I'm looking to upgrade my Gitzo 3540LS tripod with one that is a bit longer. I've been very happy with the gitzo and fully extended its about the perfect height for me (I'm 5'9").
However, i'm looking for a tripod that is long enough when i'm on uneven terrain and need a couple of legs that can extend out further.
I wanted to get some advice on either another Gitzo, or get some advice on user experience with the RRS TVC-34L tripod. This looks to extend out further than my gitzo, is also 4 sections (which is great for travelling) however, i have no experience with it.
How do the RRS tripods compare with the Gitzo Is the 3 series i've got comparable to the RRS TVC 34L How is the build quality/durablity compared to my Gitzo The gitzo 4 section i've currently got fits nicely for travel and is about the right weight for lugging around all day and i've never had any issues with it.
There is an 6 week delay for the RRS TVC-34L, so i'd pretty much need to order now to have it in time for my trip to the southwest (last time i was there, I really felt i needed a longer tripod).
the RRS componentry is machined billet 6061-T6 aluminum that is anodized. Gitzo componentry is a form of cast Magnesium alloy that is painted.
the RRS is, too me overall, is a better made mechanically more robust product. now Gitzo is no slouch but requires a little more care. Gitzo has also been morphing their designs over the past 5 years.
both will serve you well. pricing in your neighborhood might be a deciding factor.
i have 3 tripods from RRS. TVC-33 (one of the original batch made), TVC-24 (purchased used) and the TQC-14 (my favorite travel tripod). i used to have Gitzo legs.
If you want to stay with Gitzo your probable choice is a 3542XLS which has a max height of 78.9" and weighs 4.9lbs (if weight is an issue). The RRS 34L has a max height of 68.3" and weighs 4.7lbs. Since you're traveling, the RRS folds to 24.4" and the Gitzo folds to 28.4". The Gitzo has a big advantage in terms of the extension you're looking for, but you'll pay for that with the folded length. 28+ inches is pretty long.
With respect to build quality/durability I can't personally comment; I'm a Gitzo user and have never even seen a RRS tripod, never mind used one. However there are many RRS users on this forum who have had their tripods for a long time and they're happy campers, some almost religiously so. That there is a 6 week wait period for a new tripod tells you something, I'm not sure quite what though.
My sense of the posts here is that RRS users feel that their 3-series tripod is comparable to a 4-series (or higher) equivalent Gitzo in terms of its load bearing capacity. I've no idea how accurate that is. You really can't go wrong with either and sometimes it's down to personal choice about some feature or other that catches your fancy.
Unfortunately RRS equipment is not sold through dealers so you can't go into a store and kick the tires, you may be able to rent or borrow one though. Both of these brands are at the top of the heap and offer reliable, durable products that will last a long time under duress. I don't envy you your choice.
There are probably dozens of threads comparing Gitzo and RRS. I think everyone will agree that both products are at least pretty good. So the question is: do you want a product that you know well (Gitzo) or a product that you don't know well but may prove to be better (RRS)?
khurram1 wrote:
There is an 6 week delay for the RRS TVC-34L, so i'd pretty much need to order now to have it in time for my trip to the southwest (last time i was there, I really felt i needed a longer tripod).
Doh! Back in the day (2002?), I waited until one month prior to a trip to Utah to buy a Canon D60. It arrived 4 months after my trip! You might get a clarification on the accuracy of the 6-week wait by calling them.
Like "sjms" said, it could just come down to price. Like you I was looking for a longer tripod to use on uneven terrain. I really, really wanted a 34L but its just not long enough for me. I was looking at the new RRS line since they had one now that was long enough. Very pricey and I had just invested in new lights. Then I found a used Gitzo 3542XLS. I had never owned a Gitzo. Then while looking for a Z1 ballhead I found a little used RRS BH-55 ballhead. I spent around $900 for both tripod and ballhead. As much as I would still love to have a RRS tripod, that day will have to wait. I'm really fond of the Gitzo. Its like a bigger version of the Feisol I use for travel. I'm a bit amazed at how light it is too. Easy to carry on short hikes. Like I said, I hope to experience that RRS quality someday but I think if you go with the 3542XLS it will provide what you need. It is long folded, so keep that in mind.
