Haha it looks like we bought our tripods opposite of eachother. I bought the L4 first and bought the S4 for a smaller tripod but still with good height. Great video, Jeff!
They really are great tripods. My S4 is 2+ years old and was my regular carry for most of those 2 years and it is still in great shape. Still use the S4 if I'm flying or hiking in steeper, narrower trails. But I've really like the height of the L4 tripod.
Thank you! Glad the video helped! I know when I was first looking I struggled trying to decide which to go with. Both of these tripods have been very good to me. I’ve really grown to like the taller L4 when my travel does not involve flying. The extra height for certain compositions is nice to have. With that said, it is the S4 I take when I fly - just because it fits nicely along my camera bag when I carry it on.
I purchased the L4 for a Nikon D3 paired with Nikons holy trinity’s and had absolutely no problems whatsoever. Since I’ve size down to a Fuji platform, I’m debating picking up the S4 because the L4 is overkill for anything mirrorless and definitely crop sensor. However, the height of a L4 has been clutch shooting in water and uneven terrain. You can’t go wrong with either or
The height it the big advantage of the L4. I've really come to appreciate the extra height I can get from it. With that said, I still travel with the S4, it fits perfect alongside my bag and doesn't weight a lot. Both really solid tripods!
@@ronjose51 Yeah - it fits reasonably well on my Shimoda Bags - either the Explore 35L v2 or the Action 50L v2. Still a tall tripod though and slightly more unwieldy!
Great video Jeff, just what I was looking for. I plan to order one of these but am really torn on which one to get. I can't justify getting both :). I am 6'0, so with the S4 my fear is I would always be wanting just a little more height. Hard to tell though without seeing it in person. I love the collapsed size of it though. How tall are you BTW? The L4 (without the ballhead) would be about 1-2 inches above my Shimoda Action X50 pack when strapped to the side I think. Not terrible I guess. Have you done much hiking with the L4? is it cumbersome? I rarely fly but if I do I would need to put the tripod in checked luggage I guess, if I went with the L4. That is the biggest negative I can see. I am leaning towards the L4, I just wish it was 2-3 inches shorter when collapsed.
Now that I've been able to use the L4 more since the video, I've found I really do like the extra height. While I always thought the S4 was fine in regular use, it was sort of a "I didn't know what I was missing" until I used the L4 more often. Very handy for getting just a little higher. (I am just shy of 5'11") I have done a fair amount of hiking with the L4, it isn't bad at all from the hiking perspective. On tighter trails, possibly gets caught on a close branch or brush here and there, but not in a prohibitive way and not a significant con. If I could only have one, and didn't fly a lot - the L4 is the way I would go - especially with you being 6'. Happy to answer any other questions - it can be painstaking to try to decide which way to go with purchases like this!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks for responding Jeff. I think I am sold on the L4. Now to just pick a ball head! I am leaning towards that Sirui you have on the S4. Seems pretty robust for the price
Before you decide on the ball head, I've been using the Innorel N44 for several months now and it has been working well - I did a video on it awhile back. ruclips.net/video/3kGmB-2DuHQ/видео.html
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I took your advice and grabbed that Innorel N44 instead! I really like the low profile look to it, and with the taller tripod any height savings will be great. L4 tripod ordered as well! Thanks again Jeff!
@@joshdenault6363 The N44 pairs nicely with the L4! The Sirui was fine, but it was a little finicky on portrait orientations with my L-bracket and I had to really make sure it attached securely (almost lost a camera in fast moving water once) and eventually, the rubber over the knobs started to slip just a bit. The N44 has been a solid performer for me so far! Enjoy the new setup!
Oh I will have to look into this brand. I see a bunch of landscape photographers with this brand. I wonder how the shorter one would work for me. I'm only 5'4". I can't have the tall ones.
They are great tripods in my opinion. High quality at what I consider a middle of the road price point - not budget, but not 4-figure expensive either. The S4 would likely work well. I'm 5'11' and used the S4 for nearly two years. There were times I wish it was a bit taller, but it was always just close enough that those times were minor inconvenience, not a major one. You can get just a little more height out of it by not using a low profile ball head too, which brings the camera up a bit.
