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Archive 2025 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Bobarino
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p.1 #1 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

I just pulled the trigger on a fairly heavy-duty Gitzo GM-4552L monopod. It's rated at 77.2 lbs payload and is 190 cm tall. This 5 section "Long" version, folds to 22", and weighs 0.73 kg.. B&H will advise me shortly on arrival date. This particular model is offered in the B&H 50th anniversary "Mega-Deals" zone. Usual retail price is $490. U.S. ($700. CDN) B&H is currently selling it at $240. U.S. (sale ends tonight at midnight) Jan, 16th.

I'd love to hear from those of you who shoot with a monopod, and in particular the accessories that you've added to your monopod..My only experience with monopods to datr, has been with the tiny Sirui P326 for use with my small cameras (Sony RX-100 Mk.III, and Canon A620 so this 4-series should open a few doors that I haven't yet considered.

I realize that many like to use a tilt or pan-tilt head, some use a Mono-Gimbal,,, I also like the RRS lever-clamp for frequent head changes,etc. I'm open to your thoughts.I'll probably be using this monopod for my 70-200 Nikkor f2.8 on my D810, and my Nikkor 200-500 on my D500.

In the meantime, I'll probably mount a Gitzo 3-series ballhead (GH-3382QD with friction control) I can simply use the heads' drop-notch and use the head like a mini-gimbal for portrait mode, or, I can use an L-bracket connected to the camera and fasten it to the tilted ballhead top-plate in landscape mode.

Thanks,
Bobarino.

Edited on Jan 29, 2025 at 11:16 AM · View previous versions

Jan 16, 2025 at 04:14 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

i shot with a MP for quite a few years not so much these days though but still used when it is needed.

1- original Tiltall
2- Induro CMG34

both used my RRS MP head

Edited on Jan 16, 2025 at 07:55 PM · View previous versions

Jan 16, 2025 at 04:45 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #3 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Bobarino wrote:
I just pulled the trigger on a fairly heavy-duty Gitzo GM-4552L monopod. It's rated at 77.2 lbs payload and is 190 inches tall. This 5 section "Long" version, folds to 22", and weighs 0.73 kg.. B&H will advise me shortly on arrival date. This particular model is offered in the B&H 50th anniversary "Mega-Deals" zone. Usual retail price is $490. U.S. ($700. CDN) B&H is currently selling it at $240. U.S. (sale ends tonight at midnight) Jan, 16th.

I'd love to hear from those of you who shoot with a monopod, and in particular the accessories that you've added to...Show more →

I've used a variety of monopods with a number of heads including the RRS MH-01 and Markins Q20i with the "gimbal" plate. Nowadays I mostly use a small (1.5 lbs.) full gimbal up top. I sometimes use a QR set for the head, consisting of a circular FLM clamp and 52mm Kirk dovetail with grub screw. I have the RRS lever clamps integrated into the dedicated tripod leveling bases, but independently that setup is oversized/overweight for the occasional monopod head change. I don't change the monopod head very frequently; maybe you are switching between ball and pan/tilt heads often?

EBH

Jan 16, 2025 at 06:21 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #4 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

sjms wrote:
i shot with a MP for quite a few years not so much these days though but still used when it is needed.

1- original Tiltall
2- Induro CMG34

both used my RRS MP head

I'm thinking I could use it at the Montreal International Jazz Festival (lots of free outdoor concerts), also, the Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, and the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix.

There's also the Khanawake Pow-Wow which can be spectacular with all the colourful costumes and dance competitions. That festival is just off the island of Montreal, (south).

Jan 16, 2025 at 06:30 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #5 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

EB-1 wrote:
I've used a variety of monopods with a number of heads including the RRS MH-01 and Markins Q20i with the "gimbal" plate. Nowadays I mostly use a small (1.5 lbs.) full gimbal up top. I sometimes use a QR set for the head, consisting of a circular FLM clamp and 52mm Kirk dovetail with grub screw. I have the RRS lever clamps integrated into the dedicated tripod leveling bases, but independently that setup is oversized/overweight for the occasional monopod head change. I don't change the monopod head very frequently; maybe you are switching between ball and pan/tilt heads often?

EBH
Thanks EB-1, I'll have a look at some of those items. Regarding frequent head changes, I'll probably rarely do that. I generally prefer to have a dedicated head permanenty mounted on its' own tripod, and since they're all mounted on Gitzo plates, I can swap from one Gitzo tripod head to the other with no compatibility issues...

Jan 16, 2025 at 07:04 PM

sjms
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p.1 #6 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

what lens/lenses do you want to put on it?
essentially Induro has been folded into Benro as the manufactured that branding.

the induro can hold some big glass. so looking into benro is a good option w/o out going nuts. i consider monopods somewhat of a consumable. dropping $400 is not truly worth it to me.

