Are Carbon-Fiber Sticks as Rugged as Aluminum ?

T

TheDingo

Veteran
I own a couple of Gitzo aluminum tripods that are 20 years old, have been through "the war", thrown in to trunks and in to truck cargo bays, yet still work perfectly with nothing broken or chipped despite the abuse they received.

I am looking at investing in a new tripod to use with the AF-100 and HPX-250, and am wondering about carbon fiber sticks versus aluminum.

I am afraid of chipping or cracking the carbon-fiber if I don't baby them, so I would rather buy the more indestructible legs, even if it meant carrying a little more weight.

Do carbon-fiber legs stand up to abuse as well as aluminum legs do ?
 
No
Where aluminum can dent and if need be be put in hot water to pop back if youre lucky carbon will brake or snap.
Carbon is lighter that's the benefit. It does not hold up any where near as well to abrasion or impact.
 
I can remember when tripods were made of wood... Sorry for the flashback!
I have both aluminum and carbon fiber sticks and have never had a problem with either.
But then again I don't throw my gear into the trunk. They ride protected in their cases like the rest of my gear when being transported.

If you invest in an expensive tripod and fluid head you might consider a protective case as well.

All the Best!

Dave
 
i have both as well, but the miller tripod with carbon fiber legs sure is a lot lighter and i don't have any trouble with it holding a pretty decked out AF100 rig. for me it's about being rock solid, light weight (cause we have enough to drag around as it is) and ease of use. don't think you can go wrong with carbon fiber sticks. unless you're gonna try and rig a hammock from it as well....then, maybe it's trouble.
 
EndCredits said:
No
Where aluminum can dent and if need be be put in hot water to pop back if youre lucky carbon will brake or snap.
Carbon is lighter that's the benefit. It does not hold up any where near as well to abrasion or impact.
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I took delivery of the very first Miller Sprinter tripod sold in the US ten (10!) years ago this September, equipped with carbon fiber legs that save around 2 pounds over aluminum. My Sprinter has been all over the Pacific, shot nearly 2,000 interviews, countless hikes into the jungle, immersed in seawater, streams, taro patch mud, you name it, it's been there. I am pretty hard on gear, but I have never had a problem with with my carbon fiber sticks.

Two years ago, I sent them back to Miller USA for service. They brought everything back up to spec, replaced minor parts, tightened all fittings. They did this for the cost of the parts, no labor fee! I cannot speak more highly of my Miller carbon fiber legs and the incredible service they offer to working professionals.
 
Miller are made 20mins from me in Artarmon Sydney, when you call in they'll give you the tour. I saw the first run of their Compass heads coming through, they were all presold and I had to wait for the second run, just got an order in.

Also got their Solo CF sticks and have to say I was surprised that to me, they seemed not that much lighter than the aluminium version .. maybe I was expecting too much. But the CF are certainly more stable, far less prone to twisting.

Also they demonstrated that a lot of folk tighten the Solo twist locks way too tight. Took a bit of getting used to with an expensive camera but I got the hang of it.

Another tip. Once you establish your comfortable tripod working height, mark its legs with a permanent marker .. makes for much faster setups with quicker levelling.

Also bought the Miller tripod travel case on sale here, now I'd be checking out the US version.

Cheers.
 
Another tip. Once you establish your comfortable tripod working height, mark its legs with a permanent marker .. makes for much faster setups with quicker levelling.
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My tip ... or never ever go near those C.O.H marks if you want to create interesting shots from interesting angles that have nothing to do with the camera operator being "comfortable".

:-)

Personally I would buy the legs that have the features that you need . C/F or aluminium should both be durable enough if looked after to a reasonable degree.

My aluminium legs ( Mllers) have a 2 stage lift and a variable spreader ( detacheable) and its all managed from a standing position. I like this feature.

Weight doesnt worry me! Thats why God invented grips.
 
We have used Sachtler carbon fiber legs in our rental inventory, in addition to aluminum, since 1983. Never had a failure, or damage. Have had glue wear out at fittings, but that's it.
 
Had both myself including a Gitzo purchased in 1973. I'll say the Gitzo holds the lead in the duration contest only because one could not buy CF legs then. I will say I've had issues with the Gitzo with corrosion from salt water spray over the years
as well as chlorine due to submersion in treated swimming pools. Light stands, C-stands and other objects have fallen on the legs, slightly damaging both the carbon fiber and aluminum as well. A file and sand paper will put the Gitzo legs back in order. A good marine epoxy (West System) can repair any damage/nicks followed by a sanding to CF legs. The bottom line is that they both are good, but the carbon fiber in my opinion has the edge due to its reduced weight and immunity to
corrosion. Just my opinion.......
 
I have a two Miller tripods, both carbon and both absolutely fantastic. I'm a total Miller fanboy. I recently bought a DS20 with carbon solo legs, its amazing, light weight and cheep. Now if you treat your gear in any way reasonably well the any quality brand will survive great. But if your talking abuse, real abuse aluminum has the edge over carbon. Id even say Wood has the edge over Aluminum regarding abuse. Carbon breaks, aluminum dents, wood flexes. Wrap a rope around a set of legs on a bumpy dirty long drive on the back of a truck carbon will get torn up, aluminum will polish, not to sure on the wood. Now at no point am I saying any one should treat gear this way.

It really depends on what level of abuse we are talking.

That said, corrosion is a good point.
 
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The carbon legs I used where from Sachtler and I actually prefer my Vinten aluminum legs because they slide out better - especially when you are alone with a +45 lbs rig on top of them.

Frank
 
I've had a pair of Sachtler CF sticks - ENG plus Heavy Duty - for over 15 years with hardly a scratch and more mobility and strength than I could ever hope for. The key is to treat them like they're worth the extra buckage they cost and not toss them around in the back of a pickup. That's what the padded cases are for.

They've been in rivers, lakes and oceans, coal mines, steel mills and cattle drives as well as board rooms and operating rooms and all it takes is warm soapy water to clean them off.

Simply stated, there is minimum torque and exceptional strength especially when supporting a full size camera with my Sachtler 20 head or a jib arm with the heavy duty set. I doubt if I'll ever have to replace them.
 
I use Miller Solo DV CF legs with a Sachtler DV6SB head (the best of both worlds, IMHO!).
Two stage, they support up to 44 lbs, and I've used them with shoulder mount cameras, teleprompter, etc. Nice and stiff, no flex.

I frequently shoot by the ocean and on beaches and corrosion has never been an issue.

The Miller Solo DV CF legs weigh 5.5 lbs, the aluminum 6.6 lbs.

And I love the fact that the legs spread and get down to 9" low!
 
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