Used Flashpoint F-1428 Carbon Fiber Tripod, 4 Section Leg Set, Supports 26 lbs., Maximum Height 72". with Ball Head

2011-12-11T19:00:00

The concept was good, the execution poor. When the tripod worked, it work as intended but fell apart after little use and just after the return period ran out. This is a classic example of poor product quality in construction. One of the legs simply fell apart when opened. I would like to recommend this tripod but can't.

WILLIAM K.

2011-10-26T21:00:00

Good value. Stable. I've had problems with the hardware loosening. Each leg has two Allen-head screws which hold the legs to the top of the tripod. These screws need to be re-tightened regularly too keep the legs from getting loos causing the tripod to wobble. Latch tension bolt also loosens. (Each leg also has a small bolt behind the latch that holds the leg at one of several angles. This bolt puts tension on a flat spring that puts tension on the latch so it stays in place.)

JOHN V.

2011-05-11T21:00:00

I would have given this a 5-Star had it come with leg wraps and bubble.At least you can buy them separately.The wraps are important for carrying it over the shoulder and when theweather is brutally cold.

Angelo

2011-03-29T21:00:00

Great product. I usually buy big name products but by reading reviews decided to give a try to a Flashpoint. I use 300mm 2.8 lens with 2X extender, SB900 flash, battery pack, bracket, D700 with the power grip and Jobu Design BWG-Pro Gimbal Head. The tripod can't feel a thing. Solid as a rock. I am sure if I would put 800mm on it it won't even move a millimetre. Great product.

Vladislav N.

2011-03-27T21:00:00

i bought that tripod a year ago, with high expectations, to improve on the stability of a "smaller" manfrotto that i have been using for a while. when i opened the box, there was no level on the tripod. it was only the start.i tend to use it in rough situations...on the beach, in water, etc etc...after a year, i lost the screw and the hook at the bottom of the shaft. it got loose, and simply fell.the legs are really hard to pull in and out. they are not sliding well at all.the bolts holding the legs came loose. i tighten them up lately, and found out that one one leg, i just couldn't tighten it.this last week end, in death valley, one screw on one side of the leg fell. the other one is loose and the whole leg is ready to fall appart.also, by trying to pull out the smaller leg extension, the "foot" came out. after having to put it back a few times, i finally lost it, stuck in the mud somewhere!the tightening screws holding the each leg extension are either really hard to loosen, or sometimes, the legs goes back in by itself! awesome when you have your camera on it...shooting slow speed!long story short...this is a great trypod to put in a shadow box...or maybe in studio....but if you intend to use it outdoor where you might encounter water, dirt, sand, rain, etc...forget it.the day i bought it, i wished i had broken my leg instead!i am back with my old manfrotto!!!![...]i won't buy flashpoint ever again.

philippe

2011-01-13T19:00:00

I was worried about purchasing a tripod online as my husband is particular. He was very impressed with the tripod and the height it will extend to. It's light enough to carry with us on our outings and fits nicely in the carrying case, sturdy and easy to set up.

GERRI T.

2011-01-11T19:00:00

A great lightweigt tripod. I compare it favorably to the Gitzo, which costs three times as much

Larry

2011-01-11T19:00:00

This tripod is not great for the price, it is just a great tripod.

ARTHUR U.

2011-01-11T19:00:00

Great tripod, except I wish I had purchased the newer model that has the "flap" locks for extending the legs.

SJ

2011-01-11T19:00:00

This is the first carbon fiber tripod that I've used so I don't have anything to really compare it to but it is working out very well so far.

Tony

2010-12-01T19:00:00

I use this tripod with a Canon 500mm 4.0 lens, 1.4X Extender, Canon 7D w/battery holder mounted on a Custom Brackets Gimbal Head. This is not a light setup but the tripod handles it easily. I considered a Gitzo but gave this a try first. It didn't take long to see that I made a great choice. The comparable Gitzo was over twice the price. Fellow photographers asked what model of Gitzo mine was. I just smiled. Buy this tripod and you will not be disappointed.

