I bought an L4 a couple of years ago based on its size and versatility. I'm 6'2" and with the addition of a leveling base and head it's very usable with just three legs extended. While I personally don't use the fourth leg section very often it's nice to know it's there when needed.
Agreed! I most often use it with just the last section collapsed, but the camera at about the perfect height for most scenes - especially by the time you figure in the ball head and such. Knowing I can go higher is nice or knowing I can do some whacky leg setups on really uneven terrain is nice too! Definitely a fan of FLM tripods in general!
Best tripod i've ever owned. The only thing i would change would be to make the twist locks either rubber or somehow grippier. I hate using them when it's really cold.
I have mixed feelings on rubber on the twist locks. A lot of times it seems the adhesive underneath breaks loose and then the rubber turns instead. It happened to my Sirui ball head I used to use more frequently, the rubber on the knobs sort of broke free. With that said - the aluminum ones can get quite cold!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography The aluminum grips should last a lifetime. The rubber grips are destined to fail at some point, especially if you live in a 4-season climate. Our recommendation is to wear gloves, that way we can continue to offer a lifetime warranty on our tripods and ball heads!
Since you already had the CP30 S4, Im curious why you didn’t consider the CP34 L4 for additional versatility over the 30 L. I’m seriously considering either the 30L or 34 L and would be tempted to pair either with the 26 or 30 M instead of the 30S.for travel.
The 34 L would be a great tripod. I have two reasons why I went with the 30 over the 34. One, I still hike a lot even regionally, so I do keep an eye on weight. The other reason is I actually also have a Feisol tripod that is an absolute tank - but it is heavy and bulky, but if I was headed to a situation where I felt the CP30 wasn't enough, I have a tripod that I could use. (With that said, I haven't felt that need as the CP30 has been good to me). I think the choices you are looking at area entirely reasonable - so don't let me sway you from what you are thinking. Hope that helps!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thank for sharing. It is good to get the broader prospective on your decision making process, makes perfect sense. I notice that a number of RUclips photographers using the CP30, but then they are also carrying a second tripod/camera to record themselves. I wondered, if they didn’t have to carry all the RUclips gear, would they carry a CP34 instead ?
@@virobs Yeah, all the extra gear for RUclips starts to add up. I have a fairly compact, lightweight Benro tripod I use for my video camera and then other related video and audio gear in the camera bag as well. (I actually used to carry the Feisol tripod early in my landscape photography journey, but when I started doing the YT channel, I started looking for ways to shed the weight and bulk. I think the CP34 could be a good option. If I didn't have the Feisol I could see have considering something a bit more than the CP30.
I have a film cp30 m5 hybrid which is great. But I’m honestly looking for something really light for hiking. I mean really light. I currently am using a Sony a7cr and one lens 20-70 f4 zoom to cover everything. I’m just looking for something that will work and be lighter than my current setup. Do you have any recommendations? I don’t need the strongest or one that holds the heaviest camera since this Sony setup is around 2.2lbs. I mean something stable would be good for long exposures. I just want something for hiking, waterfalls and so on.
That's a tough one. My travel tripod is the FLM CP30-S4, but that isn't going to save you much of anything really. With my Nikon gear and liking to use the Nikon 100-400, finding that balance between weight of the tripod/head and portability/weight can be challenging. I have a small Benro tripod that I use for video that is pretty light (weighs 2.2lbs including the head that comes with it), but I wouldn't say it is the most stable tripod in the world, only has an 8.8lb load limit. I had to use it a few weeks ago in the Smokies as my stills tripod due to me breaking a ball head and it was not ideal. Maybe take a look at the Leofoto line of tripods? I don't own one, but have several friends that use their tripods with success. They also have a rather extensive line of tripods, they might have one that fits the right spot of being lightweight and still stable enough. Hope that helps!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography appreciate the reply! I’ll definitely give those tripods a look. It’s hard for sure trying to figure out a solution. But i suppose i can continue using my flm for now until i find out the best fit.
