Gitzo 1541T vs. 2531 for 5D Mark II + 70-200 2.8

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for a tripod for my 5D Mark II and have narrowed the search down to two tripods: the Gitzo 1541T and Gitzo 2531. The benefits of the 1541T are lower weight (2 lbs for the 1541T vs. 3 lbs for the 2531) and more compactness (41 cm closed vs. 65 cm closed), whereas the benefits of the 2531 are more stability (26 lb load capacity for 2531 vs. 17 lb capacity for 1541T) and greater maximum height (161 cm vs. 140 cm).

The max. load capacity I would use on the tripod is 7 lbs (5D Mark II + grip + Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II + 2x extender). Ideally, I am looking for a "one tripod solution" that will cover domestic and foreign travel and nature photography.

Based on reviews on the B&H web site, it looks like the 1541T would work OK with a 70-200 2.8 lens, but I'm wondering whether there are any 1541T owners out there that wish they had a more stable/taller tripod for use with a 70-200 2.8.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on which way to go.

Thanks very much,

Jonathan

http://jonathanmyers.smugmug.com/

Jon,

I have a 5dmk2 & 70-200 f2.8 IS (& converters which I use with it) - plus other lenses but this is my biggest/heaviest.

I have both the GT1541T & GT2540LVL Gitzo tripods.

I don't think you will regret going for a Gitzo for the build or they way it functions.

I bought the GT1541T for travel, & the GT2540LVL as I was particularly attracted to the head levelling feature on it, which saves alot of faff with individual leg adjustments, & the larger 'pod was to be used at home & when operating out of a car.

I think it is the physical size/bulk difference between the two rather than the weight which is the governing factor.

It is really difficult to advise you which way to go without knowing your intended usage.

Most of my photography in the past year has been either at home or operating close to a car, so the GT2540LVL has easily seen the most action.......but I would not contemplate taking it on international backpacking travel purely on size grounds.

I tossed up between the GT1550T & the GT1541T - when you put them size by side the 1550 is noticeably smaller. However, its 5th leg section is very small diameter (think pencil size) & a lot of the overall flex eminates from that last leg section. The 1541T also had the newer G-lock leg locks, which are said to be better & its 4 vs 5 leg sections to lock out, plus with teh 1550T you get a ball head included which I did not want anyway so cost was slightly more. Ultimately, I am very pleased I went for the 1541T (vs the 1550T) - the 1541T is pretty ridged, but again, alot of the overall flex comes from the last thinnest leg section & I would not want to go thinner now - 1541T is just about acceptable to me.

The GT1541T is not as solid/stable as the GT2540LVL, but is stable enough for me to use with the 5dmk2 & 70-200L f2.8 IS. Others may disagree. If stability was critical & I only had the 1541T available, then I'd use it from a sitting or kneeling position & not fully extended, inorder to gain more stability (I actually prefer to shoot from a sitting / kneeling position often anyway given a choice).

The levelling feature on the GT2540LVL is brilliant if you reguarly need to level the head for video pans or pano's. If there had been a Travel series of tripod with the same levelling feature, I would probably have gone with that.

I also find that at times I have used both tripods at the same time - one for the camera support & the other for background support or flash support, so going the twin tripod route also has its advantages.

.......it helped that I spotted deals on both the GT1541T & GT2540LVL......I originally went with the GT2540LVL when I saw it on offer as I knew that I would not be travelling (backpacking) for some time & could wait for a travel tripod. Then a month later I saw the GT1541T at a very good price, so went for it while I could get it cheaper.

If you search my earlier posts, I've posted alot about tripods - you main learn more by reading these & reading others responses too.

