Scott99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/07
Loc: New England
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Paul G]
#3173196 - 06/20/09 01:08 PM
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FWIW, Gitzo is made in Italy at the Manfrotto plant:
http://tinyurl.com/lreeug
OK, thanks, why did I think Japan? I guess Gitzo sounds Japanese.
For me the EU is the gold standard when I'm purchasing something. If it's made within the EU I feel like the workers and environment are being treated right. Usually the quality is much better too and the price only a little higher, as it is in this case.
Also went through this recently with Lowa hiking boots, all the company's boots are made within the EU, highly recommended.
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Florida
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: GaryML]
#3174947 - 06/21/09 05:40 PM
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Gitzo used to be made in France, but when Manfrotto bought the company production was moved to Italy. Most Manfrotto products are made in Italy, but I believe that a few of the low end items are made in China. I'm pretty sure Benro, Induro and Feitsol are made in China.
Gitzo lists production moving from France to Italy; 2001-2003 with the move completed in 2005.
An interesting urban legend was going around, denied by Gitzo Product Manager David Fisher, that sometime around the beginning of the decade Gitzo was looking to outsource it's legs to China. Gitzo sought out Yilee Precision for a deal. Gitzo taught them everything, practically giving them the factory blueprints. Yilee then set up a dummy corporation called Benro. Gitzo started noticing exact copies of their gear with the Benro label and pulled out.
Benro history shows the company was founded in 1996 in cooperation with a Japanese enterprise. In 2002, Benro developed their own product line. In 2005, Benro planned and built a much larger factory.
 Interesting time line for conspiracy theory buffs.
With the absolute silence regarding the call out for Benro users on CN, I reserched more photography forums. Worldwide photo users universally agree on the quality and outstanding value for the money of the newer Benro CF tripods.
I am intrigued with the Benro CF at the price point; users report 95% of Gitzo's quality and stability at about 60% of the Gitzo cost. Although somewhat skeptical of comparisons to the Gitzo I am almost convinced they are a good buy.
The line from the movie Dirty Harry keeps popping into my head. "You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk?" 
Since I am looking at the purchase to be a lifelong investment, unless the B&H price comes in considerably lower than the ebay price, I am still leaning toward the Gitzo.
Ron
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GaryML
sage
Reged: 02/16/09
Loc: San Diego, California
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3175272 - 06/21/09 08:51 PM
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I am intrigued with the Benro CF at the price point; users report 95% of Gitzo's quality and stability at about 60% of the Gitzo cost. Although somewhat skeptical of comparisons to the Gitzo I am almost convinced they are a good buy.
The line from the movie Dirty Harry keeps popping into my head. "You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk?"
I think you have described the situation perfectly.
At the consumer level, we are offered cheap Chinese goods at attractive prices. You get all of the check-list features for a super-low price. But this cheap stuff is more likely to break and more likely to to be unrepairable due to the lack of parts or due to the fact that a new replacement is cheaper than the repair.
I'm guilty of this behavoir like everyone else. For example, I decided to buy a cheap Celestron CG5-ASGT mount rather than a more expensive one made in the U.S. or Japan. I couldn't resist the ultra-low price for a full-featured goto GEM. After three weeks the goto stopped working properly and now I have no mount to use as I wait 6 weeks for Celestron to repair it. I guess I deserve it for having made a bad choice. I knew that this was not the reliable, high quality choice but I took the gamble. Now I'm suffering for it.
So from now on, I avoid the cheap knock-offs and get the quality products, even if it means spending more, and even if it means deferring the purchase until I can afford the more expensive option. Sometimes there are no other options and you're stuck with only cheap junk or a fantastically expensive option to choose from. But if there is a choice, I'm going with the quality option.
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Florida
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: GaryML]
#3179320 - 06/24/09 12:07 AM
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So from now on, I avoid the cheap knock-offs and get the quality products, even if it means spending more, and even if it means deferring the purchase until I can afford the more expensive option. Sometimes there are no other options and you're stuck with only cheap junk or a fantastically expensive option to choose from. But if there is a choice, I'm going with the quality option.
I hear you Gary, but I am finding it difficult to move on the Gitzo; the Benro may be a Chinese knock-off but all the users have given the new Benro's excellent reports on its quality.
I followed-up with B&H today; no price on the Benro C-457M8 and seems like no intention to stock. They referred me to Mamiya? Spoke with someone there and they did not know if that model was available for US distribution. I do not feel comfortable buying overseas on ebay, dealing with import fees and the possiblility of dealing with potential problems without a US distributer.
