Induro CT213 with RRS-BH40 head
For the purpose of this review, I'm actually going to make a lot of reference to my Manfrotto 190PROB and 484 ball head. The reason for this is because it might provide a decent frame of reference for anyone considering a CT213 or similar who might already have a 190PRO(B), or be familiar enough with one that the comparison will help out.
First off, I got the 190ProB about 7-10 years ago. It fell within my budget at the time (carbon fiber was out of the question) and I wanted something stable, sturdy and as light as possible. At the time, it wasn't uncommon for me to go on 10+ mile hikes so the 190 fit the bill. Between the tripod and head, I was working with about 5 pounds. I also decked the tripod out with a shoulder strap and the retractable spiked feet, which increased the weight marginally but the retractable spiked feed added about an inch to the working height of the tripod. At 6'2", the extra inch was welcome.
I have to say, in spite of the 11 lb capacity of the legs and 8.8 lb capacity of the tripod head, it's been a rock solid little unit. I've used this set-up with all my cameras with up to an FA*400 f/5.6 lens and have never had a problem. For the price (which was about $250 or less - I can't recall exactly), it's exceeded my expectations and I strongly suspect Manfrotto was quite conservative with the ratings.
I have a couple of small niggles with this set-up though:
1) needing to periodically tighten the leg locks - they always seemed to loosen at the worst possible time (setting up for a shot as the sun was setting)
2) it's short
3) needing to unscrew the bottom of the center column to remove the bottom portion (which took ages) for ground level shooting
4) it turns out that being able to use the center column in the horizontal position was a great feature which I didn't use more than once a year, meaning the spider was larger/heavier than I needed it to be
5) only 2 of the three legs had foam coverings....why they don't go all the way, I have no idea; all or nothing please.
Flash forward to this year:
I decided to upgrade my tripod and ball-head. I was looking for more useable height without relying on the center column being fully raised. I was considering the Gitzo Mountaineer 2531 and this tripod as they're very similar in specifications. Since I had to buy on-line (for lack of a useful camera store near where I am), spec's were all I had to go on.
I chose the CT213 over the Gitzo for a couple of reasons:
1) You can get the Gitzo at b&h for 519 but to get it into Canada, I was looking at about $113 extra with taxes chalked on and other such fees (according to B&H's quote). The same tripod cost $660 + tax/shipping in Canada. With the dollar at parity I don't want to support getting gouged/***ewed. Induro was the same cost ($380) on both sides of the border.
2) The Induro and the accessory short center column clocked in at $430, which also includes metal spiked feet, tool-kit, strap and bag....all of which would have cost extra with the Gitzo.
3) I have to admit that while I really liked what I saw on-line of the Gitzo, I couldn't justify (to my better half) spending $700 after tax on a tripod.
So the tripod is here and these are my impressions:
Pros:
1) With the short center column down, the tripod isn't much shorter than the 190ProB fully extended with the center column all the way up. It's a comfortable working height. With the standard center column, I have more height than I need but it's nice to have in reserve
2) At just over 3 pounds, it's lighter than the 190.
3) with the RRS head on the tripod, the total weight is about the same or just a bit less than the 190prob with the 484 ball-head
5) the twisting leg locks are just as quick or quicker than the lever locks of the 190prob
6) all three legs have the foam grips - not just one or two
7) legs are sealed against debris and moisture
8) Metal spiked feet are included (although you need to remove the rubber ones and then attach the spikes)
Cons:
1) Unlike the slick design of the Gitzo leg locks, the Induro leg locks are somewhat monsterous in comparison
2) 3 leg angle settings compared to Manfrotto's 4
3) More vibration than I expected from a carbon fiber tripod - not field relevant, but something to be aware of (ie, don't tap the tripod while the exposure is running)
4) Like all things tripod related, to get the extra height, the folded length is much longer than the 190prob.
Overall, I consider the the CT213 a good purchase. On specs, it outstrips the 190ProB and gives me some future-proofing should I find longer/heavier glass to use and I haven't sacrificed anything in the overall weight. As for the Manfrotto, for a light-duty set-up, it's an absolute steal. It's going to remain with me for a long time to come but the CT213 will be my primary tripod.
