i have to say the history of Gitzo and their product goes back a long way. for tripods its since the 1950s. there are only a handful of leg makers that can say that. given longevity and use if there was no RRS i'd end up using gitzo all around. and i can't say i love some of their particular designs/engineering. i don't do fashion statements as i am a technician by profession. my rule for tools is simple: if they don't perform or i don't end up using them they are gone. i'm not a collector (well maybe one or two little things that don't take up space in my life or leave too much empty space in my wallet).
Got my Induro CT313 yesterday. It's extremely well made. I did try the test of tightening the leg and then using force on the leg and I found that if I applied enough pressure (approximately 50-60lbs worth on a single leg) the leg collar would not keep the leg from retracting. However, I was afraid of over-tightening the collar so it's tough to say what this test actually proves. Additionally, even a 40lb camera's weight would be supported by 3 legs and because the legs are at an angle, it further reduces the force directly applied to the collars. I think you'd really need to take the legs apart and examine the mechanics and compare it to the Gitzo to make a more accurate determination but at this point, I'm just happy to enjoy what looks like a great product at a great value.
One bonus for me is that with my Aractech head mounted and all 3 legs fully extended, the viewfinder is several inches above eye level. I won't ever have to extend the center column. I should find out if there is a column-less option for the camera mount for this tripod as it would shave some weight off...
I just sold a top of the line Really Right Stuff tripod (the Versa - 3 section CF tripod) because the similarly featured (specced) Benro tripod was $500 less expensive. I tested them side by side - no difference in quality - for me.
Here is a nice discussion of different tripods. In Europe, Sacthler tripods are quite popular but no one has mentioned them here (and they can be purchased here in the USA):
Here is my favorite quote of the article from Eric Lund: "A trick with any tripod is not to extend any of the leg sections fully, leave an inch or so of overlap, that way most designs remain stronger, even the Sachtlers......
Second trick: Mark the legs with lines for each 10 cm that way you can extend the legs equally quickly...
Trick three: Cut off any excess length of the lower legs not needed and re-glue the spikes...
Lasse Eriksson wrote:
Except the ones in this thread that have to be replaced because they where too bad
It's this type of quote that makes me think that it's all about status and brand name. If you like your equipment, go out and take great photos with it. Making fun of someone else's equipment? #Lame...
What's next? What car do you drive? Salary? Social Class?
rdcny wrote:
I just sold a top of the line Really Right Stuff tripod (the Versa - 3 section CF tripod) because the similarly featured (specced) Benro tripod was $500 less expensive. I tested them side by side - no difference in quality - for me.
Here is a nice discussion of different tripods. In Europe, Sacthler tripods are quite popular but no one has mentioned them here (and they can be purchased here in the USA):
I can't imagine $30 a year for that forum given how strong FM and other forums are. Any insight on the content/value for Nikongear?
rdcny wrote:
Here is my favorite quote of the article from Eric Lund: "A trick with any tripod is not to extend any of the leg sections fully, leave an inch or so of overlap, that way most designs remain stronger, even the Sachtlers......
Second trick: Mark the legs with lines for each 10 cm that way you can extend the legs equally quickly...
Trick three: Cut off any excess length of the lower legs not needed and re-glue the spikes...
Trick four: Bring your tripod... "
Very useful - will have to check Sachtiers out.
[EDIT: Sachtler - I have seen these - the production company I use for a lot of video work has them. Looks like their main focus is on video.
jzucker wrote:
It's this type of quote that makes me think that it's all about status and brand name. If you like your equipment, go out and take great photos with it. Making fun of someone else's equipment? #Lame...
What's next? What car do you drive? Salary? Social Class?
...and then there is the not very useful at all...
M635_Guy wrote:
...and then there is the not very useful at all...
It's useful and on target because I (and many others judging by PMs) believe that there are many folks on this forum who can't accept that there are ways to achieve good photographs that don't involve spending $1200 on a gitzo.
jzucker wrote:
It's useful and on target because I (and many others judging by PMs) believe that there are many folks on this forum who can't accept that there are ways to achieve good photographs that don't involve spending $1200 on a gitzo.
Please put me on your ignore list and move on.
No - ignore lists are for cowards. You're the one taking petty shots about people (Jaguar, etc.). I also think you're taking this entire thread too personally. You don't like Gitzo and think they are over-priced. Some of us disagree. I don't think anyone has made a categorical statement that a decent tripod has to be a Gitzo or RRS, or must cost $1200. There is no right or wrong here. I'm sure your new tripod will serve you well and hope you can send your Gitzo to a more appreciative new home.
