My journey into tripodland - casual Gitzo and Sirui review

[retinax]

Ah, thread is taking off!

Gitzo sells their own Twist-Lock Grease, but it seems a bit expensive for what it is:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1044775-REG/gitzo_gsgrease02_grease_set_of_2.html

On the other hand, RRS (another carbon tripod maker) has a cleaning guide, and they recommend Phil Wood Waterproof Grease, normally used for bicycle applications. I've used their Tenacious Oil on other non-bicycle applications like squeaky door hinges, and they make a great product. That and they're local to me, so it's nice to support a "hometown" company:
https://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/cleaning-tripod-legs/

Yeah, I won't buy grease packaged by Gitzo. 🙄
This is not a demanding application for a grease I think, it's just for the threads. Repeat because someone has mentioned it, only the threads in twist locks get lubricated! I want something that's not too sticky so it can be easily removed as soon as it has accumulated particles again, and these white bicycle greases indeed have the consistency that should facilitate removal, more like butter than like honey.

[...] and slung the tripod with camera over my shoulder.

In the case of the C330f, it has a very robust bottom plate, separate from the film door. In the case of the Autocord, Minolta made a Paradjuster (parallax correction device) that screwed to the tripod underneath and to the camera on top, so I don't think Minolta was squeamish about using the tripod socket to affix the camera to a tripod.

- Murray

I've carried the camera on the tripod as well, seems ok with something reasonably light like a TLR. And yes, the Autocord film door is certainly stable enough to take it. Might be trouble in stronger wind though, feels like it could vibrate enough to cause blur.

 

[Brian Atherton]

I have a Gitzo Reporter with a ball head, bought sometime in the mid-60s. It’s the oldest piece of photographic gear I still own and use on a regular basis.

Absolutely bomb-proof. Used professionally from new until the mid-90s day-in-day-out on sand-blown beaches and salt water, standing in river water, city down pours and summer sun and in a studio (with medium and 4x5 inch format). Cleaned once a year, it has never let me down and nothing has broke. Currently I use it with a telescope for bird watching - the ball head is a bit clunky for this but it works.

Although at the time I purchased it I thought it was expensive, it’s the best piece of kit I’ve bought and owned, value-wise.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Gitzo sells their own Twist-Lock Grease, but it seems a bit expensive for what it is:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1044775-REG/gitzo_gsgrease02_grease_set_of_2.html

On the other hand, RRS (another carbon tripod maker) has a cleaning guide, and they recommend Phil Wood Waterproof Grease, normally used for bicycle applications. I've used their Tenacious Oil on other non-bicycle applications like squeaky door hinges, and they make a great product. That and they're local to me, so it's nice to support a "hometown" company:
https://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/cleaning-tripod-legs/

Thanks for this, the video was helpful and have just ordered some grease for the tripod (and bike). I’ve got a large Gitzo CF tripod, for a dozen years or so, which I have never disassembled and the locks could use it. Who knew?🙂

 

[css9450]

I've been using an Induro carbon fiber tripod for about the last five years. I like it. Induro is a Chinese-made brand of tripods which are probably knockoffs of some other brand. I had even considered buying a similar model from RSS (for four times the price) but they burned me on an earlier purchase so they're off my list forever.

Before the Induro, I used Manfrotto/Bogen aluminum tripods. I had a couple of them... Eventually various aluminum locks and clamps get brittle and break and I was cannabilizing my first Bogen to keep the second one serviceable. I think the problem comes from keeping it in the car trunk in winter.... Take out the tripod for the first photo of the day, and something or the other will crack from the extreme cold.

I use my tripod a lot and stability is important. I've seen people struggle with cheap flimsy tripods (or they take forever to level their camera because there aren't enough adjustments). Buy a good one and it'll be a pleasure to use.

 

[retinax]

What are everyone's thoughts about spikes on a tripod? I've had some ground covered in old leaves where I think they would have added a lot of stability. I'm already thinking about modifying the Gitzo to take spikes... shouldn't be too hard. I'd glue 3/8-16 threaded sleeves into the feet ends of the tubes, only problem is that they're hard to find in Europe.

 

[Hari]

original Tiltalls have retractable spikes with rubber feet

 

[dourbalistar]

Thanks for this, the video was helpful and have just ordered some grease for the tripod (and bike). I’ve got a large Gitzo CF tripod, for a dozen years or so, which I have never disassembled and the locks could use it. Who knew?🙂

Glad it was helpful. I guess with many of us sheltering in place, we have nothing better to do than disassemble and clean our tripods. 😉

 

[icebear]

....Two paracord loops, one around the center column lock, one for the feet end, and a strap from a bag. Works pretty well, although the feet end is a bit fiddly. I will have to rummage around cabinets and drawers for a slightly lighter strap. Please let me know how you all carry your tripods!
....

I have a GT-2513 with RRS BH-40 ballhead. I thought I buy something sturdy in case I venture into medium format one day. 😉 In the rare cases I really need to carry it, I have a OP/Tech tripod strap with neoprene shoulder pad and simple straps that I can lug around the head and leg end of the tripod.
The cheapest of this combo was obviously the strap.🙄

 

[peter_n]

I've used more than a dozen tripods so far, and even more tripod heads. Don't ask. I currently only use four tripods and about eight heads and I stay clear of center columns. The reason I've gone through all this gear is that you just can't trust the reviews, so I buy one for myself and see if it works for me. I've settled down now and my most used tripod is a RRS TQC/TFC-14 Mk2, and my other current users are a RRS TVC/TFC-33S (I'm 68" in height), a Berlebach 302 Report and a Benro A2970T with an articulating rachet center column. The RRS tripods are carbon fiber, the Berlebach is wooden and the Benro is aluminum. I use Arca Swiss geared tripod heads and Acratech and FLM ballheads. Of all the brands I've tried my favorites are a RRS tripod with an Arca-Swiss tripod head. They're not cheap but both are really well thought out with outstanding industrial design in the finishing, and they are seriously durable and most of all very stable. You get what you pay for. Below is the RRS TFC-33S with Arca Swiss d4 geared head and in the background the Berlebach 302 Report with its FLM CB-48FT ballhead.

 

[Godfrey]

What are everyone's thoughts about spikes on a tripod? I've had some ground covered in old leaves where I think they would have added a lot of stability. I'm already thinking about modifying the Gitzo to take spikes... shouldn't be too hard. I'd glue 3/8-16 threaded sleeves into the feet ends of the tubes, only problem is that they're hard to find in Europe.

I have spikes for two of my tripod legs, but only rarely find them necessary. They seem to work best for me on fairly hard ground, where the normal feet work better most of the time (and don't risk marking wood flooring...).

G

 

[raydm6]

]...
Lately I have been groovin with my Ries..yup..the wood one..
I have 2 of them..the lighter weight one gets all the usage..
Just something about a Ries..very organic..and solid as a rock..

Emile, I got a Ries too.
It's a their largest w/the one way head
from late '40s for the Kodak 2-D 8x10 only.

Count me in with a Ries also. Beautifully organic: combination of wood, steel, and brass. A junior model but heavy 🙂


Ries_Tripod by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[maigo]

Glad it was helpful. I guess with many of us sheltering in place, we have nothing better to do than disassemble and clean our tripods. 😉

I have the Sirui T-024X Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod, bought new in 2016.
Darn thing has rotating collars to tighten and loosen the leg segments.
Seldom use the tripod so I never remember which direction to turn the collar when I am extending or retracting.
And of course the collars rotate all the way off.
Thus I have inadvertently loosened too much and the segments fall off and drop all the bits on the floor. Or in the grass. Or in the dirt.