Gitzo

I don't have that particular Gitzo, but I do have the GT3530LSV from the same range. All these Gitzo tripods are heavy duty models designed to support heavy gear with maximum rigidity. Mine is a CF model, but the actual weight difference between CF and aluminium is pretty minimal.

The thing you need to consider with any of this range is how tall it will be erected to it's maximum height, because with no centre column - that's your lot, and a centre column is undesirable anyway as the more you raise it, the more you compromise stability. These tripods are just a very strong set of legs providing a top plate onto which to bolt your chosen head - in my case a gimbal head.

These tripods aren't cheap, and it's only a matter of time before someone comes along to tell you that you can get one costing half the price from the far east or from some dubious source that few people have heard of. Often they're an unashamed copy of the Gitzo anyway. Don't be sucked in -the genuine article is the one to get. I can honestly say that the GT3530LSV is the best tripod I've ever used - pleasantly light to carry considering the rigidity it provides, and a delight to erect and collapse with the single twist anti lock legs which all the later models now have.

Just make sure that you check out the max weight capacity of the one you fancy and be sure it allows a good safety margin for the weight of the kit you intend to mount on it .As I said earlier, be sure that the max height of the tripod is OK for you when you're standing upright.

Some models come with a choice of 3 or 4 section legs, the latter usually folding down a bit shorter if that's important to you.
 
Much what CT has already said, I personally use a 1348mk2 same as the 3 series, and a 5530S which is a series 5.

Is there any particular reason why you have chosen the the aluminium version ?.

I can think of a few good reasons not to use Aluminium,

1. Carbon fibre doesn't transmit vibrations any where near as much as aluminium.
2. Carbon fibre is a lot warmer on the hands in the winter, aluminium tripods get mega cold during winter.
3. If using it in water especially the sea, CF will be better.
4. the CF one is probably a bit lighter.

Reasons not to use CF

1. Cost.
 
Thanks for the replies from both you guys.:clap:

This particular model will hold 18kg which is plenty for my 500f4 and Gimbal head, leaving plenty spare.

CT-- by the copies i take it you mean a Benro? I have the Benro gimbal head and so far im over the moon with it, however i have never used a proper Wimberley to compare.I did look at a very similar Benro to be honest and havent ruled it out as yet but want opinions on this first of all. I believe the height to be fine but will double check before buying. Can you tell me how the centre disc holds into the centre section of the tripod as i think it may be a worry.

MHO-- i chose to look at this particular tripod due to max weight, a review i read and for me the biggest is the price. Others in the range look great but cost just cant be justified given that i have become unemployed just now.If there is any others around the £300-£350 range worth considering then im open to suggestions.
 
If it suites your needs and cost is a factor, I cant see you going wrong with it, shop around as some deals maybe had on say the model before it will be essentially the same tripod but may not have 1 particular enhancement on it.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Thanks for the replies from both you guys.:clap:

This particular model will hold 18kg which is plenty for my 500f4 and Gimbal head, leaving plenty spare.

CT-- by the copies i take it you mean a Benro? I have the Benro gimbal head and so far im over the moon with it, however i have never used a proper Wimberley to compare.I did look at a very similar Benro to be honest and havent ruled it out as yet but want opinions on this first of all. I believe the height to be fine but will double check before buying. Can you tell me how the centre disc holds into the centre section of the tripod as i think it may be a worry.
Click to expand...
The Benro was one of those I had in mind Mark. To be honest, I've never had a close look at a Benro tripod. I have however seen a few Benro gimbals which are alright - I'd put it no stronger than that, and probably perfectly servicable. Where I take issue is when people say these copies are as good as the original Wimberly which clearly isn't the case from what I've seen, the latter being built like a tank in comparison.

But hey.... you gotsta cut your cloth according to how you're fixed, I completely understand that.

Why is the centre disc a worry mate? The legs are fastenened (hinged) directly to the centre disc.
 
Can you tell me how the centre disc holds into the centre section of the tripod as i think it may be a worry.

Hi Mark,
It is just a clamp ring which needs checking from time to time as it can work loose !!!!
Not happen to me but I know someone who dropped a 1D111 and a 600mm
lens when carrying over the shoulder.
A solution is available from NatureScapes.net in the form of a simple plate
called the "Naturescapes Safety Plate for Gitzo tripods"
Excellent article on their website with pics etc.
$69 odd what that would be in £ no idea, would be possible to machine one
I suppose if you had the gear or maybe a machine shop could make one.
C
 
I wouldn't worry about the centre disc, both mine gitzo's are older versions which dont have the new power disc's, cant see why you would really need them, used to swing a 600f4 from mine now its a 400 f2.8 which is heavier.

A 1325 or 1348 will get you what your after in CF used for around £300, parts are readily available and are reasonably priced.

