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Manfrotto vs Feisol

M

mikeheenan

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 8, 2007
306
15
I am currently looking at 2 tripods to purchase:

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/83...XPRO4/_/055_carbon_fibre_Q90_4-section_tripod

and

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-p-38.html


I am tall (6'3") so both of these offer enough height. The Feisol weighs less, and folds up to a smaller dimension, and will probably fit in a backpack, which would be perfect for travelling. But I like the fact that the Manfrotto has the horizontal adapter already included, which Feisol charges extra for. Anyone have either of these and can offer pros and cons?
 
How stable do you need this tripod to be? I have a Manfrotto, it was bought purely because it was heavier than other tripods. The light weight / super collapsible ones tend to be flimsy, and won't hold steady when you need them. (zoom lenses or long-exposure photos)

I realized how utter crap just about any tripod is, after using some military-grade imaging equipment on a tripod...
 
I have a feisol monopod and it is great, the company is pretty good to deal with as well. i've heard lots of great things about their tripods as well relating to other top end CF ones. From quite a bit of research i've done combined with the monopod from them when it comes time for me to actually bite the bullet and purchase a new tripod I will be getting a feisol.

There heads? Not so much, i've read a lot of bad things about both the ball heads and gimbal heads not even being in the same ballpark as the ones they look to be modeled after. And yes some of the very negative reviews about the heads came from the same people who spoke glowingly about the legs.
 
i've got a Manfrotto, it's nice and sturdy. the horizontal feature is nice.
If at all possible find a camera store where you can test them out. sadly though camera stores are become less common,
 
Manfrottos tripods are pretty good, I have a 055XPROB - but I do not use any of the Manfrotto heads. I've got a Wimberlley Tripod Head version 2. It's excellent for use with the bigger super-telephoto lenses (anything 300 F/2.8 or bigger).

That Feisol one is compact though, and that's a big benefit if you are travelling. Mine does not fit in a backpack.
 
I debated this option too....Ultimately I went in for the Feisol...Looking back...no regrets. The tournament class of tripods are well made....
 
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