MIKE B.

2010-05-23T21:00:00

This tripod supports the camera and lens well, when used with F-4 Ballhead

bill

2010-04-10T21:00:00

I got this tripod because of it's height and sturdyness. I find it very easy and smooth to extend the legs. I use a RRS ball head and it fits into the carrying case while attached to the tripod. This tripod collapse'shorter and weigh's the same while being much taller than my older Gitzo G 2220.

TommyO

2009-12-18T19:00:00

[...]As for the tripod, I am quite happy with the build quality. The only thing really missing compared to the higher end models, is gaskets sealing the legs, and padding on the legs. If I can save $ and not have this feature, I'm ok with that. I also matched the tripod with Flashpoints F-4 ball head, and must say I very happy with this as well. So do yourself a favor, and save some cash. But only time will tell eh?

2009-12-17T19:00:00

I have a Gitzo monopod w/RRS head that I use for my wildlife photography and wanted a good solid tripod to replace an older Velbon. I didn't want to spend the money for a Gitzo tripod so looked for the next-best alternative. I paired the Flashpoint 1428 with their F-4 ball head. My heaviest equipment combo is as follows: Nikon D90 Sigma 120-400mm tele zoom I would say the Flashpoint equipment is comparable in quality and functionality to the Gitzo stuff that I have, at half the price. Importantly, the Real Right Stuff plates that I had for all of my equipment work just fine in the quick release on the F-4 ball head. So far, I am really pleasantly impressed with the solid functionality of the Flashpoint setup. I'll also include more in my review of the F-4 ball head in that section. Small touches that I appreciate: The center column has two sections, the bottom section unscrews so that you can get low to the ground. Also, there is a hook at the bottom for hanging extra weight on the tripod. The center column is reversible (by unscrewing the bottom section) for macro work. Everything appears to work silky smooth. And the nylon case easily has room for the tripod with the F-4 head attached. Quality and value abound here. Also, it fits on my backpack and really isn't much heavier than the old Velbon, but I have yet to go on a long trek with it. It is heavy, but light for its size, so you have to balance the heavy weight against the added rigidity. I needed the solid base for HDR work and wildlife photography. The only criticism that I have are the rubber/spike feet combo. Others have also mentioned that the rubber will eventually wear exposing the metal spikes (see photo). However if this happens, you can purchase inexpensive screw-in rubber and seperate spike feet to replace them.

Pat

2009-09-10T21:00:00

I was looking for a good quality tripod that can accommodate all the gear that I have. So far, the unit has met all my expectations. It is a solid and lightweight tripod that I consider semi-pro. Original specs state the tripod can stand over 6.5ft tall, without needing to extend the center column. I am about 5'10, and with the extra height added, this allows me to keep the last section of the tripod legs retracted for added stability. I bought this unit to hold the following combination of equipment: Sony A900 DSLR Sony VGC-90AM Vertical Grip Sony SAL-70200G 70-200mm f/2.8 Telephoto lens Sony SAL-70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto lens Sony 2470CZ 24-70mm f/2.8 lens Sony HVL-58AM Flash As some of you who are familiar with the SAL70400G lens, it can extend longer during zoom, and can throw off the center balance. This was not an issue when mounted on this tripod :) Total max weight of my gear can be up to ~ 8 - 9 pounds. This tripod held it steady without any issues. This was used in combination with the Flashpoint F-3 Ball Head. The soft carrying case can also accommodate the tripod and the F-3 Ball head without any problems (unlike the reported lower models) and also has a smaller inside pocket to hold the allen key and small wrench) Drawbacks of this unit are regarding the missing leveler, as well as the foot design. It includes the spike already integrated with the tripod leg, and if needed, a rotation of the outer rubber part of the leg end extends out and over the spike changing the end into a rubber nub. However, I can see over time the rubber nub wearing down and eventually exposing the spike again after some outdoor use.

ANTHONY R.