another Gitzo question

[bearbooth]

any comment on this kit for travelling and lightweight?
apparently its on promotion here with a Gitzo bag for around US$790

http://www.gitzo.hk/ser1-6x-traveler-kit-GK1580TQR4
http://www.gitzo.hk/series-1-traveler-tripod-bag

[charlesa]

They tend to be quite overpriced but sturdy tripods.

[bearbooth]

They tend to be quite overpriced but sturdy tripods.

yea I know. There was a Benro 1690 carbon fiber Travel Angel version kit very similar weight for about 1/3 of Gitzo price.

[Cannon Man]

You should get the traveler gizo tripod! I will go to a 3 month trip to Japan next year and i will get that tripod also.
My intention was to get one that suited traveling and my other work related shooting but i bought a little heavier gitzo tripod and it is too big and heavy for serious travelling.

Gitzo is not overpriced, it's called quality.
Where else can you find small, super light, sturdy tripods?

[scrappydog]

I don't know this model, but I have the Gitzo GT1542T and it is great.  I highly recommend Gitzo -- they are expensive, but the quality and thoughtful design is evident throughout.  The hook is good for stablizing the tripod.  The weight, height, and folding size are all excellent for travelling.  It is only rated to ~12 lbs (or 5.5 kg) which is fine for general camera/lens combos.  If you plan to shoot a super telephoto, you will want to get something more sturdy.

[paul13walnut5]

i used to be Mr Manfrotto, but I had an 055 fail on my in light use this year, during an important job away from home...  Gitzo next time!

[Caps18]

If you plan on taking it on an airplane, make sure the length of it will fit in a suitcase/backpack and won't be over the carry-on limits.  Well, that is if you don't check bags.

[Menace]

It's quality and great service too from Gitzo. I managed to get sand in my off centre ball head during a beach shoot which resulted in spring mechanism becoming completely useless. I took it apart it, leaned it, oiled it etc but no good.

It was over two years old but I decided to take it back to Gitzo's agents. They repaired it in ten minutes while I waited and free of charge

Just shows it is worth investing in good quality kit as you'll use it for years to come.

My advise is to invest in the products you are interested in if you can afford it.

Cheers

 

[scrappydog]

If you plan on taking it on an airplane, make sure the length of it will fit in a suitcase/backpack and won't be over the carry-on limits.  Well, that is if you don't check bags.

The stats on the Gitzo site indicates that it is just a tad over 16" (41 cm) folded which is small enough to fit into a medium sized backpack.  I often carry my Gitzo in my North Face backpack, which is big enough for a 15" laptop, but not a 17" one, without any problems.  It should be fine.

[shining example]

I love my Gitzo Traveller tripod, and the bag that goes with it (same design as the one linked to) is nice and sturdy, but the Gitzo ballhead I have is another matter - it doesn't seem to hold anywhere near the weight it's supposed to, and the quick-release plate is awkward and drives me nuts. Could just be my copy, I guess, but I'm about to replace it because it's just such a hassle to use.

[scrappydog]

I love my Gitzo Traveller tripod...but the Gitzo ballhead I have is another matter...I guess, but I'm about to replace it because it's just such a hassle to use.

I use the Markins Q3T, which is light and can hold a lot of weight.  I recommend it highly.

[Jamesy]

They tend to be quite overpriced but sturdy tripods.

yea I know. There was a Benro 1690 carbon fiber Travel Angel version kit very similar weight for about 1/3 of Gitzo price.

Save your money and get the Benro 1680 or 1690 carbon travel angel. I have one and also own a Gitzo 2531EX/Markins M10 and RRS clamp. The Benro (bag and ballhead included) cost me $300 U$D to the door on eBay and the Gitzo was almost $1400. The Gitzo is fantastic but I must say I am very impressed with the Benro so if I had it all to do over again I would go Benro for my 2 series tripod.

[dmills]

I debated this exact thing, and went with the Benro Travel Angel, after extensively playing with both. If my Benro broke, I'd buy another one. I've had it a year now, and never had a single issue.

[shining example]

I use the Markins Q3T, which is light and can hold a lot of weight.  I recommend it highly.

Thanks! I'll give that a look, though I do have my fiscally irresponsible eye on a Really Right Stuff ballhead/L-plate combo...

[scrappydog]

Thanks! I'll give that a look, though I do have my fiscally irresponsible eye on a Really Right Stuff ballhead/L-plate combo...

I have both the L-plate (on my 5D Mark II and the two-piece unit for the 60D), and the RRS BH-55 ball head with the panning clamp.  The L-plates are great.  The BH-55 is great too, but if I could it over again, I would just get the Gitzo traveler/Markins Q3T combo due to the weight/size benefits.  If I get some super-telephotos, I may have a different opinion.  For my biggest lenses (the 70-200 f/2.8 II and 100-400L), the Q3T is more than adequate.