Oben CFT-6394
Carbon-Fibre "Big & Tall" Tripod
Holds 39 lbs/18 kg, Weighs 5¼ lbs/2.4 kg, 72"/180 cm high (62"/157 cm w/o center column), 24.3"/62 cm closed
Specifications Heads Accessories
Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod ($419). bigger. I got mine at B&H.
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Introduction top
Specifications Heads Accessories
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The Oben CFT-6394 tripod is perfect for big guys with big cameras, and ultra-sturdy for everyone else. While only rated for 39 lbs/18 kg, I have no problem hanging my 175 lb./80 kg body under it. It wiggles a little, and otherwise has no problem supporting my craziness.
While it's "only" rated to go to 72" (182 cm), by the time you add a head and realize that your viewfinder is on top of your camera and your eyes aren't on the top of your head, guys about 6' 10" (208 cm) will be able to look straight into regular cameras, and since big guys shoot big cameras like the Nikon Z9 or EOS R3, guys about 7 feet (213 cm) tall will be peering straight into their cameras. Most people prefer to be able to see the top of their camera, so this tripod covers guys up to about 7' 6" (230 cm).
This tripod is even sturdier when not extended all the way, which is why most people buy it. I'm only 6 feet (182 cm) tall, and with my Manfrotto 410 Geared Head I can't even extend the legs all the way, much less need the center column, to have my eyepiece above my eye.
The center column is carbon-fibre. It also comes with a short aluminum-alloy center stub to allow an ultra-low 6½″/16½ cm "Limbo" mode:
"Limbo" Mode with Included Short Center Column. bigger.
In Limbo mode the stubby column has ½″/1 cm of extension, and both columns reverse so you can mount your camera and head on the bottom of the column for low shots.
As shown above I reversed the grub screw atop the center column so it has a ¼″ × 20 TPI thread onto which you can attach a camera directly rather than the usual ⅜″ × 16 TPI thread to which we attach heads. The center is keyed so it doesn't rotate, so you'll have to rotate the entire tripod to rotate your camera unless you use a head. For low use you're much better off with a mini tripod like the Oben CTT-1000, and you do have all these options with this big tripod should you need them.
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Good intro top
Sturdy, solid and light weight.
Well made: all the twist locks work positively so legs and columns slide and lock smoothly, and the friction of the leg pivots arrived perfectly adjusted for easy use without collapsing.
Non-rotating legs and column make it easy to set and strike.
Carbon-fibre center-column and stubby aluminum center columns both reverse for low angles.
Spring-loaded bag/weight hook attaches to bottom of either center column.
Legs open to any of three locking angles or anything in between.
"One touch" leg angle locks, just press to release.
Hard rubber insulating grips on two of the legs.
5 year limited warranty.
Huge -30º ~ +60º C (-22º ~ +140º F) operating range.
Bubble level.
Interchangeable feet. A set of spikes is included to replace the big rubber feet:
Included spikes. bigger.
Reversible mounting screw for ¼″ × 20 TPI or the usual ⅜″ × 16 TPI threads.
Anti-twist ⅜″ × 16 TPI socket for articulating and accessory arms to hold iPads or lights & etc.:
Anti-twist ⅜″ × 16 TPI Socket for Articulating and Accessory Arms to Hold iPads or Lights & etc. bigger.
Case and shoulder strap included:
Included Soft Case. bigger.
The case has room for the tripod and a head.
Tools and clever snap-on holder included:
Included Snap-On Tool Set. bigger.
Bad intro top
Nothing, other than not being free and not being Made in U.S.A., FRANCE, Switzerland, GERMANY, Austria, ITALY or similar developed country (from which it would cost $2,999).
Missing intro top
No head included, but works with any standard ⅜″ × 16 TPI or ¼″ × 20 TPI head.
Specifications top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Load Capacity specifications top
Holds 39 lbs (17.7 kg).
Weight specifications top
5.26 pounds (84.1 oz. or 5 lbs., 4.1 oz.), actual measured weight with long column as shown at top.
2,385 g (2.385 kg), actual measured weight with long column as shown at top.
Rated 4.9 lbs (78.4 oz. or 2.2 kg).
Load to Weight Ratio specifications top
7.96 : 1, rated.
Dimensions specifications top
Maximum Height: 71.7" (180 cm) with center column up.
Maximum Height: 61.7" (157 cm) with center column down.
