Jonathan Santamaria 
, Mar 16, 2009; 04:31 p.m.
I have a bogen/manfrotto 3221 tripod with a 3030 3-way head that does the job for me, but the setup weighs in at around nine pounds altogether - way too heavy to take hiking. I also have a small velbon ultra max I tripod, but it’s plasticky and flimsy (plus the quick release is broken) so I’m looking to get a light weight and high quality carbon fiber tripod to replace it; the lighter the better, really, but I don’t want to sacrifice stability - asking a lot, I know. Of course lightweight tripods represent a compromise. I am on a budget and would like to spend around $300 for the legs and head together.
The two lightest carbon fiber ‘pods Ive found are the gitzo GT0531 ($350) and the Slik 613 pro CF ($220) ; both weigh about 1.6lbs, without a head, which sounds great, but I can’t find a store that stocks them so I can check out their stability. The lightest model I’ve been able to try is the manfrotto 190cx3, which weighs in at 2.9lbs and seems to be quite sturdy. Does anyone have any experience with the gitzo or the slik, or informed opinions as to how they will hold up? Are they so light that they will be flimsy like my velbon?
Another option would be to go with a slightly heavier leg set -- induro, velbon, benro, and feisol (heard good things about the 3342) all make CF models that come in around an even kilogram (2.2 pounds), and I’d be willing to deal with that small additional weight if it’ll result in greater stability. I know gitzo is generally the standard, but are any of these other brands ones to look for? I’m particularly interested in the induro C013 as I’ve found a good deal on a demo model.
I’m still researching heads, but I will likely go with a small ball head with a QR plate and preferably a panning base, possibly a light weight 3-way head.; I’d like to keep my leg/head setup to 3 pounds or less. My camera and lens will not be very heavy - a d90 and sigma 50-150 - around 3 pounds. Oh, and I’d definitely prefer 3 section legs. Any suggestions? Thanks guys, and sorry for the long post.
Bennett Richards , Mar 16, 2009; 05:00 p.m.
There are 3 rules for a great tripod that will last forever:
Gitzo
Gitzo
Gitzo
D N 
, Mar 16, 2009; 06:03 p.m.
Gitzo GT-3530S + Really Right Stuff BH-55Pro
Lilly W , Mar 16, 2009; 07:20 p.m.
A $300 budget may be a little lean as CF doesn't come cheap. But let's begin with the end. I suggest thorough consideration of your intended uses, esp in context of hiking, potential overnight trips, weight of additional gear, terrain, etc. On the one hand you mention 'the lighter the better' and also note you could 'go with a slightly heavier leg set' if more stable and maybe a panning base. Precious ounces quickly turn to pounds. Distinguish between 'must-have' features and 'wants'. If you don't need 15 or 22 lbs of support capacity, don't carry it. And no reason to have a ballhead rated to 22 lbs if your legs are rated to 12. How critical is a pan-head? The smaller (light!) ballheads don't have a panning base. I've not researched but would speculate a 3-way weighs more than a comparable ballhead. 3-ways are not very compact (anathema to hiking) with knobs protruding every which way. Yet if you need a three-way...
I opted to go pretty light with a Gitzo GT 0530 (CF Mountaineer) and Really Right Stuff BH-25 Ultralight ballhead (no separate pan feature). I'd like a lighter clamp but have been using a RRS B2-LR-II. I regularly use a D200 (no vert grip) with 12-24/f4, 17-35/2.8 or 28-70/2.8 (sometimes an 80-200/2.8 with care). I find the set-up to be adequate as I usually don't extend (or even carry) the center column and prefer minimal leg extension in the interest of rigidity if windy.
DN, are you familiar with the weight and cost of your suggestions? How are they even remotely applicable to the needs of JS?
Liscia C , Mar 16, 2009; 07:57 p.m.
Investigate Velbon El Carmagne tripods and consider a Vanguard Ballhead to replace the very acceptable Velbon panhead
as I did. Have only read (no hands-on) about Vanguard CF tripods and some come with their ballheads too.
Robert Budding , Mar 16, 2009; 09:48 p.m.
Jonathan Santamaria , Mar 17, 2009; 01:46 p.m.
thanks guys. sounds like the gitzo 0531 should do the job, since it's the updated version of the 0530. i think i'll stay away from benro/induro. but i'm still wondering if there's stability to be gained over the gitzo by going slightly heavier with something like the feisol 3442. i'm not doing overnight hikes at this point, though i may in the future, and it would be nice to have something for general use as well, not solely for hiking situations.
perhaps i need to decide on a head; the weight of the head should dictate the weight of the legs i can carry. pan heads tend to be heavier, but i'm used to being able to adjust each axis separately; i'm hoping a ball head with panning base will at least make it easier to do panoramas. never used a ball head, so i think i'll have to check one out first.
Liscia C , Mar 17, 2009; 08:12 p.m.
Vanguard SBH300 has a panning base and all the other qualites you'd need in a ballhead
but doesn't have the cachet of Markins,Arca-Swiss,RRS if those are requirements? It only
costs a little over $80 and is a real deal. Really, do yourself a favor and check it out.
Jonathan Santamaria , Mar 17, 2009; 08:32 p.m.
ok, so i made it to the local camera store today, and i think a ballhead with QR and panning base should be fine. i'm leaning toward the Induro SA-0; weighs half a pound and only costs $50, so it seems like a good place to start.
Lilly - i'm going back and forth between the Gitzo 0531 and Feisol CT-3442; the gitzo only costs $25 more. as an 0530 owner, do you think there's any value in something a little heavier? it's hard making this choice without actually handling the tripods....
Jonathan Santamaria , Mar 17, 2009; 09:16 p.m.
Hey Liscia, thanks. the SBH300 is a lot bigger and heavier than i need, but while looking it up i stumbled on the SBH100; quick release, panning base, 10 ounces. do you know if there's an independent panning lock? i haven't been able to figure that out, though the pictures make it look like there's an extra knob.