Have you asked Kerso for a price ?.
 
markyboy.1967 said:
This particular model will hold 18kg which is plenty for my 500f4 and Gimbal head, leaving plenty spare.
Click to expand...

In blustery conditions, you want enough strength to support your camera and lens on top and a bag of rocks hanging below to help keep it still...

Andrew
 
mho said:
I wouldn't worry about the centre disc, both mine gitzo's are older versions which dont have the new power disc's, cant see why you would really need them, used to swing a 600f4 from mine now its a 400 f2.8 which is heavier.

A 1325 or 1348 will get you what your after in CF used for around £300, parts are readily available and are reasonably priced.

Have you asked Kerso for a price ?.
Click to expand...

Im having trouble getting specs for the 1348.
 
Mark
I just typed Gitzo 1348 specifications in on Google and it brought up 7th one down a PDF 3 page article just scroll down for full spec.
C
 
Just reading that pdf Mark, it seems the tripod has the double leg locks which are an absolute PITA! Good tripod, but if you possibly can, look for one with the single leg locks - which never jam up and make the tripod far more pleasant to use.
 
CT
What do you mean by double leg locks ?
With four leg extensions it must have three twist locks or am I missing something !!!
C
 
Ceejay said:
CT
What do you mean by double leg locks ?
With four leg extensions it must have three twist locks or am I missing something !!!
C
Click to expand...
It's kind of difficult to explain, but the 'double' leg locks are the earlier type where you extend the first section and tighten the lock. As you unlock the next section down it has a habit of loosening the lock above which you've just tightened and almost regardless of how tight you fastened the first lock. You end up grabbing each lock and turning them both in different directions (to tighten one and loosen the other)

The 'double' lock is probably not a good description other than you end up wresting with two locks each time you extend a section.

The later anti -jam single action lock has no such issues and is a a doddle to use in comparison, which is no doubt why Gitzo replaced the earlier type.

Hope that makes sense? :D
 
Thanks.
See what you mean now, I must agree with that. One of the reasons I changed to a newer model.
C
 
Ceejay said:
Thanks.
See what you mean now, I must agree with that. One of the reasons I changed to a newer model.
C
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I have 2 Gitzo tripods - one of each type, and the difference is like night and day in use. You can end up with pretty sore hands by the time you've erected the earlier type.

Here's Bob Atkins on the subject - from the above link...


Gitzo Leg Locks
Everyone loves Gitzo tripods, but hates the leg locks. They use a rotating collar lock design with very few parts (so they don't break) and which can be taken apart and cleaned in the field with no tools. There's also nothing sicking out from the legs to catch on branches, cameras straps etc. That's the good part. The bad part is that you have to tighten them in the right order and with the right tension or the legs can be a real pain to extend. If you don't tighten the top one enough and overtighten the lower one, then when you try to losen the lower leg lock, the upper leg rotates, not the lock. You can have endless fun trying to extend all the sections. Evetually you can learn the right tightning sequence and tension, but you will still long for the Bogen "flip" locks which take seconds to operate, not minutes. However the Bogen locks sometimes come loose (requiring a nut driver and scredriver to tighten) and they occasionally break, so they aren't perfect either.
 
CT said:
Unfortunately I have 2 Gitzo tripods - one of each type, and the difference is like night and day in use. You can end up with pretty sore hands by the time you've erected the earlier type.

Here's Bob Atkins on the subject - from the above link...


Gitzo Leg Locks
Everyone loves Gitzo tripods, but hates the leg locks. They use a rotating collar lock design with very few parts (so they don't break) and which can be taken apart and cleaned in the field with no tools. There's also nothing sicking out from the legs to catch on branches, cameras straps etc. That's the good part. The bad part is that you have to tighten them in the right order and with the right tension or the legs can be a real pain to extend. If you don't tighten the top one enough and overtighten the lower one, then when you try to losen the lower leg lock, the upper leg rotates, not the lock. You can have endless fun trying to extend all the sections. Evetually you can learn the right tightning sequence and tension, but you will still long for the Bogen "flip" locks which take seconds to operate, not minutes. However the Bogen locks sometimes come loose (requiring a nut driver and scredriver to tighten) and they occasionally break, so they aren't perfect either.
Click to expand...

I have never had a problem with mine, i think the mk2 version of the 1348 addressed some of the issues. Its been fully submerged in sea water for over a week at a time and still functioned correctly. I know a lot of other people have trouble, but i think its just knowing the correct sequence to tighten / untighten. But each to their own.
 
Not sure, last time I bought one from Edinburgh branch phoned first and gave them three model nos. All of which they had in stock, went straight up there and selected the one I wanted. If they haven't got the one you want I'm sure they have a van shuttling? between the two branches.
C
 
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