Which Feisol tripod legs

Son_of_Thor

Son_of_Thor

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I've been mulling over replacing my current tripod legs for a while. Currently using some old Manfrotto 732cy carbon fibre legs which I bought cheaply from another forum a few years ago. They are extremely lightweight (900g) but there is a lot of flex in them so result are very inconsistent. These weren't 'too' bad with Nikon DX, but I've since moved to FF with a D750 and it time for something much more rigid, but I'd like to keep the weight down if possible. I've been using a Manfrotto 496 ball-head with an Arca clamp/L bracket. I recently bought a used Manfrotto 498 ball-head and replaced the top plate with an Arca clamp (mostly for the separate pan control), but this has left things somewhat top heavy and I'm still getting inconsistent results because of the leg-flex.

The obvious upgrade seemed to be the Manfrotto 190CXPro3/4, ideally the 4 as it's a much better fit closed on a backpack, but I'm not convinced by the lower leg section diameter/strength after my experience with the lighter-weight Manfrotto. Then I came across the Feisol Tournament/Elite ranges. The lower leg section diameters on the 4-section tripods are much chunkier. These seem to do everything I want, but the question is which one should I buy?

Tournament CT-3442 Rapid
Elite CT3472 Rapid

The Tournament model is much lighter (1.14KG) and is much closer to the weight of my current tripod legs - but is it really solid enough for landscape/wildlife photography? Or do I just go for the Elite model (1.77KG) and accept the extra weight? Current heaviest lens is a Nikon 24-120 F4 or 70-300 VR, but I could see myself buying something like a Sigma 150-600C/Nikon 200-500 in future.

The only real comparison I've made is with a friends Manfrotto 055CXPro4/Kirk BH-1 ball-head which seems rock solid, but is far too heavy for me to want to carry it around all day whilst out walking. I'd like to buy once and get it right but there doesn't seem to be anywhere I could go to try them out. Any input from folks with experience of both models or any other suggestions would be most welcome!
 
I own and use the feisol tournament 'pod (the 3 leg version). I use it with a D810 and a variety of lenses (24-70 & 70-200 in the past, now only have primes). Surprisingly for its weight, it is rock solid. Have used it in all conditions (rain, wind, snow, sea, river etc ...) and it has stood up to it all very well indeed. I did use it with the 'frotto 496 with an arca conversion too, but have recently put a feisol head on it (the 40D I think it is). A friend on here (@Bazzle) uses the 4 legged version with a bigger ball head with a D750 and again he has no issues either, I've tagged him so maybe he'll give feedback.

If you go for the bigger lenses though, you may need to step up in size, I've no plans on using any big primes with mine at the moment but I'd not hesitate to use it with a 200-500 for example.
 
I use the 3472, which I can thoroughly recommend, it is as solid as a rock with my D500 & 500 f4 but I've also used it with a D4S and Sigma 300-800 and it didn't flinch once.
If you plan on getting the 200-500 it would be ideal but in fact for anything where you want stability they are just an excellent set of legs. :)
 
PaulButler said:
I own and use the feisol tournament 'pod (the 3 leg version). I use it with a D810 and a variety of lenses (24-70 & 70-200 in the past, now only have primes). Surprisingly for its weight, it is rock solid. Have used it in all conditions (rain, wind, snow, sea, river etc ...) and it has stood up to it all very well indeed. I did use it with the 'frotto 496 with an arca conversion too, but have recently put a feisol head on it (the 40D I think it is). A friend on here (@Bazzle) uses the 4 legged version with a bigger ball head with a D750 and again he has no issues either, I've tagged him so maybe he'll give feedback.

If you go for the bigger lenses though, you may need to step up in size, I've no plans on using any big primes with mine at the moment but I'd not hesitate to use it with a 200-500 for example.
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul, that's pretty much the sort of endorsement I was looking for :) I too was thinking about the 40D head longer term. Having looked at the weight of a 200-500 it may well be an 80-400 or Sigma 150-160C when I get around to looking at a longer lens so it sounds like this may well be the right choice. I just can't see me carrying anything heavier around (albeit I've never even held any of them so who knows)!
 
gramps said:
I use the 3472, which I can thoroughly recommend, it is as solid as a rock with my D500 & 500 f4 but I've also used it with a D4S and Sigma 300-800 and it didn't flinch once.
If you plan on getting the 200-500 it would be ideal but in fact for anything where you want stability they are just an excellent set of legs. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Gramps - I'd seen a couple of your posts about the Elite series when I did a forum search on Feisol - they sound like an excellent set of legs, I'm just not sure with the extra weight over the Tournament series that they'd always leave the house with me! I'm more of a landscape 'tog than wildlife (if I'm anything at all!) I suppose I could always look for a decent monopod if I get more serious about wildlife photography and the Tournament legs aren't up to the job, although from what Paul said they should be up to my requirements.
 
