You can't go wrong with a Gitzo I think. The brand is well established and if you ever need to resell it, you won't loose much money, especially if you buy your Gitzo used. I bought a used (new condition) Gitzo for 1541T for $350. So between Craigslist, eBay, GearSnapper there are many choices to find used Gitzos.
Gentlemen, can I suggest we stop trying to convince Jack of anything and let this thread die? His other thread has been locked because he is too sensitive to realize what people are actually saying, and he's far too hurt about his experience with Gitzo to believe there is quality in that brand.
It is his right to feel that way, even if a lot of us disagree. He's not going to change his mind, and I think further activity in this thread only diminishes the community.
Because I have an older Gitzo and a newer Benro, and having no problems with either, I am pretty neutral on this subject. I find it interesting, though, that the Chinese tripods have reached a level where they are discussed with respect on this conservative board.
i'm really happy with my induro CT313. It was $85 more than the Gitzo explorer I had but the Gitzo is a toy by comparison and with the two sets of bushings and locking rings I had to buy to keep the gitzo working it ended up being way more money than the induro. Of course, i'm still in the honeymoon phase with the induro but the difference in quality is pretty obvious. I'm sure the higher end gitzos are better but in the $400-$500 ish range, I don't think you can beat the induro.
I have been an amused voyeur on this thread, but feel like adding an observation.
I think that when most Gitzo fans say, "Buy a Gitzo, you won't regret it", they really are saying "Buy the best". Which can be translated to mean buy the "best" Gitzos, not referring to the "lesser" models. This means that you should compare the best (and more expensive) Gitzo offerings to the best from other companies. I do understand that comparisons between similar priced products from Gitzo and it's competitors seem fair and makes sense if you choose products based on a specific budget limit. But this can be a little like comparing a Range Rover and a Corvette because they're the same price.
My personal opinion: My Induro products offer great value and performance, my Gitzos have a better "feel" and slightly better performance (I especially prefer the leg locks). The Gitzo tripods have many more models and offer more options. And the RRS tripods seem to be the best of the best.
My observation is that whatever I have is the best brand, and whatever you have is not likely as good even though you paid more for it and it's actually better.
surf monkey wrote:
I have been an amused voyeur on this thread, but feel like adding an observation.
I think that when most Gitzo fans say, "Buy a Gitzo, you won't regret it", they really are saying "Buy the best". Which can be translated to mean buy the "best" Gitzos, not referring to the "lesser" models. This means that you should compare the best (and more expensive) Gitzo offerings to the best from other companies. I do understand that comparisons between similar priced products from Gitzo and it's competitors seem fair and makes sense if you choose products based on a specific budget limit. But this can be a little like comparing a Range Rover and a Corvette because they're the same price.
My personal opinion: My Induro products offer great value and performance, my Gitzos have a better "feel" and slightly better performance (I especially prefer the leg locks). The Gitzo tripods have many more models and offer more options. And the RRS tripods seem to be the best of the best....Show more →
I think there's also a lot of snobbery and face it, folks want to think that they bought wisely. The internet is full of folks defending their purchase of guitars, amps, cars, woodworking tools, etc. It's human nature. Plus it's good business. If you bought that expensive boutique tripod and someone starts dissing on it, there's a good chance you might lose money when you go to sell it. I think all that accounts for the chest pounding on these sites.
I agree 100% that when folks say "buy a gitzo", they are talking about the $600-$800 leg sets. In fact, someone said as much earlier in one of my other threads implying that the explorer I bought didn't count because it was an older and cheaper model.
My point is that gitzo is a brand. They make good and bad stuff just like most companies.
jzucker wrote
In fact, someone said as much earlier in one of my other threads implying that the explorer I bought didn't count because it was an older and cheaper model.
I have the Explorer, and have heard similar comments. But when it comes to photography of very small low lying flowers, it is the best option available; none of the other models will cut it.
Glenn NK wrote:
I have the Explorer, and have heard similar comments. But when it comes to photography of very small low lying flowers, it is the best option available; none of the other models will cut it.
I replaced mine with a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT which works great and hopefully will be more reliable. I have the induro for more traditional stuff and the vanguard for flowers and such....
Glenn NK wrote:
My observation is that whatever I have is the best brand, and whatever you have is not likely as good even though you paid more for it and it's actually better.
Am trying to decide between Induro CT313 and CT414 tripods at the moment - I would like something very solid that I will not want to upgrade for years to come. Interested in any comments comparing the two - currently my heaviest load is D800, 200 f2 w TC on arca Z1 ballhead. Probably will not be going to big birding lenses so the Gitzo 3 series or CT313 is probably plenty solid but with the D800 resolution I would like to be rock solid - so have been looking at the Gitzo 5 series and CT414 too. Oh, and I'm 6'3"
Also, everyone seems to recommend buying the shorter column along with the tripod - any reason I can't just cut the column it comes with and save myself $60, other than I won't have the long option anymore?
I am deciding between those very two and also the CT314. I think the 414 is a bit too beefy for anything DSLR frankly. Remember it is Induro's equivalent of a Gitzo Series 5.
Thanks - I did find something stating no problem cutting the stock column if you wish, and I've pulled the trigger on the CT313 with 1 less leg section to deal with. Was really hoping to visit B&H in NYC to put hands on a bunch of pods but don't know when I could make that happen, it would be an entire day of driving.