@LDunn1
please may ask you which kind of tripod heads do you use on your gitzo tripods..
thank-you for your useful post
Ad

jon01 said:

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for a tripod for my 5D Mark II and have narrowed the search down to two tripods: the Gitzo 1541T and Gitzo 2531. The benefits of the 1541T are lower weight (2 lbs for the 1541T vs. 3 lbs for the 2531) and more compactness (41 cm closed vs. 65 cm closed), whereas the benefits of the 2531 are more stability (26 lb load capacity for 2531 vs. 17 lb capacity for 1541T) and greater maximum height (161 cm vs. 140 cm).

The max. load capacity I would use on the tripod is 7 lbs (5D Mark II + grip + Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II + 2x extender). Ideally, I am looking for a "one tripod solution" that will cover domestic and foreign travel and nature photography.

Based on reviews on the B&H web site, it looks like the 1541T would work OK with a 70-200 2.8 lens, but I'm wondering whether there are any 1541T owners out there that wish they had a more stable/taller tripod for use with a 70-200 2.8.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on which way to go.

Thanks very much,

Jonathan

http://jonathanmyers.smugmug.com/

Click to expand...

I have had a Gitzo G2220 Explorer for some years as my "heavy" tripod (it's aluminium, the predecessor of the current-generation Explorer), and I use that with an Acratech GV2 head. Very satisfactory, especially for close-up work, but too heavy and bulky for trips.

So last year I bought a GT1541T Series 1 Traveller. Very happy with it. Used with care, it will support my 5DII with the 100~400, and that's a load not a lot different from the 5DII with a 70~200/2.8. However, there is a problem over finding a ballhead that allows it to fold as designed with the ballhead in place. The best choice may well be the latest version of the Markins Q3T (NOT the Q3) which is specifically designed for this tripod, but it is quite expensive. A cheaper option is the Gitzo 1178M with an Arca-Swiss clamp – I have this combination, and used a Kirk 2-inch clamp modified (by me) to 3/8-inch rather than 1/4-inch thread and with the addition of a locking grub-screw.

I suggest you find a shop that has a GT1541T and see if you are happy that it takes the required load adequately. I regard it as workable but not ideal at that load, but on the other hand it is incredibly light and compact for travel, so it's a good compromise. Incidentally, there is a neat Gitzo bag for it.

If you decide that you want a sturdier tripod at the cost of a bit more weight, look at the Series 2 Traveller. That is now available as the GT2540T without a ballhead. It is a bit heavier and fatter than the GT1541T, but folds up in the same way to be hardly any longer. The matching Gitzo ballhead GH2781T is designed to allow the tripod to fold properly, and you can then add an Arca-Swiss clamp. If you buy the tripod plus ballhead kit (GK2580TQR) it comes with a Gitzo clamp that may well not be what you want. For travel, the compactness of the GT2540T makes it more convenient than the Series 2 Mountaineer tripods, but note anyhow that the GT2541 is much more compact than the GT2531 that you mention.

........the head choice is probably harder than the leg choice!......& I am not sure I have got this right yet, so let me explain.....

........I have the 5dmk2 which I primary purchased to replace my 20d as a stills camera, however, my camcorder started playing up at about the same time I got the 5dmk2, so the video feature on the 5dmk2 was very much welcomed by me so I did not feel I had any need to replace the camcorder with a new one.....effectively making the 5dmk2 more of a bargin(!) as a still camera. The other advantage to me of having both stills & video in one body was the reduction of kit (including chargers & spare batteries) that I take on holiday/backpacking. I don't do anything with the video more than home/kids/holiday use - typical camcorder fodder......but I guess I aspire to do more with it - it's video capabilities certainly demand it & exceed anything that I have used it for so far.

.......The reason for me mentioning all this is to explain why I went looking for a video head that I could use for both Stills AND video.

Most stills photographers opt for ball heads & the RRS & Markins ball heads are popular for the travel series Gitzo tripods from what I've read, however, I do not think they are so suitable for video use.