Rather odd, I was looking at ordering a TQC-14 and all RRS CF tripods are back ordered with this or a similar message:
"We are currently experiencing production delays, resulting in back-order wait times that may exceed 6 weeks. If stock status indicates that this tripod is back-ordered, please feel free to continue with your order and it will ship in the order in which it was placed."
I have never seen adequate testing to compare those two brands (or any others, really). DPreview seems to have the best tests, but nothing comes up to scientific standards (I'm a scientist BTW). Both brands are very, very good.
I've used RRS clamps, etc. since the company was started by a crusty old machinist with a paper mailed list of offerings. He sold to the current owners, who modernized things, improved customer support and expanded their product lines.. Production volumes are still low. There is nothing inherently strong about "billet" - if you want a strong part you buy one that is forged. Next, would be a quality pressure casting, and some wheels for race cars are now pressure cast. But I don't know if Gitzo uses that process for the hub. I have heard that people had some issue with Gitzo hubs years ago. Also, Gitzo was sold some years ago (French to Italian) and maybe those time periods coincide.
Gitzo is justly proud of their CF technology (for the legs) and it is unmatched in the industry AFAIK. Some anal-retentive individuals have bought Gitzo legs and put them on Markins hubs with no center post.
I've used Gitzo for 30 years at least and have their earliest CF model. They have parts and repairs for everything and are a large company than RRS, and have been around for longer. OTOH, their importer seems discombobulated in dealing with customers. So, who has better customer service? I dunno.
If I were to add to my tripod collection, I guess I'd get a new CF Gitzo. If prices were equal, then I don't know what I'd do.
I went through a similar choice bit long ago while shopping for a new tripod. In the end I went with Gitzo (3542LS).
My reasoning came down to local availability. RRS only ship from their office whereas Gitzo have national distributors who sell to loads of different retailers. This meant no long wait for international shipping and no expensive postage if I need to send back for warranty issues.
It seems in the USA the service is not too great from the Gitzo distributor so this might sway you towards RRS.
If you need it for an upcoming trip and RRS have supply issues this would also be a problem for me.
rw11 wrote:
I have never seen adequate testing to compare those two brands (or any others, really). DPreview seems to have the best tests, but nothing comes up to scientific standards (I'm a scientist BTW). Both brands are very, very good.
I've used RRS clamps, etc. since the company was started by a crusty old machinist with a paper mailed list of offerings. He sold to the current owners, who modernized things, improved customer support and expanded their product lines.. Production volumes are still low. There is nothing inherently strong about "billet" - if you want a strong part you buy one that is forged. Next, would be a quality pressure casting, and some wheels for race cars are now pressure cast. But I don't know if Gitzo uses that process for the hub. I have heard that people had some issue with Gitzo hubs years ago. Also, Gitzo was sold some years ago (French to Italian) and maybe those time periods coincide.
Gitzo is justly proud of their CF technology (for the legs) and it is unmatched in the industry AFAIK. Some anal-retentive individuals have bought Gitzo legs and put them on Markins hubs with no center post.
I've used Gitzo for 30 years at least and have their earliest CF model. They have parts and repairs for everything and are a large company than RRS, and have been around for longer. OTOH, their importer seems discombobulated in dealing with customers. So, who has better customer service? I dunno.
