Hi Folks,

Does anyone own and use the 2580 Traveler? I haven't seen much information on it aside from a long thread on Nikonians. In particular, is it still pretty compact and easy for travel (fits in a carry-on, etc.) relative to the 1541T (which is well reviewed and liked)?

I'm leaning towards the 2580 with the hope that the larger leg diameter means I can put off the purchase of a 3 series for local use (my longest lens is the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8). In effect, if it could be a reasonable substitute for a non-traveler 2 series tripod, that would be great.

Pros of 2580:
- Not much increase in folded length vs 1541T (16.9" vs 16.1")
- Increased weight is not a problem for me
- Better support due to larger diameter legs

Cons of 2580:
- Inclusion of the Gitzo head as the only purchase option. Will probably need to sell this.
- Price (due to the head, this is about 300 more than the 1541T)
- Slightly larger size and weight

Thanks

I recently purchased the GK2580TQR kit, with the included Gitzo head. No chance yet to use it yet in the field, but I do have a few comments.

First off, it really is bad that it is only available with the Gitzo head. I don't like the Gitzo quick release system, and I really don't like the action of the ball in the head either. So yes, I was also thinking of selling the head, but there is a catch. When you take the head off, it ends up with a 3/8 inch stud sticking down out of the bottom of the head, with no obvious way to remove the stud. I tried with a pair of jam nuts, and could not un screw the stud. So I need to either take the whole ball head apart to see what is in side, or consult with Gitzo to understand it. And there may be a different part or different base needed to make the head have a 3/8 inch tapped hole in the bottom to make it "normal". So yes, a big waste of money so far. I managed to get a discount on the tripod "kit", so that helps. Otherwise I think I would have waited until they sell the legs only.

Wtih the head off, the top of the column has a tapped hole and a recess for a nut, so it is easy to add a stud there. I use a 3/8 inch stainless set screw, and a self locking nut, and combine the two to put studs on any Gitzo columns that I need to do that to. The hex socket in the set screw allows you to tighten down the stud with the nut an make the stud stay put, but you can still easily take it off later.

I have a Really Right Stuff BH-30 on order that I want to use on this tripod. I decided to try the new BH-30 rather than the BH-40, and hope it works out ok. I looks like when the BH-30 is mounted on this tripod, that the quick release clamp will be "inside" the folded back legs by about a half an inch. That may be ok, but it may have made sense to have the clamp just stick out beyond the ends of the legs. I may try to make a spacer and use a longer threaded stud to get it to stick out.

The general stiffness and strength of the tripod seems good for what it is. I have never used a series 1 Traveler, but have always wanted a stiffer and slightly bigger tripod than the classic Traveler size. I expect this will be a nice compromise for light weight when I want that. And it will be nice to have a nice short folded length for travel and hiking. But I still have no field use with it yet to report on.

This tripod does of course have the new leg lock system, that makes the legs lock up well, and adds some rigidity compared to the old system. The earlier series 1 Travelers were the older style, and had lower load ratings because of it. The current series 1 Travelers are the new leg locks, but there are still lots of the earlier ones around, so watch out for that if you are considering one.

The supplied Gitzo head does allow the legs to fold back on to the head very closely. I do not know yet exactly how well the BH-30 is going to fit in there, and if the legs are going to hit the knobs on the head, or will just clear them and lay against the body of the head. The BH-40 is bigger, and so the legs would not lay as close together if you chose that head. It could also have issues with the legs hitting the tripod control knobs.

My BH-30 head should be delivered in about a week, and I will try to report on how it all fits together as soon as I can. But I do like the size and the “package” of this set of Gitzo legs, and expect to be using them for many years.

I was also looking at the same Gitzo setup with a BH-30. Have you had any time to use it yet?

Roland W wrote:
The supplied Gitzo head does allow the legs to fold back on to the head very closely. I do not know yet exactly how well the BH-30 is going to fit in there, and if the legs are going to hit the knobs on the head...



It will work with a Photo Clam ballhead, I would cancel your BH-30 order and get
the PC-40NS instead. It's designed to fit a traveler style tripod and the legs nicely fit
around it.

http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/PC-40N_NS.htm

snowboarder wrote:
Roland W wrote:
The supplied Gitzo head does allow the legs to fold back on to the head very closely. I do not know yet exactly how well the BH-30 is going to fit in there, and if the legs are going to hit the knobs on the head...



It will work with a Photo Clam ballhead, I would cancel your BH-30 order and get
the PC-40NS instead. It's designed to fit a traveler style tripod and the legs nicely fit
around it.

http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/PC-40N_NS.htm

The PC-33 can best fit with GK2580TQR.
But RRS BH-30 can also work with it.

snowboarder wrote:
Roland W wrote:
The supplied Gitzo head does allow the legs to fold back on to the head very closely. I do not know yet exactly how well the BH-30 is going to fit in there, and if the legs are going to hit the knobs on the head...



