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Archive 2009 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Lars Johnsson
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p.4 #1 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

One hand on the Gitzo twist locks

Nov 20, 2009 at 09:07 PM

plubbry
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p.4 #2 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

The Gitzo twist locks are great. They have a couple of features that really make them nice. Many of these features are showing up on legs featureing twist locks from other manufaturers.

1 - The legs will not twist. This means there is no need to use two hands to loosen or tighten and no need to use a specific tighten/loosen sequence.
2 - The use of multiple threads and a steeper thread pitch means that it only takes about 1/4 twist to tighten and loosen the locks.
3 - The locks have a 'wedge' feature which helps prevent leg slippage as the tripod is loaded. This means that you don't have to really 'crank down' on the locks to keep the legs from slipping.

In usage, when opening my GT3541LS I grip all 3 locks with one hand and unlock all at once with a 1/4 twist. I grab the foot to extend the leg and then 1/4 twist to each lock (top to bottom or bottom to top, doesn't matter) to lock them in place. To fully collapse the leg I usually start at the top (again doesn't matter) and 1/4 twist to unlock each working to the end of the leg. I grab the foot and collapse the leg and then grab and lock all three locks with a single 1/4 twist.

I hope this clarifies why so many of us really like the new Gitzo twist locks. Fortunately these features seem to be showing up in many other manufatures' twist locks as well.

Nov 20, 2009 at 09:42 PM

skyvan
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p.4 #3 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Smiert Spionam wrote:
I can't say about the warranty, never having had to use it (itself a good thing, in my book). There are very few companies that have an ironclad "return it if it breaks for any reason" policy -- the only ones I can think of are small custom shops. RRS is probably the closest to that in this forum, though they've probably got exceptions, too. Mostly, I see a lifetime guarantee as a gesture of the manufacturer's own confidence in the product.

I'm certainly more confident of Gitzo's support than Benro's, in any case. To compare the two is nearly absurd.

The other factor here is the availability of spare parts for the times when you break something and it is your own fault. Gitzo parts may be expensive, but at least I know how to get them.

Dpic, if you know this thing is going to do significant time in the water, there's a lot to be said for having a tough less-expensive tripod on hand. Even if you end up with another nicer one down the line, that sounds like a good job for a 055-series Manfrotto.

I think Think Tanks also similarly stands behind their products. Also in the luggage arena (not photo specific) Briggs & Riley stands behinds their products with full (except for regular wear, which) lifeteim warranty, which means if it gets banged up when checked, they'll fix it.

Nov 20, 2009 at 11:07 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #4 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Sandisk has a Limited lifetime warranty on their cards, and I consider them to be the best. Thanks Lars and plubbry, for the info about twist locks.

Nov 21, 2009 at 01:41 AM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #5 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

How does this look? Does anyone have this tripod?

Nov 21, 2009 at 04:34 AM

eddiejclayton
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p.4 #6 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Has anyone used the Flashpoint tripods from Adorama? Was curious if anyone has used this one > http://www.adorama.com/FPTPF1328.html

Nov 21, 2009 at 03:18 PM

Chris_Platt
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p.4 #7 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:

Do the twist locks require two hands to adjust?

The Gitzo locks certainly don't and if you adjust the Feisol locks in sequence, they don't either.

Nov 21, 2009 at 08:30 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #8 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

I think you all have finally pulled me away from my prejudice against twist locks.

Nov 24, 2009 at 07:46 AM

Two23
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p.4 #9 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:
I guess I have to take customer reviews with a grain of salt. The person who wrote that review about Induro vs. Gitzo may never have owned a Gitzo, for all I know.

I've been using the Gitzo 1325 for about eight years now. It's sort of the "standard" nature photo tripod. I use it in South Dakota, the eastern third is basically a swamp. I also use it in winter blizzards when it can hit 40 below. Tripod has been in my kayak many times when waves washed over and put 4 inches of icy water into it. Tripod has been encased in ice several times, and is constantly in gooey slough mud. It's also been hit by a freight train and trampled by a buffalo. (Better it than me!) No damage. No issues. Tripod works perfectly. You will buy something cheap like an Induro, and I predict it will fall apart inside of two years. Meanwhile my Gitzo 1325 will still be performing. Either buy a new Gitzo or try to find a used 1325. You will note there are VERY few used Gitzos around. The reason is people just don't sell them. My will be for sale after I'm dead.

Flip locks catch on brush as I'm walking in. I hate 'em.

Kent in SD

Nov 24, 2009 at 03:04 PM

Chris_Platt
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p.4 #10 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Two23 wrote:
Dpic_arctic wrote:
I guess I have to take customer reviews with a grain of salt. The person who wrote that review about Induro vs. Gitzo may never have owned a Gitzo, for all I know.