B&H did have the Benro C-358M8 model with a 40 lb. capacity for $387.50 shipped. Not sure how it would it would handle the AT111 but I am thinking it would serve as a nice grab and go for the SV90. Anyone feel free to tell me I'm wrong! At that price I could almost get the Berlebach and the Benro for the price of the Gitzo.
Still waivering 
I more than welcome any other thoughts on this! Gitzo users I guess this is a plea to push me over the edge.
Ron
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GaryML
sage
Reged: 02/16/09
Loc: San Diego, California
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3179890 - 06/24/09 10:55 AM
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I hear you Gary, but I am finding it difficult to move on the Gitzo; the Benro may be a Chinese knock-off but all the users have given the new Benro's excellent reports on its quality.
I followed-up with B&H today; no price on the Benro C-457M8 and seems like no intention to stock. They referred me to Mamiya? Spoke with someone there and they did not know if that model was available for US distribution. I do not feel comfortable buying overseas on ebay, dealing with import fees and the possiblility of dealing with potential problems without a US distributer.
B&H did have the Benro C-358M8 model with a 40 lb. capacity for $387.50 shipped. Not sure how it would it would handle the AT111 but I am thinking it would serve as a nice grab and go for the SV90. Anyone feel free to tell me I'm wrong! At that price I could almost get the Berlebach and the Benro for the price of the Gitzo.
Still waivering
I more than welcome any other thoughts on this! Gitzo users I guess this is a plea to push me over the edge.
Well, you've already read my comments so I won't repeat them. From what I've read on dpreview and other photography forums, many people seem to buy direct from the Far East on the Benro. You get tremendous value, but the fit and finish falls short and spare parts are going to be nearly impossible to get.
Gitzo *is* super-expensive. What I do is to look at Manfrotto or similar 2nd tier products if I can't afford Gitzo. Not quite as nice as Gitzo, but still better better than the cheapo knock-offs. That's what I bought recently for a tripod for my big binoculars and I'm very happy with my Manfrotto 028B tripod and 501HDV head. I don't think Manfrotto makes a CF tripod big enough for you, but a heavy duty aluminum one may be a good compromise. And there is certainly nothing wrong at all with Berlebach. The only drawback is that wood will be bulkier and heavier for the same strength (but with better damping).
In any event, be sure you have the right product for your needs so you only have to buy once. Too many times I bought the cheaper product thinking that it was good enough, and ended up having to sell it at a loss and then buy what I really needed.
EDIT: I may be confusing the Benro with the Feisol as the tripod that people buy directly from the Far East manufacturer. It's been a while since I read about it.
Edited by GaryML (06/24/09 11:00 AM)
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highwood
member
Reged: 03/29/07
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: GaryML]
#3180358 - 06/24/09 02:58 PM
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Ron:
Having no experience with Benro, I can't offer a comparison that might help push you over the edge. I can only repeat that the Gitzo is a wonderfully engineered piece of equipment that is a pleasure to use. Sure, it was painful to pay for the thing (a couple of years ago it was a bit less expensive, though still pretty stiff), but I have never regretted the purchase. For years I had a fabulously portable telescope and a reasonably portable mount, but not a tripod that I could easily take anywhere on a moment's notice. So for me the Gitzo was kind of a Holy Grail: light, strong, compact, super high quality. My advice: if you can swing the money, you won't be sorry. As Gary says, better to buy once and buy right.
Jim
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: highwood]
#3185741 - 06/27/09 02:55 PM
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I'm looking for an ultra-light/compact tripod to use with either my 66SD or 80FD scopes for air travel. I was looking at the Benro Travel Angle C-169. Ant other suggestions?
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Paul G
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/08/03
Loc: Freedonia
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Chris Schroeder]
#3185896 - 06/27/09 05:24 PM
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I'm looking for an ultra-light/compact tripod to use with either my 66SD or 80FD scopes for air travel. I was looking at the Benro Travel Angle C-169. Ant other suggestions?
The 3 series Gitzo would handle that just fine. I use a 90 mm scope on a Telepod head on the 3 series and can literally lift up the entire setup with my little finger.
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Paul G]
#3186992 - 06/28/09 12:19 PM
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Thanks Paul, I was looking for it to fold up shorter, like 15" - 16" though.
