skornfeld

Thanks - Induro is one of the brands I want to check out

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Isn't the company "3 Legged Thing"? IIRC, one of their models is Punks.

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

[quote=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.

Used Gitzo's for 40 years but when it came to buying a carbon fiber 2 things struck me, how expensive and the service went downhill when Bogen became the distributer. Several years ago I decided to try a Sirui W-2004 Tripod and it is the first tripod that has never become jammed on river trips (3) in the Grand Canyon and works great! Worked so well I bought a new Sirui ball head to go with it, much better than the Gitzo it replaces for much less.

kkayser

I have had a Leofoto and Gitzo. The only differences were price and finish. The Leofoto cost less was finished better. As far as I could tell, the Leofot is an exact clone, except that the Leofoto fittings are CNC machined and the Gitzo cast then machined.

loperR Loc: Medina ,Ohio

Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head



BH #GIGK2545TKT • MFR #GK2545T-82QDUS




27 reviews
11 Questions, 35 Answers


Gitzo























Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head


Key Features
•Load Capacity: 26 lb
•Max Height: 65.2"
•Min Height: 13"
•Folded Length: 17.5"

Enjoy a lightweight, stable, and smooth support system with this GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head Kit from Gitzo. The setup offers a 4 lb 4-section tripod system with an Arca-type compatible ball head, a load capacity of 26 lb, and a height range of 13 to 65.2". Also, thanks to a reverse-leg design, the addition of the ball head does not add to the folded length of 17.5".

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$649.00


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GAH1944 Loc: SW Mich.

------------with a name like " imagemeister " you call us a name like that----wow

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The Benro Series 3 is probably the sturdiest of that bunch. Most Series 3 tripods use a minimum diameter 32mm top tube. Plus that tripod has 3-section legs with twist type leg locks.... both good things.

You didn't specify which Gitzo Traveler you are looking at, but the Series 2 is the "heaviest duty" they offer in that series and it uses 4-section legs to be more compact... not ideal for stability... more sections mean smaller diameter bottom sections, in order for them to nest inside each other. In order to be as small as possible, the Traveler also uses a two section center column, which probably isn't great for stability (see below, regarding center columns, in general).

The Induro Stealth is a Series 2, like the Gitzo and smaller diameter than the Benro... but it uses 3-section legs, which is good.

All three of these tripods are around 52" or 53" tall when the center column isn't used. This is important because ideally, for best stability, you want to use center columns as little as possible... preferably not at all. How tall are you? Or, more importantly, have you measured your eyeline from the floor while standing? That can tell you how tall tripod you need to be comfortable.... and whether or not you'll need to extend the center column. Raising the center column of those tripods appears to add 10 or 11" height (plus the height of whatever head you put on it and the distance from the base of your camera to it's viewfinder eyeport).

I use three Gitzo tripods.... all of which are Series 3. Two of them have 3-section legs and no center column at all, but are plenty tall for my 5' 9". I use with full size gimbal head on one and ballhead, often with gimbal adapter, on the other. Both raise the eyeport of my camera considerably above the tripod's max extension height. I also use leveling platforms on both of those, which add slightly more than 1" to the height. Overall, they are well above my eyeline so I have no need for a center column.

My third Gitzo is set up differently for other purposes. It's an extra tall model, has 4-section legs and a rapid center column installed (optional). At full extension it's close to 7 or 8 feet! I very rarely need to use it so high (and only do so very carefully), seldom extend the bottom-most leg section or raise the center column at all. In fact, one of my main uses of the center column is reversing it to hang a camera below the tripod, for low angle shots. As a result, it's nearly as steady as the other two tripods, there's not as much compromise of stability like there would be if I needed to use the center column and fully extend the legs all the time, to have adequate work height.

I don't know how tall tripod you need... But most people would need to fully extend those tripods legs, as well as raise the center column, to put the camera at a comfortable work height. I can't help but wonder if any of them will be substantially more stable that what you have now.

RRS makes very good stuff. But... in my opinion... priced between $380 and $565 depending upon the exact model, that BH-40 is extremely over-priced. It's just a freakin' ballhead! Medium duty, 18 lb. rating. Between 15 lb. and 25 lb. I found 55 ballheads listed at B&H with similar features. The RRS dominate the most expensive. Many others are available for a lot less, that do exactly the same thing! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c1&sortType=default&fct=fct_support-weight_1470%7c15-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c16-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c17-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c18-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c20-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c22-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c24-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c25-lb%2bfct_support-weight_1470%7c26-lb%2bfct_quick-release-system_7375%7carca%2bfct_head-type_1544%7cball-heads&srtclk=sort&ipp=72&N=0&Ntt=ballhead After all, a $25,000 Ford does the same thing as a $250,000 Ferrari. But, hey, it's your money so if you feel the need and have the budget for the RRS ballhead... I say go for it! I wouldn't. I'd put more money into the leg set.

Note: A lot of "traveler" tripods come with a matched head. Some are limited what they can use, if they are designed so that the legs reverse over the head to be as compact as possible.

You might want to read https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/travel-tripods, before heading to the store.



Huh? Bogen is not and has never been the "distributor" for Gitzo.

At one time the American company Bogen bought re-branded Manfrotto tripods from Italy, selling them under the Bogen name. Sometime back in the 1980s or 90s, Vitec Group in England bought Manfrotto.... and a few years later Bogen. They fully consolidated both brands into Manfrotto and the Bogen brand name was retired. They still own the Manfrotto and Bogen brands.... also own Sachtler, O'Connor, Gitzo, Joby and Vinten tripod brands.... As well as Avenger (light stands), LowePro (bags & backpacks), Lastolite (lighting panels), National Geographic (bags & backpacks) and more photo/video-related product brands.

I'm using 20+ year old Gitzo models. I can still replace virtually any part, if need be. But I've never needed to... nothing has ever broken! Of course, the Bogen I bought 40 years ago is also still working fine. It just weighs about twice what the Gitzo do... and is a lot bulkier. So it stays at home as a studio tripod.

skornfeld

Thanks for the info -much appreciated. I'm not tall only about 5'9" so with the head these will be fine. I mostly do landscape plus some family portraits with a tripod. I don't see myself getting into birds or wildlife except for maybe a safari and probably wouldn't bring the tripod. I really enjoy doing Sunsets, slow shutter speed people,panoramas, focus stacking and moving water with ND filters so I find my self shooting waist high and lower a lot with a tripod. I love the tiLt screen on the 850. I fell in love with RRS ball head using a friend's, just so smooth and precise. I've kind of narrowed it down to gitzo 1545 or 2545 or Induro(lost the model number) but will also asking B&H person. I've had them suggest and less expensive item in the past. I don't mind spending good money for good quality as I do love photography, spend quite a bit of time doing it and figuring this will be the last tripod I get.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Test tripods by putting your weight on the top and try to move it back and forth. See if the legs flex.

Bill P

Probably bad idea to do this in a store if you're a big guy and testing a lightweight tripod.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

You only put the weight from the waist up, and adjust based on your weight. Don't kill it.