Help deciding on next lens

[Richard Lane]

It's taking me a while to research the right tripod, head, and clamp options for my needs. Rich, do you or anyone else have any experience with Feisol (tripod and/or head) or Best Ballhead? I checked B&H and Amazon, but couldn't find any user reviews on any of the products. For Feisol, I think any of the 3301, 3401, or 3402 legs look to meet the specs I'm looking for. It also fits within my original budget (although I'd still spend more to avoid a piece of junk that I'd have to replace in a year or two. From a ballhead perspective, the CB-40 looks like it would be ok. The main hesitation I have is because it doesn't seem to be as popular as some of the other brands. It's tough to see what the feedback is from actual people that made the investment. The other option I've been looking at is the Manfrotto 190cxpro3, but not sure on the head.

I don't own the Feisol (I have a Gitzo GT3541LS Systematic Carbon Series 3, with 4 leg sections), but Feisol is actually a well respected product and I have read some very positive comments over the past few years on many different forums that suggest people are very happy with these. Feisol also offers quite a few different models as well as accessories to use with their tripods. Whatever tripod you select, I would go with either a carbon 3 leg for greatest stability, or a 4 leg section for the more compact version, depending on what your needs are, as well as your height, and travel needs.

Personally, I don't like the Manfrotto Ballheads. However, I think that their Video heads are better than their ballheads.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=10651451

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/756837/

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1032452

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/735088

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1019&message=16823128&changemod e=1

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/readf...ssage=16650287

http://www.carbonfibertripodreviews.com/Reviews


Do a search on Fred Miranda for Feisol and "Photo Clam"! If you searched Best Ballhead brand there is no such brand.

The ball head is made by Photo Clam and is sold on a website called Best Ballhead (California). The other popular website that sells Photo Clam Ballheads is called reallybigcameras.com: I've actually heard their name more often (reallybigcameras.com) and they also sell Feisol, I guess that's also why fiesol and Photo Clam are a popular combination. However, depending on where you live, one website may be better, and Feisol.net also sells direct. I would also like to mention that center columns reduce stability, however they sometimes do serve a purpose.

http://www.reallybigcameras.com/


The newer Feisols (since some of the reviews listed above) are also available in Carbon Fiber, and they also have the newer anti-twisting and locking legs now, which is a plus.


Don't rule out the Manfrotto either. But, if you go for the big bucks, then consider the Gitzo or Really Right Stuff.

Rich