Carbon Monopods and Tripods

whitey

whitey

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i am after some info on these, whats best to lookout for and whats not

i am after a carbon tripod and monopod (monopod first) to help reduce alittle weight with carrying alot around

needs to be sturdy and extend to say 7ft if possible

the tripod needs to be sturdy and light as well, tripod and head would be best in that regard but again, not sure whats best

i currently use slik pro stuff but want something alittle lighter

thanks
 
I just ordered a Gitzo 3551 monopod which extends to 6'3", the rest I looked at only came up to 5'2" which wasn't close to enough. The 3551 is supposed to be light and holds up to 18kg so it's very sturdy - although at a price! It arrived this morning actually so I'm looking forward to having a good look at it when I get home from work tonight :)
 
sounds interesting, could you stick up some sample pics if you dont mind?

it doesnt have to extend that high, 6ft would do, would just mean i could be more lazy if it extended further lol
 
whitey said:
sounds interesting, could you stick up some sample pics if you dont mind?

it doesnt have to extend that high, 6ft would do, would just mean i could be more lazy if it extended further lol
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I'll try and get a couple of pics of it up if I get the chance. I got it for my trip to Florida next week so I'll be giving it a proper work out over there and then doing a littler review of it when I get back.

I wanted one that would extend as high as it could so that on the occasions I did need it high up I wouldn't have to bend over too much, which can get uncomfortable after a while.
 
I have a Gitzo GT3540 XLS which extends to 1.98 metres, so a tad under 7 foot. Has 4 leg sections and is lightweiught, considering the number of parts it has.

Not sure whether Ian (Kerso) is still selling them, but I got mine for £479 IIRC.

As for head, IMHO the Really Right Stuff BH-55 is hard to beat...I've had a play and tested the huge Kirk head, Acratech, but bought the Really Right Stuff, based on online reviews etc. and really can't fault it.

For the RRS ballhead, I paid a total of £262.30 (including import duty and tax etc.), but that was when the £ was favourable against the dollar ($1.96 IIRC), although the card companies never give the actual exchange rate.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/full/BH55LR.gif
 
the plan for me is as follows

carry my gear around in a box, then when at places liek croft stand on the box and want something that goes to the floor

its not a must however as i could live without it, no rush for pics but a review would be good thanks
 
I've swapped all my Manfrotto stuff for Gitzo carbon legs and magnesium heads.
Started with the G2227M for macro and regular use, added the G3540XLS for the long lenses and then got a GM2560T Monopod on here.

I use a G1276M off centre ball head and a G2272M three way on the 2227 and the monopod.

The G-lock system is rock solid and noise free (useful for wildlife) and the QR plates have no slop whatsoever.

It's not the cheapest support gear out there but it does seem to represent good value for the outlay I think that strength versus price would be on par with the best of them.

Bob
 
My vote goes for Gitzo as well, you just cant buy better gear.
 
whitey said:
its not a must however as i could live without it, no rush for pics but a review would be good thanks
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Just a quick note to say, initial impressions of the 3551 are VERY good indeed! It's built like a tank, rock solid even when fully extended and of course very tall at 6'2" fully extended. I'll report back once I've used it but I think ti's going to be one seriously good bit of kit! Only trouble is, I want a matching tripod now!
 
sounds interesting

thanks for all the recommendations folks, looking around them over the next week or so before deciding on something

Monopod would be first then a tripod
 
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