sycamore

had to test out some new gear last night :)

Nice light in the clouds. What gear?

Well, it was awfully nice of the sky to cooperate with your tests. That's really nice lighting.

oh i got a new hiking tripod and head. a feisol ct-3441s traveller and photoclam PC33NS ballhead....tiny little thing, 16 inches folded up...very happy with it, sold off a monster gitzo 3541LS and RRS BH-55, so my load will be lighter this season

Very cool image Drew.

Much more interesting than the usual tree in a field shot, for all the usual reasons: great light, great colors, great cloud cover, and of course the sunset. Love the little patch of light on the grass in the foreground.

Very nice.

thank you guys

Drew, I just upgraded to almost the same setup. I went with the CT-3442 and PC-33NS to replace my 7 pound Gitzo setup. The PhotoClam is especially impressive.

I heard Feisol is about to launch a new line of tripods with a new anti leg rotation system but it will also come with a 30% price increase so I'm glad I got mine now.

taylor yeah i debated waiting for it. i have to admit having been using gitzo for the last few years i am a little spoiled by the ALS, and it will take some getting used to the tripod without it. i am sure the platform is every bit as stable, but the set up will not be as easy as the gitzo was. still i'd have to weigh that ease of use vs cost, again, i dont think it would change image quality, and that would be the most important factor. i am also impressed by the PC33NS. i've only ever used RRS, which was a tank and put up with a lot of abuse. but this little guy is very luxurious to use in comparison, i actually prefer the friction control on the PC to the RRS. the 3442 is the tourney? what made you go that route? just curious as i was debating those 2 models, but in the end it seemed like stability was virtually identical and the traveller folded down more compactly...

I had a really hard time making my mind up about which tripod to keep. I compared the 3442 to a Gitzo 2541EX (which was too heavy vs the 3442) and then the 1541T (which was too small and didn't feel nearly as sturdy as the 3442). I opted for the 3442 instead of the 3441s because it's max height is about 4 inches higher. You're right though, they're very similar. I got the optional center column, did you? Did you get yours through reallybigcamera.com's "colors of spring special?" If that had been going on when I bought mine I definitely would have taken advantage of it!

Yes yes and yes!! I bought the traveller because center column was free in both price and weight. Extra 4 inches didnt matter after adding center column. It folded 2 inches shorter and much more compact width wise. Kerry gave me the spring deal a couple weeks early too. No shipping and a free plate! I got BLUE legs and a RED head. I call it THE PARROT! Lol! It makes sense if u saw my electroclash burton backpack. Matches or clashes perfectly and my buddies say they can never lose me in the woods!

Very nice. I'm jealous, mine's all boring black 'cause I wasn't about to pay extra just for a cool color. Oh well. I just ordered a boring black Kirk L plate to go with mine so I'm happy

i made some iphone photos...so you can see the ridiculousness of my set up...lol

hope this link works

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3084/parrotshow.jpg

Wow, what a great shot!!

Yep that stands out for sure. I strap mine to the back or, if I'm not going too far, hang it from the side:

http://imm.io/8zn

Nice image. The Feisol is a good tripod. I have the 3401 and it is my travel tripod of choice. Workes great with 50D and any wide lens plus my 70-200. I have used it with my large format camera although I still prefer my Gitzo 1325 for the best stability.

Thanks again. Yeah its all give and take. Bigger tripods are just plain better at the location, and smaller are better going to and from! Oh well i did big for a few years....time to try small! Btw i find side portage much easier to bear.