Kenj8246
Well-known
Second the above poster's comments. No substitute for hands on inspection and 'bonding'.
Kenny
Kenny
skibeerr
Well-known
How long would you be lugging it around? You will have yo find a compromise between weight and stability. I use a Gitzo traveller and for backpacking I find it rather heavy (3 lbs with the head) .
It would be perfect for your TLR considering your hight and not to bad for your Leica (no mirror).
Try to get a look at the Sirui range, they feel great for almost half the price of a Gitzo. Remember that the 025 in Back Ally's pic has a fixed centre column so imo it is only suitable for very compact cameras.
On the other hand the best tripod is the one you have with you so if size and weight would be a obstacle to take it with you you might consider the smallest, lightest one.
As said before buying on specs is a bad idea, go and fondle some at a store or try to get together with people who own one.
It would be perfect for your TLR considering your hight and not to bad for your Leica (no mirror).
Try to get a look at the Sirui range, they feel great for almost half the price of a Gitzo. Remember that the 025 in Back Ally's pic has a fixed centre column so imo it is only suitable for very compact cameras.
On the other hand the best tripod is the one you have with you so if size and weight would be a obstacle to take it with you you might consider the smallest, lightest one.
As said before buying on specs is a bad idea, go and fondle some at a store or try to get together with people who own one.
srtiwari
Daktari
Thanks for all the feedback re: choices. I was leaning no pun) towards a Monopod, but am now reconsidering. I like the Sirui range on my online search, but am still undecided. I may wait until going to NY later.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I just bought the same Sirui that Joe bought and posted the pic of.
It's a brilliant little tripod but if I have one minor criticism it would be the ball head and base plate setup ... it's pretty fiddly to get on and off IMO.
And I don't like having to carry an allen key around to attach the plate to the camera and although the screw to do this also has a coin slot in it I may have trouble getting it tight enough with my credit card!
It's a brilliant little tripod but if I have one minor criticism it would be the ball head and base plate setup ... it's pretty fiddly to get on and off IMO.
And I don't like having to carry an allen key around to attach the plate to the camera and although the screw to do this also has a coin slot in it I may have trouble getting it tight enough with my credit card!
skibeerr
Well-known
Keith,
would you use it with a camera like your Bronica RF?
I have been looking at this little marvel but wondered about its capability to support such a camera.
Wim
would you use it with a camera like your Bronica RF?
I have been looking at this little marvel but wondered about its capability to support such a camera.
Wim
I just bought the same Sirui that Joe bought and posted the pic of.
It's a brilliant little tripod but if I have one minor criticism it would be the ball head and base plate setup ... it's pretty fiddly to get on and off IMO.
And I don't like having to carry an allen key around to attach the plate to the camera and although the screw to do this also has a coin slot in it I may have trouble getting it tight enough with my credit card!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I don't doubt the overall strength of the tripod itself but I'd worry about the size of the mounting plate and the effect it may have on the camera's base plate ... that said I think there is an alternative plate with more surface area available for larger cameras.
It really is a great little tripod for the price and I can't believe just how rigid carbon fibre actualy is!
marcr1230
Well-known
Anyone traver or hike with the Gitzo 3532S ? I'm now considering this vs the 2542T
the both cost the same - in a non-budget constrained world, I would pick both and use
the 2542T for air travel and hiking. car travel and home type setups the 3532S
the better more stable tripod is clearly the 3532S, although the 2542T is not shabby.
how much more cumbersome would it be to port around the 3532S ?
what would you do ?
the both cost the same - in a non-budget constrained world, I would pick both and use
the 2542T for air travel and hiking. car travel and home type setups the 3532S
the better more stable tripod is clearly the 3532S, although the 2542T is not shabby.
how much more cumbersome would it be to port around the 3532S ?
what would you do ?
peter_n
Veteran
Here's what I did: My main tripod is a Gitzo 3541LS which folds to a handy 21.7" and fits in my checked luggage. I bought a Gitzo 1541T traveler but was not happy with the max height without center column extended or (to be honest) the stability. So I bought a Benro C2680T traveler and after a long period of comparison and use, sold the 1541T. The Benro is just a better tripod. So I have a 3-series and a travel tripod.
The Gitzo 3532S is a great tripod and for a 3 leg section folds to a very respectable 24.4". That will go diagonally into a plane's checked luggage. The 2542T folds to an excellent 16.93", but the max height without the column extended is only 46.85" which really isn't good enough. As I'm sure you know center column use doesn't enhance stability. My Benro has a max height without the column extended of 51.6" and it folds to 16.7", a wee bit shorter than the 2542T. So my take on the Gitzo 2542T is that I'm not that impressed with the spec. Also I know it's one of their new designs with a reinforced base but I'm done buying Gitzos that come with center columns because of the number of defects/breakages that have occurred with those designs, especially in severe cold.
If I have a car at the other end I take the Gitzo systematic with its Arca-Swiss Z1 head. If no car I take the Benro traveler with its Acratech head. I considered selling both and getting an in-betweener like a Gitzo 2-series systematic or a RRS series 2 but I like my 3-series Gitzo so much I couldn't do it. You want a tripod that's really stable and with great vibration control, and it's not hard to see why the 3-series models are Gitzos best sellers.
majid
Fazal Majid
FYI, B&H has attractive rebates on Gitzo Mountaineer tripods until the end of the month. Not on the Traveler or Explorer lines, unfortunately.
The 3-section GT1531 is what I'd get. I have the older G1127 Mk2 with an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, and it's a great carry-around tripod, very light. The Traveler is slightly lighter and much more compact. If you don't need a full-height tripod, the Novoflex BasicBall is an excellent choice.
The 3-section GT1531 is what I'd get. I have the older G1127 Mk2 with an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, and it's a great carry-around tripod, very light. The Traveler is slightly lighter and much more compact. If you don't need a full-height tripod, the Novoflex BasicBall is an excellent choice.
marcr1230
Well-known
I went with the Benro C2680T for a walk-around tripod for hikes and to be able to carry it on planes. I ordered from Holgacamera, which seems to be a guy in Hong Kong. I paid $319 + $20 expedited shipping. The order was placed Wednesday early morning, I received the tripod Saturday (props to HK Post and USPS).
It looks/feels very good, high quality and stable. the tripod comes with a removable center column (about 12") and a replacement short column which is essentially just a base with no elevation possible. these are swappable without tools. The legs have 2 angle positions normal and super spread out for low shots, and of course the 4 section legs can be individually adjusted/extended as required. Also included is a decent carry bag, and spike feet.
Can't wait to use it, now waiting for the acratech GP-ss ball head.
I decided to hold off on the larger Gitzo until I digest this one and see how
well it serves my needs.
Anyone want a classic Bogen 3001 ?
It looks/feels very good, high quality and stable. the tripod comes with a removable center column (about 12") and a replacement short column which is essentially just a base with no elevation possible. these are swappable without tools. The legs have 2 angle positions normal and super spread out for low shots, and of course the 4 section legs can be individually adjusted/extended as required. Also included is a decent carry bag, and spike feet.
Can't wait to use it, now waiting for the acratech GP-ss ball head.
I decided to hold off on the larger Gitzo until I digest this one and see how
well it serves my needs.
Anyone want a classic Bogen 3001 ?
srtiwari
Daktari
Based on comments from Joe and Keith, I went ahead and bought the Sirui T-025X, which arrived today. It is a lovely piece of work, and seems very right for the x100s and my Leica RF bodies with a 35 or 50 on it. Thanks guys !
For the Mamiya 7 and the Rolleiflex, I will plan down the road...
For the Mamiya 7 and the Rolleiflex, I will plan down the road...