p.1 #1 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
Hi,
As the saying goes, the best tripod is the one you have with you.
I'd therefore like to buy the best tripod and head for travel (after reviewing prices - I'm willing to bite the bullet and pay for the best - so ignore price).
I'd be in New-York for a family-wedding next month, so I'm preparing my "shopping list".
Will appreciate the help of the experienced!
Requirements:
Capable of reliably carrying a D700 with up to 70-200 (in moderate winds etc)
Small size when folded - for easy carrying when abroad and on foot with a backpack
Versatile in terms of photographic positions - as the above requirements allow.
I'm 1.77 meter high so extra tall tripod is not a need...
Main use: Travel photography - mainly landscape and people. Panoramas and Macro - not as main area)
My thoughts:
Tripod: Could use your advice here. I was thinking of:
Gitzo GT1541T (41cm folded) or
GK2580TQR (43cm folded) - Can I separate the head on this one and use
one from the list below?
Benro c269 - looks great on paper (37.5cm / 14.8 inch folded)- can I use a
head from below? Is this a better choice?
Head: Arca-Swiss z1 head (any thoughts on Single vs Dual Pan Sp/DP?)
RRS BH55/40 - main issue with this choice is that I can only
order online and won't be able to play with it (correct me
if I'm wrong)
Plate: No idea... Is L-bracket a must for my needs?
Hoping it will serve others,
Appreciate your help,
Hadar.
p.1 #2 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
The absolute best of the bunch would be the GK2580TQR, which is a traveler-style series 2 Gitzo. The 1541T is similar, but a smaller class -- so not as sturdy with a long lens. It's still an excellent tripod, but the 2580 is the best possible if it's not too heavy for you (and you can easily remove the included ballhead to use a different one).
Another option in the Gitzo line to consider is the GT1541, the non-traveler version. It's longer collapsed, but will be a bit sturdier than the 1541T.
If you can afford Gitzo, I wouldn't consider Benro -- they don't have the same reputation, and parts/service might be a problem.
I have a BH-55, but only use it on my large Gitzo. I use a Markins Q3 on a GT1541 for travel. In the RRS line, the BH-40 is a better match for a travel tripod.
I believe that an L-bracket is especially important for a travel tripod, since it helps keep everything balanced.
p.1 #4 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
I would tend to aim at 4 leg sections rather than 5. For that reason, and the point Smiert brought up about parts/service, I wouldn't go with the Benro-- even though I'm quite impressed with the ultra-portable Benro I bought (0-series travel angle, 4 leg sections).
I would also tend to shy away from a 1-series tripod for a 70-200 in moderate wind at full extension. That you have an f/4 instead of f/2.8, though, would be OK.
If money really isn't an issue, it seems like the Gitzo is the safest, sturdiest surest bet. You'll be in New York, so take a look at what B&H has to play with in person.
p.1 #5 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
I sure love my Gitzos. Don't sell short the importance of being able to get replacement parts. I've had to order parts at least three times. Never a problem, and surprisingly cheap. If out of stock for a weird little part, maybe I had to wait three weeks, but you know what ........ I always got the part. I've got a 1 series T, and a 3 series. My 1 series T never fails to put a smile on my face whenever I pick it up. In your case however, I'd get the 2 series T. I need the 1 series because I do a lot of bike riding, and like to be able to slip the 'pod in the Camelback.
Up until the 2 series T came out, the most popular T was the four section one series model. Check out the reviews on BH photo. The ballheads that come with the T series are worthless IMO. I use the Markins Q3 with mine and love it. From what I gather, most others feel the same way about the Q3. The corresponding RRS that's about the same size, doesn't have a pan base, but the Q3 does.
Something you may not realize about the new Gitzos is that the legs don't rotate. This makes a world of difference in speed of opening and closing, as well as making adjustments.
IMPORTANT: If you get a Gitzo T, make sure to spend an extra 8 bucks for the little Gitzo bubble level that attatches to the bottom of the center column. A must if you want to do panos, is to have the tripod level, not just the camera. It used to be a real PITA to level a tripod, but now with the non rotating legs, it's a piece of cake.....as long as you have that little 8 dollor bubble deal. Now the Markins also has a bubble in the clamp, but that really doesn't do it for panos .... for panos, the base of the head needs to be level, not just the clamp or the pano.
p.1 #7 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
Lars Johnsson wrote:
+1
Yes that's what I recommend also
+2, That's the set up I have. GT1541 + Q3 ball head, compact, lightweight, sturdy and tall enough for my need. You can get this setup relatively cheap too.
p.1 #8 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
sunpole wrote:
+2, That's the set up I have. GT1541 + Q3 ball head, compact, lightweight, sturdy and tall enough for my need. You can get this setup relatively cheap too.