Jan 16, 2025 at 07:55 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #7 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

sjms wrote:
what lens/lenses do you want to put on it?

i consider monopods somewhat of a consumable. dropping $400 is not truly worth it to me.

Hard to say which lenses I'll use until the time comes. That will depend on the event I'm attending, crowd density, available footprint I can occupy, and will I have to shoot over peoples' heads.

Regarding the $400,00 ; that monopod would cost me $800 tax included here in Quebec. If I find I don't care for it, I should have a relatively easy time reselling it.at little or no loss.

Also, at my age, what happens when St.Peter opens the Pearly Gates, looks me in the eye, and says "NEXT" ?

If he won't allow me to "take it with me", my "stuff" probably gets sold at an estate auction for pennies on the dollar, so why not leave that gear to someone in the family who is seriously interested in photography, or, donating it to a deserving student at a local high school. That could give someone a serious boost in launching a potential career, and the donation would have the greatest impact.

Jan 16, 2025 at 09:43 PM

cambyses
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p.1 #8 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

In my experience with monopods, with long lenses, nothing works better than the
Wimberley MH-100

Jan 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM

Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #9 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

That�s quite a monopod. I have a
MPA-2 Monopod Head on my Gitzo GM3550 monopod and it�s more than enough for me. I use it for up to my RF 200-800; for my 500 f/4L I much prefer a solid tripod and a gimbal (I have a ProMediaGear Kitana JR).

B&H must be getting to know you by name now. Seems like you�ve made good use of their current Gitzo sale! Have fun with your new support.

Jan 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM

Fred Amico
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p.1 #10 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

cambyses wrote:
In my experience with monopods, with long lenses, nothing works better than the
Wimberley MH-100

Agreed. When I first saw this product I was skeptical about how well it would function. Decided to try it and glad I did. Works great for longer lenses when using a monopod.

Jan 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM

sjms
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p.1 #11 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Bobarino wrote:
Hard to say which lenses I'll use until the time comes. That will depend on the event I'm attending, crowd density, available footprint I can occupy, and will I have to shoot over peoples' heads.

Regarding the $400,00 ; that monopod would cost me $800 tax included here in Quebec. If I find I don't care for it, I should have a relatively easy time reselling it.at little or no loss.

Also, at my age, what happens when St.Peter opens the Pearly Gates, looks me in the eye, and says "NEXT" ?

If he won't allow me to "take it with...Show more →

With me these are tools. Any of these could help the next person down line. I have given a few of the induro pods to assistants over time.

Jan 17, 2025 at 09:20 AM

Bobarino
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p.1 #12 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Abbott Schindl wrote:
That�s quite a monopod. I have a
MPA-2 Monopod Head on my Gitzo GM3550 monopod and it�s more than enough for me. I use it for up to my RF 200-800; for my 500 f/4L I much prefer a solid tripod and a gimbal (I have a ProMediaGear Kitana JR).

B&H must be getting to know you by name now. Seems like you�ve made good use of their current Gitzo sale! Have fun with your new support.

Abbott, thanks for mentioning the Kirk MPA-2. How do you find the overall build quality and locking capability on that unit? I've already. got a couple of Kirk plates and a Kirk L-bracket for my D-500 I've also got a Jobu Design BWG-HD3 gimbal head mounted on my 5-series 3 section Gitzo Systematic..GT-5533S

Regarding B&H, I think these recent buys are the first I've ever done at B&H.. In the past, I bought most of my lighting (strobes/flashes/ stands/ modifiers) from Adorama, mostly because their shipping was with the USPS, which meant brokerage fees were never a nasty surprise. I'm now sticking with B&H after this recent buying experience. I used to drop by their store in lower Manhatten in the '80s whenever I had layovers in NYC. My hotel (Manhattrn Hilton) was a short walk from the store..

Regarding "long glass", I've got the Nikkor 200-500 for use with my D-500, which gives me 750mm FOV, and with a 1.4 teleconverter I'd have roughly 1050mm. I've also got a Nikon P-900 with its' 2000mm FF equivalent lens, as well as a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 with an f:2.8-4.0 25-400mm Leica lens. Also, a Nikkor f 2.8 70-200.lens which would give me a 420mm equiv when mounted on the D-500. For now, I have no plans on updating anything. My support system is now mostly complete, so I may consider a Z-8 in the not too distant future.. The remaining support items I'd like, is a good table-top unit such as the Gitzo Mini-Traveller, and I'll add a center-column assembly for one of my Systematics, probably the 5-series.