I've been using the Gitzo 1325 for about eight years now. It's sort of the "standard" nature photo tripod. I use it in South Dakota, the eastern third is basically a swamp. I also use it in winter blizzards when it can hit 40 below. Tripod has been in my kayak many times when waves washed over and put 4 inches of icy water into it. Tripod has been encased in ice several times, and is constantly in gooey slough mud. It's also been hit by a freight train and trampled by a buffalo. (Better it than me!) No damage. No issues. Tripod works perfectly. You will buy something cheap like an Induro, and I predict it will fall apart inside of two years. Meanwhile my Gitzo 1325 will still be performing. Either buy a new Gitzo or try to find a used 1325. You will note there are VERY few used Gitzos around. The reason is people just don't sell them. My will be for sale after I'm dead.

Flip locks catch on brush as I'm walking in. I hate 'em.

Kent in SD

I'm going to read your post to my tripods to show them how spoiled they are.

Nov 24, 2009 at 06:17 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #11 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:
I guess I have to take customer reviews with a grain of salt. The person who wrote that review about Induro vs. Gitzo may never have owned a Gitzo, for all I know.

Two23 wrote:
I've been using the Gitzo 1325 for about eight years now. It's sort of the "standard" nature photo tripod. I use it in South Dakota, the eastern third is basically a swamp. I also use it in winter blizzards when it can hit 40 below. Tripod has been in my kayak many times when waves washed over and put 4 inches of icy water into it. Tripod has been encased in ice several times, and is constantly in gooey slough mud. It's also been hit by a freight train and trampled by a buffalo. (Better it than me!) No damage. No issues. Tripod works perfectly. You will buy something cheap like an Induro, and I predict it will fall apart inside of two years. Meanwhile my Gitzo 1325 will still be performing. Either buy a new Gitzo or try to find a used 1325. You will note there are VERY few used Gitzos around. The reason is people just don't sell them. My will be for sale after I'm dead.

Flip locks catch on brush as I'm walking in. I hate 'em.

Kent in SD

Did the train run over it?

I was getting a little suspicious when I saw that almost every model of Induro tripod was available in used. I can't get the 1325 anymore...

I could not find it on ANY of the sites I looked. What would be an equivalently rugged new Gitzo tripod model? How tough are the EX series tripods?

Nov 24, 2009 at 09:03 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #12 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

The 1325 is a three-section series 3. The 3531LS (often sold with a video bowl, so LSV) is essentially the updated version. The 3531S is a little shorter, but very similar. The 3541LS is a four section version, more compact collapsed, and the same height as the 3531LS extended.

The general consensus is that the EX tripods can be very effective, but you have to use them carefully. If you extend the cantilevered arm way out with a heavy rig, it will be just as floppy as using an extended center column on a mountaineer (potentially even worse -- the flexibility of that tripod can encourage sloppy shooting).

The EX is only available in a series 2, so it's less appropriate for longer lenses (and, ironically, for deep macro). A series 3 in an EX configuration would probably be reasonably popular for people doing serious macro.

Nov 24, 2009 at 09:17 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #13 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

The reason I was looking at EX tripods was not for the flip center column as much as for the leg angle locks. I would like to have a way to get low, too (and having the flip center column is one method). I noticed one of the models offered a plate that could accept a ball head, thus getting rid of the center column when shooting low down (the systematic series, I think).

I've been hearing all of this stuff about "series 00", "Series 2", "series 3"...etc. What is the difference between all of the series?

Nov 24, 2009 at 09:35 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #14 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

series 00, 0, 1, etc. refers to the tube size, which determines the size of the tripod overall (each size up has larger spider, etc.).

Series 00 & 0 are really tiny -- essentially oversized table tripods. Series 1 is a reasonable light travel range, Series 2 is the most commonly used size, since it strikes a balance between portability and stability, and Series 3 is the place to be for any sort of longer lenses (the smallest of these are still pretty compact and light).

Off the top of my head:

series 0: 20mm
series 1: 24mm
series 2: 28mm
series 3: 32mm

That might be a little off, but it's close. The second largest leg section on a series 3 will be the same size as the largest section on a series 2, and so on.

The Explorers do have continuously variable leg angles, but the 4 fixed angles of the other tripods give plenty of flexibility, in my opinion. Any current version of the tripods with center columns (Mountaineer, LVL) can do "ground level set", which eliminates the column for low shooting. The Systematics have no column standard -- they have a removable center plate that can accommodate a variety of attachments (a center column assembly, a video bowl, etc.). Used in its stock configuration, it goes very low, and is quite light.

Lots more details on the Gitzo website.

Nov 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #15 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Thank you so much Smiert!!! I didn't know that Gitzo tripods had so much logic in the naming scheme. That helps a lot.

Nov 24, 2009 at 10:19 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #16 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

There is a logic to it -- but it's a long way from obvious!

