Gitzo tripods (1 Viewer)

[ReinierB]

I just wonder. Why are Gitzo tripods better than say Benro, Manfrotto, Leofoto, etc tripods? What makes them better? Are they more stable? And why?
I want to buy a very good tripod and be done with it. Is Gitzo really the way to go if I want the best?
I want a center column (other people are watching through my scope as well) and I want the tripod as high as possible (without extending the center column), being quite tall (1.93m).

 

[Peregrine Took]

Gitzo are the best of the best. Light, sturdy, beautifully engineered and beautiful to look at. And you can get parts for Gitzo gear, whether current or discontinued, so customer service is excellent. And finally, made in the EU, not the Far East (that matters to me).

And it just so happens I have one that would suit a tall person like you perfectly, for sale, in classified. Happy to ship to the Netherlands.

But seriously, aside from the shameless plug for my tripod, I stand by everything I wrote in the first paragraph.
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[Bill Atwood]

While all tripods pretty much work, I've found Gitzo to be a bit easier and quicker to use. Cheaper brands tend to be a bit more finicky when pushing/pulling legs and tightening knobs.

 

[Ignatius]

You should get a Systematic tripod. That way, after you have bought a basic tripod according to your tastes and requirements, you can add different centre columns and other trimmings as and when you need them. After being very happy with my old G1312 I got a GT5533LS, intending to at some time get a half-bowl and a column. Neither has happened yet because apparently I have no need for them after all. That tripod is just fabulous the way it came.

 

[Figge]

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You should get a Systematic tripod. That way, after you have bought a basic tripod according to your tastes and requirements, you can add different centre columns and other trimmings as and when you need them. After being very happy with my old G1312 I got a GT5533LS, intending to at some time get a half-bowl and a column. Neither has happened yet because apparently I have no need for them after all. That tripod is just fabulous the way it came.

ReinerB wants a center column!

My best tripod is a GT3542L from the Mountaineer series. It has a center column. It is tall - the last sections are never fully extended, but I am 3 inches shorter than the OP. You do not have to extend the center column if you do not have to share your scope with others.

My Systematics tripods do not get much use nowadays. I find the Mountaineer series are much nicer to carry on my shoulder.! The larger bulky Systematics are a real pain to carry this way. Just my two cents.

I have Gitzo tripods in sizes from 2 to 5-series in both Systematic and Mountaineer series. The 4 and 5-series were used with a gimbal and my heavy tele lenses. Todays lenses are much lighter. In my humble opinion, in most cases they no longer require the most massive tripods. For scopes, including the big heavy ones, a 3-series tripod is perfect if you are prepared to carry it. Often a 2-series is good enough, but finding a really tall one might be tricky.`

 

[Peregrine Took]

My Systematics tripods do not get much use nowadays. I find the Mountaineer series are much nicer to carry on my shoulder.! The larger bulky Systematics are a real pain to carry this way. Just my two cents.

I agree. Mine is a Mountaineer, but three-sections, which I prefer these days to four. To be honest, further to my hard sell above, I don't really want to sell mine... it's the one item of kit that I'm reluctant to trade down, in spite of the lack of use. Feels like a 'forever' tripod - and that's largely down to it being a Gitzo. I have the GH1720 head as well - it's a nice combination.
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[Ignatius]

You should get a Systematic tripod. That way, after you have bought a basic tripod according to your tastes and requirements, you can add different centre columns and other trimmings as and when you need them. After being very happy with my old G1312 I got a GT5533LS, intending to at some time get a half-bowl and a column. Neither has happened yet because apparently I have no need for them after all. That tripod is just fabulous the way it came.

...

ReinerB wants a center column!

...

Notice anything?

 

[Peregrine Took]

Notice anything?

I can't answer for Figge or Reiner, but for people of different heights to use a scope on any given occasion, you need an adjustable centre column. It strikes me as axiomatic that you cannot have an adjustable centre column on a systematic tripod.
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[Figge]

zz

Notice anything?

Yes, I noticed and I respect your opinion.