2-way fluid heads seem to be the preferred head for video.......but these are not so suitable for stills for two reasons - 1) they are missing the 3rd axis that allows swopping between landscape to portrait (apart from my wife, who has ever video'ed in Portrait mode? ;-) ......it is a bit of a pain having to rotate the TV through 90 degrees after all), 2) many video heads so not permit full locking of their axis.

.......So this gave me something of a dilemma. I tried various heads at a photo show aswell as in shops.

I ended up with a Gitzo G2272M - NOT because it was a Gitzo & i have Gitzo legs, BUT because it was a 3-way with solid locking on the axis & very smooth pan & tilt. I thought I'd found the perfect head for my needs/wants.

BUT, through more extended use, & better understanding, I've found a few 'flaws' in this head which makes it less than ideal & so I struggle to recommend it (although last week another DPReview user that I shared my thoughts with bought a G2272M & likes it very much).

The first 'flaw' is that when you mount the camera in the normal way & then tilt into portrait mode, you lose the 'tilt' axis (but have two pans!) - it is just the weird way the various head axis function. The only way around this I have found so far is to mount the camera 90 degrees from what you would normally do, then you can go into Portrait & still have tilt. The other 'issue' I have is that I cant tilt to full vertical. I also have found that if you mount the camera with a heavy lens on it & flip to portrait then the lens can 'droop' & 'unscrew' slightly from the quick release base......unless you really tighten up the quick release base to the camera very hard.....but I fear when I do this that I may strip the thread in the camera.

So because of these user experiences i can't really recommend this otherwise lovely head.

I have spotted another potential avenue to explore however that may fix the issues I have & open up the head choice somewhat:-

Really Right Stuff (RRS) or Kirk L-bracket's. With one of these it would permit the flip between landscape & portrait mode & (in the case of teh RRS bracket - I'm not sure about kirk as I have not looked) they are contoured to the base of the camera body so this resists any rotation due to heavy lenses. As the L-bracket provides the switch between shooting modes, it then opens up the head option to include all the 2-way heads. I have not taken this any further yet, & for me, I might just get the RRS L-bracket & stick with the G2272M head, but if you or anyone else is looking for a stills/video combo head, this may be an option seriously worth further investigation.

Hope this all helps, & let us all know if you take things further, or what your own investigations unearth.

....all spot on with my investigations too.

....I'd also say that the GT1541T is a good compromise between travel & stability - exactly the same as you - it is a compromise, it always is with tripods between size/weight & portability, the GT1541T is probably close to the sweet spot in this compromise.

I also looked at the series 2 traveller, but concluded that it was a little too bulky for my travel 'pod & I really wanted the leveller feature for my general use tripod.

To the original poster:-

One thing I'd stress, is that if you just go by the length dimensions between the tripods mentioned so far as a guide to how travel friendly they are, that only tells part of the story. When you see some of the models in the flesh nest to each other you see the bulk difference - the overall diameters are different, but I've never seen this dimension stated. I was surprised when I saw the GT1550T & Gt1541T size by side folded up - the GT1550T makes the GT1541T seem positively big (it isn't though!) by comparison. It is the same story comparing the series 2 traveller to the GT1541T series 1 traveller - there may not be so much in the length, but the over all 'bulk' is more noticeable. Just beaware of this side of tripod sizing.

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for your detailed and helpful replies.

I'll be using the tripod almost exclusively for stills, and primarily for nature photography (e.g., macro and landscape shots in dimly lit forests) and travel (e.g., low-light or night shots in cities). Portability would be great, since I'll be doing a lot of short- and long-distance hiking for nature shots, as well as traveling by plane.

This is a tough decision, especially given the trade-off between portability and stability. Ultimately, to get the best of both worlds, I may need to invest in two tripods. The question now is "which one should I get first?"

Thanks again for your help and insights.

Cheers,

Jonathan

This makes a big difference, for me, in the recommendation. As soon as you say 'macro', I think Explorer. My GT2531EX is being delivered today; the model is favored by a number of photographers I know (RRS BH-40 is a nice head for this unit). I'm replacing my GT2530 with the Explorer.

