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Archive 2013 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?

  
 
TMaG82
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?


I've been looking to get a tripod for a while an now with the rebate on Gitzo tripods, now is the time to get one I think. I'm looking to keep it extremely light and my gear doesn't require anything too heavy duty (RX1 and possibly the NEX-7 replacement or the FF-NEX). I've already decided on a RRS compact ball head. Looking at the differences between these two it seems like its a matter of 3 vs 4 sections, the 0531 being 2'' longer when collapsed and more than 4'' taller possible height. It seems like the 0541 is the better choice. But I read that 3 section tripods are more secure than 4 section tripods. And the 0 series having thinner legs I definitely want to be secure.

I'm looking to make this tripod purchase my last one and I want this to last so the $70 difference between the 0531 and 0541 isn't that much of a deal breaker. I want to start getting into HDR photography so a solid tripod is essential.

TIA



Jul 19, 2013 at 07:15 AM
peter_n
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?


I don't think the 3 vs 4 leg sections is as great a differentiator as it used to be. The modern twist locks are way beyond those of the bad old days of 10 years ago in terms of rigidity.

The folded lengths are just OK but then these are not travel tripods. The one spec that stands out to me is the max height w/out center column extended: 42.1" for the 0531 and 46.5" for the 0541.

With any tripod that has a center column, you want to keep it as short as possible. I think that 42.1" is a very poor spec unless you're a leprechaun. So the 0541 shades it for me.




Jul 19, 2013 at 02:20 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?


My GT-0540 CF (older version of the 0541) is most definitely a travel tripod, for me.


Jul 19, 2013 at 07:50 PM
peter_n
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?


By a travel tripod I mean one with foldback legs which makes them very short folded up. My 4 leg section Benro series 2 traveler has a folded length of 17.7". Many people use the Gitzo Mountaineer models for travel and some of them have very good specs, but strictly speaking they are not "travel tripods". In the Gitzo naming convention a travel tripod has a "T" at the end of a model number.




Jul 20, 2013 at 07:59 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Gitzo GT0531 vs 0541, which one for me?


OK, that makes sense. My GT-0541 is 18" folded up, with the centre column removed, 19" with the centre column in place. It weighs only 1.7 lb.

I recently bought a Feisol Traveler CT-3441s for heavier loads (3441s, 10 kg vs. 0541, 5 kg), and it's only 17" folded, with reversible legs. OTOH, the legs are spread by the BH-30 head that's usually attached to the centre column, and so it takes up a lot more space than the GT-0541. I plan to use the 3441s mostly for hiking with my Tilt-Shift lenses and heavy 410 geared head with Acratech leveling base.

My suitcase can take a 22" pod, which is where my Feisol CM-1471 Rapid monopod "fits".



Jul 20, 2013 at 01:00 PM





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