More Tripod questions! (sorry)

[Joanna Carter]

I've taken the plunge and ordered a Feisol 3371 with CB50 ball head and centre column.

Hmmm, I must say that, regardless of the tripod, a ball head may not be the best idea. Although I know of people who use them happily, I know of more who threw them out and got something like the Manfrotto 410 three-way head. You might like to also consider whether you will need to do low-level shots and thus whether the centre column is removable.

[mrladewig]

Hmmm, I must say that, regardless of the tripod, a ball head may not be the best idea. Although I know of people who use them happily, I know of more who threw them out and got something like the Manfrotto 410 three-way head. You might like to also consider whether you will need to do low-level shots and thus whether the centre column is removable.

I do agree with you that I greatly prefer a three-way head (and have a Bogen 3030). But for backpacking the almost 2 pound weight savings of my Acratech is absolutely worth the frustration of using a ballhead. And since I've switched to arca-swiss plates, its now inconvenient to just switch back and forth.

My 3030 head on 3021 legs is almost 8 pounds.
My Acratech on Velbon 630 legs is roughly 4 pounds.

This is a big difference, even for day hiking.

[Ron Marshall]

I have a pan-tilt head for use near the car, and a 1 lb ball-head for backpacking/hiking. It is not quite as easy to keep level etc. as a pan-tilt, but for hiking that is much outweighed by the weight savings, for me.

[Dave Saunders]

Interesting points. My decision was based on the fact I've used ball heads for the last 20 years with medium format, and prefer them. But I do appreciate large format maybe a little different. I'll give it a go and see how I get on. (it wasn't too expensive)
Yes Joanne, the the centre column comes out, in fact it's an extra.

[Ted Harris]

Dve, I think youve made an excellent choice. I'm also firmly in the ball head camp and use two of them.

[Greg Lockrey]

Thanks all for your advice. I've taken the plunge and ordered a Feisol 3371 with CB50 ball head and centre column. Much cheaper than Gitzo and hopefully similar quality.
If I start posting loads of blurry photos, you'll know I got it wrong!

I have the 3471 but the 3371 is the same thing but with 3 leg extension. It is just a little taller when you carry it in the field. I find with mine that I need only to pull 3 sections partialy out. With the fourth it is taller than me. Let us know how you like the CB50. I personnaly have a RRS head at 4 times the cost. Not many of us to date have bought the Feisol heads. I would be curious as to how strong they are a year or so after some good use.

[Jan Pedersen]

Thanks all for your advice. I've taken the plunge and ordered a Feisol 3371 with CB50 ball head and centre column. Much cheaper than Gitzo and hopefully similar quality.

Dave, i was looking at that model to, is that in stock?
Should ad that it is the 3371/3471 and not so much the ball head.

Thanks.

[Dave Saunders]

Dave, i was looking at that model to, is that in stock?
Should ad that it is the 3371/3471 and not so much the ball head.

Thanks.

There site said they were in stock, but I won't hear for certain until tomorrow, or if I stay up very late tonight! (I'm on GMT, I think they're 5 hours ahead)

[anchored]

A comment, no... make that more of a question about the Acratech ballhead mentioned by several:

I had read quite a few reports a couple of years ago about this ballhead having one problem... albeit a relatively small one for most usages. And that problem was, when firmly tightening up the ballhead, the position will drift off whilst being tightened. I therefore bought Arca-Swiss B1 and B2 ballheads, which doesn't have this drift.

As I recall from research done at the time I decided to go with Arca-Swiss heads, this drift from preset is common with most other brands (I had this same drifting when trying out Manfrotto ballheads... but don't have it using their panheads).

[Rory_5244]

Nice to see some variety in the CF tripod camp now. Gitzo was the only CF tripod maker when I bought their G1228 Mk II in 2000. This tripod now supports an 8x10 system, and I'm still waiting for an unsharp picture due to tripod vibration. I sometimes think I may replace it for a bigger tripod when the 'Gear Acquisition Syndrome' hits, but I would have no real grounds for doing so. This tripod was money well spent (for once!)