Someone is selling a used, aluminum Gitzo 1345 locally and, since this will be my first tripod purchase, I was wondering if someone with more experience and knowledge about tripods could tell me if this tripod would be good for me or not.
My current equipment:
I have a Nikon D90 and my heaviest lens is my 80-200 2.8 AFD. I also have a 300 4.5 AIS and a 70-300 VR lens, but these are a bit lighter than the 80-200--I don't plan on buying/using any lenses at longer focal lengths. I don't have a SB flash right now, but I could be using one in the future.
I don't think I'll be using the tripod for hiking (like at Yosemite), but I could see carrying it around at local places where I won't be trekking on difficult trails. Would this tripod be too heavy to lug around for 2-3 hours in flat South Florida? The type of photos I would be taking are landscape, wildlife, macro, and auto track events.
I think the rated weight capacity of the tripod is 22lbs. I'm on the shorter side (5'3") and the max height of the tripod is around 5 feet. This tripod does not have a center column or head--it's just the set of legs.
It's admittedly heavy, but it'll work great. The only disadvantage is that you will get used to having a tripod that is more than simply a tripod-shaped object, which will raise your expectations quite a lot, and make you skeptical of the constant upgrade path as people move steadily upward in search of a tripod that will actually work. You'll miss out on all that shopping.
I went ahead and picked it up--it seems like a good, sturdy tripod. It is indeed a bit heavy and maybe a bit overkill for the lenses I have, but it seemed like a good buy at $200.
