Carbon Fibre Video Tripod Recommendations?

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Dangerpays

Well-known member
Hey Everyone,

I have a great manfrotto video tripod and head combo that is awesome, but the sucker is really heavy for run and gun style shooting. I mostly use a monopod or a shoulder rig for that, but there are times that a tripod can't be beat. Looking for recommendations on an affordable carbon fibre video tripod for DSLR shooting. Your suggestions are most welcome.
 
For a lightweight setup, I'm really liking the look of the new Miller 'Air'. I'm going to get one for my Blackmagic camera for when it pulls b-cam duties.
 
The Manfrotto 535 is one of the most versatile tripod out there...goes really high (7 feet or so) and can go very very low. pPretty light and not cold on your hands when in freezing temperature.

Edt:I meant the 536 and not the 535
 
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Gitzo series 3 6X. Super light, super tall if you need it, super strong. I use mine with a Sachtler video14 old school head. Fits in a standard checked luggage suitcase if you take off the head.
 
You might also want to check out the Sirui BSRM3204X
I picked one up a month ago. It's very light, goes up to 69.7" (center column extended), and as a bonus, you can unscrew one of the legs an use it as a monopod. Two for one! Comes in handy when you're trying to travel light and work quickly. The only issue with these lightweight sticks is that you'll probably need to weight them down occasionally. With a high-friction pan, it's easy to tip a leg up. Thankfully, the center column has a hook so you can hang some weight for added stability.
 
I have several tripods, with the heaviest one being Manfrotto 536. Here, 535 has been recommended more than once. 535 weighs 2.3kg, and 536 3.2kg. For 0.9kg extra weight, 536 extends to about 2 meters high, much higher than 535. With head　＆cam, you get something almost higher than every human on the earth. Really stands out in a crowd. Good for getting unblocked shots. Amazing. But 3.2kg just doesn't feel right (neither does 535's 2.3kg), if you travel light without a car. You may be able to get a superb video tripod system that fits your needs and weighs no more than about 3kg, but it typically costs a lot. Yet, no matter how expensive, it may or may not be light enough for traveling light.


I did extensive search for a tripod system that has to be

- no more than about 2kg,
- small & short enough to pack in a medium-sized camera bag or a carry on suitcase,
- good enough for pan/tilt actions,
- extendable to my eye level, and most importantly, has to be
- rock solid when loaded with a DSLR, a lens of up to 400mm (or even longer), and possibly other accessories.


I found the following systems were virtually unbeatable:

1) Sirui tripod T-2204X + Manfrotto 701HDV
for traveling light with heavy DSLR gear but no car
(switch to Sirui video pod P-424X if using a tripod is not allowed or possible)

Total weight = 1.3 + 0.7 = 2.0kg
Load capacity = 4kg (head), 15kg (tripod)
Max height = around roughly 175cm (about eye level, with or without a camera)
Min folded length = 48cm (about 19', without the head)
Total paid = less than USD200 + USD129 (for 701) => about US $300

Note 1: 701 was discontinued. I think it was replaced with MVH500A, which has a similar price and similar weight (0.9kg).
Note 2: I bought my Sirui tripod in Beijing. They are priced substantially lower inside China than they are here in US (such as B&H). B&H has T-2205X in stock, which is virtually identical to T-2204X despite that it has an extra leg section.
Note 3: I have used the above system in 3 countries, in sand, water (including sea water), and mud, and also when I did multi-day backpacking in wilderness.
Note 4: P-424X was replaced with P-424S. The latter is about the very best video/photo monopod for DSLR in the whole world as far as I know as of today. Unfortunately, its description at B&H website is vague. It's essentially a detachable table-top ball-head tripod, a full-featured monopod with a pan head, and a combination of both, backed up with a 6-year warranty.


2) Sirui T-2204x + Manfrotto 502HD, if smooth pan/tilt is more important than traveling (ultra) light with (heavy) DSLR gear.

Since 701 is not a very good fluid head, if necessary I swap it out with Manfrotto 502 (1.6kg). With 0.9kg extra weight to carry, I have a butter smooth head to use. However, as the total weight has gone up to 1.3 + 1.6 = 2.9kg, one could go for a higher-end system with a half-ball head. It could cost you a fortune though.

Note: BSRM3204X is similar to T-2204X except that it has a detachable leg that can be used independently as a monopod. (Personally, with a highly portable tripod in hands I see no reason to use a stick as a monopod. And image stabilization (IS, VR, etc) makes traditional monopods unnecessary).
 
Oups...I mentioned the 535, but I meant the 536. For 75mm head, the 535 is a good choice. I bought the 536 and could'nt be happier.
 
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