Jan 17, 2025 at 09:58 AM

Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #13 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Bobarino wrote:
Abbott, thanks for mentioning the Kirk MPA-2. How do you find the overall build quality and locking capability on that unit? I've already. got a couple of Kirk plates and a Kirk L-bracket for my D-500 I've also got a Jobu Design BWG-HD3 gimbal head mounted on my 5-series 3 section Gitzo Systematic..GT-5533S

Regarding B&H, I think these recent buys are the first I've ever done at B&H.. In the past, I bought most of my lighting (strobes/flashes/ stands/ modifiers) from Adorama, mostly because their shipping was with the USPS, which meant brokerage fees were never a nasty surprise. I'm now...Show more →

RE the MPA-2: I love it. Light, excellent build quality, and I find the friction adjustment (one knob you tighten/loosen) to be perfectly fine. It also balances well on my GM3550 (why did Gitzo drop their Series 3 monopods? I prefer them to the heavier ones, but that's just me). I'm thinking or buying another one for the GM2542 I just got so I don't need to move it among the two. At the time I bought the Kirk, it was between Kirk and RRS and the Kirk struck me as a nicer design.

As for B&H, I've been their customer for years. The only thing I don't like is that their free shipping is with FedEx (you can pay for other shipping), which "ain't so reliable" in my area. I tried Adorama for a while simply because they ship UPS, but B&H has better selection for me.

I haven't tried my Series 2 monopod with my 200-800 zoom and an extender yet. The combo works fine on my Series 3 monopod. I've got a Big White prime that I prefer to use on a tripod, mostly because of the way I use it. I work best with that lens on a gimbal, and that just doesn't suit me on a monopod.

Jan 17, 2025 at 12:47 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #14 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

I see that my monopod has just gone back up in price, from $240 US to $450. US..

My order arrives Monday.

C'mon B&H, let's see the 5=series Rapid center-column GS5513S up there on the Mega Deals list. .

I'm hot, hot, hot.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1286945-REG/gitzo_gigs5513s_rapid_center_column.html

Jan 17, 2025 at 03:33 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #15 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

Well, ir's a beautiful sun-shiney day here, and a bone-chilling -17*C. I went outside for a moment, with the snow "crunching" under my feet as I walked, and lo and behold, there's a FedEx truck parked in my driveway. A cheery white-bearded driver emerges, hands me a long package and, , ,wait-a-minute,, the box feels empty. We chatted for a moment, then back into the warm house,,, brrrr. With a few swipes of my paring knife, a Gitzo box emerges, and for a moment there, I thought the monopod would simply float in the air, it's light, , ,very very light

I opened the legs, and it's also tall, ,very tall. With my arm stretched over my head, the top-plate reaches my wrist. I checked the legs for flex, and zero flex. This is one very serious tool. I also checked the height when the lowest leg section is fully retracted, and this will easily place my camera viewfinder at eye level, In this configuration, the lowest leg section is the same diameter as the top leg-section of a 1-series Traveller. This monopod is strong, , , ,very, very strong.

The handle is quite grippy and comfortable, and there;s a handy wrist strap. The large diameter ball/swiver foot is also quite smooth and quiet. I had read reports that claimed the ball/swivel foot could produce noise (squeek) and I saw zero evidence of that.

Folded, this unit is 22" long and can easily be stowed for carry-on purposes.

All in all , , ,nice, , , very very nice.

Jan 20, 2025 at 01:16 PM

sjms
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p.1 #16 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

enjoy your new big stick

Jan 20, 2025 at 01:31 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #17 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

I justed tested the Big-Foot* swivel-ball foot for grip, and with a significant lean-angle of at least 25 degrees, and applying a hefty downward force, the foot stuck like glue on a smooth wood floor. For outdoor use, I'll add a long spike,, probably 2" or so.

Jan 20, 2025 at 04:09 PM

sjms
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p.1 #18 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

i just have the standard older 30mm spike (the same as the others i have) total length 21"ish from platform to end of foot/spike

then of course you screw whatever you wish to the platform.

Jan 20, 2025 at 05:00 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #19 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

I've avoided buying a newer Gitzo, partly due to the ridculous feet. I don't work in a studio, nor do I want spikes. Do the newer Gitzo legs accept the older feet (something like RRS) and which feet do you order?

EBH

Jan 20, 2025 at 05:47 PM

Cinstance
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p.1 #20 · New Gitzo 4-series monopod incoming GM-4552L

EB-1 wrote:
I've avoided buying a newer Gitzo, partly due to the ridculous feet. I don't work in a studio, nor do I want spikes. Do the newer Gitzo legs accept the older feet (something like RRS) and which feet do you order?

EBH

Every Gitzo tripod with big feet includes a set of regular feet in the box too. You can swap them if you don't like the big feet.

Jan 20, 2025 at 06:21 PM

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