Perhaps a new marketing guy at Gitzo has a theory that they will sell a lot more 2 & 3 series tripods by rating them like this. HIGHER MAX LOAD = HIGHER SALES. Perhaps he is right? The load rating is perhaps the physical max load you can hang on the hock of the tripod before the legs brake down?
interesting statement:
"Built-in one-piece spiked feet provide a secure footing and fast set-up on
all surfaces. The spikes have a resistant anti-scratch finish that protects
delicate floors, but protective rubber caps are fitted for everyday usage."
"antiscratch finish that protects delicate floors" in other words a pretty pointed spike that won't scratch a good wooden floor?
Fjellfalck wrote:
But why so heavy - I prefer the old Gitzo GT 3541LS: 3.8 lbs (1.7kg) rather than the new GT 3542LS: 2.810 kg
I do not understand why Gitzo is doing this upgrade
A new Series 2 Systematic is now available to fill the gap at the bottom, starting at 1.71 kg (3.8 lb). So although the Series 3 got a bit heavier (though your weights are wrong, as someone noted above), you can still get a model around 1.7 kg.
I like the look of these new tripods. Things I like:
1. The new top casting. To my eye, it looks like the new geometry offers a better strength-to-weight ratio than the old design. What do yo think about it, sjms?
2. The built-in spiked feet.
3. The laser markings on the second leg for a quick setup to a height of 1.35 metres.
The push-button safety mechanism and locking lever are unnecessary for me, but maybe the wider market likes them. I'm fine with checking my gear with a Torx driver, especially if that means saving weight. These doodads add weight and [minimal] expense for no benefit to careful users.
OK, I see. The improvements should be useful to some degree, but I'm not sure it is worth upgrading. I just changed from the 12xx/13xx to the 25xx/35xx 3 years ago.
Will the non-Systematic 2 series CF tripods be discontinued or will there be both lines?
without a price i can't really evaluate an overall opinion. what i do see maybe as follows
1-they can't seem to get away from the split casting design.
2- they definitely liked the RRS bottom of the plate hook second round design is it is essentially direct emulation
3- the spider (top casting) has a smoother flow in design and execution
4- angle selector locks are a mild ergo improvement but the RRS ones do work better but have more moving parts (spring loaded)
5- spikes built in was a must (but removable/replaceable). i use the gitzo spikes on my RRS. the RRS spikes and rock claws are for me a little extreme but in certain conditions quite usable
if they price them equivelent to RRS they will only help RRS's sales
I never thought much about buying a RRS Tripod until I found one locally on Craig's List. It's a TVC-34L like brand new with like new TQB-80 tripod case for $710.00.
I bought the tripod, case, RRS gimbal head, and BH-55 LR. I sold the ball head and gimbal head and that left me spending $710.00 for the TVC-34L and Bag.
Not bragging because I usually just read where other folks got something nice for a decent.
Well the XLS tripods are usually more expensive than the regular long ones but I'm sure Gitzo will keep the high prices.
I don't trust max load ratings from anyone as no-one publishes their measurement procedures. Also stating that tripods in the different ranges have the same max load makes no sense. Why would you ever get a 3-series if the less expensive 2-series has the same load capability?
Why would a really sturdy systematic tripod need a hook anyway? Also built-in spikes that protect delicate floors is ironically a perfect oxymoron (the word originally comes from the Greek for sharp/dull). The tripods take 3/8-16" threaded spikes and Benro, Gitzo and RRS all fit.
As someone pointed out the leaflet reads like a marketing person wrote it.
Feb 13, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
sjms wrote:
without a price i can't really evaluate an overall opinion. what i do see maybe as follows
1-they can't seem to get away from the split casting design.
2- they definitely liked the RRS bottom of the plate hook second round design is it is essentially direct emulation
3- the spider (top casting) has a smoother flow in design and execution
4- angle selector locks are a mild ergo improvement but the RRS ones do work better but have more moving parts (spring loaded)
5- spikes built in was a must (but removable/replaceable). i use the gitzo spikes on my RRS. the RRS spikes and rock claws are for me a little extreme but in certain conditions quite usable
if they price them equivelent to RRS they will only help RRS's sales ...Show more →
2. The rounded bottom plate hook, look the same as the hook on the older Gitzo tripods. I have the same on my two older Systematic tripods. So maybe it was RRS that liked the Gitzo hook
I've never really understood max load rating on a tripod. I hung my entire 92kg weight off my friends 3541LS. Sure it flexed a little bit, but it took the weight. 50kg would be a walk in the park!