It will work with a Photo Clam ballhead, I would cancel your BH-30 order and get
the PC-40NS instead. It's designed to fit a traveler style tripod and the legs nicely fit
around it.

http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/PC-40N_NS.htm

The photoClam ballhead is not designed to work with his new GK2580TQR tripod. They started to sell that ballhead a long time before that tripod even existed.
Maybe the ballhead works good with the older series 1 traveler tripods

Roland W wrote:

I have a Really Right Stuff BH-30 on order that I want to use on this tripod. I decided to try the new BH-30 rather than the BH-40, and hope it works out ok. I looks like when the BH-30 is mounted on this tripod, that the quick release clamp will be "inside" the folded back legs by about a half an inch. That may be ok, but it may have made sense to have the clamp just stick out beyond the ends of the legs. I may try to make a spacer and use a longer threaded stud to get it to stick out.


RRS does sell the 1541T and I phoned them about heads for it. The BH30 does increase the folded leg girth by just a 1/4" in diameter, relatively little. The BH40, due to its larger ball and overall diameter, about 3/4" a noticeable increase. They said that the increase in folded diameter with the 2 series traveler tripods would be comparable.
Mike K

Mike K wrote:
Roland W wrote:

I have a Really Right Stuff BH-30 on order that I want to use on this tripod. I decided to try the new BH-30 rather than the BH-40, and hope it works out ok. I looks like when the BH-30 is mounted on this tripod, that the quick release clamp will be "inside" the folded back legs by about a half an inch. That may be ok, but it may have made sense to have the clamp just stick out beyond the ends of the legs. I may try to make a spacer and use a longer threaded stud to get it to stick out.


RRS does sell the 1541T and I phoned them about heads for it. The BH30 does increase the folded leg girth by just a 1/4" in diameter, relatively little. The BH40, due to its larger ball and overall diameter, about 3/4" a noticeable increase. They said that the increase in folded diameter with the 2 series traveler tripods would be comparable.
Mike K

The BH30 will not fit inside the legs when reversed, so the folded tripod and head will not fit in the Gitzo Traveller bag - the pan lock know hits one of the legs and holds it out. The BH25 does fit however.

This can be a win/lose however, as it is a bit of a pain folding the whole thing back on itself between shots, and it might just end up easier by getting a slightly longer bag and keeping the bigger head.

On my larger Gitzo tripod, the BH25 wobbles a bit, but it's fine on the 1541T.

I have an old traveler and do not fold it over itself once I am out shooting. I'll do that when I want to pack it as small as possible going to and from a location. The larger heads do hold the legs somewhat apart in the folded position. BH25 fits very well, but you lose independent tension and pan rotation with it as compared to its siblings.

I have a 1541T with a markins Q3T. It does allow for the legs to fold back with minimal interference. It fits in the traveler bag. I prefer having the separate panning lock. The RRS BH30 was not available at the time I bought this setup.

I bought the RRS BH-40 with the 2580TQR and it works very well. Was thinking of the BH-30 but RRS recommended the BH-40 because of the weight of my D3 along with my lenses. Folding is not as tight as the Gizto Head which it came with but I prefer the BH-40. When hiking I normally leave the tripod in the ready position anyway therefore the tripod head doesn't casue me a problem. When I travel I take the head off anyway and transport the tripod in an Think Tank Bazooka.

How about some pictures? Don't you have a camera handy?

I bought the 2580TQR when it was first released. It is awesome and i highly recommend it. I sold my 1541t when i bought the series 2 traveller. I have used it with ease with a 80-200 2.8. It is nearly as compact as the 1 series but much more sturdy.

I took the gitzo ballhead off and sold it, bought a $10 adapter from Gitzo, i forget the part but it allowed me to attach an after market head on it. I currently have a Markins M10 attached to the tripod and it works great for me. The ultimate light weight portable travel tripod if you ask me.

CPWarner wrote:
I have a 1541T with a markins Q3T. It does allow for the legs to fold back with minimal interference. It fits in the traveler bag. I prefer having the separate panning lock. The RRS BH30 was not available at the time I bought this setup.

Sorry, but that's not correct.
The panning knob of every Markins head gets in the way with all traveller style tripods when the legs are folded back, it's too close to the main knob, a very obvious design flaw.

(I do have a Q3T and a Gitzo Traveller)

CPWarner wrote:
I have a 1541T with a markins Q3T. It does allow for the legs to fold back with minimal interference. It fits in the traveler bag. I prefer having the separate panning lock. The RRS BH30 was not available at the time I bought this setup.

I would prefer a BH30 as well, but it will not allow the tripod to fold back into the traveller bag (as it is, the 25 just fits)