I use a tournament ct-3342, which is the 3 section like paul. Combined with the big manfrotto 488RC2 ball head, it works fantastically with my Mamiya RZ67 + 75mm shift or my D810 + 300mm f2.8. (The rz combo is ~ 4.5kg) It's also light enough that I don't mind carrying it with me up a mountain.

Only negative from me is that it won't fold up around the head to make it more compact, but that isn't the legs at fault.

With the RZ67 mounted.
 
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3371 rapid here, for my 600mm f4, mega stable, Evan at 1200mm.. I like the tube diameter. The only criticism is the leg angles, there isn't a middle leg position,..
 
I've just bought the 3472. Not used it much but it feels very solid and is well made.
I am pairing it with an FLM ballhead.

There is currently a 3372 for sale in classifieds. I would have been tempted but my new one arrived the day it was posted on here.
 
I have the 3442 4 leg section tripod with the cb-50 ball head and it's the best thing since sliced bread on hind sight the slightly smaller head would have been fine but I went with the recommended head on the site
I have D750 and I've recently done a workshop on Dartmoor on top of great staple tor it was blowing hard enough to make standing still a challenge at times and it performed admirably every time I've used it its performed impeccably. Is it worth saving the few inches on leg length possibly if you plan to travel abroad with it but I've had chance to compare it against Pauls and I think his 3 section legs may have the edge due to the last leg sections being slightly thicker and I'd recommend his head I think it's the CB-40 it's more than adequate
 
Cheffievrs said:
3371 rapid here, for my 600mm f4, mega stable, Evan at 1200mm.. I like the tube diameter. The only criticism is the leg angles, there isn't a middle leg position,..
Click to expand...

Thanks Jason. I've seen a couple of articles mention the leg angles with regard to stability. Not sure that'll be too much of an issue for me - TBH anything is going to be massively more stable than what I have at the moment!
 
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Peter123 said:
I've just bought the 3472. Not used it much but it feels very solid and is well made.
I am pairing it with an FLM ballhead.

There is currently a 3372 for sale in classifieds. I would have been tempted but my new one arrived the day it was posted on here.
Click to expand...

Thanks Peter, I did spot the 3372 in the classifieds - that's what prompted me to try and make a decision on which to go for! :)
 
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Bazzle said:
I have the 3442 4 leg section tripod with the cb-50 ball head and it's the best thing since sliced bread on hind sight the slightly smaller head would have been fine but I went with the recommended head on the site
I have D750 and I've recently done a workshop on Dartmoor on top of great staple tor it was blowing hard enough to make standing still a challenge at times and it performed admirably every time I've used it its performed impeccably. Is it worth saving the few inches on leg length possibly if you plan to travel abroad with it but I've had chance to compare it against Pauls and I think his 3 section legs may have the edge due to the last leg sections being slightly thicker and I'd recommend his head I think it's the CB-40 it's more than adequate
Click to expand...

Thanks Barrie, it looks like it's going to the be Tournament series for me with the 40D head. Sounds like that'll more than cover my requirements with the bonus that they really are light. I like the ability to folds the legs back over the head to reduce size for carrying. Now I just need to choose between the 3 and 4 section! :)
 
I looked at the CT3442 Rapid, decided on the four leg version, but it was out of stock so bought something else. My research found the four legger to be more than adequate and most people were pleased with its shorter folded length.
Are you going to buy it from the European site, last I heard the UK distributor had packed up because of the exchange rates
 
tijuana taxi said:
I looked at the CT3442 Rapid, decided on the four leg version, but it was out of stock so bought something else. My research found the four legger to be more than adequate and most people were pleased with its shorter folded length.
Are you going to buy it from the European site, last I heard the UK distributor had packed up because of the exchange rates
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the 4-section - it's 19mm diameter on the last leg section vs 22mm on the 3-section. I'm sure the 3 section will be slightly better, but the 4 section is already much chunkier than a Manfrotto 055CXPro4's last leg section. I was thinking of the European site. The UK distributor does seem to be selling some leftover stock on Ebay, but not the models I'm after. Amazon.co.uk also seem to sell them, albeit they don't appear to be stock items. I'll probably buy the 40D head later..
 
I tried to buy mine an Amazon UK as my bank charges £23 transaction fee.
However, after several weeks as showing awaiting stock I gave up and ordered direct.
Service was efficient.
 
Peter123 said:
I tried to buy mine an Amazon UK as my bank charges £23 transaction fee.
However, after several weeks as showing awaiting stock I gave up and ordered direct.
Service was efficient.
Click to expand...

Thanks Peter, It looks like I've made the right choice then!
 
You wont be disappointed you made the best choice I'm sure I've loved mine from the first time I took it out the bag
 
Well, the new tripod legs turned up yesterday. Very please with them. They feel like a very high quality piece of kit. Very solid and very light. I think I made the right choice :)
 
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