Manfrotto Carbon Fibre tripod a "joke"?

[Squidy]

Hi all,

I was doing some ballroom photography on the weekend and a pro photographer saw my carbon fibre Manfrotto tripod and told me it was a joke tripod and not really good etc. I was always under the impression it was good, however it does get the shakes a bit (no centre column to hang anything off though).

So, are Manfrotto carbon fibre tripods really that bad? Or is this guy just trying the whole one up thing? He seemed a bit peeved when he saw I had a 5D MK III and he had the original and kept talking about it a fair bit and how I shouldn't own that kind of equipment unless i'm making money from it etc. Which is a shame, the rest were very supportive.

So yeah, are the tripods bad? If so any recommendations for a more solid tripod? I went carbon fibre because I don't drive so literally carry all my kit on my back wherever I go (which gets old)

[neuroanatomist]

Manfrotto is good. Granted, Gitzo and RRS are 'the best'.

Sounds like he was just jealous.

[Squidy]

I was hoping so, I was looking at Gitzo and... well, it's 3 times the cost of my Manfrotto. He kept carrying on about other stuff too like my lens not being "professional" as all professional lenses have IS etc and... I had a great day but that guy really brought me down

[neuroanatomist]

...like my lens not being "professional" as all professional lenses have IS

I guess that means my 24-70/2.8L II, 85/1.2L II, TS-E 17L and TS-E 24L II aren't professional lenses. Bummer.

What a douche.

[Kayaker72]

all professional lenses have IS

Baaaahahahahahahaha

So, the "big" "L" primes of 24, 50, 35, 50, 85, and 135 mm are not a "professional" lens? The EF 24-70 MK 1 used for years by Annie Leibovitz isn't a "professional" lens? The EF 85 f/1.2 II favored by .... everyone.... isn't a "professional" lens?


It's a bit hard to imagine a "pro" that ignorant, so that leaves that John's alternative......

[neuroanatomist]

Consider – if he was sufficiently successful at his photography job, he'd have been able to afford the 5DIII instead of coveting yours.

[Joel Eade]

Consider – if he was sufficiently successful at his photography job, he'd have been able to afford the 5DIII instead of coveting yours.

Absolutely!!! If I knew where this guy was gonna be next I'd show up with a Hasselblad medium format kit (rental of course) just for fun

[HDNitehawk]

Absolutely!!! If I knew where this guy was gonna be next I'd show up with a Hasselblad medium format kit (rental of course) just for fun

You assume he knows what medium format is, and is familure with Hasselbad.
Keep in mind the requirement to be a professional photographer is that someone pays you. Equipment, education and skill are not mandatory requirements.

[Squidy]

Hahahaha that's a very good point and actually makes me feel better

[Squidy]

Yeah he was having a go at my 70-200 2.8 non IS then started by carrying on about my Tamron 24-70 2.8, it was just a nightmare. One of the dancers even came over after their dance and asked him why he was trying to block my shots etc. He was getting paid for the event whereas I was only there by a friend who was dancing to go along.