I have a Gitzo GT3530LS and a Feisol CT-3402. The Gitzo is great because it's a enormous beast, but...it's an enormous beast. I find myself using the Feisol far more, because I travel and hike a lot, and this little tripod punches well above its weight (literally). If I'm close to the car or using a long telephoto, I'll grab the Gitzo, but more often than not, it stays in the car.
I love how solid and tall the Gitzo is (I'm 5'7", so it's taller than me when fully extended with zero flex), but I'm wondering what might be a better compromise for my needs. Currently, my heaviest combo is a Canon 5DsR and EF 100-400mm II, so the Gitzo is being underutilized, but eventually, I plan to invest in a 500 or 600mm prime, so I'd like a tripod that can comfortably support that kind of weight.
I was at a local camera store yesterday and they had a GT2542, which seemed solid and much more compact than my 3530. It got me thinking about trading my Gitzo for something else. In a perfect world, my priorities are the following. I know the world isn't perfect, so I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts.
Capable of heavy-duty use while being at or under 3.5lbs.
60"+ tall without extending a center column.
Compact enough that it could fit in a carry-on suitcase, even if I have to remove the head and/or reverse the legs like a Gitzo Traveler series.
I'm open to any and all brands and price ranges. I plan to buy used and can patiently wait for a good deal to come along.
Thanks!
Nov 10, 2024 at 11:20 AM
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