Wich tripod to buy

<p>After realizing that I should be using tripod with my 80-200 f/2.8 and D7000, I decided to buy a good tripod that would last me for many years to come.<br>

I would love the idea of having the lightest and most portable tripod, yet without sacrificing the sturdiness needed for my my equipment.<br>

Would love to get a Gitzo, yet cannot take the bullet on their price right now.<br>

Decided to look at used Gitzos.<br>

Couple of ads come up for sale:</p>

<p>1. Gitzo G1227 for $300<br>

2. Gitzo G1128 for $300</p>

<p>Will I miss havin the anti-leg rotation mechanism found on the newer Gitzos. Or is it worth the sacrifice at this price?</p>

<p>I am 6 feet tall and would love to get something sturdy, but not too heavy.<br>

Could I get away with G1128? It is very small, but I am not sure it is good enough for my heavy lens with camera (5lbs.) Maybe with the right head, like Markins Q3 Emille?<br>

Or would G1227 be a better choice?</p>

<p>Any other recomendations?<br>

I saw Benro tripods, that are reasonably priced. The new Benro would cost about the same a slightly used Gitzo. It feels to me that used Gitzo is still a better idea.<br>

How about the ball heads?<br>

So much available, and all claim to be the best.<br>

Any recomendations of what is the best bang for the buck in that department? Markins, RRS, Merk, Acratech?</p>

<p>Any suggestions and advice would be highly appreciated.</p>

 

<p>I have a Feisol CT-3442 that I love, and I always recommend that people consider Feisol when these questions come up. They make a nice line of carbon fiber tripods that cost about half of what comparable Gitzos do. My model isn't quite as nice or well-put together as the small Gitzo that I also own, but it's tall, sturdy, and very light....and cost about $300. Worth looking at, I think.</p>

I have both the Manfrotto 055xb and 190xb pro tripod leg with Acratech GV2 ballhead.

More than enough for my camera and lenses, very sturdy.

I also have the Manfrotto 222 grip tripod head which is awesome for sports or frequent movement.

<p>You may also want to have a look at the current Induro tripods.</p>

<p>At 6 ft. tall you'll be stooping with a 1-series Gitzo and it will get tiresome. A G-1227 is an excellent tripod (I have the 1228 - the four leg-section version) but you'll be using the center column pretty high up. Anti-leg rotation (ALR) is definitely a nice feature; once you get used to it you can't go back. </p>

<p>The newer 6X (Chinese are 8X) tripods are the same weight as the older ones but can take way heavier loads, are more stable, and feature ALR. You want to buy for the future so I think it makes sense for you to get a tripod that is overkill for what you have now just in case. My experience is with Benro (the Induro brand is label engineered; they're made by Benro). To give you an indication of Benro quality, I use both a Gitzo 1541T and a Benro C2680T travel tripod and I'm going to sell the Gitzo because I think the Benro is a better product. Don't get too hung up on labels.</p>

<p>There are terrific sales right now at Amazon, B&H and Adorama on various Gitzo models (not all). If you decide on a Chinese brand it's worth sourcing the tripod directly from China through eBay; you will save by cutting out the US middleman. That's how I got my Benro and I saved about $100 on the deal.</p>

<p>WRT ballheads I use Markins for the smaller heads and I have no experience with any other brand. The Markins Q3, Q3T and Q10 are very well designed and the build quality is superb. They make class products and have a good reputation.</p>

<p>The G-1227 is a very good tripod for general use. I have one, and have used it extensively. It has three sections in each leg and a "permanent" column, and a maximum height, without the column, of 58". That should be tall enough for you to use comfortably (a little stooping is OK). I'm 5'10", and usually use one section and part of the second. The legs have three angle stops, and can be spread nearly flat for low level work if you use a stub column.</p>

<p>The minimum length is about 26", but you can fit it in a suitcase if you remove the column and perhaps remove a leg section. The column comes out easily, but the base and nut remain, sticking up about 1-1/2 inches.</p>

<p>The newer (GT) leg locks are much stronger, and the non-rotating legs make setup a lot faster. However, you would have to pay twice as much for these features. I have a couple of GT tripods, including a very tall (78") GT-3541XLS for video work. I prefer a somewhat heavier tripod with optional columns, but a #2 size is perfectly serviceable.</p>

<p>The G-1128 is one size smaller in upper leg diameter and has four sections in each leg. The smallest section is only about 1/4", which makes this a very whippy tripod, even for carbon fiber. I don't think the 1128 would serve you well for general photography. It's a specialized "travel" tripod for people who have too much money or don't depend on a tripod for serious use.</p>

<p>Good ball heads are expensive, about $400 and up. Cheap ball heads will drive you to distraction. A good ball head locks up with light pressure, without changing the setting, and works smoothly under partial tension without a slip-stick action. Heads in this class use Arca-Swiss type QR, which is very strong and reliable - the only way to go. If you can't afford a good ball head, get a good 3-way head for $100 or so.</p>

<p>You get what you pay for in tripods and heads. Gitzo tripods are rugged and easily repaired. Parts and service are readily available (from Bogen in the US).</p>

<p>have a couple of Gitzos and love them. The 1 series has the advantage of being small and light, but it is has the disadvantage of being small and light. It will work with your 80-200, but it pushes the limits of the tripod. The 2541 may be a better bet for a general use tripod unless you really need the slightly smaller size and weight.<br>

I like Really Right Stuff heads. The RRS30 is a great head if you want to go very light. It is a good match for Gitzo 1 series tripods. The RRS40 is more substantial and a great match with the 2541</p>

<p>have a couple of Gitzos and love them. The 1 series has the advantage of being small and light, but it is has the disadvantage of being small and light. It will work with your 80-200, but it pushes the limits of the tripod. The 2541 may be a better bet for a general use tripod unless you really need the slightly smaller size and weight.<br>

I like Really Right Stuff heads. The RRS30 is a great head if you want to go very light. It is a good match for Gitzo 1 series tripods. The RRS40 is more substantial and a great match with the 2541</p>

<p>I ordered the Gitzo GT2531 from B&H. The pice is right at $420 after mail in rebate.<br>

Now I need a head to go with this tripod.<br>

Someone is selling a used Acratech GV2 fro $270. I heard it is a good head, but I am not crazy about how big/bulky it is.<br>

I can get a brand new Markins M10 for $330 from Seoul shipped to me.<br>

Any other suggestions of what may be the best head to match up my Gitzo GT2531?</p>

 

Igor, i just got the Acratech GV2 and its pretty sweet, you can hang on it all day , it will not budge!

It also has the machined shoulder for right angle use.

<p>Igor,</p>

<p>I have the Markins M20 (the M10's bigger brother) and can tell you that I am very pleased with the quality and functionality of this ball head. If you decide to get a Markins, I don't think you will be disappointed.</p>

<p>Thanks all.<br>

I ended up ordering the Gitzo GT2531 and Arca Swiss Z1 head.</p>

<p>Congrats Igor. The best! :-)</p>