Sheesh Jeffrey, another FLM Tripod review? 🙄🙄😃😂✌ They no doubt make a very nice set of legs. I wish I had not had such a negative experience when trying to buy a good copy of one awhile back. I think it was just a bad experience as the replacement B&H sent out to me, had one of the legs that would not release easily? I don't know? Always enjoy your content. Hey, lookin’ real stylin in that hat! Hope you're doing well. Stay safe! 👍💪🤝😊
:D You know me, big FLM fan! That's my replacement hat! I had one just like it, loved it, loaned to my wife on vacation, and she misplaced it - had to get a new one to replace the first! Floppy brim is super handy for photography - and keeping the rain off my glasses!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I really wanted to keep/ use the FLM CP30- S4, but when I pay ‘New’ prices, kinda expect to get new? Oh well, that’s just me. 🤔 I am really enjoying the Ranger LS284 Pro tripod. New lighter and stiffer CF, with the metal/rubber combo waterproof twist locks. It was a tad shorter than the FLM, but undercut it in weight, and just about as stiff. Great to hike with. What is it about wives and losing stuff? Ooh, Id better be careful, nvm! 😯😆 Great looking hat, and I have a similar one, and I wear glasses as well, so i know what You mean. Cataract surgery is in my near future, and I will be so glad to be able to ditch the glasses. 👍
@@georgedavall9449 I've heard good things about the Ranger tripods as well. Hopefully it serves you well! Yep - she'd never fess up to it, but it is the last place I saw it! LOL
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks Jeffrey! I like the little ranger as it is beefy, and is easy to carry and set up, and I forgot to mention Leofoto added an extra angle stop on the Pro models! I have a beefier LS 3624 Ranger for bigger camera and lens setups. It is very robust. It is non Pro model and does not have the waterproof metal/rubber twist locks. I will say, the twist locks on the FLM are superb. Ciao
Yeah, I find doing astrophotography that I need a taller tripod than my S4. Tilting my camera upwards means I hunch downwards. I love the overall dimensions of the S4 and with travel. But, yeah, getting an L4 to round out my tripods is valuable...
I am lucky to have both the S4 and the L4 - the near perfect setup. As you said, the overall dimensions of the S4 make it such a perfect travel tripod. Collapsed it is a reasonable size and still tall enough to not feel like you're compromising too much on tripod height, and plenty sturdy.
I like the metal twist locks and prefer them. No worries about any adhesive on rubber deteriorating from wet and cold and then spinning on the lock. So I feel like it is a more reliable option in the long term.
I bought an L4 a couple of years ago based on its size and versatility. I'm 6'2" and with the addition of a leveling base and head it's very usable with just three legs extended. While I personally don't use the fourth leg section very often it's nice to know it's there when needed.
Agreed! I most often use it with just the last section collapsed, but the camera at about the perfect height for most scenes - especially by the time you figure in the ball head and such. Knowing I can go higher is nice or knowing I can do some whacky leg setups on really uneven terrain is nice too! Definitely a fan of FLM tripods in general!
Best tripod i've ever owned. The only thing i would change would be to make the twist locks either rubber or somehow grippier. I hate using them when it's really cold.
I have mixed feelings on rubber on the twist locks. A lot of times it seems the adhesive underneath breaks loose and then the rubber turns instead. It happened to my Sirui ball head I used to use more frequently, the rubber on the knobs sort of broke free.
With that said - the aluminum ones can get quite cold!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography The aluminum grips should last a lifetime. The rubber grips are destined to fail at some point, especially if you live in a 4-season climate. Our recommendation is to wear gloves, that way we can continue to offer a lifetime warranty on our tripods and ball heads!
Since you already had the CP30 S4, Im curious why you didn’t consider the CP34 L4 for additional versatility over the 30 L. I’m seriously considering either the 30L or 34 L and would be tempted to pair either with the 26 or 30 M instead of the 30S.for travel.
The 34 L would be a great tripod. I have two reasons why I went with the 30 over the 34. One, I still hike a lot even regionally, so I do keep an eye on weight. The other reason is I actually also have a Feisol tripod that is an absolute tank - but it is heavy and bulky, but if I was headed to a situation where I felt the CP30 wasn't enough, I have a tripod that I could use. (With that said, I haven't felt that need as the CP30 has been good to me).
I think the choices you are looking at area entirely reasonable - so don't let me sway you from what you are thinking. Hope that helps!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thank for sharing. It is good to get the broader prospective on your decision making process, makes perfect sense. I notice that a number of RUclips photographers using the CP30, but then they are also carrying a second tripod/camera to record themselves. I wondered, if they didn’t have to carry all the RUclips gear, would they carry a CP34 instead ?
@@virobs Yeah, all the extra gear for RUclips starts to add up. I have a fairly compact, lightweight Benro tripod I use for my video camera and then other related video and audio gear in the camera bag as well. (I actually used to carry the Feisol tripod early in my landscape photography journey, but when I started doing the YT channel, I started looking for ways to shed the weight and bulk.