Reasons for Explorer over the Mountaineer:

• Leg adjustments
• Pivoting column

In addition to the 2530 I'm replacing, I own a GT3541XLS. The latter is my preferred unit when I'm shooting a long lens or staying close to the car. But after watching several folks using the GT2531EX in the field, and doing a bit of macro myself, I've decided that the pivoting column is indispensable.

I've seen 5D, 5DII, 40D, and 50D units used with this tripod, with lenses up to 70-200, and all of the owners are ecstatic with the results. Also, I've tried the locking mechanism on the column, and it's solid.

For a bit more cost and less than a pound more weight, I'd definitely suggest that you consider this unit. The only thing I wish was that the legs extended a bit longer, which is a huge benefit my GT3541XLS offers.

And yes, I'll lug the Explorer on most of my travels. It's not that large, and the flexible support options it offers are useful. Over the last 18 months I've read a lot of posts here and other places about the Series 1 tripods. I wouldn't try one for my work: many observations about the lower leg thinness. Also, if you ever decide to use an extender with the 70-200, the Series 1 will come up short in torsional stability.

Abbott

jon01 said:

I'll be using the tripod almost exclusively for stills, and primarily for nature photography (e.g., macro and landscape shots in dimly lit forests) and travel (e.g., low-light or night shots in cities). Portability would be great, since I'll be doing a lot of short- and long-distance hiking for nature shots, as well as traveling by plane.

This is a tough decision, especially given the trade-off between portability and stability. Ultimately, to get the best of both worlds, I may need to invest in two tripods. The question now is "which one should I get first?"

Thanks again for your help and insights.

Cheers,

Jonathan

Click to expand...

jon01 said:

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for your detailed and helpful replies.

I'll be using the tripod almost exclusively for stills, and primarily for nature photography (e.g., macro and landscape shots in dimly lit forests) and travel (e.g., low-light or night shots in cities). Portability would be great, since I'll be doing a lot of short- and long-distance hiking for nature shots, as well as traveling by plane.

This is a tough decision, especially given the trade-off between portability and stability. Ultimately, to get the best of both worlds, I may need to invest in two tripods. The question now is "which one should I get first?"

Thanks again for your help and insights.

Cheers,

Jonathan

Click to expand...

Well, my own use for the GT1541T is for a variety of natural history purposes, including botanical close-ups, which is why my "big" tripod is indeed an Explorer. But there's no Explorer that is remotely comparable in size and weight with the GT1541T. Fortunately the GT1541T is itself more capable than you might think at first sight. The tripod as supplied allows the column to be removed and the top plate and stud screwed directly to the hook unit. When supplying the components separately Gitzo call this the "Ground Level Kit", and with the legs out to the wider position it does indeed get you down very low. Unfortunately I have found it to be insufficiently stable – the setup comes unscrewed far too easily. So instead I carry the alternative column in the side pocket of the tripod bag. Gitzo call this the "medium length column" because I think they used to make a shorter one, but this one is exactly the right length for the job. With the GT1541T legs in the wide position you can drop this column fully and it just does not quite touch the ground, so you achieve the same height as with the ground level kit approach but with a much more robust setup and with the option of a useful amount of vertical adjustment by raising the column. The part number is GS1510KB, and it comes with a standard Series 1 top plate (which is bigger than the special top plate for the Traveller) and the usual stud, and with the hook unit. You don't need to carry any of these, since you already have them with the standard column, so carrying the extra column adds virtually nothing to the weight.

I had this same dilemma. Based on othersopinions I got the 1541. And markinsball head, the one made for. This gitzo. I waisted a lot of money on knockoffs and inferior tripods
--
thanks

Jon

LDunn1 said:

Jon,

I have a 5dmk2 & 70-200 f2.8 IS (& converters which I use with it) - plus other lenses but this is my biggest/heaviest.

