skornfeld

It's time to move on from Manfrotto be free tripod, too shaky and the head has become a pain. I've decided on a RRS BH-40, please no advise on that as I've done my research and handled my friend's.

My problem is with the legs. I've kind of narrowed it down to either a Gitzo traveler for $600; a benro series 3 Mach 3 for $330 or a Indira Series 2 Stealth for $400. RRS legs are out of my price range. I shoot mainly landscape and travel along with grandchildren sports. I understand none of these combinations will fit in carry-on and I am willing to put it in my checked luggage. I shoot with a nikon 850 and my heaviest lens is a 70-200 f2.8. I'm going to B&H Monday to see in person, but wanted to see if anyone in this group has first hand experience with any of these legs and/or if you think the Gitzo is worth the extra money or is it just brand recognition?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I have only experience with the Gitzo and I am very pleased. A tripod is an item that you don't want to skip on so check them all out thoroughly and another thing to consider, although I never have had to do it, is the ease of getting parts should that problem ever arise.
* I have the BH 50 and I'm sure you will love the BH-40. I've never looked back.

skornfeld

Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I had a Gitzo before. I bought a used / discontinued ebay model and paired with the same RRS BH-40 ball head. The Gitzo was everywhere as good as the more expensive RRS tripod. I pack my tripod in my checked luggage all the time. Personally, I'd skip the models with the center column that seems to be common to all your selections. Equipment on top of that extended center column is not going to be as stable as a platform directly on top of the legs. There's a Gitzo G1548 listed on ebay this morning that goes to 58in, about the same as your 60in Gitzo idea, although maybe not as small compressed?

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I hope you solve your problem. I was looking for a travel tripod. Two weeks ago We are at a flea/craft market. This guy was selling a MeFoto travel tripod for $15.00 I checked it out and bought it. I have used it at least a dozen times with no problem at all.

jcboy3

I have a Gitzo traveler, and I do like it a lot. But they are expensive and I think Benro or Induro provide better value for the money. I do like the way I can remove the center column on the Gitzo for shooting low (Ground Level Set), but it's not real stable for heavy lenses and they no longer have a short column for stability (but Induro makes a short column that works just fine). For your lenses, that would not be an issue (I'm talking 300mm f/2.8 plus TC in my case).

I have Benro as well (not the model you're looking for). I have no experience with Induro, but I know others that do. All three will provide spare parts if you need them.

That said, I would base my selection on three factors: cost, folded length, and available accessories. Cost favors Benro, folded length favors Induro. As for accessories, Benro and Induro have short center columns (but the Induro will fit the Gitzo), but I prefer the available feet for the Gitzo.

This is the thing that makes tripod selection so complicated, but I'll cut to the chase: If you're shooting on the beach or sand a lot, get the Gitzo and the big feet and maybe an Induro short center column if you get bigger lenses. Otherwise, get the Induro because it's shorter and will fit in checked luggage better.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

My experienced $.02 ......Yes, Gitzo is mostly name recognition IMHO . Never owned one , but have seen and handled them. IMO, your selections are mostly overkill for what you have - but I do understand that most people with Nikon 850's ARE into name recognition/impressionism. Any of the ones you mention should do you well and I LIKE having a centerpost - just in case you need to high - and quickly.
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skornfeld

Thanks for the but not sure what you meant 850 people being into name recognition? I worked my way up to it as my skills and usage increased. I moved from a 7200 to a 810 to the 850 and upgraded my lenses along the way. If I was just into name recognition I wouldn’t have asked question.

Maybe I just read more into your comment than was intended, if so then I retract the above.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Did you mean Induro? I have the Stealth CLT 203. Great tripod, no problems. Took me awhile to get the twisting thing down versus the snap clip I had on my Manfrotto. Mine fits in my suitcase, the slightly larger one, without the ballhead attached. I also have the RRS ballhead.

skornfeld

I did - thanks

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

While at B&H, you might want to look at the Slik pro 700 DX - a very popular tripod for most people - and will save quite a bit of $$$. Is is metal, not small nor light weight if that matters tho. Read the users reviews.
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Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Gitzo is a great tripod, lots of well-earned respect among professionals. They have ultralight Traveler tripods - with 4-5 leg sections, and an integrated center column and ball head. They support 22 to 26 lbs, and due to the multiple leg sections, can easily fit into the tiniest carry-on luggage. The Mountaineer group have beefier tubes, with 3-4 sections, and will support from 18 lbs to 46 lbs. Their best tripod - the Systematic - have 3 to 6 leg sections, and can support 55 lbs to 88 lbs.

