Good Afternoon Everyone.

I'm looking for a CF Tripod.

I received some very excellent answers, back in the Spring, as I was looking to invest into a 500/4 IS this fall. However, that timeline has been pushed back.

Instead, I am looking for something that will accommodate my 300/2.8 IS + 2X TC + Body. That is my maximum weight, that I will have for the foreseeable future. Prefer Carbon Fiber. Prefer to look at Gitzo's with the G-Lock System.

I'm pretty sure, I'm going to go with an RRS Head & Plate system. I'm 6'4", and prefer, not to bend down to use a tripod, but I don't need a 5 Series either.

Wildlife, Aviation, Offshore Boat Racing, Landscapes, Shuttle Launches, & Sporting Events, are all various types of environments, the tripod will be used in.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

James

The 300/2.8, especially with a 2x TC, is still going to need a series 3 Gitzo. Given your height, you might want consider the GT3541XLS, which should give you plenty of height.

Smiert Spionam wrote:
Given your height, you might want consider the GT3541XLS, which should give you plenty of height.

The GT3541XLS, was the tripod I was looking to buy, which would cover all my bases. However, I think it is overkill at this point. I'm thinking of something a bit smaller/ lighter.

Thank you for your input. It is appreciated.

James

James, if you're trying to run a 300 + TC, a GT35xx class tripod isn't overkill. It's just right.

As a point of comparison, I switched from a Gitzo series 2 to the 3541LS (slightly shorter version of the 3541XLS) because I wasn't satisfied with the performance of a series 2 in deep macro (at or near 1:1), and with a 300/4.

The difference is pretty striking, even with a relatively lightweight lens like the 300/4. On a series 2, anything below 1/100s begins to degrade. 1/60s @ 300mm is definitely unstable territory on a series 2, while a series 3 holds together all the way through the trouble zones around 1/10s. It's even more pronounced with a teleconverter (especially a 2x).

Given that a 3541LS is only about a half pound heavier and a little bigger in closed circumference than a GT2541, it seemed like an obvious move for me (made easier by the major discount offered by Microsoft's cashback promotion at the end of last year).

If you're concerned about size/weight, you might consider sticking with the 3541LS, which is lighter and smaller collapsed than the 3541XLS. It's essentially the same height extended as the tall version of a series 2 Mountaineer without the column (and with a 300 of any size, you would have terrible results with the center column extended on a series 2). Put another way: there is no series 2 that will give you adequate support at eye level, so even the most compact series 3 will be a major improvement.

Smiert,

Thank you, for your in-depth input & experience. I was not counting a Series 3 out, however, I was not sure what the other alternatives were, besides the 3541XL(S). I know some might suggest a Ser. 4 or 5, however, both of those are, IMHO, overkill for my needs, & over budget.
Your insight is helpful. I was not going to consider a Series 2, as I knew they would not be sturdy enough, for my intended purpose. I am definitely looking for a Tripod w/o a Ctr Column.

Are there any other options, besides the 3541XL(S)? Is the Basalt line-up comparable in rigidity? I know they weigh more than CF, but less than Aluminum.

Thanks again.

James

Nah, get the 3541. It will do what you want.

Like you, I'm tall (6'5") and really had my heart set on the 3541XLS but I couldn't afford it at the same time as I was buying the Wimberley so I bought an Induro C414, at the time about $350 less than the 3541XLS. Now I know they get a bad rap on FM, but my Induro is rock solid, hasn't failed me anywhere and in rain, and seawater and in sand. Although you cannot get it without a center column, you can get a short column for it. Prior to getting my current 500 f4, my long lens 'combo" was a 300/2.8 + 2x, and the Induro performed great. I know though that if I could have afforded it, I'd have bought the Gitzo...

Smiert Spionam wrote:
The 300/2.8, especially with a 2x TC, is still going to need a series 3 Gitzo. Given your height, you might want consider the GT3541XLS, which should give you plenty of height.

Agree. You might also want to look at the 55xx stuff from Gitzo. The 300 with 2xTC is beyond the Series 3 spec of max 500mm.

j.

In general, basalt can be a decent alternative to CF -- a little heavier, and not quite as rigid, but well worth considering. Gitzo has only recently released a basalt series 3, and I've never handled one.

I have the Systematic 3series XLS that goes to 2m hight. Hence I often do not use the last extension making it super quick to set-up and super stable. Having no centre coloum gives me the choice of going flat on the ground for maro shots as a bonus (I don't see myself reversing a centre coloumn and working head down). I don't see any reason for using basalt except for cost and possibly recycling reasons. For my needs the tripod is overkill, but I'm sooo happy with it that it makes me smile each time I use it...

Good luck with your purchase...

Thank you to everyone for your input thus far. I only have net access on a limited basis, so my replies will be sparse, for the next few days.

