Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

This is my 2nd Giottos tripod and I purchased this one to lighten my load. I bought it 7/22/11 and now the one leg won't extend or retract in one section. I understand this model has a new one-click design and I'm not sure that's the problem. Never had this happen before. Contacted Giottos, waiting to hear back.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

This is my first tripod and gave me a lot of thoughts before purchasing it:
1) It is a quality product, very well built;
2) It is light and folds to a convenient luggable size;
3) The multi-position center column is very versatile.
It is a quality product, very well built.

Having four section legs, it flexes a little bit.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

Wonderfully light but sturdy product. Tired of lugging around your heavy tripod then this is the one for you. Leaving your tripod at home because of the weight - then get this one. Easy to handle and set up. This tripod may be light but still sturdy to do the job. I've had my 500mm lens on it with no issues. Even in the cold I don't hesitate to use this product. Taken it into deep snow with no issues.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

This being my first carbon fiber tripod I was a little concerned about the flex in the legs, however it hasn't tipped over yet! I love the multi-position center column for macro work, though the tripod is off the ground a ways in the lowest setting, you can swing that center column around and almost set your camera on the ground! B+H says it's rated to 6.8 kg, but it's actually 5 kg, or 11 lbs. I tested it with my D2H, 70-200VR 2.8, and TC-20E, and that seems to be limit of what I would put on there. The load of the gear is around 8 lbs, and another 1 lb for the ball-head. At this weight, plus the weight of my hand there is very noticeable flex in the smallest leg section, that being said I've been testing it in crazy off-center positions and it's held the weight. It isn't as solid as my 10lb aluminum beast...that is rock solid in a tornado, but I can hike with this one all day and get shots I could never even get to with my aluminum monster. If your like me and need a easy to carry general purpose tripod and can't afford the Gitzo of your dreams I would definitely consider this tripod!

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

I brought this tripod due to the reviews, price, and features when compared to some of the other named brands. Upon receiving this tripod, I was more than happy with the build and design. This is very stable with my Nikon D90 with 18-200mm lenses. I like the fact that you can tilt the center column (great for macro work).
The included Giottos tripod bag has lots of padding and plenty of room for various head attachments.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

I've only had the tripod for a few weeks, but I am pretty happy with it. It is sturdy and yet very light.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

I've long since been a Gitzo owner/fan and often wondered what the "knock offs" were like. I always figured you get what you pay for, but boy was I wrong! For a fraction of what I paid for my new and used Gitzo's I got everything in a tripod I was looking for. This tripod also allows you to turn the center column 90 degrees, which can be especially convenient with macro work. It comes with all the bells and whistles that I was so accustomed to buying seperately with my Gitzo setups. Spiked feet, comes with it. Tripod bag AND strap, comes with it. Built in level, comes with it. Foam protection padding, comes with it. Adjustable center column (and comes with tool kit along with a fixed mount center column), comes with it...just screw on the head of your choice and mount your camera/lens setup and you are all set! What a deal! My only concern is the 15 lbs weight limit when using heavy telephotos, which obviously requires me moving to my 3 or 5 series Gitzo...which is less than 10% of my shooting, the other 90% I am good to go.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

I bought this tripod because my Slik 340DX PRO was a little too small for my equipment and not quite versatile enough. The Slik is still very good and adequate when compactness is at a premium.

The Giottos MT-8350 Carbon, although considerably more expensive, does a lot more and is not too much larger. Combined with the Giottos MH-1001 ball head with quick release it easily handles my D300 with 24-70 F2.8 or with 70-300VR lenses. Haven't tried anything larger as yet but I suspect the 400VR F2.8 would work fine.

The Giottos build and design quality is a step above the Slik but at several times the price it should be.

I have no complaints with this setup. It does precisely what it should and what it is advertised as doing.

Comments about Giottos MT-8350 MT Series Professional Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs:

I love the lightweight and its nevertheless stability. You can tilt the center column for very low angles. Great.