But your choice is not mine. When you put on a leveling bowl, a head and a big scope on a Systematic it gets to heavy for me. Replace it with a column and it is still quite heavy. And the most important point - it hurts my shoulder, no matter how well padded. The Mountaineer is lighter, does not slip off my shoulder and hurts less. It is also cheaper than your combination.

My Systematics lack any kind of safety features. If the the disc, column or leveling bowl at the top is not properly tighted you can loose everything attached to your tripod. RRS introduced a safety catch for their tripods, hopefully Gitzo has followed suit. I believe they have but I could not find any information on their site. Dropping everything attached to a Systematic tripod is probably a rare occurence, but accidents have been reported in the past.

Systematics are undoubtly the best tripods from a stability viewpoint, I do not dispute that. But, I find the stability of a Mountaineer is plenty good enough, at least for spotting scopes like the ATX85.

 

[ReinierB]

Thanks for all your comments!
I just bought the ATX 85 and my wife wasn't really happy that I spent fortune, so I think she will kill me when I will buy a € 1000 tripod at the moment . So first I will save up some money and wait for a good moment. I orientating at the moment.
I was thinking about this Swarovski PCT tripod (I like the black colour) and read that it is made by Gitzo as well, wondering which tripod from Gitzo it represents? Surely a mountaineer. Don't know which type. I think I want just three leg sections, being more stable and easier to deploy.

GT2532 looks like a nice tripod. But maximum height with center column down is just a bit too low for my taste (I think). It is 138mm and 142mm would be perfect for me (no need for extending the center column). But I think that I have to go to the 4 leg sections for this height?

Peregrine Took, why are actually selling this combination? And why this tripod if you like it so much?
Since the brexit I am a bit reluctant buying from the UK with all those extra taxes...

 

[Ignatius]

zz

Yes, I noticed and I respect your opinion.

But your choice is not mine. When you put on a leveling bowl, a head and a big scope on a Systematic it gets to heavy for me. Replace it with a column and it is still quite heavy. And the most important point - it hurts my shoulder, no matter how well padded. The Mountaineer is lighter, does not slip off my shoulder and hurts less. It is also cheaper than your combination.

My Systematics lack any kind of safety features. If the the disc, column or leveling bowl at the top is not properly tighted you can loose everything attached to your tripod. RRS introduced a safety catch for their tripods, hopefully Gitzo has followed suit. I believe they have but I could not find any information on their site. Dropping everything attached to a Systematic tripod is probably a rare occurence, but accidents have been reported in the past.

Systematics are undoubtly the best tripods from a stability viewpoint, I do not dispute that. But, I find the stability of a Mountaineer is plenty good enough, at least for spotting scopes like the ATX85.

You seem to have comprehension issues.
I stated that the Gitzo Systematic tripods can be purchased in all sorts of heights and can also be equipped with different centre columns.
You then proceed to remind me that the OP wants a centre column.
You further tell me that that is my choice.
So how is it suddenly MY choice when I point out to the OP that Gitzo Systematic tripods are available in different heights AND they can be equipped with centre columns?
And the fact that you seem to be unable to work with a Systematic is very telling. Possibly you should not offer advice in this thread, especially when you cannot even find the locking mechanism for Gitzo bowls or centre columns for your own tripod. Which by the way is well documented in the manuals.

 

[ReinierB]

Please ignore each other. Don't ruin this thread.

Gitzo also uses different kinds of carbon: Carbon Fiber and CarbonExact. The latter ist assumably the best? (The prices do suggest)

 

[Peregrine Took]

GT2532 looks like a nice tripod. But maximum height with center column down is just a bit too low for my taste (I think). It is 138mm and 142mm would be perfect for me (no need for extending the center column). But I think that I have to go to the 4 leg sections for this height?

Don't forget, once you add a head and a scope (with eyepiece), the height (without centre column) comes up about 30cm. That gets it closer to your viewing height, which will be about 20cm lower than your actual height, allowing for your eye level and assuming we all bend over slightly to view through an angled scope.

I estimate that to be just about right for you, but even if some centre column were needed, I'd personally rather use 10cm of centre column (if anyone tells me that creates instability, I'll have to disagree) than be compromised by a less stable (and slower to activate) 4-section tripod.