John,

The 5 Series, is out of my budget range. I might be able to stretch for the 3541XLS, but I'm also picking up Education pricing through Bogen USA. Thanks again.

James

Sure. Understand. You will be using the Series 3 out of spec with a 300mm lens with a 2X TC. 300mm, no sweat.

j.

Manfrotto 055 CF
Lightweight and built like a beast.

Jos Tesseract wrote:
Manfrotto 055 CF
Lightweight and built like a beast.

Not even close. No where near enough support capability for the spec'd gear and too short for the OP (he has the good sense to seek a tripod without a center column).

I agree. Manfrotto 055 CF would be completely inadequate for this application. While they don't publish a focal length spec, I'm thinking that if they did, it would be good for about 200mm.

j.

+2. The 055 is a tough, solid tripod (and a good deal, especially in aluminum), but not appropriate for anything over 200mm.

I own a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Section Tripod with Q90 Column and Magnesium Castings (Black) + WH-200 Wimberley Head Version II. I use this with a 40D/5D/5D2 & 800/5.6L IS.

With this setup it maxs out the limit of 8kg. Don't worry I have yet to experience a near miss but I do see oscillation in moderate wind so I am upgrading to a GT3451LS that can handle up to 18kg of weight. Other than oscillation I am upgrading because I will be adding another 1-2kg of new gear.

With the center column down it would be too short for your 6'4" frame. You could raise up the column but you may sacrifice some stability.

I also own a 300/2.8L IS + 2X extender and I feel that it can adequately support the weight without tipping over in strong winds.

I may be wrong but I noticed that the rule of thumb with tripods is this. It should be able to support at least double the current weight of your current setup. This is to compensate for movement caused by the environmental or by the photographer.

dolina wrote:
I own a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Section Tripod with Q90 Column and Magnesium Castings (Black) + WH-200 Wimberley Head Version II. I use this with a 40D/5D/5D2 & 800/5.6L IS.

With this setup it maxs out the limit of 8kg. Don't worry I have yet to experience a near miss but I do see oscillation in moderate wind so I am upgrading to a GT3451LS that can handle up to 18kg of weight. Other than oscillation I am upgrading because I will be adding another 1-2kg of new gear.

With the center column down it would be too short for your 6'4" frame. You could raise up the column but you may sacrifice some stability.

I also own a 300/2.8L IS + 2X extender and I feel that it can adequately support the weight without tipping over in strong winds.

I may be wrong but I noticed that the rule of thumb with tripods is this. It should be able to support at least double the current weight of your current setup. This is to compensate for movement caused by the environmental or by the photographer.

If you are upgrading, go for the series 5 instead. I had the 3530LS and upgraded to the 5541LS when I got my 800 lens. It's a big difference in stability between those. And it's more about focal length than weight

Oh Lars... I need some money to buy the 1D4, another gimbal and a ballhead Not to mention that the 5541LS is too tall for my my height and twice the weight of the 3451LS.

But I am surprised that you're the 2nd person to suggest this while Artie uses it sometimes.

If the 3451LS doesn't pan out I'll get the 5541LS or its successor.

dolina wrote:
Oh Lars... I need some money to buy the 1D4, another gimbal and a ballhead Not to mention that the 5541LS is too tall for my my height and twice the weight of the 3451LS.

But I am surprised that you're the 2nd person to suggest this while Artie uses it sometimes.

If the 3451LS doesn't pan out I'll get the 5541LS or its successor.

It's not twice the weight It's 153 cm (fully extended), 7 cm taller than the other. And too tall for you It's about 60 cm not extended. Are you really shorter than that And if you already gonna buy the series 3, the price difference is not that much

1.72kg vs 2.8kg is almost double the weight. Mind you the Manfrotto I am replacing is 1.7kg. The 3451LS is an inch too tall by my reckoning. If the price diff in HK is $100~ I'll get it.

Man I have a dozen tripods already. What's another one?

dolina wrote:
1.72kg vs 2.8kg is almost double the weight. Mind you the Manfrotto I am replacing is 1.7kg. The 3451LS is an inch too tall by my reckoning. If the price diff in HK is $100~ I'll get it.

Man I have a dozen tripods already. What's another one?

How can it be too tall for you it's any lenght you like between 60 - 153 cm. It's not like you have to have all 4 legs fully extended all the time

Ideally I want a tripod whose fully extended legs is at my eye level. It's a hassle to customize the legs to my eye level especially when I don't have a center column to make fine adjustments.

Rockies Photo wrote:
Smiert Spionam wrote:
Given your height, you might want consider the GT3541XLS, which should give you plenty of height.

The GT3541XLS, was the tripod I was looking to buy, which would cover all my bases. However, I think it is overkill at this point. I'm thinking of something a bit smaller/ lighter.

Thank you for your input. It is appreciated.

James
nothing worse than inadequte support at 600mm + fl.