Durable Tripods...

[ravencr]

Hey guys,

I'd like to get a high quality durable and lightweight tripod to hold two things:

1) Nikon D300 with 18-200 lense

and at times:

2) SB-800 Flash

I work in the offroad market, so durability is key, then lightweight being the second most important factor. I don't want to pay more than I need to, but I'm willing to get the best out there if there's substantial advantage for durability.

Thanks,

Chris

[AgingEyes]

You only have a light setup. Still, you can take a look at Gitzo's tripod. Otherwise, Manfrotto is good, too.

[ravencr]

Yeah, it's nothing major, just need something durable for off-road circumstances. Would you recommend Carbon fiber or all metal?

Chris

[brmill26]

Metal is more resilient to impacts and cheaper, while CF is lighter and stronger directionally, but more susceptible to sharp impacts, and very expensive. I'd vote metal for offroad conditions.

[another view]

That may be true of c/f in general but I think you'd have to hit a good tripod pretty hard to break it. If an aluminum tripod didn't break with the same hit it'd probably be damaged to the point it wasn't useable anymore. I haven't been that "nice" to my carbon fiber G1228 Gitzo (no longer made) and it's still held up like a champ. It may be a few ounces lighter, but it's also less prone to vibration and temperature extremes (nice while carrying it).

[readingr]

I can recommend the Manfrotto 190 Pro but you need to look at them and play with them to see what suits you and to test the weight.

One of the things that was important for me is the swivel of the arm to the horizontal and the 190 does that bnlliantly, and getting the arm to hang down as well as up. The legs go very flat too.

Roger