Peregrine Took, why are actually selling this combination? And why this tripod if you like it so much?
Since the brexit I am a bit reluctant buying from the UK with all those extra taxes...

Much as I love nice gear, I'm finding that I hardly use a scope (I didn't use one at all last year) so I'm scaling back to a budget system. That said, I'm reluctant to let go of the Gitzo - I'd be happy enough to keep it for a 'lesser' scope, once I've sold my Swarovski. Perversely, I'm coming to the view that scopes can come and go, but a good tripod (and head) can be forever.

As for Brexit... don't get me started! But I think a £1k tripod selling for half price, plus taxes, would still be a very good deal... if you can find one!
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[Peregrine Took]

Found you a Gitzo tripod, Reiner. Systematic Series 4 Giant. Either that, or the guy is only 1 metre tall.

 

[Figge]

Found you a Gitzo tripod, Reiner. Systematic Series 4 Giant. Either that, or the guy is only 1 metre tall.

View attachment 1627010

Seems to be a Tele Studex from the seventies. My employer had one. Used it with an Arriflex cine camera on top. 😀

 

[Peregrine Took]

Seems to be a Tele Studex from the seventies. My employer had one. Used it with an Arriflex cine camera on top. 😀

It's on UK eBay if you're interested. Would suit a basketball player.

 

[Figge]

It's on UK eBay if you're interested. Would suit a basketball player.

Not interested! 😀 It is funny that they still work after all those years. People restore them, replacing crumbling rubber parts etc. Gitzo seems to keep spares forever! Hope it will remain that way, but you never know. Gitzo now faces fierce competition from chinese makers and according to annual reports and other sources they have to cut costs. (Gitzo is part of the Videndum group which include brands like Gitzo, Manfrotto, Lowepro, Sachtler, Rycote and more.)

 

[Hermann]

Gitzo also uses different kinds of carbon: Carbon Fiber and CarbonExact. The latter ist assumably the best? (The prices do suggest)

Doesn't matter. Both are plenty good enough.

BTW, if you can get hold of an old Gitzo aluminium tripod in decent shape - get it. These tripods are extremely robust and as good as the newer carbon tripods. Their only disadvantage is that they're heavier. Cf. e.g. this review of one of the old aluminium tripods: Gitzo G1220 MK2 Review.

Or get a Berlebach. Not that good for long walks - but more vibration-free than most carbon tripods.

Hermann

 

[ReinierB]

Much as I love nice gear, I'm finding that I hardly use a scope (I didn't use one at all last year) so I'm scaling back to a budget system. That said, I'm reluctant to let go of the Gitzo - I'd be happy enough to keep it for a 'lesser' scope, once I've sold my Swarovski. Perversely, I'm coming to the view that scopes can come and go, but a good tripod (and head) can be forever.

Than don't be too quick selling your stuff. Maybe you will regret it (as I sometimes do). You bought the scope for a reason. Maybe you will use it again in the future, when you become a more fanatic birdwatcher . Unless you need the money of course.

 

[ReinierB]

Doesn't matter. Both are plenty good enough.

BTW, if you can get hold of an old Gitzo aluminium tripod in decent shape - get it. These tripods are extremely robust and as good as the newer carbon tripods. Their only disadvantage is that they're heavier. Cf. e.g. this review of one of the old aluminium tripods: Gitzo G1220 MK2 Review.

Or get a Berlebach. Not that good for long walks - but more vibration-free than most carbon tripods.

Hermann

Carbon should dampen vibrations better I suppose?

Yes Berlebach. Good price und wood supposes to be the most stable. They look classy too.

I already have a decent, pretty light weight tripod. But for >50x it is not the best. Vibration-fee is exactly what I am looking for the most. Pull the tripod and scope out of the car, put on my back with a tripod carrier (that's what I prefer because I have my hands free) and make a short strawl to the wadden sea for example and enjoy the bird migration.

For hiking I will take the lightweight (1,42kg) benro together with the ATC 56. The ATX 85 + stable tripod will be my more static configuration when I want the longer reach.

Berlebach, any recommendations?