The way Gitzo rates their tripods is ingenious. They use a numbering system that goes from 0 to 5, with 0 being the lightest duty and least stable. They recommend, based on angle of view/magnification, the longest focal length that can be used with their tripods - using 0 for wide angle, 1 for 100-150mm lenses, 2 for 200-300mm lenses, 3 for 300-400mm lenses, 4 for 400-500mm lenses, and 5 for 500mm and longer lenses. The top tube diameter ranges from a 21.7mm for a Series 0 tripod all the way up to 41.3mm for their most stable Series 5.

Top tube thickness is a very reliable predictor of tripod stability with a given focal length - irrespective of camera+lens+head weight, load capacity (their lightest duty tripod still has a load capacity of 18 lbs), and number of leg sections - a Series 5 with 6 leg sections is just as stable as one with 3 leg sections - contrary to popular myth.

Induro and RRS have similar numbering systems.

I use Feisol tripods, because I am frugal. It has a top tube of 37mm, and with 4 leg sections, can fit in a carry-on bag. It weighs 4 lbs without the head and costs $600. I traded a Gitzo Series 3 for it back in 2006 and saw an immediate improvement in stability. There are others, like LeoFoto, Benro and others that make good products that can serve your purposes without breaking the bank.

skornfeld

Thanks - will check out Feisol

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

At work, I am known as the tripod and light-stand killer. My assistants implore me NOT to set up and take down tripods and light-stands. At 75 years old, I am more rickety than in my youth but they claim I still have "Arnold Schwarzenegger hands"! I beat the hell out all the support gear and have a tendency to over tighten everything or toss things carelessly into the trunk of my car. My wife says that my only usefulness in HER kitchen is opening stubborn jars containing congealed honey, molasses, or glue!

In 1990 I purchased a Gitzo carbon-fiber model 1340 and it has miraculously survived my rough handling and operates perfectly to this day. I have used it, back n the day, for my 4x5 view cameras and still use it for my medium format and regular digital cameras. It has lots of handy configurations. This model still shows on their current website and I highly recommend it. It has all the specifications for a moderately heavy load.

Manfrotto? The OP mentions dissatisfaction with his current Manfrotto product. I don't really know if their current models are not as good as the ones manufactured in previous decades. 20 years ago, I walked into my dealer's store and asked for a tripod that could "support a house"! I like to exaggerate when I am after sturdy gear. He sold me a Manfrotto Pro 161. It has a head that looks more like a piece of earth-moving equipment- it ain't pretty and sleek but it is, as the tripod, built like the proverbial brick outhouse! This tripod is still in use today and especially useful on industrial jobs in dirty environments and where vibration is present. It is rock steady and the only thing that has suffered over the years is the paint job.

If the newer model Manfrotto tripods are still built as well, they should be considered as well. They are put together with nuts, bolts, and serviceable machine screws- not rivets or forced fitted fasteners. The heads were not fancy but durable and serviceable. The leg locks are also extremely well made, serviceable and all I have done over the years is keep everything lubricated with a good greaseless silicone-based lubricant. In cold weather, the only problem is remembering not to touch the legs without gloves- or I will suffer frostbite!

I can't advise on brands and models I have never used. The aforementioned are the makes sub-conscientiously attempted to kill and was, fortunately, unsuccessful in doing so!

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Like most people, i started with inexpensive tripods and soon learned that they were trash. I was excited when i bit the bullet and bought a new Gitzo traveler, only to discover that even the magic name of Gitzo could not overcome the laws of physics. For landscape photography, you need a rock solid base, and lightweight “travel” types with center columns just aren’t steady enough. You’ll have a great opportunity to try them in person, but i would recommend at least a 3-series weight tall enough that you can eliminate or minimize the use of the center column.