Wildlife Tripods

wev

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
Well, I know nothing about the gitzo in general, but do you really need all the height? It gets good reviews, but given its basic construct, no column/head and high price, does it really fill a need? I am 6' 7" and my Vanguard is perfectly adequate up high and can, with the articulated center column, go camera flat to the ground, both rock solid -- at a quarter of the price, not counting what you will need to spend on a head for your full rig.
 
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crycocyon

Senior Member
I prefer 3 section tripods so that it is easier to balance the closed tripod over one's shoulder with a heavy weight of the head and camera on one end. A shorter closed section length means less leverage. Also it stands to reason that fewer sections means a more rigid support. Just MHO. Gitzo has long been a standard for professionals, cant' go wrong with it as a brand.
 
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Nathan Lanni

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
Hey I am looking at tripods once again and have been considering this one - SYSTEMATIC Series 3 Carbon Tripod, X-long 4-section Overhead GT3542XLS - Systematic Tripods | Gitzo has anyone had any experience with Gitzo? Any pro/cons I should be aware of? I am aware that they are not cheap but they do last a long time.
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The thing with the systematic is unless you're going to mount your ball head, gimble head, etc., to the attached plate you'll have to buy the column as an accessory.

I was looking at those myself. I personally would prefer a 3 section to a 4, but to each his own,. Since, in addition to birds/wildlife, I want it for landscapes and panoramas I would likely get the leveling tripod since it has a column and wouldn't need to get a leveling base.

Series 2 Carbon 6X Leveling Tripod - 3 Section With G-Lock GT2531LVL - Leveling Tripods | Gitzo

Personally I like the height because I have lower back problems and don't want to stoop over for any length of time.

There's tons of Youtube videos out there on Gitzo - I don't see how you go wrong with it.
 
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Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
wev said:
Well, I know nothing about the gitzo in general, but do you really need all the height? It gets good reviews, but given its basic construct, no column/head and high price, does it really fill a need? I am 6' 7" and my Vanguard is perfectly adequate up high and can, with the articulated center column, go camera flat to the ground, both rock solid -- at a quarter of the price, not counting what you will need to spend on a head for your full rig.
Click to expand...
I already have a solid ball head that I am thinking of attaching to it.

crycocyon said:
I prefer 3 section tripods so that it is easier to balance the closed tripod over one's shoulder with a heavy weight of the head and camera on one end. A shorter closed section length means less leverage. Also it stands to reason that fewer sections means a more rigid support. Just MHO. Gitzo has long been a standard for professionals, cant' go wrong with it as a brand.
Click to expand...
I can easily leave the legs extended to carry so this is not an issue.
teagueAMX said:
The thing with the systematic is unless you're going to mount your ball head, gimble head, etc., to the attached plate you'll have to buy the column as an accessory.

I was looking at those myself. I personally would prefer a 3 section to a 4, but to each his own,. Since, in addition to birds/wildlife, I want it for landscapes and panoramas I would likely get the leveling tripod since it has a column and wouldn't need to get a leveling base.

Series 2 Carbon 6X Leveling Tripod - 3 Section With G-Lock GT2531LVL - Leveling Tripods | Gitzo

Personally I like the height because I have lower back problems and don't want to stoop over for any length of time.

There's tons of Youtube videos out there on Gitzo - I don't see how you go wrong with it.
Click to expand...

I would mount the ball head directly to the plate, the way I am thinking is these are very light weight tripods and pack up small. I would be able to use it in many circumstances, eg low to the ground with heavy lenses (which I will get one day). Also it would be with me for life so would pay for itself in the end. I already have one carbon fibre tripod with a centre column and this is great for landscapes etc but I cannot get close to the ground with it.
 
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J

Jonathan

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
Hey I am looking at tripods once again and have been considering this one - SYSTEMATIC Series 3 Carbon Tripod, X-long 4-section Overhead GT3542XLS - Systematic Tripods | Gitzo has anyone had any experience with Gitzo? Any pro/cons I should be aware of? I am aware that they are not cheap but they do last a long time.
Click to expand...
That's one spenny piece of kit! I'm a (very slim) 6'5", also with lumbar issues (thanks to a rugger game back in '79) so I really like the height and low/high use. Maybe one day ...
 
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Nathan Lanni

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
I already have a solid ball head that I am thinking of attaching to it.


I can easily leave the legs extended to carry so this is not an issue.


I would mount diresctly to the plate, the way I am thinking is these are very light weight tripods and pack up small. I would be able to use it in many circumstances, eg low to the ground with heavy lenses (which I will get one day). Also it would be with me for life so would pay for itself in the end. I already have one carbon fibre tripod with a centre column and this is great for landscapes etc but I cannot get close to the ground with it.
Click to expand...

I think the Systematic is the best Gitzo has to offer. It is the most flexible and gives you options down the road should you change your mind.

Enjoy it.
 
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