A confession: I'm a Gitzo snob, at least where leg sets are concerned.
In the past I was not too interested in a tripod collection. The Series 2 Reporter 224 3-section that I purchased in 1981 was fine for a 35mm camera with standard lens, or even my Hassy 2000 with 250/4.
It wasn't until I was shooting tabletop in my studio that I realized that the alu construction was simply too wobbly, and operating a T/S lens would shift the rig and make compositing impossible. Other annoyances of alu construction that harassed me in the field was the weight and also the discomfort of handling during Chicago winters. Aluminum is too excellent a thermal conductor.
Several years ago I solved the studio problem with a Series 4 GT4533LS 3-section that is rock solid thanks to the fat leg sections and carbon-fiber tech. The relative weight reduction was not important for its fixed location.
Yesterday I finally solved the fieldwork problem with the Series 2 GT2545T 4-section that B&H had as a daily deal. I ported my Gitzo G1177M head that maintains the low weight. The legs don't fold backward in a perfectly flush Traveler fashion, but I don't care. I do notice some oscillation with all sections extended when tapping the legs, and my wind test with 300mm lens does show image softness that is equal to my old alu Reporter. However, retracting one leg section is enough to gain an epic level of stability. That is an acceptable trade-off to enjoy the low weight and small dimensions.
Other aspect I enjoy about this Series 2 Traveler include the strap lug, foot options, and premiun grade of construction. I don't expect the tank-like build quality of the old made-in-France aluminum which looks to be eternal even if you hit it with a hammer or run over it with a truck. That's a trade-off that doesn't work for me anymore.
Yup, that little 2-series Traveller (GT-2545T) is very nice, and your point about adding accessories such as a variety of feet, makes it all the more versatile.
I added a column-hook to mine, and I also ordered the case,,, basically to store my accessory feet and hex-keys, as well as the "shorty) column adapter. I also added a couple of column-mounted spirit levels for my 1 and 2 series Mountaineers and the Traveller.
I topped those off with the Kirk small levelling base and an OpTech shoulder strap, and all's good. You just can't beat those B&H "specials".
I did decide to shelve my G1177M head even though it's low weight, handsome, and sturdy. Independent panning is just too useful, so I purchased the Gitzo GH1382TQD Traveler which, being Series 1, easily fits the GT2545T. This rig will be used in the flower beds this spring, so I'm also ordering A/S plates and rails to balance my various lenses.
How is that head different from the GH1382QD included with the GT2545T kit?
I got the deal with the GH1382QD and the GM2542 mondopod since that was only about a hundred more than the GT2545T sticks alone.
The GT2545T/GH1382QD bundle is attractive financially versus buying them separately. I wasn't planning to buy a ball head at the start. The GH1382TQD is a bit smaller, a bit lighter, lower load maximum, and notably cheaper unbundled. Either serves my purpose, so all good.
I'm more likely to use the monopod from the kit than the ball head. I noticed the GH1382QD is a bit large, fitting only when the center column is used. It's too tight when fitted on the short center column that does not extend. I'd not likely be pleased with an even smaller ball in the head. The Q3T is too large to keep attached and reverse.
Where camera support is needed, I always shoot hands-off so a monopod doesn't appeal. In keeping with the wild uncertainties of eBay, I just won a GH1382QD which I lowballed a week ago, so I can now compare them side-by-side. Other bidder was denied their win for $20!
After using each ball head for awhile and deciding to keep both, I can say that they are good performers. To recap, the GH1382QD ball head would be factory-bundled with a Series 2 Traveler tripod (e.g. GT2545T), while the GH1382TQD would be bundled with a Series 1 Traveler tripod. On my Series 2 Traveler, either ball head supports a 70-200/2.8 with no problem even though the ball size is noticeably different. The main difference is operational, specifically the way drag is implemented. On the larger GH1382QD, drag is tuned with a dedicated control that needs to be monitored constantly because it can change just by brushing the dial lightly. It could probably be improved with a dollop of heavy grease, but I decided to treat it as a co-primary control with the locking knob. Either control can lock the ball real good. The smaller GH1382TQD, meanwhile, has no dedicated drag control, but a certain amount of drag is imposed by the locking knob that only fully disengages if you unscrew the knob by several rotations. Oddly, this one-control solution works quite well.
