Flashpoint Tripods?

I'm looking for an inexpensive, lightweight and short when collapsed tripod to carry on motorcycle trips. The Flashpoint tripods from Adorama seem to fit all those qualities. I just wonder how stable they are w/ a DSLR and a pro lens attached. Not a big ol' long lens but either a 16-35mm or a 24-105mm lens. Anyone have experience w/ these tripods? Love to hear your thoughts.

Hey Bret. No experience with Flashpoint but I sure do like my little Induro travel tripod. I've got the C014(older model) with a Markins Q3 ballhead. Fully collapsed it's 21" and Rich V can attest to how light it is. In addition to being lightweight it's really sturdy for it's size. I've used it with a Canon 100-400 with acceptable results and it handles my 70-200 f4 just fine.

As far as Induro vs Flashpoint I can't offer any comparison but I can't imagine they would exhibit too much difference.

Here's a link to a review of the Induro and Markins on my blog.

http://wcbeanphoto.blogspot.com/2010/02/gear-review-induro-c014-tripodmarkins.html

Which model are you looking at, Bret? Those are some mighty attractive prices, and these smaller outfits (Induro, Feisol, etc.) are making huge quality inroads when compared to Gitzo and the like.
I assume you already have a ballhead that you would use with it?

Hey John - I'm looking at the model F-1228. 21" collapsed, 60" extended height and only 3.3 lbs. I think it would be real easy to carry on the motorcycle. I would use my Acratech Ultimate Ballhead on it. It's selling for $159, which is ridiculously cheap compared to a similar Gitzo. Gets a 4 star rating. Hmmm...

I waded through all 88 reviews and after that, I would definitely give it a try.
Adorama is pretty good about returns and it seems like if you get a lemon, you'll know right away. One consistent complaint was that the bag wouldn't fit after a head was attached,. If you can live with that and it won't be your primary tripod, then I think it would be a good purchase for your trips.

Thanks for the input, John. I think I'll give it a go. I couldn't care less about the bag as I won't be using it. Still can't believe the price for a CF tripod.

Bret, I have one I purchased over a year ago and the support is real nice. It worked well for about 6 months and then the leg started sticking and is very hard to pull out or sometimes very difficult getting it to collapse. Also, one of the legs tips was not fastened tight enohg, came off somewhere and I lost it.So I broke down and spent money on a Gitzo. After that, I am not sure I would but aother one...sorry for the negative post about it, but my luck wasn't so good.

My wife has a carbon-fiber Amvona tripod by Dynatron ($112.00)she got a couple of years ago off Ebay that looks similar to the Flashpoint (I would not be surprised if the manufacturer is marketing the same one under different names) Her's is serviceable but when I use it, it's usually for placing a remote flash on it. If using a camera/lens on it, I won't extend the legs much, and if I do extend the legs, I'll use mirror lock-up and a cable release. The Amvona legs aren't even remotely as stiff as my 1348 Gitzo. It is possible that Adorama has specified better specs for its Flashpoint series, even assuming that it might be the same manufacturer, and its legs may well be much better. All I'm really saying though is that usually "you get what you pay for".

Thanks, Kurt and Don. Good to hear a counterpoint. This will not be my primary tripod and I'll only pack it on long motorcycle trips. So, it may work for that purpose. I think I'll order it and before taking it out and beating it up, set it up in the house with my usual gear for a quick test run. If I'm unimpressed, I'll send it back.

On another note, I haven't really heard anything bad about the Induro CF tripods. I'll look into them and see how they compare price-wise to some others.

Really appreciate the feedback, folks!

I bought an Induro carbon fiber tripod from B&H, it was in their used section (in house demo). It only cost me $150. KEH also has great deals on them. Some of the KEH ones are new overstock... I think that it is the best bang for the buck It is awesome!

http://www.keh.com/camera/Tripods-Tripods-Legs/1/sku-TR439991133460?r=FE
http://www.keh.com/camera/Tripods-Tripods-Legs/1/sku-TR439991069360?r=FE
http://www.keh.com/camera/Tripods-Tripods-Legs/1/sku-TR439991069310?r=FE

Thanks for the links, Jim. I'll check 'em out!

Several of us use the Velbon carbon tripods. I know Darren, Jesse and I have them. Guy Tal had one for years, but I'm not sure if he is still using it. They're not as inexpensive as the flashpoint you mention, but are much less than Gitzo. I've got the 630 with an Acratech Ultimate as my support for my 4X5 and its good for anything I've put on the camera up to a 300mm. I've been using it for 3 or 4 years. But their 640 (4-section) would be shorter collapsed and more appropriate for your specific need and their 540 is even lighter and smaller (but too short for me at 6'2").

The Feisol tripods are one of the others I would consider. Induro seem to be a bit overpriced considering their lineage with Benro and I'm not sure that I'd pick Benro over the other options. Kerry Thalman's Really Big Cameras carries the Fiesol line.