Best real life tested tripod for 5D MKII - travelling

Hello guys,

What is the best tripod and the head that you think is available around for traveling? Will you be able to suggest me something that you are 100% happy with?
Really appreciate it.
Alex

You may wish to add which lenses you will be using with the camera. I personally like the Gitzo 1550T as it is light as a feather, although costs a small fortune. However I would not use it with anything longer than around 100mm as it is so light.

Regards
Stephen

Ferrari_Alex said:

Hello guys,

What is the best tripod and the head that you think is available around for traveling? Will you be able to suggest me something that you are 100% happy with?
Really appreciate it.
Alex

Click to expand...

Sorry, maximum is 70-200 mm or the wide angle.

I use a Feisol CT-3441S. its very light and its unusual folding system makes it very short when folded. I have used mine in Antelope canyon, Bryce canyon and Monument valley.
with my 5D mk2 17-40, 24-105, 70-200, 300mm.
Robin

bed bug said:

You may wish to add which lenses you will be using with the camera. I personally like the Gitzo 1550T as it is light as a feather, although costs a small fortune. However I would not use it with anything longer than around 100mm as it is so light.

Click to expand...

You can also consider the Gitzo 1541T which supports more weight & is cheaper, but a fraction heavier & longer, but I've personally found it adequate (i.e. fits in my carry-on suitcase for airline travel). There is another Gitzo traveler too which is more expensive. I suggest you compare each of these travelers to see which is best for you.

About weight, the issue is not the tripod, rather the head which adds quite a bit of weight to the whole solution. RRS make a good head for these tripods, but I've not tried it (I went for a Gitzo head - I'm not sure this was the best choice).

Not so sure about a head, though.

Very very happy with the gitzo ballhead that came with the tripod but it's not arca style and I can't use my L-plate with it.

I am investigating Markins and RRS ballheads that match both the tripod and the L-plate.

All the best. Dena Flows

--
http://www.denaflows.com
http://www.concertportfolio.denaflows.com/
http://www.travelportfolio.denaflows.com/

I deliberated long & hard on this one too.

LEGS:-

It came down to the GT1550T & the GT1541T. I much prefer the quick action twist lock legs to the lever types & they don't snag on things like levers tend to which I felt was important for a travel tripod where you may be stuffing it in & out of a bag. the twist locks are less bulky than lever clamps. The Gitzo legs seem to extend smoother than other carbon fibre tripod legs I trialled, some of which seemed to 'judder' in & out which put me on edge slightly - not a nice feel, but it is hard to explain & may just be something I am overly sensitive to. The leg angle 'lock out' on the Gitzo's is simple & basic but it is quick functional & works......I have an old Slik tripod where I reguarly caught my fingers in its leg angle adjustment mechanism plus it used to slip too - the Gitzo's don't slip as they operate against an stop.

I went for the GT1541T (mainly as I could not make my mind up & then one came up on special offer) & am pleased I did not go for the GT1550T now.

The last leg section on the GT1541T is thin enough as it is, the GT1550T is even smaller diameter, most of the instability on the GT1541T comes from the lower leg section - so if I am using very long lenses I don't deploy the lower leg section inorder to gain abit more stability........although I guess you could argue the same with the GT1550T too, although you may then be not deploying the bottom two sections, which might make it a little low. For most 'normal' uses using the lower leg section of teh GT1541T is fine though, just if you are pushing the limits in any way you might want to stop & think about it.

The GT1541T uses the G-lock twisting leg locks, the 1550 doesn't. I think Gitzo say somewhere that the G-lock gives about 30% greater stability as the G-Lock system increases its grip on the leg as more weight is applied.

The GT1541T is still a very light small travel tripod, albeit not quite as small when collapsed as the GT1550T. For me the weight difference between the two was not such an issue - its the bulk that is the main factor.

