Toolbox: TripodselptGive your camera the support it needs for the sharpest shots possible
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By The Editors
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| Induro CarbonFlex CX214 The Induro CarbonFlex CX214 features four-section legs of eight-layer carbon-fiber tubing that’s 60% stronger than conventional carbon-fiber material. It has a center column that can quickly be positioned from vertical to horizontal, and reversed, so you can put the camera just about anywhere. A closed-cell foam grip provides comfortable handling in hot or cold conditions, and each leg lock features specially designed dust- and moisture-resistant seals. The tripod extends to 61.2 inches, weighs 4.1 pounds and can support up to 17.6 pounds. Estimated Street Price: $407. |  | | Joby Gorillapod SLR-ZOOM Certainly not your conventional tripod, Joby’s Gorillapods feature legs consisting of many fully articulating ball-and-socket joints, allowing them to be bent and twisted into any shape, and wrapped around handy objects to maximum flexibility in camera placement. Soft rings and rubberized feet keep the Gorillapod from slipping. The Gorillapod SLR-ZOOM is the heavy-duty model, capable of supporting up to 6.6 pounds—not bad for a 9.8x2.4x2.4-inch unit weighing just 8.5 ounces. List Price: $54. | 
 | | Manfrotto CX-Series The new Manfrotto CX-Series consists of three models, each of which is highlighted by significant ergonomic improvements. The tripods are as functional as they are stylish, especially the 190CXPRO3 and 190CXPRO4, as they feature Manfrotto’s award-winning Q90º center column, which allows the shooter to effortlessly switch the column to a horizontal position all in one motion. CX tripod leg tubes are made of 100% carbon fiber. The 190CXPRO3 and 190CXPRO4 also have all-carbon-fiber center columns; the simpler 190CX3 has an aluminum column and top plate. All three models extend to 57.5 inches (center column raised); the PRO models go as low as 3.15 inches, the CX3 to 2.36 inches. All weigh less than three pounds. Estimated Street Price: $325 (190CXPRO4); $300 (190CXPRO3); $250 (190CX3). |  | | Slik Sprint PRO EZ Easy to use and eminently portable, the Slik Sprint Pro EZ extends to 64 inches, yet compresses to 18.9 inches and weighs just 31.4 ounces. Slik speed-release leg locks, a gearless center column and three-position adjustable four-section legs make for easy setup even on uneven ground or steps. The top half of the two-piece center column and the adjustable-angle leg locks allow positioning the camera eight inches above the ground. The Sprint Pro EZ can support up to 4.5 pounds, and comes with a stable, all-metal, multi-action pan head with easy-to-use quick release. You can remove the head and attach a different head, if desired. The legs can handle up to 8.8 pounds of properly balanced equipment. List Price: $139. |
 | Smith-Victor Black Diamond Carbon-Fiber Tripods
Smith-Victor has introduced a new line of carbon-fiber tripods, monopods and ballheads. Dubbed Black Diamond, the tripods feature four-section carbon-fiber legs that won’t twist and can be locked at angles of 24, 55 and 80 degrees. The tripods come in heights of 54, 59.5 and 65 inches, and weigh 2, 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, respectively. All feature a minimum height of less than 20 inches. A twist-lock winged collar secures the rapid-slide center column, and each comes with a convenient carrying strap. List Price: TBA. |  | | Sunpak Tri-Monopods Sunpak’s new aluminum Tri-Monopods feature removable center columns that serve as fully functioning monopods, handy when conditions don’t allow for use of a full tripod. The top-of-the-line 757TM features working heights from 22 to 72.9 inches, weighs 6.1 pounds and can support up to 15.4 pounds; the monopod portion runs from 23 to 64.4 inches. The midline 9002TM features working heights from 21.65 to 58 inches, weighs 3.3 pounds and can support up to 6.6 pounds; the monopod runs from 15.75 to 61.4 inches. The 6601TM economy model features working heights from 21.65 to 58 inches, weighs three pounds and can support up to 4.4 pounds; the monopod section runs from 21.65 to 61.4 inches. All come with three-way pan heads (fluid on the 757TM). Estimated Street Price: $112 (757TM); $46 (9002TM); $34 (6601TM). |  |
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