Which Gitzo for Landscape?

Digifrog

Digifrog

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Hi all landscapers

Needing to upgrade the tripod (unfortunately) and am considering Gitzo. I was just wondering (given the many types of Gitzo and related models) what would I be looking at for landscape photography? It will hold no heavier than a D800 & 24-70 f2.8. Also, the head. I love my 'frotto RC2 322 grip shift as I find it comfortable and easier than any other.

What's the best combination? I've budgeted about £600 for just the tripod.

Cheers.
 
Masked Bandit said:
I specifically bought a Gitzo without a centre column for greater stability...never looked back. I've been very happy with Gitzos own head. Easy to use, built like a tank, and very light.
Series 1 Mag Centre Ball Head Quick Release
GH1780QR
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Aye. I would prefer a columnless version. What are the options (model no.s) for Gitzo heads similar to the RC2322? The Ball Head QR looks OK but what are the alternatives worth considering?
 
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I would look either at GT2532S or GT2542S. These are systematic (flat top with accessory plate with no central column assembly - weakest spot of any tripod) series 2 (29mm legs up to 200mm lenses). I had a chance to play with one of these and they are fantastic.
 
I'd agree with Mirek above on Gitzo tripods. I use a Series 5 and swear by it but I also use Manfrotto for lighter work ie; lighter lenses/camera set ups. Heads wise I use a Gimbal and a RRS Ball Head.
One thing you need to consider is weight and forgive me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but carrying an aluminium tripod around compared to CF makes a real difference.

Take a look at their websites. www.gitzo.co.uk and www.manfrotto.co.uk

You can compare different models, heads etc and they're both offering 15% off if bought online by next week but you could still find them cheaper elsewhere.
 
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I have a series 3 systematic 4 leg section model, no complaints from me, folds down to 55cm yet still only weighs 1.7kg. Looked at series 2, but they seemed to be neither one thing or another as in light and portable (series 1) or very sturdy/stable (series 3)
Personally would look at either 3542S or if you are fairly tall the 3542LS may suit you better as its higher when fully extended

Don't think from what I have read and comments made that the Gitzo heads are as well received as their tripods, also have their own specific q/r plate fitting and need a converter to accept the Arca Swiss variety

Might be better looking at a ballhead from one of the other quality makers such as RRS, Kirk, Arca or Markins, all compatible with Arca Swiss q/r plates
 
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Exactly. I would avoid Gitzo or Manfrotto ballheads due to their proprietary QR systems and clumsy universal plates. My experience with Manfrotto ball heads is that they have a significant frame shift when tightened which is frustrating.

I second the suggestion for Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head. They are perfect for accurate framing - landscape or macro. For more universal use I would go for Markins ball heads - Q3 or M10. Cheaper route is PhotoClam - Markins knock-offs from Korea. They can be ordered on eBay and I think they must be coming from the same factory as they are like-a-likes and both are made in Korea.
 
I use a carbon fibre explorer g2227 as my main tripod for landscapes, for landscape use they're ideal as you can set each leg at any angle, not just predefined stops, helpful for tricky positioning like in streams and on rocks.

As already said geared heads are super for landscape work, the 410 is good, the 405 even better, albeit bulkier and heavier. Either way get a Hejnar Arca Swiss conversion and an L bracket and you've got a really useful setup.
 
I've never subscribed to the 'landscapes=tripod' mantra, unless it involves long exposures of course, but there is no 'best' Gitzo - they're all excellent in different ways.

That aside, please try a different head to that M'frotto pistol-grip thing. They are very fast to use, but apart from that they have zero virtues. My choice would be a quality ball-head with Arca-Swiss type QR, though others prefer 3-way heads. Geared heads are very nice, but slow and heavy.
 
My solution is the cheapest well used Manfrotto 190XPROB. Yes, it is completely wrecked by seawater, repainted a few times, but it does the job just fine around the coastline. I just bought another for more delicate work on the dry land. That leaves me tons of spare cash compared with a single Gitzo. And this is before you consider that Gitzo could suffer as well. It probably will - sand, salt water, rocks and accidents do add up very quickly.
 
markmullen said:
I use a carbon fibre explorer g2227 as my main tripod for landscapes, for landscape use they're ideal as you can set each leg at any angle, not just predefined stops, helpful for tricky positioning like in streams and on rocks.

As already said geared heads are super for landscape work, the 410 is good, the 405 even better, albeit bulkier and heavier. Either way get a Hejnar Arca Swiss conversion and an L bracket and you've got a really useful setup.
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410 is a nice head. It is heavy enough to negate any benefits of CF tripods though :)
 
markmullen said:
The weight is cumulative though, cf legs with a heavy head is still lighter than alu legs with the same heavy head.
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The difference is small, and the tripod becomes extremely head heavy. I suspect that is not a good thing
 
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daugirdas said:
The difference is small, and the tripod becomes extremely head heavy. I suspect that is not a good thing
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It depends on your fitness, I use a 405 on my main tripod, with a Novoflex panorama plate and a 438 levelling base, my kit bag weighs 42kg with 3 different camera systems and lenses (dslr, mfd and view camera) and once it is balanced correctly I can go down cliffs, on long hikes, up hills and mountains etc.
 
yamahatdm900 said:
Gary what is the tripod you just got? and how are you finding it?
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Read here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/th...-aluminium-advice-please.531891/#post-6150891

And link to purchase site http://foto-tip.pl/en/statyw-triopo-ge-3228x8c.html

£96 delivered

Only used it 3 times and very happy, sure its not a £600 tripod but in many respects its better, only weight 1.1kg, 8 layer CF, thicker legs than a lot of others and folds really short, perfect for travel
 
Thanks all.

I'm looking for the lightest combination possible. Like I said, it's only going to hold the D800 and 24-70 (poss 70-200) at the heaviest so it don't need to be beastly or heavy duty. Just strong... and light!
 
Digifrog said:
Thanks all.

I'm looking for the lightest combination possible. Like I said, it's only going to hold the D800 and 24-70 (poss 70-200) at the heaviest so it don't need to be beastly or heavy duty. Just strong... and light!
Click to expand...
Then why not look at the one i linked to
 
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