Need guidance on a tripod...

[1971Chevelle]

I am currently using a Vanguard Abeo Pro 283CT tripod. I love the light weight of the carbon fiber. The issue is that when I was setting it up on Tuesday, one of the legs pulled out of the swivel area. It is riveted/glued in. I was able to push it back in and use it, but It obviously won't last long like this. So, is there a recommended brand of carbon fiber tripod that will accept the Vanguard GH-300T pistol grip head? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[iamdlewis]

Vanguard GH-300T appears to have a standard connection point so any tripod should work. Other than carbon fiber what are you looking for in a tripod? To you want one that is super sturdy? Do you want one that is easy to travel with? Do you want something that is really tall or short? Do you have a price range you are looking at?

Every tripod is a compromise, there is not one that can meet every need.

 

[THXGEEK]

Vanguard GH-300T appears to have a standard connection point so any tripod should work. Other than carbon fiber what are you looking for in a tripod? To you want one that is super sturdy? Do you want one that is easy to travel with? Do you want something that is really tall or short? Do you have a price range you are looking at?

Every tripod is a compromise, there is not one that can meet every need.

+1

I use Sirui CF monopods when hiking about. LeoFoto makes some very nice gear, not quite as 'high-end' as Really Right Stuff, but costs much less. And Manfrotto has been around forever.

 

[1971Chevelle]

I only use it for shooting items to post online for someone. It is inside a concrete warehouse, so everything is flat and stable (the downside is that the lighting is far from ideal). It would be nice to have one that is a little taller overall (the Abeo has a max height of 63"). I will check the B&H website to see what they have.

 

[1971Chevelle]

I found this one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/803470654-USE/giottos_mt8170_mt_8170_carbon_fiber_universal.html/reviews

 

[iamdlewis]

I am not sure what makes that Giottos MT8170 one that meets your needs as the specs are kind of missing on that. But if you just need tall and Carbon Fiber for use indoors you could just get one like NEEWER N55CR Upgraded 80.7" Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod. My first tripod was/is a Neewer, I still use it though only for indoor stuff, one of the legs doesn't fully retract after a few outings in saltwater/sand. If it was only ever to be used indoors I am sure it would still be fine.

 

[1971Chevelle]

I am not sure what makes that Giottos MT8170 one that meets your needs as the specs are kind of missing on that. But if you just need tall and Carbon Fiber for use indoors you could just get one like NEEWER N55CR Upgraded 80.7" Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod. My first tripod was/is a Neewer, I still use it though only for indoor stuff, one of the legs doesn't fully retract after a few outings in saltwater/sand. If it was only ever to be used indoors I am sure it would still be fine.

I looked up the specs on it and it is about 6 inches taller than the Vanguard - and that would probably be sufficient for my needs.

 

[Snapshot]

I am a big fan of the Peak Design Carbon fiber series. The travel, and the full size, and I have them both.
Ulanzi/Falcam just came out with a look-alike copy of the travel tripod, and I have no idea how it stacks up against the original.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1495136-REG/peak_design_tt_cb_5_150_cf_1_carbon_fiber_travel_tripod.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1835224-REG/ulanzi_3131_zero_f38_quick_release.html

 

[Richard A]

After seeing some comparison reviews I bought the Ulanzi Zero Y travel tripod. I love it. I use it all the time. I have since bought the video head for it also.

 

[1971Chevelle]

Both of those won't give me any more height than what I currently have. The one I linked to sold, so I am now looking at these two:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1121084-REG/manfrotto_mt055cxpro4_carbon_fiber_4_section.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328229-REG/gitzo_gk2545t_82qdus_traveler_tripod_kit_gt2545t.html/ask-question

I know they are more expensive, but I can get 12 months same as cash on the payboo card. I will need to add a bag to either one, because neither of them come with one.

 

[iamdlewis]

You are now into $600 tripods, which means you are out of the price point at which the fly-by-night brands operate. So what are you really looking for in one? We know that you have a height that you want to reach, is that with the center column up, no center column, and what is that height? If the center column needs to be up that will make a difference in stability. We know that you want it to be carbon fiber because it is lighter but carbon fiber is really only lighter when compared to the same model in aluminum, so what weight are you looking for? Does it need to pack small or do you not care about travel size? Do you like the head unit on your current tripod or does the new one need to come with a new head?

I would be very shocked if they didn't come with bags. My $160 Manfrotto came with one. Of those I would not get the Manfrotto or at least I would not get a Manfrotto with a head since they use unique mount plates and it can be very annoying if you use multiple tripods or long lenses.

Of the two lens you shared there are big differences. The Manfrotto has a max height of 71" but that is with the center column up and the Gitzo is 65" with no center column. Though both are carbon fiber but the Manfrotto weights ~6 lbs and the Gitzo is ~4 lbs.

At this price point you have all the serious tripod brands to choose from except Really Right Stuff, so you are going to get a high-quality tripod, it really just comes down to what features you want.

 

[1971Chevelle]

You are now into $600 tripods, which means you are out of the price point at which the fly-by-night brands operate. So what are you really looking for in one? We know that you have a height that you want to reach, is that with the center column up, no center column, and what is that height? If the center column needs to be up that will make a difference in stability. We know that you want it to be carbon fiber because it is lighter but carbon fiber is really only lighter when compared to the same model in aluminum, so what weight are you looking for? Does it need to pack small or do you not care about travel size? Do you like the head unit on your current tripod or does the new one need to come with a new head?

I would be very shocked if they didn't come with bags. My $160 Manfrotto came with one. Of those I would not get the Manfrotto or at least I would not get a Manfrotto with a head since they use unique mount plates and it can be very annoying if you use multiple tripods or long lenses.

Of the two lens you shared there are big differences. The Manfrotto has a max height of 71" but that is with the center column up and the Gitzo is 65" with no center column. Though both are carbon fiber but the Manfrotto weights ~6 lbs and the Gitzo is ~4 lbs.

At this price point you have all the serious tripod brands to choose from except Really Right Stuff, so you are going to get a high-quality tripod, it really just comes down to what features you want.

I'm just looking for a little extra height - nothing extreme. I photograph inside a warehouse, with a concrete floor, so stability is really not an issue (as far as the floor goes). The Gitzo does have a center column, it just doesn't go up as high as the Manfrotto. (and it comes with a shorter center column if you need to go lower). I was looking at the Manfrotto due to the pistol grip head. I use the Vanguard GH-300T pistol grip head and it meets my needs. If I didn't like the Manfrotto version, I could swap my Vanguard onto the tripod.

My current head uses an Arca mount plate, and it looks like the Gitzo does, too. I don't use multiple tripods, so the mount wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I would gain 2 inches with the Gitzo, but 8 inches with the Manfrotto. As far as travel, I don't travel, so that is a non issue. I put the tripod into my car, drive the warehouse, use the tripod, put it back into my car, and drive home. The reason for wanting carbon fiber is that I have to move the tripod around a lot at the warehouse, so the lighter the better.

As for bags, neither one comes with a bag. I specifically asked that question on one of them, and neither one lists a bag as included. And I believe that both are owned by the same company.