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Carbon fiber vs aluminum tripods?


1 year 4 months ago #747232 by Petroguy
In case you missed my other post here.  I'm brand new to photography and just picking up all my gear right now.  I know how important a good tripod is from my dad back in the day.  However now that I'm looking these things up, I see there are so many choices!  

Starting off, which is best for someone getting started, carbon fiber or aluminum?  
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1 year 4 months ago #747236 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day mate

A lot of the answer/s to your Q will be "it depends"

Personally all my tripods are aluminium legs and the 20-yr old ones are still in good nik as they have always been looked after ... and not placed into the ocean for 'smooth water' pics

Your primary need for a tripod is for
a) something that will not vibrate in the breeze,
b) something that when opened to its nominal full height brings the camera to your eye level, and
c) one that when closed will easily be carried around
and then it comes down to
d) price vs your budget

Your tripod and its head will have some label stating the weight that it is designed to carry ... choose that or a bit more (ie: your heaviest camera+lens might come in at 3kg so choose a 5kg unit). The head (often a ball & socket these days) needs to be easy to lock tight and unlock to allow movement and fine adjustments ... some stick and jerk a bit

Hope this helps
Phil
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
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1 year 4 months ago #747244 by Razky

Petroguy wrote: In case you missed my other post here. I'm brand new to photography and just picking up all my gear right now. I know how important a good tripod is from my dad back in the day. However now that I'm looking these things up, I see there are so many choices! 
Starting off, which is best for someone getting started, carbon fiber or aluminum?

I prefer wood, but also have both aluminum and carbon-fiber tripods. Each one  serves the purpose I bought it for, due more to its size and style than what its made of. I have several different tripods because I don't believe in "one size fits all." So, I would not say that any one material is "best." Check all specifications before purchasing.
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1 year 3 months ago #748319 by Petroguy
Thank you both.  I completely forgot I made this post!  I ended up buying a Vanguard tripod.  I read an article on this site that was talking about this particular tripod.  265 something or another (not home and don't have model number with me). 


Razky - wood tripod?  
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1 year 3 months ago #748339 by Ozzie_Traveller

Petroguy wrote: Thank you both.  I completely forgot I made this post!  I ended up buying a Vanguard tripod.  I read an article on this site that was talking about this particular tripod.  265 something or another (not home and don't have model number with me). 

Razky - wood tripod?  


G'day mate

yep- wooden tripods are widely available - used in industry more than photography - but also used by those photographers who go into the ocean for 'moving-water' images.  The salt water does not damage the wooden legs as it does for traditional tripods ~ and a qwik hose down to it after salt-water use is all that's needed to keep it going okay
Phil
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
,
1 year 3 months ago #748343 by Richard Taylor
Never owned a wood tripod, do the legs collapse?  
Photo Comments
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1 year 3 months ago #748355 by Razky

Petroguy wrote: Razky - wood tripod?

Among other brands, I have a Ries J100 and J600 -  www.riestripod.com/
,

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