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Wes James
Postmaster
Reged: 04/12/06
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Chris Schroeder]
#3187003 - 06/28/09 12:30 PM
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I have a Feisol Tripod, one of their larger, heavier-duty models- 3 section C/F legs with the CNC machined head... nice worksmanship, I'm very happy with it. I use it for Digiscoping. They make a travellor that collapses to just under 17"...
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Florida
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Chris Schroeder]
#3188472 - 06/29/09 09:55 AM
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Thanks Paul, I was looking for it to fold up shorter, like 15" - 16" though.
Chris, the Feisol 3441S has a load capacity of 22 lbs. and folds to 16.9". Gitzo GT1550T has a load capacity of 9.9 lbs. and folded is 14". The Gitzo Basalt GT2940C has a 22 lb. capacity folds to 17.3" and weighs 3.2 lbs.
Ron
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3189017 - 06/29/09 02:34 PM
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Thanks Ron 
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Florida
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Chris Schroeder]
#3190604 - 06/30/09 09:36 AM
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Good luck on your new tripod purchase Chris, please post when you make your decision. I am very interested in some impressions on the Benro tripods with astronomy applications. They look like a quality product, especially for the price.
After a lot of deliberation I have finally made a decision for a tripod to mate with my Half Hitch. With all the great responses here on CN regarding their experiences with Gitzo, especially with the Series 5, I will be placing an order for the Gitzo GT5531S.
A couple of more questions for the Gitzo crowd. What vendor did you purchase your Gitzo from? What experiences have anyone had with B&H or Adorama? Prices for the Gitzo are basically the same, either of the two vendors stand out in customer service?
Thanks again for all the help throughout this process!
Ron
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GaryML
sage
Reged: 02/16/09
Loc: San Diego, California
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3190802 - 06/30/09 11:50 AM
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A couple of more questions for the Gitzo crowd. What vendor did you purchase your Gitzo from? What experiences have anyone had with B&H or Adorama? Prices for the Gitzo are basically the same, either of the two vendors stand our in customer service?
I purchased my little Gitzo from my local camera store -- I like to steer some business to the local stores to help keep them in business.
However, I purchase the majority of my camera gear and an occasional piece of astro gear from B&H and Adorama. I've had very good experiences with both stores. Both have processed my returns promptly and with no hassle. You do have to pay for both the original shipping and the return shipping for returns (even defective merchandise); that is the cost of doing business with a discount NYC store.
I usually simply pick the one with the best price. Recently Adorama has offered free shipping on a lot of products and that is often the deciding factor. If you have to pay for shipping, B&H usually has slightly lower rates on the shipping. If the price is exactly the same, I will usually go with B&H: they process the orders a bit more quickly, their shipping rates are a bit lower, and the inventory shown on their Web site is usually more accurate. A few times Adorama has shown something in stock when it is not.
One final note: either store may call on the telephone to confirm the order if you are a new customer. This isn't a bait and switch like some of the sleazy NYC discounters. They are just trying to avoid fraud, which is a big problem with NYC retailers. After the first order, they won't call unless there is a problem (e.g., item out of stock).
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3191076 - 06/30/09 02:15 PM
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Thanks Ron, I think I’m still leaning towards the Benro Travel Angle at this point. None of the others seem to as light in weight/size with in it's weight load class. I have lots of metal tripods but nothing like this. The tripod I have been using is a Davis & Sanford Compact-C, a nice light weight yet stable tripod, it’s just not compact. This is a tripod that I would only use a couple of times a year. With the increased cost of overweight/extra baggage charges with the airlines now days, I want some light and compact and can move to my carry-on if necessary when I travel.
Thanks for everyone’s help here and I will post a mini review of which ever I decide on.
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Paul G
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/08/03
Loc: Freedonia
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Ron B]
#3191825 - 06/30/09 09:06 PM
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A couple of more questions for the Gitzo crowd. What vendor did you purchase your Gitzo from?
Company 7.
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Mike K
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/01/07
Loc: Central Texas
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Paul G]
#3191826 - 06/30/09 09:09 PM
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Amazon.com
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Florida
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Re: Carbon Fiber Tripods
[Re: Mike K]
#3196079 - 07/02/09 10:32 PM
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Placed the order for the Gitzo 5531.
I am really impressed with how much everyone appreciates their carbon fiber tripods and I am looking forward to the experience of using a well manufactured light weight grab and go set up.
Thanks to everyone for all the thoughtful and helpful responses!
Ron
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