Oben CT-2491
Carbon-Fibre "Big & Tall" Tripod
Holds 40 lbs/18 kg, Weighs 3½ lbs/1.6 kg, 72½"/184 cm high (62½"/159 cm w/o center column), 23⅓"/59 cm closed
Specifications Heads Accessories
Oben CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod ($349.95). bigger. I got mine at B&H.
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Introduction top
Specifications Heads Accessories
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The Oben CT-2491 tripod is perfect for big guys with big cameras, and ultra-sturdy, lightweight and portable for everyone else. While only rated for 39.6 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.
I love this CT-2491. It replaces my world's first carbon-fibre tripod, my once exotic French-made Gitzo G1227 Mountaineer which I bought in 1995, adding modern features like non-rotating legs which make it much faster to set and strike. The CT-2491 is tough and sturdy as well as light and easy to carry and use. Bravo!
While it's "only" rated to go to 72½" (184 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 reverses for super-low shots, and the bottom of the center column unscrews from the very top to allow an ultra-low 6″/15.2 cm "Limbo" mode. It's easy to reverse the center column, but a pain to break out the Allen wrenches to remove the bottom part of the column.
The grub screw atop the center column reverses with a ¼″ × 20 TPI thread onto which you can attach a camera directly rather than the default ⅜″ × 16 TPI thread to which we usually attach heads. The center column 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 CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Good intro top
Sturdy, solid, compact and light weight, whoo hoo!
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.
Reversible center column.
Center column disassembles to a stub for low heights with the legs splayed.
Spring-loaded bag/weight hook at bottom of center column.
Legs open to any of three locking angles or anything in between.
5 year limited warranty.
Huge -30º ~ +60º C (-22º ~ +140º F) operating range.
Bubble level.
Twist the feet to expose spikes:
Twisty spikes. bigger.
Reversible mounting screw for ¼″ × 20 TPI or the usual ⅜″ × 16 TPI threads.
Case and shoulder strap included:
Included TB70 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 $2,499).
Missing intro top
No anti-twist ⅜″ × 16 TPI socket for articulating and accessory arms to hold iPads or lights & etc.
No hard-rubber leg-insulating grips.
No head included, but works with any standard ⅜″ × 16 TPI or ¼″ × 20 TPI head.
Leg-angle locks lack spring-loading so you have to use two fingers to pull them in or out:
Oben CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod. bigger.
Specifications top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Load Capacity specifications top
Holds 39.6 lbs (18 kg).
Weight specifications top
Rated 3.5 lbs (56.4 oz. or 1.6 kg).
Load to Weight Ratio specifications top
11.3 : 1, rated.
Dimensions specifications top
Maximum Height: 72.5" (184.2 cm) with center column up.
Maximum Height: 62.5" (158.8 cm) with center column down.
Minimum Height: 6″ (15.2 cm) with legs splayed and most of center column removed.
Closed Length: 23.3" (59.2 cm).
Leg Diameter: 1.3" (33mm).
Made in specifications top
China.
Operating Environment specifications top
-30º ~ +60º C (-22º ~ +140º F).
Included specifications top
Tripod.
Case & strap.
Tool set.
Nice printed manual and 5 year limited warranty.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April ~ July 2022
$84.95: optional Oben BE-117 Ball Head (any head works on these legs).
$149.95: optional Oben BC-139 Ball Head (any head works on these legs).
Optional Heads top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Heads
The CT-2491 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 CT-2491'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.
Lighter: Oben BE-117 Ball Head
Oben BE-117 Ball Head (to scale with the Oben BC-139 above). bigger.
The BE-117 Ball Head is smaller and lighter than the Oben BC-139 above. It works fine if you don't want to carry the BC-139 above.
The BE-117 is rated to hold 17.6 pounds (8 kg) and weighs 13.4 oz. (380 g). It has a 45mm diameter base.
It takes standard Arca-Swiss plates, and comes with one with a ¼″ × 20 TPI thread as shown.
Unlike the other two larger ball heads above and below, the BE-117 has no drag limit screw.
Heavier: Robus BH-1050 Ball Head
Robus BH-1050 Ball Head (to scale with Oben BC-139 above).
The Robus BH-1050 Ball Head is monster, rated to support 55 pounds (25 kg). Its base diameter is larger (2.75" or 70mm) and works great on the CT-2491.
It also has a drag limit 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.
This Manfrotto 410 is the heaviest head here at 43 oz. (1,220 g) 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 60mm, same as the top of the CT-2491.
Optional Accessories top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CT-2491 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 CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
What about the newer Oben CFT-6394, which has the same load and height ratings, but is more expensive, has thicker legs, more features and weighs 1.4 pounds (600g) more than this Oben CT-2491?
Oben CT-2491 (reviewed here) |
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Load Capacity |
39.6 lbs. (18 kg) |
39 lbs. (17.7 kg) |
Leg Diameter |
1.30" (33mm)* |
1.36" (34.65mm)** |
Weight* |
3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg) |
4.9 lbs. (2.2 kg) |
Maximum Height |
72.5" (184.2 cm) |
71.7" (180 cm) |
Maximum Height, column down |
62.5" (158.8 cm) |
61.7" (157 cm) |
Minimum Height |
6" (15.2 cm) |
6½″ (16.5 cm) |
Closed length |
23.3" (59.2 cm) |
24.3" (61.7 cm) |
Leg Angle Locks |
Manual (push-pull) |
Automatic (spring-loaded one-touch) |
Leg Angles |
Three: 24º, 55º and 80º |
Three |
Hard rubber leg insulating grips |
no |
Yes |
Feet |
Smaller; rotate to expose spike inside rubber foot. (threaded mechanism can get clogged in dirt or sand). |
Two interchangeable sets: big rubber balls or big spikes |
Locking Shims |
Older |
Newer |
Snap-on tool kit |
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⅜ × 16 Accessory Socket |
no |
Yes |
Carbon fiber |
6× carbon fibre |
updated from 6× |
Column Lock |
Collar with two wings |
Collar with rubber twist grip |
Short column for low work |
Have to stop and dismantle the two-section column with tools. |
Separate stubby column included; just swap them. |
User's Manual |
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Price, April~July 2022 |
* Rated.
** Measured.
User's Guide top
Specifications Heads Accessories
I got my Oben CT-2491 Carbon-Fibre Tripod at B&H.
Oben's CT-2491 Manual
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