Carbon Tripod

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stevebuk

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Steve
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Hi all,

I'm looking to replace my aluminium Redsnapper tripod with a carbon fibre one. I use it purely for landscapes, seascapes. I was planning on getting a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 but have also seen the Giottos Silk Road YTL8383 3D. Both seem very similar but the Giottos is much, much cheaper.

Has anyone got any experience on the Giottos and how it compares to the 055CX?

Thanks
Steve
 
That's the new version of the Manfrotto 055, and quite different to previous 055 models (that have been going forever). It's a very solid tripod, very secure horizontal centre-column mech, but quite heavy, those big leg clips might catch on things if you're trekking, and expensive at £329. Probably the best mid-size tripod on the affordable side of a Gitzo.

The Giottos is also very good - unusually tall, lighter, has that handy tilting column, and seems to be a bit of a bargain at ATM, eg £129 at WEX (it was £200 very recently). The Manfrotto is the more solid support, but the Giottos has some strong advanatges on top of that great price.

Don't forget to get a quality head - as important as the tripod itself ;)
 
If you are wanting to save weight have a look at the Sirui T-025X tripod. It cost more than the Giotto but less than the Manfrotto but pack small and is light and has good reviews.

Dave
 
Thanks both. Just the £120 price for Giottos seems hard to resist, but I do worry about the thing wobbling around having been used to a heavy aluminium... Choices, choices... I was thinking of the 410 Junior Head from Manfrotto.
 
stevebuk said:
Thanks both. Just the £120 price for Giottos seems hard to resist, but I do worry about the thing wobbling around having been used to a heavy aluminium... Choices, choices... I was thinking of the 410 Junior Head from Manfrotto.
Click to expand...

And very nice too, though with that head on top of the Manfrotto 055, you'll be lugging around 4kg. You could do it pretty well for half that, with a lighter tripod and well chosen head.
 
Hi Steve,

Same as you, I'm about to get the Manfrotto 055cxpro3 with 410 Junior geared head months ago as my first proper tripod when I stumble a good deal on a Giottos tripod and head. I did my research on the Giottos model and eventually bought it. I've been using it with my DSLR set up and handles it very well.
My only gripe is the flip lock, it can catch grit/sand and will be problem to dismantle and clean (for me). The Manfrotto 055cxpro3 also have the same type of locking system.

I'm thinking to have a back up tripod and Redsnapper is on my list, but the price of the Giottos model that you posted is very tempting! Though it still got the flip type locking system again and I want to try a twist lock this time.

Also, choose the brand that got a reliable customer service ;)
 
I have the 055 CXPro 3 (the older model, not latest) and 410 Junior head - the head is heavy, but the geared head is so much better than a pan / tilt or ball head when it comes to landscapes (which is my primary use of a tripod) that I'm happy to put up with it.

There are other options for geared heads, but they go up in price very rapidly.
 
Thanks all. I went with the Giottos and 410 head. Will give them a test at the weekend. Head is quite a big lump!
 
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