Brand:
Manfrotto 290 Xtra Carbon
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As a real estate photographer, you might need a high-quality tripod that can help stabilize your camera and minimize shakes and image blur when using longer exposures to shoot in badly-lit interiors. With common tripod options being aluminum and carbon fiber versions, this guide helps you understand which tripod can suit your
As the name suggests, a carbon fiber tripod is made from carbon fiber (CF) material primarily made of organic polymers. These polymers are usually long strings of molecules that are bonded together by atoms of carbon.
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Brand:
Manfrotto 290 Xtra Carbon
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Brand:
Slik Pro CF-834
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Brand:
Sirui AM-223
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Maximum Height:
65.2 Inches
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Maximum Height:
65 Inches
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Maximum Height:
13.8 Inches
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Compatible Devices:
Camera
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Compatible Devices:
Camera
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Compatible Devices:
Still Camera and Camcorder
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Primary Rating:
4.7
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Primary Rating:
4.7
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Primary Rating:
4.7
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A larger percentage of the material is constructed using the polyacrylonitrile process. The rest is constructed using the petroleum pitch or rayon process.
The aluminum tripods are made using aluminum alloy. That means aluminum tripods are made primarily of aluminum, only that it has been mixed with other metals as the alloying elements. The resulting tripods can be less dense or denser depending on the alloying elements used.
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Brand:
Manfrotto 290 Xtra Tripod Kit
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Brand:
Vanguard VEO
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Brand:
Manfrotto Compact Action
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Compatible Devices:
Camera
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Compatible Devices:
Camera
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Compatible Devices:
Camera, Mirrorless
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Maximum Height:
66.70 inches
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Maximum Height:
57.09 Inches
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Maximum Height:
61.02 Inches
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Primary Rating:
4.7
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.6
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In most cases, the alloying metals are zinc, nickel, silicon, magnesium, or copper. Generally, the aluminum alloy used to make tripods is stronger and more corrosion-resistant compared to pure aluminum.
Generally, CF tripods and aluminum tripods come in varying designs and flexibility, making one a better choice over the other under certain circumstances. However, both aluminum and CF versions are versatile and range from entry-level to professional options, making them have the following similarities and differences.
Although the two tripods might differ in stiffness and shock absorption, both CF and aluminum tripods are versatile and sturdy enough to support heavy DSLR cameras and lenses, with the following construction and usability similarities.
Even if the two tripods might look the same at a glance, they are constructed using different materials, which makes them have the following performance and weight differences.
Stiffness is related to how the tripod can withstand the weight or bend when you have attached the camera gear and then retain its original shape after detaching the camera gear. That means the tripod dimensions remain the same after removing the camera gear.
Tensile strength generally measures the stress or weight you can apply to the tripod to permanently deform it. This can be referred to as permanent damage that can make the tripod unusable. That means a tripod can have high strength and low stiffness.
The CF material is around 1.71 times stiffer than the aluminum material and has a tensile strength of around 3.8 times compared to aluminum. This makes a
CF tripod stiffer and stronger than an aluminum tripod.
Shock absorption is the ability of the material to dampen the rebounds and compressions resulting from the impact on the surface of the tripod. For instance, if you have a prime lens and you are following a subject in motion with your tripod, and it knocks on an object, there might be sound and vibrations due to the impact.
Usually, this can result in camera shakes and blurriness or noise in the audio recording. Generally, a CF tripod can absorb shock and vibrations better than an aluminum tripod, such that the energy from the impact gets lost in the material rather than being transferred to the rest of the tripod.
On the other hand, an aluminum tripod makes a metallic ringing sound when you knock it against an object. The shock usually spreads around the tripod, causing instability, and the noise can interfere with the audio quality if you are shooting videos.
If you are a beginner real estate photographer on a budget, you might need to consider the cost of the tripod. Generally, it costs around $30 to make around 2.2 pounds of commercial-grade CF, while it costs around $2 to make the same weight of aluminum.
Usually, the cost of making the materials translates into the overall cost of the tripod, making CF tripods more expensive.
The major distinguishing factor between an aluminum and a CF tripod is weight. CF has a composition of around 70 percent fiber and around 30 percent resin, making it have a density of around 0.0558 pounds per cubic inch.
On the other hand, aluminum is a metal alloy with a higher density of around 0.0972 pounds per cubic inch. Usually, this makes aluminum tripods heavier than their CF counterparts by around 50 percent.
CF tripods are stiffer and stronger while lightweight than their aluminum counterparts, so they are the best option to use under the following circumstances.
Since an aluminum tripod is made of a metal alloy that makes it heavier, it might be a good choice in the following situations.
Generally, a CF tripod is better compared to its aluminum counterpart as it's more lightweight and offers a higher maximum payload. The ability to absorb shock and vibrations also makes it ideal for recording videos and taking photos, even with a camera without a vibration reduction system.
Generally, a CF selfie stick is better due to the low-density and lightweight nature of the CF material. Since you will be holding the selfie stick with your hand when taking the photos, the lightweight design allows you to use the stick for a prolonged time without muscle fatigue.
Yes, the UV rays from the sun can make the glossy finish fade and turn yellowish if not protected. The UV rays can also ruin the resin used to bond the fibers, making the tripod frames degrade over time.
Yes, an aluminum tripod can bend without breaking. Like most metals, aluminum alloy is malleable and can change shapes or bend without fracturing. That means the tripod can bend if you exceed the maximum weight capacity or subject it to an impact without breaking.
The above carbon fiber tripod vs aluminum guide helps you choose a lightweight tripod if you want portability and a heavier tripod if you want stability. Both CF and aluminum tripods are versatile and flexible, and you can interchange the tripod heads to suit your shooting circumstances.