;- )

Glad to help.

btw, that last numerical digit, for "release," is just used for minor revisions, and the changes can vary. One of the biggest changes was that some tripods got g-locks when going from 0 to 1, but not all, so it's good to read the specs closely for the individual model.

Nov 24, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #17 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

I think the "release" no. was the only one I didn't understand. Thanks for clarifying.

Nov 24, 2009 at 10:58 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #18 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:
I guess I have to take customer reviews with a grain of salt. The person who wrote that review about Induro vs. Gitzo may never have owned a Gitzo, for all I know.

Two23 wrote:
I've been using the Gitzo 1325 for about eight years now. It's sort of the "standard" nature photo tripod. I use it in South Dakota, the eastern third is basically a swamp. I also use it in winter blizzards when it can hit 40 below. Tripod has been in my kayak many times when waves washed over and put 4 inches of icy water into it. Tripod has been encased in ice several times, and is constantly in gooey slough mud. It's also been hit by a freight train and trampled by a buffalo. (Better it than me!) No damage. No issues. Tripod works perfectly. You will buy something cheap like an Induro, and I predict it will fall apart inside of two years. Meanwhile my Gitzo 1325 will still be performing. Either buy a new Gitzo or try to find a used 1325. You will note there are VERY few used Gitzos around. The reason is people just don't sell them. My will be for sale after I'm dead.

Flip locks catch on brush as I'm walking in. I hate 'em.

Kent in SD

Isthis the Gitzo 1325 you use? I find it hard to believe that you could get something that tough for only $375.

Dec 01, 2009 at 06:38 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #19 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

That's about right for a good deal on a used 1325. It's a lot of tripod for the price.

Dec 02, 2009 at 03:26 AM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #20 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Oh...I just got the catch: it doesn't come with a center column. It looks like it would be hard to take vertical format with the ballhead mounted directly onto the platform. Does the 1325 has G-locks, ground level set, and all of the other features the new gitzos have?

Dec 02, 2009 at 08:32 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #21 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Ground level set is only for tripods with columns -- it allows them to be sorta kinda like a systematic (ie, the 1325). So you're covered there. It can certainly be set up close to the ground.

It does not have g-locks or the anti-rotation legs. Those are the major upgrades to the current models.

re. vertical shooting -- it depends on your camera, and on your ballhead. If you're using an L-bracket, it's a non issue. If you have a small, low-profile ballhead like a BH-40 (and no L-bracket), it might be tricky in some positions.

Dec 02, 2009 at 10:12 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #22 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

What about the BH-3?

Also, are g-locks and anti-rotation legs something that you would consider worthwhile to invest in? (versus the 1325)

Dec 03, 2009 at 12:44 AM

Two23
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p.4 #23 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:

Isthis the Gitzo 1325 you use? I find it hard to believe that you could get something that tough for only $375.

Yes, that's the one. Remember that the 1325 has been replaced with a newer model and discontinued. I think I paid a bit over $500 when it was new, and that was something like seven years ago. The tripod has stood up to abuse very well. I usually manage to damage or destroy at least one lens every year, and a camera every other year. Kind of amazing that something that's had hard use like my tripod has retained roughly 75% of its value over 7 years, is it not? How much resale value has the camera you were using 7 years ago retained?

I don't miss the g-locks etc., but I am used to the tripod. I can deploy it very quickly. I've got the cash to buy the newer model, if I want. Just really don't feel the need to spend the money. For $375 it's three times the tripod of a new Induro etc. The 1325 has a beefy feel to it that belies its light weight.

When I first bought the 1325 I was going to put a short column on it, but never did. Turns out it's tall enough to not need one. I saw no advantage to putting a column in, and plenty of disadvantages to having one: more weight, can't lower to ground level, less solid. My choice now is to not have a column on a tripod unless it were a small compact for travel, maybe. I use the AcraTech ballhead on it and have no problems with verticals.

Kent in SD

Dec 03, 2009 at 05:04 AM

Dpic_arctic
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p.4 #24 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Thanks Kent. Did you ever wish you had the adjustment of a center column, or has it always been fine as it is?

Dec 03, 2009 at 06:32 AM

Smiert Spionam
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p.4 #25 · Rugged Tripod Recommendation?

Dpic_arctic wrote:
What about the BH-3?

Also, are g-locks and anti-rotation legs something that you would consider worthwhile to invest in? (versus the 1325)

The BH-3 is likely to be just fine when flopped over on a series 3 with most camera bodies. An L-bracket is still worth considering, since it keeps everything centered nicely.

The lock improvements are nice, but I'd agree with Kent -- for that price range, I'd much rather have a used 1325 than a new knock-off. 1325s and other Gitzos of that generation have helped create many thousands of published images.

(and count me as one who has never missed the center column, and regularly appreciated that I don't have that extra mass and bulk in the way).

Dec 03, 2009 at 02:46 PM


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