Summary
Pros
- Price
- Build Quality
- Height
- Integrated Video Bowl
- Quality spikes included
Cons
- Currently no center column option
- Mediocre yaw damping
Compared To:
For a more complete list, see the systematic tripods ranking page. I am comparing here to other tall tripods. If you don’t need the extra height, the weight reduction benefits of a shorter tripod are apparent on the rankings page.
| FLM CP38-L4 II | RRS TVC-34L | Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic | Leofoto LN-404C | |
| Stiffness Nm/rad | 2224.0 | 1656.0 | 3261.0 | 1884.0 |
| Damping Js/rad | 0.36 | 0.36 | 1.46 | 0.72 |
| Weight lbs (kg) | 4.925 (2.234) | 4.53 (2.055) | 5.146 (2.334) | 7.78 (3.529) |
| Height in (cm) | 67.5 (171.4) | 67.8 (172.2) | 61.0 (154.9) | 71.2 (180.8) |
| Price | $841 | $1160 | $970 | $650 |
Really Right Stuff TVC-34L. The TVC-34L is lighter than the FLM due to its smaller diameter tubing. There is a significant difference in stiffness though, and it isn’t hard to see the value of the FLM here. The RRS is more versatile with a wider range of accessories available such as a center column.
Gitzo GT4533LS – The Gitzo is also a 4 series tripod and we see the significantly better overall performance. It is notably less portable than the FLM though and I prefer the aluminum construction on the FLM over the magnesium alloy of the Gitzo.
Leofoto LN-404C – The Leofoto is a much larger series 5 tripod with larger diameter tubing than the FLM. Despite this, the FLM performs better despite being much smaller and lighter. It is absolutely worth the extra money for the FLM.
Who is it for?
If you are looking for a tall, full sized tripod, the CP38-L4 II should be at the top of your list. This is especially true if you will make use of the built in video bowl for a leveling base. If you don’t feel that you want the extra height, or want the ability to use a center column, you may be better served by a different model.
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