Minimum Height: 6½″ (16.5 cm) with legs splayed and stubby center column.
Closed Length: 24.3" (61.7 cm).
Made in specifications top
China.
Operating Environment specifications top
-30º ~ +60º C (-22º ~ +140º F).
Included specifications top
Tripod.
Extra stubby center column.
Set of three spike feet.
Case & strap.
Tool set.
Nice printed manual and 5 year limited warranty.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April 2022
$419.
Heads top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Heads
The CFT-6394 comes as legs-only. I'd suggest using it with any of:
Oben BC-139 Ball Head
The matching Oben BC-139 Ball Head is also rated to support 39 pounds (18 kg), it weighs 21.1 oz. (600g) and its base diameter of 60mm (2.40") matches the CFT-6394's mounting plate perfectly:
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The BC-139 is a very well made ball head with an Arca-Swiss receiver and a large, numbered drag control knob. This numbered drag control knob has a small silver drag limit screw which lets us set the minimum drag so that we can't make the head so loose that our camera flops down.
It comes with a full printed manual in English and a 4mm Allen wrench for the QR-30 Arca plate's screw if its little flipping key doesn't give you enough leverage.
It also comes with a ¼″ × 20 TPI to ⅜″ × 16 TPI bushing. This bushing allows this head to mount on a small ¼″ × 20 TPI thread rather than the standard ⅜″ × 16 TPI thread, or use the bushing on the QR-30 Arca-Swiss plate to attach heavy-duty cameras with ⅜″ × 16 TPI tripod sockets.
It has a five-year warranty.
Robus BH-1050 Ball Head
Robus BH-1050 Ball Head. (to scale with Oben BC-139 above.)
The Robus BH-1050 Ball Head is even larger, rated to support 55 pounds (25 kg). Its base diameter is larger (2.75" or 70mm) and works great on the CFT-6394.
It also has a drag liint setting and has a ten year warranty.
Manfrotto 410 Geared Head
I love my very precise Manfrotto 410 Geared Head. While only rated to support 11 pounds (5 kg), I use it for all of my large and small cameras.
While this Manfrotto 410 is the heaviest head here, that's because it has precise locking worm gears that allow me to set all three axes exactly so I can position and point my camera, especially with long telephoto lenses, perfectly and precisely.
Its base diameter is 59.6mm (2.35") and of course works great on the CFT-6394.
Optional Accessories top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Oben TS-100 Tripod Strap with Quick-Release Loop and Spring Lock.
Oben TS-110 Deluxe Tripod Strap with Swivel Clip.
Oben STB-10 Tripod Hammock.
Compared top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
What about the Oben CT-2491, which has the same load and height ratings, but is less expensive and weighs 1.4 pounds (600g) less?
This CFT-6394 is newer and had more features than the older Oben CT-2491
Oben CFT-6394 (reviewed here) |
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Load Capacity |
39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
39.6 lbs (18 kg) |
Leg Diameter |
1.36" (34.65mm)** |
1.30" (33mm)* |
Weight* |
4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) |
Maximum Height |
71.7" (180 cm) |
72.5" (184.2 cm) |
Maximum Height, column down |
61.7" (157 cm) |
62.5" (158.8 cm) |
Minimum Height |
6½″ (16.5 cm) |
6" (15.2 cm) |
Closed length |
24.3" (61.7 cm) |
23.3" (59.2 cm) |
Leg Angle Locks |
Automatic (spring-loaded one-touch) |
Manual (push-pull) |
Leg Angles |
Three |
Three: 24º, 55º and 80º |
Hard rubber leg insulating grips |
Yes |
no |
Feet |
Two interchangeable sets: big rubber balls or big spikes |
Smaller; rotate to expose spike inside rubber foot. (threaded mechanism can get clogged when shot in dirt or sand). |
Locking shims |
Newer |
Older |
Snap-on tool kit |
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⅜ × 16 Accessory Socket |
Yes |
no |
Carbon fiber |
updated from 6× |
6× carbon fibre |
Column Lock |
Collar with rubber twist grip |
Collar with two wings |
Short column for low work |
Separate stubby column included; just swap them. |
Have to stop and dismantle the two-section column with tools. |
User's Manual |
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Price, April 2022 |
* Rated.
** Measured.
User's Guide top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CFT-6394 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Oben's User's Guide.
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