I chose the L4 partially based on the height with that last section collapsed. I’m 6’2” and find it very usable that way. It’s roughly the same height as the tripod it replaced with the option of going even higher. I do have a second FLM tripod (CP26) that I bought for travel. It will be taking its first voyage next week. It’s a 5 section tripod so that last section is kind of spindly but pretty standard for a dedicated travel tripod. It’s not quite as compact as the other travel tripods I looked at but it offers considerable better height.
I am thinking I won't need to extend that last section very often - but have lots more height available if I need. I'm looking forward to gettin some more time with it. I haven't looked closely at the CP26, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with a smaller diameter than 30. They do have a CP30-M5 - five leg sections, taller than the S4, but not quite as tall as the L4.
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I generally don't use the bottom section unless I want a higher perspective which is rare. I'm much more likely to shoot from a lower perspective but it's nice to have the option.
Definitely. The FLM tripods have served me quite well. The S4 I’ve had the longest (2+ years) and it still performs great. I tend to use it for travel where I will be flying. It is compact, so I can carry it on attached to my camera bag, but tall enough to not be frustrating when out photographing. I’ve had the L4 for several months now and use it when not flying. It has the quality feel of the S4 and I’ve actually really come to appreciate the extra height it has. Super happy with both. Doing a review of the L4 is on my list, as I feel like I’ve used it enough now to talk about it. All positive though.
Great video! Most reviews don't talk about the max height with one section collapsed. Well done Jeffery!
Thank you - glad it was helpful!
Keep up the excellent work, Jeffrey!
Thank you!! Amazing products - still super happy with both of mine!
Haha it looks like we bought our tripods opposite of eachother. I bought the L4 first and bought the S4 for a smaller tripod but still with good height. Great video, Jeff!
Ha! Yep! I was S4 first and now the L4. I'm pretty excited - I think it is going to be the perfect combo!
So light compared to other brands their size. Nice video. Thanks
They really are great tripods. My S4 is 2+ years old and was my regular carry for most of those 2 years and it is still in great shape. Still use the S4 if I'm flying or hiking in steeper, narrower trails. But I've really like the height of the L4 tripod.
Perfectly done. I happen to be looking at these and the hybrid model and trying to choose. Yours is the only comparison of these tripods. Thanks.
Thank you! Glad the video helped! I know when I was first looking I struggled trying to decide which to go with. Both of these tripods have been very good to me. I’ve really grown to like the taller L4 when my travel does not involve flying. The extra height for certain compositions is nice to have. With that said, it is the S4 I take when I fly - just because it fits nicely along my camera bag when I carry it on.
I purchased the L4 for a Nikon D3 paired with Nikons holy trinity’s and had absolutely no problems whatsoever. Since I’ve size down to a Fuji platform, I’m debating picking up the S4 because the L4 is overkill for anything mirrorless and definitely crop sensor. However, the height of a L4 has been clutch shooting in water and uneven terrain. You can’t go wrong with either or
The height it the big advantage of the L4. I've really come to appreciate the extra height I can get from it. With that said, I still travel with the S4, it fits perfect alongside my bag and doesn't weight a lot. Both really solid tripods!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography couldn’t agree more, only downside of the L4 is finding a backpack that can easily carry it.
@@ronjose51 Yeah - it fits reasonably well on my Shimoda Bags - either the Explore 35L v2 or the Action 50L v2. Still a tall tripod though and slightly more unwieldy!
Great video Jeff, just what I was looking for. I plan to order one of these but am really torn on which one to get. I can't justify getting both :). I am 6'0, so with the S4 my fear is I would always be wanting just a little more height. Hard to tell though without seeing it in person. I love the collapsed size of it though. How tall are you BTW?
The L4 (without the ballhead) would be about 1-2 inches above my Shimoda Action X50 pack when strapped to the side I think. Not terrible I guess. Have you done much hiking with the L4? is it cumbersome?
