Tripods for abuse

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

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LongLensPhotography
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EVentually I might finish my Manfrotto 190xprob. Feature wise I quite like it. I does all it needs to do. I use it quite a lot to set up very low.

The problem is the oxidation of metal. After a while sections of paint start peeling and there is plenty of white stuff. I just sand it down, and occasionally put some black metal paint. As an interesting observation the sanded down open sections have never 'rusted' again. I am just not too sure if they galvanise with some reactive metal :cuckoo: or do something else very stupid to quickly extract more money.

So do I carry on like that until it has no legs to stand on :lol: and then get another 190 or 055, or shall I look at something else (£150 tops, ideally less and used as I will just totally abuse it)? CF is probably pointless as the new 410 head already weighs a lot more than the 190 legs.

P.S. What's the best makeshift rubber leg cap?
 
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You don't buy CF for lightness - there's not enough in it over Al to worry about - it's primarily for rigidity and regularly withstanding harsh weather/conditions, without concern.
Sell the 'frotto, and invest in a good CF one that'll last years and years, long after the cost has been given a second's thought.
Doesn't mean you need to spend £400+ on Gitzo, etc - many of the non-exalted brands are more than capable for £2-300 depending on leg diameter.
 
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PJ S said:
You don't buy CF for lightness - there's not enough in it over Al to worry about - it's primarily for rigidity and regularly withstanding harsh weather/conditions, without concern.
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I thought if you scratch or dent CF they somehow go bad very quickly. My tripod usually gets caught in the rocks, thrown around a bit, so this is a concern
 
How do you dent CF?
Have you seen what happens to an F1 car in a shunt?
They don't beat the panels back into shape again, they replace them!
With increased stiffness, the penalty is inflexibility, so it shatters instead of deforming.

CF will outlast Aluminium if you don't act the pleb. Shoving it between rocks for aided stability or because that's where you need to stand to get the shot, is well within carbon fibre's capabilities, and small nicks and scratches won't suddenly find the legs buckling from material fatigue.

Whilst Gitzo claims many things, with 6-layer legs - the game has moved on to 8x for increased rigidity and weight handling, at minimal gain in weight.

Depending on what timeframe you're putting yourself under to accomplish the purchase, I'd consider hanging fire for another month or two.
If the burning sensation in your pocket proves too much, then take a look at the Sirui M-3204 or R-3203 on ebay/Amazon, via European resellers/distributor, or Horusbennu.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462804

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462587
 
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What's the best makeshift rubber leg cap?
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Walking stick ends are excellent makeshift caps, had three on my old 055CB and got three on my Gitzo now over the screw on ones (have a bad habit of coming undone)
 
PJ S said:
Depending on what timeframe you're putting yourself under to accomplish the purchase, I'd consider hanging fire for another month or two.
If the burning sensation in your pocket proves too much, then take a look at the Sirui M-3204 or R-3203 on ebay/Amazon, via European resellers/distributor, or Horusbennu.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462804

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462587
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Are there much improved models due in a month or two ?
 
stu.artd said:
Are there much improved models due in a month or two ?
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Not for the two mentioned, but another brand I'm reserving judgement on until things are more concrete.
Current design is 6x like Gitzo, new one is 8x and a bit nicer aesthetically.
At that point, I'll decide which one of the three will get the privilege of hitting me up for my hard earned.
 
PJ S said:
Not for the two mentioned, but another brand I'm reserving judgement on until things are more concrete.
Current design is 6x like Gitzo, new one is 8x and a bit nicer aesthetically.
At that point, I'll decide which one of the three will get the privilege of hitting me up for my hard earned.
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Is it a secret, Phil? ;)
 
Also, how do CF legs deal with being submerged in water?
 
how do CF legs deal with being submerged in water?
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Quite well I would imagine given that the majority of fishing rods/poles are made of CF including the sea fishing gear too
 
RichardtheSane said:
Also, how do CF legs deal with being submerged in water?
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Never had any problems with my old Giottos and that thing was always submerged! :)

I've just switched brands and bought a 3LT 'Keith'... It's not very tall but it's 8-core carbon fibre and weighs just over a kilo and packs down to the size of a 2ltr fizzy drinks bottle!
 
daugirdas said:
So if I was a complete muppet and dropped CF legs on to the rocks what would happen? **** happens every now and then, particularly with such big and heavy item
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The force required to shatter carbon fibre is much higher than that of nearly all metal alloys.
So dropping a carbon fibre tripod 2-3 feet onto a rock, will likely end up with it having no visible damage other than a gouge out of the aluminium spider body or/and the head.
Magnesium [Mg] versions (££££), unless forged production is employed, will likely be cast made, and therefore brittle. Brittle means break rather than bend, as we've established with carbon fibre. So unlike aluminium, your fancy expensive head/spider body may fracture rather than have a couple of gouges to show for its accident.

RichardtheSane said:
Also, how do CF legs deal with being submerged in water?
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Non reactive, even in salt water - think about it, many a powerboat/yacht is carbon fibre hulled, and the paint is only for aesthetics rather than protecting it from the salt.
 
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Comfortably Numb said:
Is it a secret, Phil? ;)
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No, not really, but there's little point talking about the brand as the new line is due shortly, replacing the existing one, which is okay for the money compared to what the other two offer for much the same.
With the cosmetic changes I'm aware of, and the improved design/construction, then I feel confident they'll be at least on a par with the other two already mentioned.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Also, how do CF legs deal with being submerged in water?
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I wouldn't be concerned about CF parts. However, CF tripod is not just carbon fiber. It could certainly be a problem for connecting components, metal threads, spikes and other aluminium magneisum or parts.

I think Gitzo Ocean Traveller line is designed to be used in salt water. It is made from stainless steel. However, it is probably the most expensive photo tripod line on market.
 
Look into Induro - they are a good poor man's substitute for Gitzos. They normally come with a decent carrying case, changeable legs and toolkit; plus mother nature tends to come out as the victim when my tripod and gravity have a bout.
 
So is there are no-nonsense steel/Alu 190xprob direct substitute that doesn't have these corroding and completely unnecessary coatings? Most of 190 is fine, its just the joints and the bits that really go bad which could still be the case with CF legs.

I am really not paying ocean traveller money for the most neglected item in whole kit.
 
PJ S said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e9TUIC-Dtk - last 50 secs

You'll recall from my earlier reply what I said about cast materials - if this is a genuine Gitzo with magnesium spider body, it demonstrates my point about brittleness.
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Ouch - I'd rather stick with Alu, or stainless steel if I could find one. As with everything, there is good grade alu and cheap one like in 190.
 
My Benro c-257 has taken an absolute battering over the last 3 years, used every week through all weathers and ground types, dragged across rocks and through bogs. Still going strong, not bad for a half price Gitzo copy. Would I buy another? Hell yeh
 
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