I have both the GT1541T & GT2540LVL Gitzo tripods.

I don't think you will regret going for a Gitzo for the build or they way it functions.

I bought the GT1541T for travel, & the GT2540LVL as I was particularly attracted to the head levelling feature on it, which saves alot of faff with individual leg adjustments, & the larger 'pod was to be used at home & when operating out of a car.

I think it is the physical size/bulk difference between the two rather than the weight which is the governing factor.

It is really difficult to advise you which way to go without knowing your intended usage.

Most of my photography in the past year has been either at home or operating close to a car, so the GT2540LVL has easily seen the most action.......but I would not contemplate taking it on international backpacking travel purely on size grounds.

I tossed up between the GT1550T & the GT1541T - when you put them size by side the 1550 is noticeably smaller. However, its 5th leg section is very small diameter (think pencil size) & a lot of the overall flex eminates from that last leg section. The 1541T also had the newer G-lock leg locks, which are said to be better & its 4 vs 5 leg sections to lock out, plus with teh 1550T you get a ball head included which I did not want anyway so cost was slightly more. Ultimately, I am very pleased I went for the 1541T (vs the 1550T) - the 1541T is pretty ridged, but again, alot of the overall flex comes from the last thinnest leg section & I would not want to go thinner now - 1541T is just about acceptable to me.

The GT1541T is not as solid/stable as the GT2540LVL, but is stable enough for me to use with the 5dmk2 & 70-200L f2.8 IS. Others may disagree. If stability was critical & I only had the 1541T available, then I'd use it from a sitting or kneeling position & not fully extended, inorder to gain more stability (I actually prefer to shoot from a sitting / kneeling position often anyway given a choice).

The levelling feature on the GT2540LVL is brilliant if you reguarly need to level the head for video pans or pano's. If there had been a Travel series of tripod with the same levelling feature, I would probably have gone with that.

I also find that at times I have used both tripods at the same time - one for the camera support & the other for background support or flash support, so going the twin tripod route also has its advantages.

.......it helped that I spotted deals on both the GT1541T & GT2540LVL......I originally went with the GT2540LVL when I saw it on offer as I knew that I would not be travelling (backpacking) for some time & could wait for a travel tripod. Then a month later I saw the GT1541T at a very good price, so went for it while I could get it cheaper.

If you search my earlier posts, I've posted alot about tripods - you main learn more by reading these & reading others responses too.

Click to expand...

To the OP (Jon)...

Please listen to this guy. You can't go wrong with Gitzo.

At first I bought a Velbon tripod. Although it was okay for some stuff I did I was disappointed when I put some pressure on the camera...one leg gave way.

So...I bought a Gitzo....the GT1550T. LDunn1 is correct...if you're thinking of a 1 series Gitzo get the GT1541T instead.

In my trip to the east coast I forgot my tripod...so I bought a new one in B&H...a Gitzo GT2540. If I can do it over again I would have bought the GT2530 instead.

Anyway...if you want only 1 tripod...I suggest you get the GT2530. Well IMHO your lens...the 70-200 F2.8 II IS L...with the 5D2...will be quite okay with the GT1541T....but who knows...you might get a 400mm lens later on...so get the 2 series Gitzo instead.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason

--



http://www.pbase.com/dtuason

When people lose everything and they have nothing left to lose, they lose it.

~ Gerald Celente

It is well that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.

~ Henry Ford

A caveat:

I originally bought the 2530 for use with a 1DIII and lenses up to and including the 100-400L. I didn't notice the Gitzo comment about "recommended for lenses up to 300mm." I wish I'd paid attention. The GT2530 is really marginal with the 100-400 (again, with a heavy 1D body). So I bought a GT3541XLS, which is rock-solid for everything.

The 100-400 might work with a Series 2 unit if mounted on a lighter body. But add the optional grip to a 5D or 40/50D, and you're pushing weight again. So if it was me, and I was planning on using the 100-400 regularly on the tripod, I personally chose to go with a more solid Series 3 unit, which is what Gitzo recommends in the first place.

