the RRS is actually more rigid. Al alloy and larger diameter overall. the increase in weight for the Al alloy is so minimal it doesn't really matter. there is no advantage to a CF center post in weight or cost. the advantage of Al alloy in this case is a more robust and crush resistant shaft.
BUT... you asked about use with a micro four third camera (EM1 Mark II)so either should be just fine unless you have a huge tele lens on it or a lot of macro work.
Yes, the stability of the tripod is more dictated by focal length (actually magnification) and -how well it deals with- weather conditions.
Versatility for your current and future uses is a factor. Either can be resold if need be (or you can assemble a collection by not selling them, as I did).
The Gitzo will be easier to find used if you want to save a few bucks.
The Gitzo will be harder to get parts/service in the US if/when needed. My Gitzos seem unable to go more than 25 years of abuse by being backpacked and bounced around in the back of a car on back roads.
The RRS is made in the USA if that matters to you. I do not have any data on which one is more sustainably produced, recycled, or contains organic CF.
and then there are religious and political considerations...
Abbott Schindl wrote:
The note about Gitzo service is useful, but maybe more important is that Gitzo doesn't stock replacement parts after they discontinue a design. I've never had a Gitzo product need warranty servicing, but I've thought about getting replacement slides for the legs (the internal parts), and Gitzo doesn't stock them. While I've never worn out a part, I think it's more likely that a tripod might need replacements after many years of use.
Have a look at GitzoSpares. They're based in the UK and mostly ship by sea, but if you're desperate they'll do airmail. Great outfit.
Fotografpaul wrote:
The only reason i still own my Gitzo Systematic 5 series. If PGM offered one I would ditch the Gitzo in a heartbeat.. :-)
Yeah, I'm starting to learn that tripods are like camera bags. The perfect tripod for everything doesn't exist. RRS has a nice combination of height and is the smallest closed but is also almost 50% more than I can purchase the PMG or Gitzo for and doesn't have a geared head. PMG is the shortest of the three and doesn't offer a geared head but seems to offer flexibility in other areas and at lower price. Gitzo has the highest reach, is price between RRS and PMG and offers a geared head. Gitzo is the largest closed but like I said everything has some compromises. I'll probably just keep my smaller tripod and not worry about the closed size of the tripod for traveling.
stuuke wrote:
Yeah, I'm starting to learn that tripods are like camera bags. The perfect tripod for everything doesn't exist. RRS has a nice combination of height and is the smallest closed but is also almost 50% more than I can purchase the PMG or Gitzo for and doesn't have a geared head. PMG is the shortest of the three and doesn't offer a geared head but seems to offer flexibility in other areas and at a lower price. Gitzo has the highest reach, is price between RRS and PMG and offers a geared head. Gitzo is the largest closed but like I said everything has some compromises. I'll probably just keep my smaller tripod and not worry about the closed size of the tripod for traveling. ...Show more →
My choice of PMG over RRS has nothing to do with price. PMG was my choice because of their apex which can have accessories mounted to it, neither Gitzo or RRS offers that.
The leg locks and the tension screws are better in my opinion, the overall design is also much more pleasing to me.
There is absolutely nothing the RRS offers that I don't get with the PMG for my use.
Gitzo, on the other hand, has one simple trump card, and that's their heavy duty geared center column for their 5-series.
I have/had a pile of different tripods some very tall some smaller and the works horses in the middle. I started to weed out the duplicates and the ones collecting dust. All Sirui models, not bad tripods, in fact, their RRS clone (R-4214X) is actually their best tripod. But still not on the same level as the PMG, RRS or Gitzo.
PMG center column is welcome, even though i most likely not gonna get one if it's not geared. Sirui's center column in CF with a leg like locks where actually genius, much better than the smaller traveler Gitzo columns.
stuuke wrote:
Does RRS offer a geared center column?
no, they do not. not a big potential in sales in the realm they support. Fotografpaul shoots different "product" then many in a studio environment. so he has a use for said tooling. Gitzo seems to be one of the very few the puts out a quality geared CP.
I have been researching tripods at nauseum, I refuse to pay more than $500 for a CF one. I understand these higher end ones are very well made but for ME. I am not making money for this hobby and I would prefer to spend money on better glass.
I have narrowed down my search to the Benro 38CL/48XL and Induru CT 303L. I am 6'4 so finding a tall tripod with thick lower legs has been a challenge. I was just in NYC over the weekend and stooped in B&H. I spent some time looking at them all and the rep I spoke to said he has has ultra low complaints about either brand. He felt Benro offered a better value to the customer. A friend of mine is a Pro shooter and he has 3 Induros, he highly recommended them. I had a chance to use one of them and a Benro TA28 of us, the Induro I used was built like a tank! I used his D500 with 150-600 lens, handled it like a champ. The day I used the Benro was using my gear on a decently windy day, worked fantastic so having field tested both brands, I am confident in their quality.
I was just on the B&H site and the 48XL dropped in price so that might be a convincing move for me. My heaviest lens is a 70-200 Tamron G2. I picked up a Benro G2 head on a demo sale at my local shop and I have been extremely impressed with it.
I think you could glean more from youtube videos and online reviews than the opinions here. Nevertheless...
I have used Gitzo, RRS, Feisol, Sirui, Berlebach, Manfrotto, Slik and some others. Any of the top tripods are probably fine. But for me, RRS wins. Everything they do is first rate and made in USA. Simple. The hard part is figuring out which model.
Fotografpaul wrote:
On their smaller, there seems to be some yes, not on their 4-series though ?
A shame RRS has such poor product shots of their tripods.
I agree that their product shots (especially for a photography company) are really poor. I'm not sure about the 4-series. If you download the manual for the mark 2 3-series for example, they talk about mark 2 versions of the 4-series, so I'm not sure what's going on. If I was considering getting a 4-series, I'd drop them an email or call them to find out what's going on. It looks like B&H still has the mark 1 4-series.
Fotografpaul wrote:
My choice of PMG over RRS has nothing to do with price. PMG was my choice because of their apex which can have accessories mounted to it, neither Gitzo or RRS offers that.
The leg locks and the tension screws are better in my opinion, the overall design is also much more pleasing to me.
There is absolutely nothing the RRS offers that I don't get with the PMG for my use.
Gitzo, on the other hand, has one simple trump card, and that's their heavy duty geared center column for their 5-series.
I have/had a pile of different tripods some very tall some smaller and the works horses in the middle. I started to weed out the duplicates and the ones collecting dust. All Sirui models, not bad tripods, in fact, their RRS clone (R-4214X) is actually their best tripod. But still not on the same level as the PMG, RRS or Gitzo.
PMG center column is welcome, even though i most likely not gonna get one if it's not geared. Sirui's center column in CF with a leg like locks where actually genius, much better than the smaller traveler Gitzo columns. ...Show more →
What types of accessories do you attach to your PMG?