The GT1541T does NOT come with a head, the GT1550T does......but it is not so good & has limited weight handling which is lower than the actual legs are capable of. I prefer to have my own choice of head & dislike paying for something that I am not going to use.

HEAD:-

In terms of head - I have not found the perfect one yet for my needs so can't comment too much......but I probably will anyway listing the issues I've run into! ;-)

I don't favour ball heads - I want something that I can use equally for still & video. For video I need/want smooth pans, which means some form or fluid head & or exceptional damping, which is the preserve of 2-way & 3-way heads. Most video heads are only 2 way which limits their choice for stills as you cannot use them for portrait mode & not all video heads can be locked up fully on their moveable axis which also makes them less suitable for stills.

I favoured a 3-way head & ended up with a Gitzo G2272M. However, while this ticks my requirements above, it introduced one I had not foreseen. The way the axis rotation works means that when you put the camera into Portrait mode you lose the ability to adjust tilt, but you do get two axis of adjustment for rotation ;-) - you can 'correct' this by mounting the camera on the quick release 90 degrees off what would be normal, but this does not feel so secure or satisfactory to me. The other issue here is that it is difficult to tighten up the quick release base enough to stop 'droop' (where the camera rotates about the mounting screw) when the camera is placed in portrait. So as nice as the G2272M is, I can't really recommend it due to this issue.

I may have spotted another avenue to explore however in my persuit of head perfection.

I am now thinking of going for a Really Right Stuff (RRS) 'L' bracket which would solve the 'droop' issue & permit easy switch between landscape & Portrait, & I can get a hand grip strap to mount off the L plate. This L plate then frees me up to consider a range of 2-way heads (video fluid heads tend to be 2 way only as video does not look good with horizons running vertically ;-) ) which I had previously rejected. I think the answer to my dilemma lies in this route.

If you are only worried about a head for stills OR just for video, you probably wont have the same issues I have run into wanting one head for both.

COST:-

Gitzo tripods are expensive - there is no denying that, however, look at how much you spend on cameras & lenses, & in the case of digital camera bodies, how long you expect to keep them before the next upgrade (3 years?) when the second hand value will be a fraction of what you paid for it, AND now consider how long you expect a quality tripod to serve you (15+ years?), & you might start to view expenditure on a good tripod & head in a more favourable light.

Hope this helps identify some potential pitfalls before you spend money, good luck & don't forget to post back & let us all know what you end up with & what you think about it.

After having bought three or four tripods, about 8 years ago I bought a Gitzo carbon fiber 1349 tripod and a quality American-made ball head and have not regretted it. I take them every where and use them for anything from 17mm to 1850mm shots. Although neither my tripod nor ball head are made any more, you can't go wrong with a Gitzo 35xx series tripod and either a Kirk or RRS ball head. Just be sure you buy a tripod that is tall enough that you never need to stoop over to use it. I've seen people give up on using tripods and claiming all sorts of reasons why tripods were not necessary for them. But the real reason was because they bought one too short and got back aches and neck aches after hunching over their tripods for hours.

Hi Alex

I got a Triopo GT228 legs + PhotoClam PC33NS head for travelling. I've just been to Montana for two weeks and this combo worked very well. It has an Arca type head for attaching cameras. The light weight is a big plus when hiking.

I've had a Roundshot VR drive+5D+grip+17/40 on it in one configuration, and a 5Dii+100/400 lens in another. The panning of the ball head worked well with the zoom shooting rodeo stuff.

The combo comes to chest height on me (higher with the column extended), and can be weighted by my back pack on the bottom of the column.

OK: not as much of a status symbol as a Gitzo/RRS combo, but I can live with difference staying in my bank account.

Regards

Chris

.....maybe I should also have declared that I have another larger Gitzo Tripod too........BUT the OP was specifically talking travel tripods, & there is always going to be a bit of a compromise between extended height for use & collapsed height for travel.