Abbott

dtuason wrote:

Anyway...if you want only 1 tripod...I suggest you get the GT2530. Well IMHO your lens...the 70-200 F2.8 II IS L...with the 5D2...will be quite okay with the GT1541T....but who knows...you might get a 400mm lens later on...so get the 2 series Gitzo instead.

Abbott Schindler said:

A caveat:

I originally bought the 2530 for use with a 1DIII and lenses up to and including the 100-400L. I didn't notice the Gitzo comment about "recommended for lenses up to 300mm." I wish I'd paid attention. The GT2530 is really marginal with the 100-400 (again, with a heavy 1D body). So I bought a GT3541XLS, which is rock-solid for everything.

Click to expand...

Thanks Abbott!

That's going to be my next Gitzo...when I get a 400 F2.8 II IS L lens...I better start saving...hehehe!

Cheers!

Danny Tuason

PS My 50D with the battery grip weighs approximately the same as my 1Ds3. I shot the moon with the 50D (and battery grip) with a 400 F5.6 L, 1.4x II TC, and 2x II TC...using the Gitzo GT2540...no problem.

Member said:

The 100-400 might work with a Series 2 unit if mounted on a lighter body. But add the optional grip to a 5D or 40/50D, and you're pushing weight again. So if it was me, and I was planning on using the 100-400 regularly on the tripod, I personally chose to go with a more solid Series 3 unit, which is what Gitzo recommends in the first place.

Abbott

dtuason wrote:

Anyway...if you want only 1 tripod...I suggest you get the GT2530. Well IMHO your lens...the 70-200 F2.8 II IS L...with the 5D2...will be quite okay with the GT1541T....but who knows...you might get a 400mm lens later on...so get the 2 series Gitzo instead.

Click to expand...

--



http://www.pbase.com/dtuason

When people lose everything and they have nothing left to lose, they lose it.

~ Gerald Celente

It is well that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.

~ Henry Ford

Thanks again everyone!

Danny, out of curiosity, why do you prefer the 2530 over the 2540? From what I can tell, the main differences are the number of leg segments (3 vs. 4), the max. extended height (161 vs. 153 cm, at least for the newer 2531 and 2541 models), the closed height (65 cm vs. 56 cm), and the price ($650 vs. $700).

Cheers,

Jonathan

jon01 said:

Thanks again everyone!

Danny, out of curiosity, why do you prefer the 2530 over the 2540? From what I can tell, the main differences are the number of leg segments (3 vs. 4), the max. extended height (161 vs. 153 cm, at least for the newer 2531 and 2541 models), the closed height (65 cm vs. 56 cm), and the price ($650 vs. $700).

Click to expand...

Nothing really...the GT2540 is pretty stable...I mean really really stable...it's just that I think the less number of legs may mean more stability...I don't really know...

The GT2540 serves me very well...it has never failed me.

My next Gitzo definitely has to be a 3 series one...because I intend to get at least one of Canon's big gun lenses...maybe a 400 F2.8 II IS L lens...with 2x III TC...for birding.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason

jon01 said:

Cheers,

Jonathan

Click to expand...

--



http://www.pbase.com/dtuason

When people lose everything and they have nothing left to lose, they lose it.

~ Gerald Celente

It is well that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.

~ Henry Ford

......I think if/when I get a really big lens, like the 400mm f2.8, then I'd probably look at one of the Gitzo Systematic tripods.....I was quite attracted to the Systematics when I ended up getting the GT2540LVL.

.....BUT with the new slimmed down 400mm f2.8 mk2, maybe I can get away with the GT1541T after all ;-) (please don't read this line as serious!).