If I were to add to my tripod collection, I guess I'd get a new CF Gitzo. If prices were equal, then I don't know what I'd do....Show more →
lets start off with the Gitzo Distribution. Gitzo is owned by the Vitec group PLC. their distribution is controlled by the Manfrotto group in the US which is owned by Vitec group PLC. they both, as a whole company, farmed out their service dept to an outside vendor in AZ
the "anal retentive individuals" who have gone to the Markins hub did so on models like the mountaineer series to eliminate the center post and lighten their setup. no reason to do it on systematics as its already done.
forging has its points but in this situation not so much. i will take a good machined aluminum alloy part to a Mg alloy part in most cases and high pressure casting is what they do. doing the work in billet allows for changes to come faster because its done on software and then produced on a CNC machining tool. forging requires rework of the tooling as does HP casting for changes. small runs can less costly and highly controlled with minimal issues.
there are more quality sources for custom CF product today then there was when Gitzo got into it. proud as they are there are others who have the capability to produce equal to or exceeding their product by considerable margins these days. you just got to be willing to pay for it
Their CF technology is unique AFAIK. There are lots of people who make CF parts, including tripod legs and other tubing now, but Gitzo does it in a particular way. If you know someone who has their production technology, I'd be curious to see the details.
i work in aerospace industry. everyone's CF techniques are "unique"
CF techniques in filament winding, weaving and layup will vary via design parameters and machine weave programming. the landing gear strut housing and drag braces are composite built using proprietary methods on the aircraft i was working today. in fact the entire fuselage is a wound composite. we are a little beyond simple tubing these days.
I appreciate everyone's feedback and the suggestions for the Gitzo 3542 XLS. I think the larger folded length of the gitzo vs. the RRS will be something I need to think about.
I think the first step is to call RRS and see what the maximum expected delivery estimate is.
One question I do have about the RRS is that i've read elsewhere that there has been some issues of the end of the foot coming off. Has anyone experienced this issue?
"One question I do have about the RRS is that i've read elsewhere that there has been some issues of the end of the foot coming off."
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RRS offers three style of "feet", Rubber Ball, Rock Claw and Spikes. The Claws and Spikes have an anti-backout "O" ring, the ball feet don't. I have the ball feet that screw in the legs and haven't had a problem, however, if they did tend to unscrew I would use Loctite blue on the screw threads
When I was trying to decide between the two, I found Gitzo's nomenclature entirely too confusing. Plus, when I goggled issues with them, there seemed to be a far higher percentage of Gitzo horror stories than RRS.
In the end I went with RRS and have never regretted it. I have stuck with their products ever since. Can't speak to the Gitzo from experience as I never did buy one.
SHVv wrote:
"One question I do have about the RRS is that i've read elsewhere that there has been some issues of the end of the foot coming off."
******
RRS offers three style of "feet", Rubber Ball, Rock Claw and Spikes. The Claws and Spikes have an anti-backout "O" ring, the ball feet don't. I have the ball feet that screw in the legs and haven't had a problem, however, if they did tend to unscrew I would use Loctite blue on the screw threads
Steve
that was resolved awhile back. i actually replaced my feet with the gitzo short spikes with their feet on my RRS models.
this is the current mushroom feet on RRS tripods. its design does not require the O ring due to it is full rubberized backplane holds pretty good as is.
Personally, I think both companies make a great tripod. I'd pick on the basis of who makes a tripod closest to your personal "ideal" tripod. I'd suspect there are more gitzo "horror" stories simply because there far more gitzos out there than rrs tripods. I've used gitzo for 25 years extensively with no problems. Many of the so called failures seem to be user error.
Gitzo or RRS----you're looking at the top-end offerings for a tripod (for the most part) and it's hard to go wrong with either once you find a set of legs and head that match your needs.
I used to use Gitzo but made that lateral move to RRS. Zero complaints. I haven't become quite the collector of RRS tripods as sjms has, but I do keep their catalog close at hand on the studio counter.
When on the central coast in CA, it's well worth the visit to the RRS facility in San Luis Obispo. Great folks at RRS and very helpful. RRS gave the Capture Integration in Carmel workshop a tour of its facilities which was an eye opener. Emptied a lot of wallets that day too.
I made a tripod purchase last year, upgrading from an old gitzo 1325. I was considering the RRS, but found a used 4-section current generation Gitzo in great shape at a significant discount. It collapses to 20 inches which means it fits in my checked bag better than the RRS I was eying. Guess I could have easily bought a RRS based on pure chance conditions.
Is the 3 series i've got comparable to the RRS TVC 34L