....Having said that, if you take the GT1541T height, then factor in the height of the head, then the height of the camera base to view finder plus an additional grip height if you use one, & then measure your own eye-to-ground height, you may find for most except the very tall that the GT1541T is tall enough on level ground......if you shoot regularly on uneven ground where you are standing on ground higher than the ground that the 'pod is on, then you may require taller legs of course. When you factor in the compromises for travel, I think the 1541 is a very good compromise.

I'll also add, that with live-view on cameras, the need to have the viewfinder at eye height without stooping is somewhat lessened.

I also find that I tend to sit or kneel on the ground so don't need a full extension tripod.

I would suggest and just upgraded my 1228 MII Gitzo to the new 2541 and transferred my Kirk BH-3. It's what I'd use for traveling and what I do use for landscape/hiking/field work. (3 series is too big for this and 1 series is too small for most things I think.) For wedding work and commercial work I use a heavy Manfrotto. i.e when I'm shooting more then walking around I prefer the lever locks with a heavier tripod and when I'm walking around/carrying the tripod with sporadic shooting I prefer the 2541.

Just what works for me after owning and using DOZENS of tripods over the last 30 years.

--
Edward

http://www.edwardthomasart.com
http://www.pbase.com/edwardthomas

.....yeap, my other (bigger) tripod is a GT2540LVL - I particularly liked & wanted the levelling device - & I have to say I really like this feature.

However, I think this is too large for travel - just my personal take on it.

I would agree that the GT2540 is more sturdy that the GT1541T though, and that the 1541 is a little more sturdy than the 1550. For a travel tripod personally I feel the 1541 is the better compromise alround, but recognise that different people will have different requirements & expectations & therefore have different levels of compromise that they are willing to accept. The choice of tripod, is after all, a trade off.

Well, I also consider the 70-200 2.8 IS II a "travel" lens, so maybe I get a little carried away a bit... And with that 70-200, the 1540 series becomes a bit "small!"

So if your more normal then I am and don't travel with 3+ pound lenses, the 1540 is probably a great choice!

(I really should look into getting the 70-200 F4.)

--
Edward

http://www.edwardthomasart.com
http://www.pbase.com/edwardthomas

.......I too own the 70-200 f2.8 IS & have taken it on numerous back packing trips (but I did not take a tripod as I did not own one that was worth taking!) - the longest trip was an 86 day around the world trip - also took a 17-35mm f2.8 L & a 2x converter & ended up at the end carrying 57 rolls of 36 exposure film!.......I am pretty flexible on what I consider a travel lens too ;-)

At full extension with the 70-200 f2.8 IS on the 1541T it is pushing things I agree - if you stick to using the tripod mount on the lens it is a little better balanced than trying to mount from the camera base.

However, I don't often use the 1541T at full extension - I prefer to sit or kneel on the ground anyway if I have an unobstructed view and I don't need to stand to get the shot - kit bag on floor is closer to hand too & it is more comfy for me to sit for an extended time than it is to stand.

Just a thought, I've never tried this, but if stability was an issue, & you had one of those camping corkscrew anchors, then you could screw that into ground, place tripod over it & tie the hook at the bottom of the tripod to the ground anchor - tightening it up so the tripod is pulled into the ground - that should stiffen the whole assembly up tremendously if you were caught on travels with a 'light weight' tripod.

I really like the RRS ballheads. Worth the weight and price, IMO. (They come in three sizes. I usually use the medium for travel/hiking.)

I have a Feisol, but have found it too light. Very convenient and easy to carry, but wouldn't hold even my 40D with a short lens solidly (especially with the camera in the vertical position).

I am currently using Manfrotto legs, after trying various others. I find the levers much easier to deal with than the twist type.

Am curious about those new tripods where you just pull the legs out to the length you want. Also curious about the RRS legs. Are they really worth $1,000?

Dear all - I really, really appreciate all answers and suggestions. I am checking the price of GT1550T, just a tripod without the ball head and it costs around 700+ USD...here is Poland, I mean.

