Manfrotto 190CXPro 4 and Gitzo Safari

[Amp34]

I'm looking for a small lightweight travel tripod to take with me when walking and lightweight holidays. It's main use will be for shooting with the D7000 and a wide angle/standard lens, however occasionally I may want to stick a bigger lens on it (like the 120-300 at 3kg).

I took the 120-300 to DigitalDepot today and they kindly let me try out a couple of tripods to see what they would be like with some big weight on them. Surprisingly the Manfrotto 190CXPro was pretty good and sturdy with it, the 3LT Adrian nowhere near so much... It's now at the top of my list, however looking around at prices I made the mistake of reading about the Gitzo GT1540F (Safari), lighter but slightly longer and taller...

Two questions really, anyone have the 190CXPro 4 section? Like it, especially with a long lens?

Second question... Anyone got the Gitzo Safari? It's in the birdwatching section of their website but would it be ok to take the 3km at 300mm+? Worth the extra couple of hundred I'm sure it's going to cost unless I can source one used...?

 

[tijuana taxi]

How about this http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used-Gitzo-Tripods--Monopods---Heads.html

Sturdier and looks to be a good price, not sure what the 2540FT is they also have, might be worth asking in case it folds down a bit smaller

If it helps my daughter has the Manfrotto you mentioned and is pleased with it, but a completely different leg locking systems to the Gitzo and down to preference

Many tripods are 55cm closed althought some of the smaller Gitzo's are 50cm like the Manfrotto 190, only a couple of inches in it and depends how sturdy you want. I now carry a series 3 Gitzo systematic and it's not over long or heavy, but very solid, always a compromise somewhere I suppose

 

[Amp34]

I assume you're talking about the GT2540F? That is always an option, although it's longer than the Manfrotto and about the same weight. I would have to be persuaded that an extra £150 was worth it, at least the 1 series is lighter! I think I really need to have a head to head and see if Gitzo really makes any difference to stability. I have my questions as to how two good brands with good CF would really be that different, although the sealed legs would be a plus!

I currently have a 055Pro with typical Manfrotto flick lock system and a tiny Giottos tripod (which is used as my travel at the moment) with twist grips so I'm used to both.

There are quite a few other options on Mifsuds, however Gitzo do so many similar tripods it's an uphill battle trying to understand what has what and what I should be looking at!

Anywhere in london that has a big range of Gitzo tripods? I've had a look at Calumet and they don't have many/any available really.