How "cheap" are we talkin here? I've been eyeing this setup for some time now ...
p.1 #9 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
With the Gitzo rebate and a Q3 from ebay (<$200), it's in the $700 range. Not "cheap" -- but it's the best support you can get in that size range. My GT1541 without column, +Q3 +RRS lever clamp is 3.2 pounds, all in. Right around 3 pounds even, with the Markins clamp.
p.1 #10 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
I just bought the Benro C269 travel angel. It comes with a nice ballhead for under $500, about 14 inches folded and a little under 4 pounds. I'm thinking about taking it back since it weighs a pound more and is slightly bulkier (albeit shorter folded) and about $100 more than my Induro C014 with the DM01 head. The clamp on the Benro head is much nicer however and it appears to be much more rigid. I'm sorry, I did look at the Gitzos but I can't justify the extra cost for a (to me) less friendly user interface.
p.1 #12 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
I just bought the Benro A268 Travel Angel from BH. I was like you, not too concerned with cost and came close to buying the CF version. However, the aluminum version with B-1 ballhead (which is excellent imo) it is only 1/2 lb heavier than the CF version. Goes to 60", folds to 16.8", rated at 26.5 lb and weighs 4 lb with head. It feels very solid even fully extended. I tried the c068 trvel angel and it was way too wobbly extended. I prefer only 3 twist locks (Benro C/A 269 has 4) - less of a pain to deploy. Very pleased with my choice.
Why? It's a specialized tripod that weighs 3.1 lbs. and is rated to support only 8.8 lbs. I would much rather carry a 3541LS, which weighs only about a half pound more and is rated to support 39.7 lbs.
p.1 #14 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
If you do consider the Benro, consider the 268. Fewer leg sections. If it is anything like my 0-series, but significantly beefier, I think you'll be happy.
But even as a recent convert/advocate of Benro's stuff, everything people say about some of the unknowns is true: longevity, service, ongoing quality, have less user-experience to back up than more established brands. It's cheaper, but it's not the right solution for everyone. And there's less data to make buying a no-brainer.
If you want tried, tested, and true... go with the Gitzo. No one could fault you for doing that.
p.1 #15 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
pgdavis2 wrote:
I just bought the Benro A268 Travel Angel from BH. I was like you, not too concerned with cost and came close to buying the CF version. However, the aluminum version with B-1 ballhead (which is excellent imo) it is only 1/2 lb heavier than the CF version. Goes to 60", folds to 16.8", rated at 26.5 lb and weighs 4 lb with head. It feels very solid even fully extended. I tried the c068 trvel angel and it was way too wobbly extended. I prefer only 3 twist locks (Benro C/A 269 has 4) - less of a pain to deploy. Very pleased with my choice. ...Show more →
I took my Benro C269 back and tried the C068/A068. There is a $200 and half pound difference between the two. You are right, way too wobbly, going to stick with my C014 but I wish I had the B-1 head tho.
p.1 #16 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
Smiert Spionam wrote:
With the Gitzo rebate and a Q3 from ebay (<$200), it's in the $700 range. Not "cheap" -- but it's the best support you can get in that size range. My GT1541 without column, +Q3 +RRS lever clamp is 3.2 pounds, all in. Right around 3 pounds even, with the Markins clamp.
With 8% MS cashback, I got my Gitzo 1541 + Markin Q3 new $600 shipped.
Sure it is send from Asia somewhere and takes a month to get here, but you can get a fairly good deal for such setup.
p.1 #17 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
gearhead5 wrote:
Why? It's a specialized tripod that weighs 3.1 lbs. and is rated to support only 8.8 lbs. I would much rather carry a 3541LS, which weighs only about a half pound more and is rated to support 39.7 lbs.
Why? Well it will fit in a carry on bag without issue, I checked it will fit inside my Lowepro Dry Zone 200 easily with two bodies, lens, etc. Sorry, the 3541LS is a great tripod but it will not fit in regulation size carry on bags. If the request was for load rating I would have suggested a GT5541LS rated at 55.1lbs, love mine
Also, addressing part of the thread's original question the RRS BH-55 & RRS BH-40 are fantastic ballheads, I own both and highly recommend them
p.1 #18 · Best Gitzo Travel Tripod, Head, accessories for up to 200mm
KFG1 wrote:
Why? Well it will fit in a carry on bag without issue, I checked it will fit inside my Lowepro Dry Zone 200 easily with two bodies, lens, etc. Sorry, the 3541LS is a great tripod but it will not fit in regulation size carry on bags. If the request was for load rating I would have suggested a GT5541LS rated at 55.1lbs, love mine
Also, addressing part of the thread's original question the RRS BH-55 & RRS BH-40 are fantastic ballheads, I own both and highly recommend them
My point was that the 1541 makes a lot more sense than this heavier, specialized tripod. And, yes, I would rather travel with a 3541 than this tripod (as it only weighs a 1/2 lb more and is much more stable). I always pack my tripod in my checked luggage.