Feisol - noone is selling them. I looks like the only option, that is not a killer when it comes to the price is Manfrotto, but nobody mentioned it.

I will try to understand whether I can get it from States. Ooooppps Just checked - same 700 USD...but comes with the head. In Poland it doesn't come with the ballhead.

Just got back from a European trip with the Velbon EL 630 legs and Acratech Ultimate Ballhead.

The combination is small enough to fit in a suitcase easily, light enough to carry for extended walks, and sturdy enough for the 5DII with TSE-17 or TSE-24. I shot in a variety of locations, including stream beds and rocky seashore with never an issue.

Kevin

As mentioned in an earlier post I have the 1550T and as far as I am aware it always comes with a tripod head. Even the model number of 1550T is stamped on the head - make sure that the camera shop is not ripping you off by trying to charge for the head seperately.

Kind Regards
Stephen

Ferrari_Alex said:

Dear all - I really, really appreciate all answers and suggestions. I am checking the price of GT1550T, just a tripod without the ball head and it costs around 700+ USD...here is Poland, I mean.

Feisol - noone is selling them. I looks like the only option, that is not a killer when it comes to the price is Manfrotto, but nobody mentioned it.

I will try to understand whether I can get it from States. Ooooppps Just checked - same 700 USD...but comes with the head. In Poland it doesn't come with the ballhead.

Click to expand...

Hello Stephen,

I double checked with the store in Poland and it is certain that they do not sell it with the ballhead.

I went to the Gitzo's website and I did not see any indication that it should come together with the head:

http://www.gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo/tripods/traveler?code=GT1550T

Why are you sure that this is the case?
Thanks.
Alex

bed bug said:

As mentioned in an earlier post I have the 1550T and as far as I am aware it always comes with a tripod head. Even the model number of 1550T is stamped on the head - make sure that the camera shop is not ripping you off by trying to charge for the head seperately.

Kind Regards
Stephen

Ferrari_Alex said:

Dear all - I really, really appreciate all answers and suggestions. I am checking the price of GT1550T, just a tripod without the ball head and it costs around 700+ USD...here is Poland, I mean.

Feisol - noone is selling them. I looks like the only option, that is not a killer when it comes to the price is Manfrotto, but nobody mentioned it.

I will try to understand whether I can get it from States. Ooooppps Just checked - same 700 USD...but comes with the head. In Poland it doesn't come with the ballhead.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

In the link you supplied, the photo of the 1550 show it with the ball head.

If you look at the 1541T page you can see the photo shows the 1541T without a head:-

http://www.gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo/tripods/traveler?code=GT1541T

The 1550T always comes with a ball head, & it is only rated for 2kg load carrying.......is that sufficient for your camera & Lens combo?

This link shows the comparison between the Traveller series tripods - note the last column where the weight carrying capacity of the tripod is indicated. The 1541T is rated up to 8kg, but that has to take into account the head aswell as the camera & lens (plus any other accessories you may want to add).

http://www.gitzo.com/cms/cache/offonce/home/products/tripods/traveler

You used to be able to download a Full Gitzo Brochure & on one of the pages that discussed the GT1550T there was a footnote at the end of one of the page saying the load of the 1550T was 4.5kg. I was confused by this as the tables clearly state 2kg, so I called Gitzo/Bogenimaging & they advised me the 2kg rating was the head capability & that the 4.5kg was for the legs & agreed that it was not that clear.

You can download PDF Brochures from here:-

http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/cache/offonce/pid/5502 ;jsessionid=4B372D4E566E72CA87B7ED17BA1EBC2E.worker1

I think as I said to you in my initial reply to your post, it was one reason why I did not go with the 1550t - I don't like paying for something that I am not going to use - I would have taken the head that comes with the 1550T off & fitted something else, plus I would exceed the 2kg limit with just my 5dmk2 & 70-200 f2.8.

I ended up with the 1541T for travel.