RedRebel
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Finally the bullet went through the church. Yesterday I went to the shop (200milles) to test some tripods. It was more difficult then expected. It is not such a problem to find out the differences between the tripods, but deciding which one is the best for my situation was more difficult. It’s compromising between stability, length folded, working height, weight etc…
I used my 350D + 17-85 IS lens and a camera bag containing an Epson P2000 and a 75-300 lens. For the balhead I used my new BH-40.
The tripods I checked were:
- Gitzo 1197 (Basalt) : (57/120.5/153cm/3 sect) 1.2 kg; wobbly, quite low working height when center column down
- Gitzo 1198 (Basalt): (41.5/95/121cm/4sect) 1.2 kg; very wobbly, compact, far to low working height when center column down
- Gitzo 1297 (Basalt): (60/125/157cm/3sect) 1.6 kg, very stable, better working height when center column down
- Gitzo 1298 (Basalt): (49/120/151.5cm/4sect) 1.5 kg, quite stable, quite low working height when center column down
- Gitzo 1157 (Carbon): (60/126/148cm/3sect) 1.06kg, not tested
- Gitzo 1158 (Carbon): (48/112.5/135cm/4sect) 1.04 kg; quite stable, very light weight, low working height when center column down
- Gitzo 1258 (Carbon): (55/131.5/154.5) 1.4 kg; very stable, nice working height with center column down
- Gitzo 1257 (Carbon): (66/137.5/161) 1.4kg, not tested
The 1158 Carbon compared quite well with a Basalt 1298, although the basalt performs a bit better is my feeling. The 1297 Basalt was very stable IMHO but not so compact when folded.
I have the feeling that basalts are less stiff then carbons from the same range (1298/1258). When tapping the legs halfway, the basalt 1298 tends to wobble a bit longer then a 1258 or even a 1158. But the 1298 is heavier then a 1158 so in real life I think the 1298 is less prone to wind. The 1158 is also more top heavy then a 1298 basalt, that is something to consider it’s safer to put some weight to the hook of a 1158.
I considered the folded length of the 1157, 1297 and 1257 to long. The 1158 didn’t convince me and has a quite low working height, so finally I chosed the 1258 Carbon, which is very stable, has a comfortable working height and is reasonably compact (but still beefy).
The leg diameters of the 1258 are: 28, 24, 20 and 16 mm. When not extending the lower leg section of the 1258, the height (with center column down) is 100.5cm and it is as sturdy as a 1257. The 1258 is only 40 euro’s more expensive then the 1158 but is much – much more stable.
The 1297 Basalt is a very good performer but the 1298 Basalt is a bit….what should I say, maybe you will be very happy with it, but I haven’t got enough experience to say it’s stable enough.
I was unable to test heavy gear in the shop and I could only test the tripods indoors on a carpet, which makes things worse.
For traveling light I would not hesitate to buy the 1158 Carbon, it’s light weight and quite stable. But you should really keep the center column down and put your bag on the hook, because the tripod becomes top heavy.
About ALR…..
The ALR system works fine, you can setup these tripods in seconds. However the 1158 demo model I tested had one broken ALR lock, so the leg rotated when locking/unlocking. My feeling is that when you are a bit rough, these ALR locks are possibly a weak point.
About compactness…
All these tripods have the same overall diameter (the three legs together) so for traveling only the folded length and weight changes from tripod to tripod.
So if you were confused about tripods, you probably still are now….
Edited by RedRebel on Dec 05, 2005 at 09:23 AM GMT
Edited by RedRebel on Dec 05, 2005 at 09:25 AM GMT
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