Please help me to choose right gitzo

[mkhan]

Hi,

 

I am going to buy a gitzo tripod but having difficulies to choose the right one.

 

I am trying to provide as much information as I can,

 

1. I am 5'5" tall

2. I would spent approx $500 on tripod.

3. The ballhead I would use is, Arca-Swiss Monoball B1 Ballhead with Independent

Panning Lock & Flip-Lock Quick Release

4. I visited gitzo website, not sure which one is right for me, mountainer,

basalt, classic, traveller, systematic.. I am really lost !

5. My current heaviest lense is 24-70mm, I will get 70-200mm in future and

probably few more tele..not sure about their weight.

 

 

Thanks,

Mohammad

[joseph_smith3]

Hi Mohammad, you need to tell us some more. Will you be taking it on an airplane with you in your suitcase so small collapsed size and low weight is a need? Is carrying weight a factor--are you going to be carrying it long distances or will it be used in a studio or near your car ? Do you need it made of a rugged substance like metal so it can take a lot of abuse? Do you have special needs like macro or general purpose needs like landscapes and studio?

 

Given your height, I would look at the Gitzo balsat 1297 tripod. It is light in weight. Or any of the Explorer models--great for macro and general use. Or any of the Gitzo series 2 models. Only you can decide if you need one with three leg extensions (longer when collapsed) or with four legs(shorter when collapsed and easier to put into a suitcase.) Joe Smith

[mkhan]

I was looking at the details of G2258

Nice to have 4 leg section.

Isn't carbon fiber better than aluminum. somewhere I read, carbon fiber absorb move vibration than aluminum.

I would mostly use for general purpose, will do macro in future (at least have that plan :p)

Travel would not be a lot, at most 0-3 times a year.

G2258 is weight about 4lbs and supports upto 13 lbs

 

I think, I would go for this G2258.. any drawback of this that I should know about?

 

 

Thanks,

Mohammad

[mona_chrome]

Why Gitzo and not Bogen/Manfrotto? Just curious, I have tested both and found no

advantage to Gitzo, and yes I know there are those that swear by them. I just liked the

weight of the Bogen versus the Gitzo. When I needed a very tall tripod, I found the bogen

actually more stable for half the price.

 

But back to your question, get a tripod that is at least 8-12 inches taller than you are, but

which is not too heavy. In the landscape, you will find yourself on hillsides and such and

sometimes a tripod that is just right on level ground is way too short to get the camera

where you want it.

 

Probably carbon fiber is better at absorbing vibration, but I have never found that a

problem, in any case. Wood is also great for that. Carbon Fiber is great for weight, but

they are sometimes not as functional as the metal ones. I would test whatever out it the

store side by side. Weight is also a great stabilizer in the wind and Carbon Fiber does not

have weight.

[joseph_smith3]

If you like the features of the Gitzo G 2258 explorer, I would look at the G 2220. It has the same design, does the same thing, is all metal and costs a lot less and weighs only about .8 pound more. Yes, the CF does absorb vibration better, but with your planned equipment, which is pretty light, I believe that to be a non issue. I like fewer and longer legs on the three leg models because the thinest leg has a wider diameter than the fourth leg on the other model. To me that is more important than CF. Now if I were traveling by plane all the time, then I might consider a shorter four leg model. I have Bogen tripods as well as Gitzo too. Get a Gitzo and do not look back. If you want CF look at the G 2227. Joe Smith

[joseph_smith3]

One other thing--with all of the explorers, when you set each leg independently, you have to push that leg clamp. It makes a clicking sound. If you were a nature photographer, that might be a no no. Joe Smith

[mcgarity]

I am a nature photographer and use the G2220. When I first got it a couple years back I was concerned about the clicking sound of the legs being locked. But it hasn't been as big an issue as I thought it might be. Even though you can't dampen the sound out completely, it is possible to quieten it a bit by holding a cloth over the clamp when you lock it.

[mkhan]

Thanks everybody for your response.

I have slightly displaced from G2258, I am going after G2257

 

Thanks again,

Mohammad