Advice on upgrading tripod to carbon fibre

DaelpixPhotography

DaelpixPhotography

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Currently have a Manfrotto 055XBROB tripod + Manfrotto 804RC2 head

I'm looking into selling them and upgrading to a carbon fibre model, but unsure what to go for.

So far I have looked at (see image) (top ones)

I want to change and go with a ball head.

Must hold:
  • My full frame and Sigma lens (may change at some point to a Canon 100-400)
  • Able to do macro
  • Lightweight for long treks up hills/mountains
  • Sturdy in gales, but tripod can be held down

I thought about the Angel, but it seems too light from watching a youtube video, so may have gone off that one.

I love the idea that you can use the Benro tripods as a monopod without having to buy a separate monopod. The first option is a little better/heavier than the Angel.
 

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Since you've already got the Aluminum 055 (and are presumably happy with them, but are simply looking to upgrade), I'd suggest the CF 055 CX Pro legs - though I personally opted for the 3 section, rather than 4 section version (I have the 055 CX Pro 3) as I believe it is more stable when the legs are fully extended.
You can mix and match manufacturers with heads and legs, so could get the Benro head for the Manfrotto legs (I use a 410 Geared head on mine, but that's a more expensive, and heavy, beast!).
 
I'm quite unhappy with the tripod I have currently. It's too heavy and it can be a pain up it's rear end on long walks. I wish I went with the carbon fibre version but I didn't have the money then.

But I love that the legs can be stretched out for those low shots.

I never liked the idea of 4-legged tripods. You're asking for trouble when you want a sturdy place to put a camera and you don't want it shaking around.
 
If you are happy with your Manfrotto then stick with that manufacturer. I agree with the three section legs and I would add the preference for levers rather than twist locks!
 
I would not sell what you already have. There are occasions when a heavy tripod is just what you need. And the money you would get for it is hardly worth the bother. I have recently added a rare L version of the manfrotto 190 series, which is almost as long but much lighter than an. 055b. I have also bought a High lights E2+H2 low profile head for it which is Smoother and locks more solid than any of my previous heads.
I have never known a head so easy to adjust.. though tripods are a very personal choice?

However your present kit probably need a pretty hefty support.
 
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Have a look to see exactly what the weight saving is between an aluminium and a carbon version of the same model. Not hard to lose a couple of kilos by changing one's diet (with enough motivation!)
 
I thought you were long term unemployed, couldn't afford an HGV driving course to retrain, and didn't have a reliable car to use at the moment? If so, If I were in your position, then choosing which carbon fibre tripod to buy would be a long way down my 'to do' list. I hope you don't take that the wrong way, but in the middle of a global pandemic and pending world recession I think I'd be looking to keep any money I had unless I had a very strong business case to spend it.
 
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I went to Wex a few months ago with the intention of buying a Monfrotto 055 carbon with their ball head. The nice people at wex had the O55 in carbon and aluminium and fitted a ball head to each. Carbon plus head weighs 2.5 kg; aluminium plus head weighs 3kg. Closed my eyes and compared their weight subjectively - couldn't tell the difference! Bought the aluminium one and saved £100 or so. It's all in the mind.
 
yzfmike said:
I went to Wex a few months ago with the intention of buying a Monfrotto 055 carbon with their ball head. The nice people at wex had the O55 in carbon and aluminium and fitted a ball head to each. Carbon plus head weighs 2.5 kg; aluminium plus head weighs 3kg. Closed my eyes and compared their weight subjectively - couldn't tell the difference! Bought the aluminium one and saved £100 or so. It's all in the mind.
Click to expand...

Wex is actually where I buy stuff from. Sadly all their shops are too far away for me to pop into one.

Edit: I'll see if I can weight my tripod and head tomorrow and I'll post the results.
 
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Also, a lighter tripod allows you to use a heavier/sturdier head if required.
 
Might stay with Manfrotto in the end instead of buying a Benro. I'll have to decide later on in the year what I want.

Wish my local camera shop had a website :( Or I might have gone in and tested the weight of a Manfrotto if they had it in stock............Might head there some day and see what they have....Not in a rush.
 
Dael_Pix said:
Might stay with Manfrotto in the end instead of buying a Benro. I'll have to decide later on in the year what I want.

Wish my local camera shop had a website :( Or I might have gone in and tested the weight of a Manfrotto if they had it in stock............Might head there some day and see what they have....Not in a rush.
Click to expand...

You'll get the weight specs on the manfrotto wensite
 
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admirable said:
You'll get the weight specs on the manfrotto wensite
Click to expand...