I think the CP34 could be a good option. If I didn't have the Feisol I could see have considering something a bit more than the CP30.
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography haha..do I see a new tripod review in the future?😂.
@@virobs Ha! I really need to reign in my tripod purchases! It is getting a little out of hand!
I have a film cp30 m5 hybrid which is great. But I’m honestly looking for something really light for hiking. I mean really light. I currently am using a Sony a7cr and one lens 20-70 f4 zoom to cover everything. I’m just looking for something that will work and be lighter than my current setup. Do you have any recommendations? I don’t need the strongest or one that holds the heaviest camera since this Sony setup is around 2.2lbs. I mean something stable would be good for long exposures. I just want something for hiking, waterfalls and so on.
That's a tough one. My travel tripod is the FLM CP30-S4, but that isn't going to save you much of anything really. With my Nikon gear and liking to use the Nikon 100-400, finding that balance between weight of the tripod/head and portability/weight can be challenging.
I have a small Benro tripod that I use for video that is pretty light (weighs 2.2lbs including the head that comes with it), but I wouldn't say it is the most stable tripod in the world, only has an 8.8lb load limit. I had to use it a few weeks ago in the Smokies as my stills tripod due to me breaking a ball head and it was not ideal.
Maybe take a look at the Leofoto line of tripods? I don't own one, but have several friends that use their tripods with success. They also have a rather extensive line of tripods, they might have one that fits the right spot of being lightweight and still stable enough. Hope that helps!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography appreciate the reply! I’ll definitely give those tripods a look. It’s hard for sure trying to figure out a solution. But i suppose i can continue using my flm for now until i find out the best fit.
Sheesh Jeffrey, another FLM Tripod review? 🙄🙄😃😂✌
They no doubt make a very nice set of legs. I wish I had not had such a negative experience when trying to buy a good copy of one awhile back. I think it was just a bad experience as the replacement B&H sent out to me, had one of the legs that would not release easily? I don't know?
Always enjoy your content. Hey, lookin’ real stylin in that hat! Hope you're doing well. Stay safe! 👍💪🤝😊
:D You know me, big FLM fan!
That's my replacement hat! I had one just like it, loved it, loaned to my wife on vacation, and she misplaced it - had to get a new one to replace the first! Floppy brim is super handy for photography - and keeping the rain off my glasses!
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I really wanted to keep/ use the FLM CP30- S4, but when I pay ‘New’ prices, kinda expect to get new? Oh well, that’s just me. 🤔
I am really enjoying the Ranger LS284 Pro tripod. New lighter and stiffer CF, with the metal/rubber combo waterproof twist locks. It was a tad shorter than the FLM, but undercut it in weight, and just about as stiff. Great to hike with.
What is it about wives and losing stuff? Ooh, Id better be careful, nvm! 😯😆 Great looking hat, and I have a similar one, and I wear glasses as well, so i know what You mean. Cataract surgery is in my near future, and I will be so glad to be able to ditch the glasses. 👍
@@georgedavall9449 I've heard good things about the Ranger tripods as well. Hopefully it serves you well!
Yep - she'd never fess up to it, but it is the last place I saw it! LOL
@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thanks Jeffrey! I like the little ranger as it is beefy, and is easy to carry and set up, and I forgot to mention Leofoto added an extra angle stop on the Pro models! I have a beefier LS 3624 Ranger for bigger camera and lens setups. It is very robust. It is non Pro model and does not have the waterproof metal/rubber twist locks. I will say, the twist locks on the FLM are superb. Ciao
Yeah, I find doing astrophotography that I need a taller tripod than my S4. Tilting my camera upwards means I hunch downwards. I love the overall dimensions of the S4 and with travel. But, yeah, getting an L4 to round out my tripods is valuable...
I am lucky to have both the S4 and the L4 - the near perfect setup. As you said, the overall dimensions of the S4 make it such a perfect travel tripod. Collapsed it is a reasonable size and still tall enough to not feel like you're compromising too much on tripod height, and plenty sturdy.
Jeffrey Tadlock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( just driving the Al Gorerhythms! ). 😊
How do you find the metal twist locks versus rubber? I understand the cold part, but any other issues?
I like the metal twist locks and prefer them. No worries about any adhesive on rubber deteriorating from wet and cold and then spinning on the lock. So I feel like it is a more reliable option in the long term.