...ref the discussion of 3 vs 4 legs - The way the Gitzo leg locks work, I think I'd personally go for the collapsed-size saving 4 legs. When the legs are in the fully collapsed state, one twist can lock / unlock all sections in one go which makes it real quick to set up or collapse. Of course you have to independantly lock each section when fully extended which takes 3 extra operations & 3 extra unlocks to collapse a fully extended 4-sectioner vs a 3-sectioner, but the twist action is so quick & easy it takes a second. Plus, I often don't depoy all sections anyway. The G-lock leg clamps also seem very secure & sturdy to me too, so having an extra one per leg does not impact overall stability unduely in my view. I much prefer to have a more compact tripod when collapsed & or a slightly taller one when fully extended to give more options (if working on a slope you may need a 'pod capable of taller than eye height on the flat for example). The weight penalty between 3 or 4 sections is 2/10th's of buggar all, so weight saving is a non-issue for me.

Jon - I agree with Abbott, as soon as I read your post ref macro I thought Explorer range immediately.....then read Abbots post saying the same.

If your interest in macro is anything more than an occassional dabble, then seriously consider looking at the Explorer.

I am just a macro dabbler, so I get by with my GT2540LVL Leveller holding my camera & I use the GT1541T Traveller to either place a background behind the subject (in case of flowers, where I use a translucent white perspex sheet), or I attach one of my flash units to the GT1541T. But there is no question, at times a tripod specifically designed for macro work would be more helpful.

So it depends upon the % of your shots that are macro & how serious you are.

For Landscape, I still think the Leveller range would be favourite.

For Travel, the Travel range.

.......Jon you hit it spot on when you mentioned that your needs would be best served by more than one tripod - I recognised that for my needs & bought accordingly.

When are you next expecting to go travelling & plan to take decent photo gear with you? If it is imminent, I'd say get a Traveller now, if not, I'd say the Traveller can wait until you see a good deal/offer OR you are about to do some serious travelling with your camera.

Thanks everyone!

I think I've narrowed it down to the 2531 vs. 2541. The 2531 has a larger height fully extended (161 cm vs. 153 cm for the 2541), but the 2541 is more compact when closed (56 cm vs. 65 cm for the 2531). My eye level is 165 cm from the ground (I'm 5'11"), so the 2531 could be more comfortable to use. However, the compactness of the 2541 would be useful for hiking and traveling. Perhaps the best compromise for now is the 2531, as this would provide a very stable tripod for my purposes (relative to the 1541T) but also be somewhat compact (relative to the 2541).

LDunn1 - Thanks again for all your advice. The next big trip I'll be taking will be to Greece in Jan. Between now and then, I'll be spending a lot of time in forests shooting landscapes and plants for research. I am only an occassional macro shooter (I recently picked up the Canon 100 2.8 L IS), but am enjoying it very much.

Cheers,

Jonathan

no problem Jon.

......keep in mind that the tripod head adds to the over all height, plus the viewfinder is usually somewhere around 7-8cm above the base of the camera on the non-pro cameras.....& if you add the vertical grip, that will add another 3cm or so.......net result is that even if your tripod leg quoted height is not at your eye-height, once you put head & camera on the viewfinder may well be.

You say your are looking at the 2531 vs 2541 - which range is that? Mountaineer? Leveller? etc???

......My GT2540LVL (Leveller) is tall enough for me (on flat ground at least) once I put head & camera on it, & I am over 6'3". I was at an airshow a couple of weeks ago & not being at the front of the crowd, but being reasonably tall, I raised the center column up about 3", which was about as high as I could go & still just about see through the viewfinder with the lens horizontal, to shoot planes coming into land just over the crowds heads........if it had not been for the people in front of me, I would not have raised the center column at all & would have been more comfortable, as viewfinder is then very close to where I'd like it.

Thanks! This is helpful - I wasn't taking the height of ball head and grip into account when thinking about the max. height.

I'm looking at the Mountaineer series: GT2531 vs. GT2541.

Cheers,

Jonathan