Carbon vs Alu

[markyboy.1967]

Been looking at a few Benro tripods lately to hold a big lens.I know they have a good rep but what i dont know is what you gain in buying the carbon tripod over the alu one. I know there is a weight saving of aprox 1kg but do they offer better damping than the aluminium tripod--they are about £100 more expensive but if all im saving is 1kg then i might opt for the cheaper alu one.

[fracster]

It depends entirely on if you feel that a 1 kg weight saving is worth £100? For me it wasn`t, a good visit to the latrine facilities before venturing out can save that much weight..........:D

[purpleclouds]

a good visit to the latrine facilities before venturing out can save that much weight..........:D

:lol::lol:

[IanC_UK]

one thing to remember if its wildlife you are chasing, that 1kg of weight gets heavier as the day goes on, not really, but psychologically, just try carrying a 600f4 for 4 or 5 miles and you will see what i mean lol any weight you can save is good. If you dont intedn to trek long distances there is nothing wrong with aluminium tripods !

[markyboy.1967]

Everyone is concentrating on the weight--thats something i need to decide on but need to know if there are other factors like stability etc.

[fracster]

Never had carbon so can`t help,sorry.

[EdBray]

Don't discount the weight of the head you plan to use too, I bought a CF tripod only to fit a geared Manfrotto head to it which weighs more than the tripod.

i doubt that there is much if any difference in stability between similar CF or Alum tripods, the CF tripods are less durable though and more susceptible to damage.

[Mud]

i doubt that there is much if any difference in stability between similar CF or Alum tripods, the CF tripods are less durable though and more susceptible to damage.

CF has a lower 'Q factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_factor)', so is actually a better isolator of vibration underfoot.

The mantra of 'the best tripod is the one you have with you' is completely true, I have:

Manfrotto 055xprob - 2 foot long folded and weighs ~2kg (no head)
Gitzo GT1541T - 1 foot long folded and weighs ~1kg (no head)

...the Manfrotto is probably more stable with longer lenses, but guess which gets used! :p

[markyboy.1967]

Cheers-- might go with the alu and save some cash. Checked both and there is only 0.3kg between them. The carbon one holds 3kg max more.Forgot to add--this is the tripod in question-BENRO A-358 M8 the other is the Benro C-358 M8.

[kiteninja]

CF can be stronger then alu as you can use more whilst still retaining the same weight so weight to strength ratio is better but it is brittle but only if your thinking about clubbing some wildlife with your tripod will you come into problems, other then that the above comments hold its light but it costs lots more.

I'm eyeing up some Gitzo CF legs just cause I'm a weight freak every gram saved is better in the long run.