Giottos Vitruvian

first of all the Virtuvian is NOT a replacement for the 055 .. it's a good tripod, very good, but the stability isn't as good as the 055.
the Vitruvian is more of a convenience for travel and weight, and bear in mind it also doubles up as one of the legs unscrews giving the monopod option too.

so basically, not a replacement, but a very good extra for when the situation needs.
 
The virtuvian and the benro travel angels are Chinese knock offs of the gitzo traveller series, with Benro being the closer copy to the original. Don't quote me on this but its more or less the case from reading the interwebs.

I have the carbon fiber Benro one and only used it once so far but it performed admirably for the a 10sec exposure. The main reason I didn't get the virtuvian was because it is 5 section, which in my opinion makes the final leg too thin for stable support.
 
The Vitruvian and Travel Angel certainly used the Gitzo traveller as their inspiration - the vitruvian was launched with the monopod feature which Benro then copied although officially I haven't seen it in the UK range but it can be bought through several Hong Kong based retailers.
I've used the Vitruvian with a D80 and 18-135 kit lens for 45 second exposures without any problems - perhaps if it had been windy it would be a different story. The 055 is a great tripod and being heavier than the Vitruvian will be more stable but do you want to carry it around.
Best thing is to get along to a show where Giottos are exhibiting or a dealer with stock to see the product, take your camera and try it - just remember the Vitruvian is designed as a lightweight tripod so if you want lightweight there is usually a compromise to be made on stability. Also, last time I spoke to the Giottos guys at a show, they did suggest that they might be introducing a slightly larger version with higher weight capacity early 2011 - maybe Focus.:thumbs:
 
I bought myself a Vitruvian CF for christmas. Not had a chance to use it in anger yet (health and weather) but it does seem fairly sturdy and stable. Not as S&S as my Manfrotto 190 but then again, it's 1/2 the weight! When I get around to it, I shall set it up with the 150-500 at the long end, focussed on a pinprick of light to check it for stability.
 
I have the metal vitruvian and although its not like my previous redsnapper sturdiness wise, its lightness and size more than make up for it. I have used it with my 150-500 and a gripped 40d hanging off of it as both a tripod and monopod without problems. Basically I now have a tripod I can use because I just couldn't carry my redsnapper around before that!
 
menthel said:
I have the metal vitruvian and although its not like my previous redsnapper sturdiness wise, its lightness and size more than make up for it. I have used it with my 150-500 and a gripped 40d hanging off of it as both a tripod and monopod without problems. Basically I now have a tripod I can use because I just couldn't carry my redsnapper around before that!
Click to expand...

Yeah :lol: not having a car makes carrying the redsnapper a bit of a chore.
I bring my travel angel out all the time now because its almost weightless to carry.
 
That's a lovely image - I do love Venice but never seem to get very far as i'm always stopping with the camera.
My personal view is that if money were no object then I'm sure I would buy a Gitzo, I did look at Gitzo and Benro equivalent before deciding on the Giottos - I got good advice from them at Focus and I have been delighted with my choice.
 
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