LTD Edition Carbon Tripods Manfrotto vs Giottos

I have a CF Giottos tripod which I reckon is up there with the best. I don't know the model to which you refer though.
 
Even at the price being offered, just because it's got the two key buzzwords (carbon & fibre) doesn't make up for mediocre specs.
22-10.5mm legs, 3.5-4kg load - fine for indoors use to photo stuff you're putting on ebay, but not for any outdoor work, esp with a bag dangling off their hooks (assuming they even have that facility) to add mass for vibration damping and prevent couping over by the wind when well extended.

See what money Santa gives you, and put half again-double the price into something substantially better spec'd from Sirui/Vonjean/Horusbennu on ebay, or someone's cast off higher end CF from Man or Gitz, maybe even Benro, if you must have a brand name to hang off.

That's my take on the above offerings at least - someone else's may be completely different.*



* Looks like they were, as I was writing this. :lol:
 
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JohnN said:
Theres a youtube vid of the Manfrotto if that helps - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXfMjDgOQ2U

Damn, just noticed the timescale... :(
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No worries, it hopefully will be useful for someone else :)

Yellowbelly said:
I have a CF Giottos tripod which I reckon is up there with the best. I don't know the model to which you refer though.
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I have added links to both. I have also read up a lot on both and just picked up a Giottos! Not used it yet though.

PJ S said:
Even at the price being offered, just because it's got the two key buzzwords (carbon & fibre) doesn't make up for mediocre specs.
22-10.5mm legs, 3.5-4kg load - fine for indoors use to photo stuff you're putting on ebay, but not for any outdoor work, esp with a bag dangling off their hooks (assuming they even have that facility) to add mass for vibration damping and prevent couping over by the wind when well extended.

See what money Santa gives you, and put half again-double the price into something substantially better spec'd from Sirui/Vonjean/Horusbennu on ebay, or someone's cast off higher end CF from Man or Gitz, maybe even Benro, if you must have a brand name to hang off.

That's my take on the above offerings at least - someone else's may be completely different.
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Thanks for your input, I will have a look around those brands that you have suggested!
 
Having had a read around this is the conclusions I have come to:

Manfrotto

Pros
Cheaper
Shorter when folded
Lower minimum height
3.5KG load capacity

Cons
Heavier
Carbon-cobalt
1 year warranty
4 section means narrower bottom legs

Giottos

Pros
Built in spirit levels
Higher maximum height
3 section so thicker legs
Carbon-fibre
Lighter
Supports weight-bag
Carry case included
5 Year warranty
Foam sleeves

Cons
Shop told me heads can't be changed (not yet confirmed)
Taller when folded
Minimum height is higher

These are just my observations so far, will add to them if I think of anything else!
 
We have a carbon fibre giotto in the studio, its pants, the head just dosnt feel secure, will try and et the model, manfrotto, all day for me.
 
I've got the Manfrotto, got it a few months ago....glad I didn't pay full whack for it, the bottom section of the legs are pointless, it's not great outdoors in the wind, and the head is rubbish. Plus point is that it's light enough, which was the main reason I bought it, but for landscape that I "do" it's just not good enough.

My cheap Camlink pro was a much sturdier tripod than this, and i'm looking to buy something much more substantial now.
 
Not sure either of these are pretending to be something they're not.

They will both do a job of supporting your camera but with compromises - they won't be uber stable (although you can ballast the Giottos), not tall, don't offer horizontal column features - but they are quite light. And if that means you take it with you when you go out with your camera it can only really be a good thing.

If you want better stability, more column features and a eye height tripod then both these manufacturers produce products that will do that.

And they are both distributed by reputable companies in the UK who can provide after sales service - manfrotto and daymen (giottos, and also do lowepro)

I'd say if your in the market for a lightweight tripod and don't want to spend Gitzo, Benro travel angel or giottos vitruvian money, these represent a good alternative.

But the key with any tripod purchase is the compromise somewhere you will have to make - stable generally means heavy, portable means lightweight and less stable, lightweight and stable generally means expensive.

just my thoughts
 
I think you're right.

There is a few features that cost the manufacturer, those features haven't been included in these tripods. (Things like the thread technology on the head, the reversible legs, the monopods, the density of the carbon-fibre). It is therefore clear where corners have been cut. But I think the Giottos at 1.15KG including the 3 way head is more than a fair price for the job it does!
 
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