I rarely fly but if I do I would need to put the tripod in checked luggage I guess, if I went with the L4. That is the biggest negative I can see.
I am leaning towards the L4, I just wish it was 2-3 inches shorter when collapsed.
Now that I've been able to use the L4 more since the video, I've found I really do like the extra height. While I always thought the S4 was fine in regular use, it was sort of a "I didn't know what I was missing" until I used the L4 more often. Very handy for getting just a little higher. (I am just shy of 5'11")
I have done a fair amount of hiking with the L4, it isn't bad at all from the hiking perspective. On tighter trails, possibly gets caught on a close branch or brush here and there, but not in a prohibitive way and not a significant con.
If I could only have one, and didn't fly a lot - the L4 is the way I would go - especially with you being 6'.
Happy to answer any other questions - it can be painstaking to try to decide which way to go with purchases like this!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks for responding Jeff. I think I am sold on the L4. Now to just pick a ball head! I am leaning towards that Sirui you have on the S4. Seems pretty robust for the price
Before you decide on the ball head, I've been using the Innorel N44 for several months now and it has been working well - I did a video on it awhile back.
ruclips.net/video/3kGmB-2DuHQ/видео.html
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I took your advice and grabbed that Innorel N44 instead! I really like the low profile look to it, and with the taller tripod any height savings will be great. L4 tripod ordered as well! Thanks again Jeff!
@@joshdenault6363 The N44 pairs nicely with the L4!
The Sirui was fine, but it was a little finicky on portrait orientations with my L-bracket and I had to really make sure it attached securely (almost lost a camera in fast moving water once) and eventually, the rubber over the knobs started to slip just a bit. The N44 has been a solid performer for me so far!
Enjoy the new setup!
Oh I will have to look into this brand. I see a bunch of landscape photographers with this brand. I wonder how the shorter one would work for me. I'm only 5'4". I can't have the tall ones.
They are great tripods in my opinion. High quality at what I consider a middle of the road price point - not budget, but not 4-figure expensive either.
The S4 would likely work well. I'm 5'11' and used the S4 for nearly two years. There were times I wish it was a bit taller, but it was always just close enough that those times were minor inconvenience, not a major one. You can get just a little more height out of it by not using a low profile ball head too, which brings the camera up a bit.
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks for the information Jeffrey!
I chose the L4 partially based on the height with that last section collapsed. I’m 6’2” and find it very usable that way. It’s roughly the same height as the tripod it replaced with the option of going even higher. I do have a second FLM tripod (CP26) that I bought for travel. It will be taking its first voyage next week. It’s a 5 section tripod so that last section is kind of spindly but pretty standard for a dedicated travel tripod. It’s not quite as compact as the other travel tripods I looked at but it offers considerable better height.
I am thinking I won't need to extend that last section very often - but have lots more height available if I need. I'm looking forward to gettin some more time with it.
I haven't looked closely at the CP26, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with a smaller diameter than 30. They do have a CP30-M5 - five leg sections, taller than the S4, but not quite as tall as the L4.
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I generally don't use the bottom section unless I want a higher perspective which is rare. I'm much more likely to shoot from a lower perspective but it's nice to have the option.
Interesting...none of the 3 major camera/video equipment stores in my City sell - in store or through online orders the FLM brand.
None of my local stores have them either. I usually order mine through B&H or FLM has a site that you can order from as well. Hope that helps!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks
After view months do you still recommend this manufacturer?
Definitely. The FLM tripods have served me quite well. The S4 I’ve had the longest (2+ years) and it still performs great. I tend to use it for travel where I will be flying. It is compact, so I can carry it on attached to my camera bag, but tall enough to not be frustrating when out photographing. I’ve had the L4 for several months now and use it when not flying. It has the quality feel of the S4 and I’ve actually really come to appreciate the extra height it has. Super happy with both.
Doing a review of the L4 is on my list, as I feel like I’ve used it enough now to talk about it. All positive though.