Sorry, another tripod thread

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bostin

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It's been a while since i've been on the forum and i'm hoping to get a bit of tripod advice.

I'm looking for a new tripod primarily for use with long lens, probably a Sigma 300 2.8 on a D600 sometimes with a 2 x converter. Now I think i've got my head around tripods and understand that lightweight and stable kit doesn't come cheap, so i've been looking around at options available. I've been a long time fan of Giottos, they've given me good advice at shows and i have one of their travel vitruvian tripods which i love, so they offer a larger carbon model capable of supporting 10kg (YTL8213) which i'm thinking of, but i've also seen good reports of Feisol and Benro products that resemble Gitzo systematics. Now the systematic seems to be the holy grail if money isn't an object, so what i'm trying to understand is how much difference in 'performance' am i going to see if i buy a Giottos or Feisol / Benro systematic clone compared to the real thing?

Sorry, i know this thing is asked all the time, but i'm curious to know whether the higher prices of Gitzo will be worth it.

Thanks

Bos
 
I found the "normal", obvious Gitzo/RRS solution way too expensive for my taste.

Went an alternative way for a third of the price, and now - near two years later - I've had no regrets at all!
Heavy, solid, vibration free, have seen rocks, bogs, saltwater, sand and what not... still as good as day one.

They always say Gitzo will last a lifetime.
In my case that would be somewhere around ~20 years, if I'm lucky...
So my conclusion was, that if this "cheap" solution can last 6 years, I can just replace it and have a brand new setup three times!
biggrin3.gif


Benro C3770T systemic with B3 ball head and PC1 panoclamp...


Did a little review for the setup here at tp: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/benro-c3770t-carbon-fibre-tripod.442107/
 
I bought a Diat carbon fibre tripod, (see link below), a couple of weeks ago from a forum member and have to say it is a superb piece of kit. I wanted something light, but solid, for use with my Sigma 150-500 and Canon 7D. I also bought a Giottos MH1300621 ball head and together they are a perfect match and fulfil all of my requirements and quite frankly for the money, they are unbeatable.


www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1515mm-Ca...19?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item53f7810163
 
I have a Velbon Sherpa 600r, which I've used with my Sigma 300 f/2.8 and extenders. It's not bad, and quite light too. I also use it with a spotting scope for birding, in fact a lot of birders use this tripod.

The only other tripod I've used often is a Manfrotto 055. This is more stable than the Velbon, but felt heavier, though I haven't actually weighed them.
 
Can't answer your question not having tried the various clones, but very satisfied with the series 3 systematic. Money was an object when I considered what to get, but wasn't a fortune when you consider what an important purchase a good tripod is. More affordable if you can get the outogoing model given any changes are often more cosmetic than a major design change, ALR or other companies versions are well worth having though

Light, stable and folds down to 55cm for transporting, leg locks work as they should and comes apart easily for cleaning/servicing plus spares readily available if needed.

Also got an older series 1 for travelling light, that also does what it should and is surprisingly stable given its smaller leg diameter

No doubt all the other various makes have their strengths, but I opted for the tried and trusted, not found any reason thus far to complain.

One other factor is make sure you get a good quality head otherwise you will have wasted your money getting a stable tripod if the head doesn't hold the camera combo steady
 
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I've got a Gitzo systematic 5532LS and its a great bit of kit. I'd struggled along with an old manfrotto for years and the difference is night and day. I don't regret spending the money. I use it with a 500 f4 and 1D MkIV or 5D MkIII.

I would try and get one that the ball head or gimbal head attaches straight to the legs Pretty pointless having a heavy duty, stable tripod and a spindly centre column.

Only you can decide if its worth the money. If you use a tripod a lot then it makes it easier to justify the outlay. One thing is sure,if you buy a Gitzo or similar you won't regret it.

One flaw with a Gitzo, and I don't know if it has been addressed by the company, is that the clamp screw that locks the plate in on the top of the legs can loosen and there have been some instances of the plate dropping out with big lenses attached when being carried.
 
One flaw with a Gitzo, and I don't know if it has been addressed by the company, is that the clamp screw that locks the plate in on the top of the legs can loosen and there have been some instances of the plate dropping out with big lenses attached when being carried.
Click to expand...

I thought the newer models like yours had an improved safe lock top plate to stop this problem with a locking lever instead of the bolt, older ones can use this device http://www.naturescapes.net/store/nsn-safety_plate-for-gitzo-tripods-gsp55.html

Thinking about getting one of the Markins replacement hubs for mine, cuts down the weight a bit and makes it more compact when folded down. http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/TH.php?req=TH300 Being one casting it would also solve any possible security issues with the top plate, not that I have ever had that problem
 
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Yes mine has a small locking catch that engages with the plate released by a button. It doesn't take much to depress the button if the plate is loose. It's a PPD in my opinion on something so expensive. There should be another one on the opposite side. I've had my plate come loose a couple of times although I very rarely carry my 500 mounted on the tripod because I find it uncomfortable that way.
 
Hi, ive just got a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH and its very sturdy, so wouldnt be a problem with a long lens, cost me 200 Euros takes a good amount of weight on the head so wouldnt be a problem for your lens. one drawback is that it wieghs about 2.3kilos.
 
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