any number of weird angles, and that's with the head attached to the body (no tripod collar) so it's a pretty bad scenario.

I'm sure you don't want to see the D70 body still attached on the head and the 80-200 + the mount on the ground

[MCWB]

I just want to advice the best way to get and won't update the leg in quite long time, say 10 or 20 years or never have to buy another one.

Yup yup, roger that! Nah I didn't get you wrong either, I know what you're saying. I thought very carefully about going the whole hog and getting the 'ultimate' setup that you suggest, and it is awesome, but then I realised that more good pics will come in the short term from better glass than they would have with a better tripod/head combo.

Phillip and Birdy: I agree completely. I only really did this as a test of what the head could hold, rather than intending on doing it on an ongoing basis. I'm lusting after the 70-200 VR for that. It can't be good for the mount I agree, I always support the lens when I have the 80-200 2.8 on (except this testing instance).