If you do a quick search on Google for "manfrotto 055cxpro3 weight" then Google headlines it as 1.65kg. Looks like they pick up the weight from dpreview website or other review websites that use this value.

Manfrotto say 2kg on their website.

I have this tripod and my scales go with the Manfrotto value. With the XPro geared head the total weight is 2.7kg.
 
Tnh I wouldn't bother changing.

I haven't looked at the specs for the weight differences but going on my own tripods, two of them offering the exact same specs barr the weight really do not warrant the considerable price differences especially as the weight saving is only about a half kilo.

Also something important to consider is that lightness and stability do not always come hand in hand if considering long exposures but also for the 'safety ' of your kit going for a flight.

Fair enough I shoot Large Format film so not only is there a fair sized camera with bellows sat on the tripod, but also shutter speeds are very rarely faster than 1/25, usually closer to the 1/2 second mark if not considerably longer.

Although physically stable , the alu tripod with it's added weight 'holds' itself firm to the ground considerably better than its carbon counterpart when there is a breeze.
The latter, although not visible to the naked eye, can be prone to movement which becomes evident in the resulting negative/print and I have on occasion had to attach a weighted sac to the center column to help stabilsie it which can help but also has a detrimental effect as the sac itself catches the wind too!

Edit: Just to add that although the tripod legs may be marginally lighter between the two materials, it is often the head that bumps up the pounds.!
 
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Dryce said:
If you do a quick search on Google for "manfrotto 055cxpro3 weight" then Google headlines it as 1.65kg. Looks like they pick up the weight from dpreview website or other review websites that use this value.

Manfrotto say 2kg on their website.

I have this tripod and my scales go with the Manfrotto value. With the XPro geared head the total weight is 2.7kg.
Click to expand...

Just checked mine (which is the previous version of the 055 CXPro3), and that comes to 3.2kg with a 410 Junior Geared head (1.2kg from Manfrotto), so again tallies with the legs being 2Kg.

One other advantage of the CF that hasn't been mentioned - if the weathers like it is now, a CF tripod feels a lot less cold in the hand when adjusting it!
 
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Just weighed the Manfrotto 755CX3, bare legs and it's 1975gThe MHXPRO-BHQ6 ball head is 600g.
 
I faced a similar dilemma, owning a 055 aluminium with Xpro head, total 3Kg. I like the design so went to Manfrotto’s 190 Go! Carbon legs bought 2nd hand from eBay and a lightweight head that David Griff recommended https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071WJ9SV9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share£

Total cost £185 and weight 1.6Kg - nearly half that of the 055 setup.

There are compromises and it’s only better, not as if the weight’s gone completely or you don’t still have a cumbersome lump strapped to the side of the pack. The reality is I could have stayed with the 055 and been just as (un!)happy. Strongly urge you to consider pressing on with the 055 regardless and put the money towards fuel etc for a nice trip or two
 
Have a look at the tripod rankings on thecentercolumn.com

here

Unlike many sources of comparison, this is an engineering lead site with measured data on stiffness and damping as well as mass and reviews of build quality and so on.

It will at least give you some idea of the range and price of what’s available. They also have rankings for travel tripods ( check their desktop rather than mobile sites )

I have an aluminium 3 part 055 and it’s really good and sturdy but I can see what you mean about hawling it around. I also have the equivalent 190 but I use it for smaller systems ie not long zooms and dslr’s though it should cope. I have a gimbal so I like the weight of the 055 in preference.

The 190 CF may be an option for you but there is also the benro 386 mach 3 which gets good reviews as do many others at about that price -around or less than 300 quid.
 
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One of the problems with comparison tests and reviews is that they often only deal with a small (sometimes very small [5 or so] sample group). Some test many more makes... but perhaps only one or two models from a manufacturer that offers dozens - and which may fall outside the criteria a person is actually looking for.

A person could probably drive themselves crackers these days trying to choose an item by reading internet reviews, or at least spend an awful lot of time online and then be non the wiser once they narrow things down and check out actual customer reviews of the model that they thought seemed perfect! I've been there myself; in the end, I didn't go cheap, but I didn't go nuts either! What did I get? There's absolutely no point in telling you, as that model was discontinued a couple of years ago! Welcome to the modern world. :)
 
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@greyowl Thank you for the link. Sadly I don't think I want twist lock. I'll stay with level locks.


I'm not in a rush in buying another tripod, so I'll come back to this thread when I'm ready to buy another.

Thanks all
 
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