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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Yet another "tripod advice" thread -- for studio | |
rw11 wrote:
I'm curious if any of those 3 series Gitzos were the newer designs ("6X" with improved leg locks, etc.)
being sold to a multinational holding company seems to have impacted Gitzo in the US anyway
IIRC, you buy spare parts from one company, and get repairs form another (man-frodo, which is also owned by Vitec)
I've had Email repair questions answered right away - I still use "phones" but not often
Yes, I currently have a GT-3531, as well as a GT-2540FL and a GT-1541T. All are 6X-CF, with ALR & G-Lock.
The GT-1541T (with BH-25, bought before BH-30 was introduced) isn't very confidence inspiring, even if Gitzo's literature recommends a DSLR with up to 200mm lens... I don't think I'd trust that with any amount of center column extended. I have not felt confident with anything more than a DX camera with a kit/compact lens on that pod, with center column down. Contrastingly, the RRS TQC-14 is just a tad larger (17.7" vs 16.1" folded length and max height 58.5"/47.6" vs 55.1"/44.5"), but has basically the same load rating (tho conservative) as the 2-series, at @25lbs. It also has a MUCH beefier center column. All-in-all, it's only 0.5 lbs heavier than the Gitzo Traveler. The only downside is the head - with the Traveler pod, the legs are reversed, so the compact BH-25 doesn't add anything to the folded length, while a BH-30 would add 3" to the TQC-14, to make the combo 20.6" folded - a 4.5" difference from 16.1". Even so, I'm really thinking about replacing my Gitzo Traveler 'pod with the TQC-14 + BH-30.... Can't really use a tripod that makes me nervous, no matter how compact it is.
The GT2540FL is a nice pod.... the RRS 2-series is nicer, but this one doesn't really need replacing (for me)... I like that it has o-rings at the leg joints to make it more water-resistant, which makes this a VERY nice traveling pod. I have an RRS BH-40 mated on top.
The GT-3531 is a good pod, and I have a BH-55 mated to it. The TVC-34L is just a better pod. I would like the added height, and the extra bit of quality makes me drool. Yes, I'm lusting. Yes, I have a problem, and it's called GAS (not the kind you get after eating too much honey baked beans). For what it's worth, I'm also lusting after RRS's gimbal head (currently using a Sidekick).
By the way, all of my Gitzo pods were either purchased on discount/rebate/special or received as gift... if I have to pay full retail now, I would go RRS all the way.
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