It would serve everybody better if you'd spend more time giving us some thoughts about what you like / dislike about your Induro and maybe show a few pictures of the setup instead of trying to make pithy comments.
jzucker wrote:
But you've obviously never drive a jaguar...
Why do I want to drive a Jaguar? Burn rubber to move up 2 feet? A better stereo to listen to in bumper-to-bumper traffic? Sometimes a book is preferable. And appropriate. Jaguar? Maybe a motor scooter, instead.
BTW, the cheap Chinese knockoffs are still going. Dynatran did something right with mine.
The leg of my Induro just simply came off. So you never know what you'll get. To their credit, once I got back they took care of the repairs, however I had to send it overseas, and it cost me around $50 to ship it. If you buy a tripod, no matter what brand it is, it's a good idea to make sure they have a place in your country to fix it in case it breaks. I was disappointed that it broke on me so fast at a place where I could do nothing about it.
The leg of my Induro just simply came off. So you never know what you'll get. To their credit, once I got back they took care of the repairs, however I had to send it overseas, and it cost me around $50 to ship it. If you buy a tripod, no matter what brand it is, it's a good idea to make sure they have a place in your country to fix it in case it breaks. I was disappointed that it broke on me so fast at a place where I could do nothing about it. ...Show more →
You have some gorgeous shots on your Flickr page - your work is just terrific. The Leica is all you shoot?
Why thank you for your comment, M635. I've gone through my share of cameras, so on Flickr it's a mix of various film/digital shots. I'm shooting a Leica as I wanted something lightweight and full-frame for travel. However it's so expensive and has its limitations that I keep wondering if I should switch... but that's a whole other topic
The leg of my Induro just simply came off. So you never know what you'll get. To their credit, once I got back they took care of the repairs, however I had to send it overseas, and it cost me around $50 to ship it. If you buy a tripod, no matter what brand it is, it's a good idea to make sure they have a place in your country to fix it in case it breaks. I was disappointed that it broke on me so fast at a place where I could do nothing about it. ...Show more →
I have three tripods, two Gitzos (one aluminum, one CF) and a CF Feisol. As far as I can tell after about three years of using both, the Feisol is every bit the equal of the Gitzo CF in terms of construction quality, ease of use (actually easier on your hands to turn the Feisol collars), etc. I can't directly compare the Feisol with the Gitzo because the Gitzo is a good bit larger and heavier than the Feisol - I bought the Feisol strictly for hiking. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Feisol. I realize you aren't thinking of a Feisol and I'm not urging you to buy one. I mention it just to make the point that Gitzos, while very fine tripods, aren't automatically better than anything else just because they cost more
campyone wrote:
I have three tripods, two Gitzos (one aluminum, one CF) and a CF Feisol. As far as I can tell after about three years of using both, the Feisol is every bit the equal of the Gitzo CF in terms of construction quality, ease of use (actually easier on your hands to turn the Feisol collars), etc. I can't directly compare the Feisol with the Gitzo because the Gitzo is a good bit larger and heavier than the Feisol - I bought the Feisol strictly for hiking. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Feisol. I realize you aren't thinking of a Feisol and I'm not urging you to buy one. I mention it just to make the point that Gitzos, while very fine tripods, aren't automatically better than anything else just because they cost more...Show more →
Feisol are rather nice. But they have nothing in common with Induro. So I can't really see your point here. If Gitzo are better or not depends on what brand you compare them against.
jzucker wrote:
your link is not viewable by non nikongearsubscribers. Can you post the review here?
Scroll down the page. There is a USA option at the bottom that is FREE.
Sven Jeppesen wrote:
Feisol are rather nice. But they have nothing in common with Induro. So I can't really see your point here. If Gitzo are better or not depends on what brand you compare them against.
I said "I mention it just to make the point that Gitzos, while very fine tripods, aren't automatically better than anything else just because they cost more."
And you really can't see my point? Agree or disagree, like or dislike, whatever. But I don't see how you could miss the point since I said exactly what the point was.
campyone wrote:
I said "I mention it just to make the point that Gitzos, while very fine tripods, aren't automatically better than anything else just because they cost more."
And you really can't see my point? Agree or disagree, like or dislike, whatever. But I don't see how you could miss the point since I said exactly what the point was.
And I don't understand how you could miss my point
There are hundreds of different tripods that cost less than Gitzo. Some are very good. Others are just crap. So you can't just put those hundrds of tripods together like they better or worse than a Gitzo.
And Gitzo doesn't cost more than anything else either. There are other brands that cost a lot more
