Found a cheap Carbon Fibre backup tripod, can you spot anything wrong with it?

[mrk]

I have the Red Snapper tripod + short neck + ball head and am extremely pleased with it's rigidness but when climbing and carrying during long explores I've been longing for a carbon fibre one because they're half the weight.

So I've found this and before I buy it just wanted to run it by here in case I'm missing something because the price appears to be too good to be true?

Really I'd be using the tripod part only because I like the Red Snapper ball head, it's big and holds my camera well although looking at the one linked above it appears that the ball head is identical to the Red Snapper bar a few cosmetic differences. I know the Red Snapper owner gets them made in that part of the world hence the cheap prices but this is even cheaper, I reckon this looks like it could be the same product just different branding and cheaper due to cutting out the middle man? It even comes with the same padded case as the Red Snapper.

 

[mrk]

Hmm I think I will chance it and on the paypal notes section state "please mark as gift"

If it turns out to be the same quality as Red Snapper pods then that would be amazing.

 

[mrk]

Ordering now of my phone keeps a 3G signal in the middle of nowhere!

 

[mrk]

Ordered shortly after my last post. Will compare heavily with the Red Snapper when it arrives!

 

[mrk]

If this uses the standard thread and tube sizes then I can just mix and match the parts around. I like my RS ball head so will likely keep that but looking at the pics closely it's very close to my RS anyway going by them so here's hoping.

A lightweight and versatile carbon tripod is essential for these climbing and walking adventures.

 

[mrk]

Considering the Red Snapper I have is over 2KG without ball head attached, it is light hence the mention of half the weight.

 

[mrk]

For £100 I'm happy to try something new and non branded to see what its like since nobody else has and then post my thoughts.

Regardless of that though, it weighs half what my current pod does so half the weight to carry on explores is extremely useful. The Manfrotto you posted may "probably" be better, you don't know that for sure, I can confirm when this arrives but it also costs £45 more and that's without a head.

 

[mrk]

Yeah if it turns out good then the included head will be good as it's less faff but if it's not as good as the RS then I'll switch heads for exploring and it becomes a lighter kick around travel tripod or monopod.

 

[mrk]

The tripod arrived today, the returns sticker said it came from the UK so they must have a distro warehouse somewhere here.

Anyway, what do I think of it? Well it's not as quality feeling as the RedSnapper as far as the plastics used go but other than that it feels good enough to hold my 5D3 + 1.4 glass. The legs are thinner than the RS legs and the centre column is as well so I can't use the RS shorter column on this which is a shame as it spider legs as well as the RS tripod does. The ball head movement is not as smooth as the RS ball head I have (RSH-12) but the ball is smoother and the quality of the head is near enough the same as the RS head.

Because the legs are thinner, there is more flex in them than the RS tripod, this may be a problem if the tripod is extended fully but I never use it like that so not an issue here. The base plate and bracket is of the same design and shape as the RS parts so I don't need to swap plates around when switching pods.

The monopod section is actually very neat. If anything, this is a £100 carbon fibre monopod

The compass on the end of the ball head adjuster knob seems pointless as it's pointing sideways (!).

It doesn't have spiked feet options like the RS tripod does.

The bag that comes with it is padded but the strap is not so the RS bag is of much better standard for carrying and comfort. it also doesn't have an inside zipped pocket like the RS one does. The RS bag costs £10 from them direct and to this day I have not seen a better bag for that kind of price. Truly remarkable given how good the quality of it is.

Sad news time though, my RS ball head has stopped panning, like it's seised in its position

I've emailed RS about this as well as a small issue with 2 of the legs and am awaiting a reply as they said to send a message on TP forum in the big RS thread.

Pics:

Verdict?
It's definitely a decent backup tripod but as a primary tripod to be used outdoors under varying weather conditions I'd always have something a bit beefier. I'm hoping RedSnapper can sort out the faults that have cropped up on my ball head and tripod legs because I really do like that otherwise I will probably look elsewhere. There's no reason why a quality ball head like the RS one should seize up!

 

[mrk]

Update!

I've taken only this new one to Stoke with me in order to see how it fares out in landscaping and it's done quite well, I also got a reply from Red Snapper while out shooting and they will take my ball head and tripod in to see what's wrong and either repair or replace both.

In action:

I'll saw the centre column in half effectively making it a short one for better spider legging.

 

[mrk]

Cool what do you have at the moment? Feedback when it arrives!

 

[mrk]

No need to do that! The legs flip the other way so less faff but I like a shorter centre column as that's what I'm used to on my Red Snapper.

 

[mrk]

How would I attach the ball head without a column to screw it on to though?

 

[mrk]

Seriously?

Even the Red snapper needs /a/ centre column because the ball head screws into that column. Only an adapter (basically an even shorter column that's as long as the thickness of the hole of the column mount) would solve that^^

I would not call it unfit for purpose though because the Red Snapper will not vibrate or be unstable at all with the short column.

 

[mrk]

I've sawn the centre column now and way hay, red snapper levels of spider legging

 

[mrk]

So a 2nd one turned up in the mail today and I didn't order it....Hmmmm

 

[mrk]

Oh payment for the original was done through Paypal and my balance only shows payment for the first! This was bought off eBay remember so they can't take payment twice without me authorising it!

And to think, this morning I ordered a replacement centre column as I shortened the sawn off one even more today and shaved off too much!!

 

[mrk]

I don't shoot with anything longer than 85mm (soon) and the only tripod use is with UWA mostly anyway or now, the 50mm

But I can confirm I've not had any vibration issues at these FLs on the ball head and short column combo. My RS tripod is not a carbon one though and weighs quite a bit.

 

[mrk]

Aye I agree on that front!

I won't be selling the 2nd free tripod The FlyCam Nano arrived today and it could do with a base ball head and oh look, I suddenly have one spare!

Edit*

Done!

=

 

[mrk]

The modded (sawn off) short column^^ came in very handy today, I needed more height to get the curvature of a road while the sun set but I didn't want the tripod standing (not even the RS) due to the heavy winds up on this hill so...

The rubberised grips on the leg locking bits are nice, didn't have to worry about scratching my car like I would with the RS had I used that for this session.

Speaking of the RS, got the issues solved and they repaired and sent back to me next day.