On to the RRS-BH40
First off, what an absolutely beautiful piece of kit this is! Everything about it reeks of quality. It's overkill for a k-5 and limiteds, but when you get to the DA* lenses, it's about perfect.
To compare it to the Manfrotto 484, it's a David/Goliath sort of thing (the the 484 being the David). The 484 is puny. It looks odd sitting on top of the 190ProB, taking up only about 1/2 of the plate it sits on. However, it locks incredibly tight. I would say it's good for more like 15 pounds of capacity; the sucker doesn't creep, whether it's the FA* 400 f/5.6 using the tripod collar or the 50-135, which is grossly front heavy due to not having a tripod collar. I dare say, it actually has the same gripping power of the RRS-BH40. Please note: This is not a knock against the RRS head. It's a compliment to just how tough the 484 really is.
Having said that, the bh40 locks down very tight - I say easily earning it's rating of an 18 lb capacity, it's perfectly matched to the mouting plate on the CT213 (there's only about 1.5mm of plate sticking out past the ball-head (the plate diameter is 56mm, the ball-head is 53mm).
Pros:
1) It's a thing of beauty
2) It locks up tight
3) separate pan, tension and locking knobs (lever, in the case of locking the head)
4) every movement is silky smooth
Cons:
1) Price - you get what you pay for, and at $390 for the head with the LR II full size lever release clamp, it's a steep entry fee.
2) You don't want to get debris between the ball and casing. With the Manfrotto 484, you don't really care, but with the RRS, you do.
3) It's a thing of beauty, and it pains me to think that it's going to suffer great abuse at my hands
4) - and this isn't really a con, but having the two drop slots off center takes some getting used to.
One last note about the RRS gear in general:
If you decide to go with L-Brackets, there isn't one that can be used with the BG-4 battery grip. And on the subject of L-Brackets, I opted to forego the RRS L-bracket because the vertical portion is offset far enough it looks like it might interfere with the Auto-focus selection switch on the k-7 & k-5. They do this to allow the ports door to open unhindered but I don't use the ports and I do use the AF selection switch quite a bit. Instead, I went with the Kirk L-bracket; it prevents easy access to the ports door, but it does allow you unhindered access to the AF selection. Personal preference and all that :). Both brackets have a bracket at the end for fastening a hand-strap, which is far more robust than the mounting plate that comes with the Pentax hand-strap.
According to Induro (http://www.indurogear.com/products_details_CT213.html#specs)
Material: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 26.4 lb (12 kg)
Max Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Extended: 64.2 in (1630 mm)
Max Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Retracted: 55.5 in (1410 mm)
Min Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Retracted: 23 in (584 mm)
Min Height (80° Leg Angle) w/Short Column: 6.8 in (172 mm)
Folded Length: 25.3 in (642 mm)
Number of Leg Sections: 3
Leg Lock Type: Moisture and dust-resistant locking grips
Independent Leg Spread: Yes, with three position stops
Center Column: Grooved-Rapid
Spiked Feet: Removable - Included
Head Mount Thread Size: 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
What Induro doesn't say on their web-site, but that they confirmed via email to me:
Leg diameter (thickest leg section): 28mm
Tripod Head mounting plate: 56mm
And according to Really Right Stuff, on the BH-40:
Load: 18 lbs
height: 3.0"
Weight: 18.3 oz
Diameter: 53mm/2.1"
Ball diameter: 40mm/1.6"
Last comments on this:
RRS has amazing customer service. I called to confirm that the Kirk l-bracket would work with the LR II and got a knowledgable confirmation right away - they actually recommended that plate for the Kirk bracket. I ordered the ball-head later that afternoon near the end of the day and they shipped it that afternoon, advising me via email when they did it.
Induro was helpful with my questions about the leg diameter etc... It took them about 24 (or slightly longer) hours to reply, but not bad.
If a deal on the GT2531 existed in Canada, like B&H offered, this review would have likely been on that tripod. I don't doubt that they're amazing tripods to use. I just couldn't swallow paying an extra $140 premium to buy one of these in Canada (more if you go through Vistek)
Lastly, Vistek was the only Canadian dealer I found who carried the Induro line - and they're priced the same here as they are in the states. That, I can support.
|