Gitzo or Bogen CF Tripod?

Forrest41926 · Nov 22, 2002

I need a "real" tripod, and I think I've narrowed it down to three choices:

Gitzo 1228 - This seems to be the most popular, and everybody can't be wrong...

Gitzo 2227 - This one looks a lot better than the 1228. It goes higher and lower. The legs on this one lock at any angle, instead of 24, 55, or 90 degrees. It doesn't support quite as much weight, but that's not really an issue beyond seven or eight pounds.

Bogen 3443 - This one extends higher than either Gitzo, with it's minimum height in between them. It weighs a little more than the 1228 and a pound less than the 2227. The center column becomes a lateral arm -- this sounds like a great feature.

The local shop doesn't have all three of these, so I can't just walk in and find the one I like the most. ( They also don't have a mountain in the back yard... ) So I'd love to hear some feedback on these guys, or anything else I missed...

Thanks!

Laurie Sokoloff · Nov 22, 2002

Forrest said:
I need a "real" tripod, and I think I've narrowed it down to three
choices:

Gitzo 1228 - This seems to be the most popular, and everybody

can't be wrong...

Gitzo 2227 - This one looks a lot better than the 1228. It goes

higher and lower. The legs on this one lock at any angle, instead
of 24, 55, or 90 degrees. It doesn't support quite as much weight,
but that's not really an issue beyond seven or eight pounds.

Bogen 3443 - This one extends higher than either Gitzo, with it's

minimum height in between them. It weighs a little more than the
1228 and a pound less than the 2227. The center column becomes a
lateral arm -- this sounds like a great feature.

The local shop doesn't have all three of these, so I can't just
walk in and find the one I like the most. ( They also don't have a
mountain in the back yard... ) So I'd love to hear some feedback
on these guys, or anything else I missed...

Most here use Gitzo, and prefer the turn-adjust legs. I use the Bogen 3443 and love it. I owned a Gitzo non-CF previously, and I (possibly alone?[g]) prefer the Bogen clip adjustment legs. I've yet to pinch my fingers, which seems to be a big complaint from others, and find I can adjust leg height faster. I believe it's cheaper than the Gitzo.

In terms of quality, I doubt you could go wrong with either.

--
Best,
Laurie

Glenn Barber · Nov 22, 2002

I ended up getting the - very compact 4 section Hakuba HG-6240C which has turned out to a great value for the money and it doesn't have the hand eating clamps of the Bogen.

Forrest said:
I need a "real" tripod, and I think I've narrowed it down to three
choices:

Gitzo 1228 - This seems to be the most popular, and everybody

can't be wrong...

Gitzo 2227 - This one looks a lot better than the 1228. It goes

higher and lower. The legs on this one lock at any angle, instead
of 24, 55, or 90 degrees. It doesn't support quite as much weight,
but that's not really an issue beyond seven or eight pounds.

Bogen 3443 - This one extends higher than either Gitzo, with it's

minimum height in between them. It weighs a little more than the
1228 and a pound less than the 2227. The center column becomes a
lateral arm -- this sounds like a great feature.

The local shop doesn't have all three of these, so I can't just
walk in and find the one I like the most. ( They also don't have a
mountain in the back yard... ) So I'd love to hear some feedback
on these guys, or anything else I missed...

Thanks!

Tim Lozinski · Nov 23, 2002

Hakuba ePod

Marvel of modern engineering

This thing will Support D60, Battery Grip, 80-200 2.8L, Metz CT45 on Bracket.

It also double as a funky dayglo high-vis indicator if you get lost in the snow and need to be 'found'.

Then again, maybe I'd be lucky if it supported my D60 alone with 50mm 1.4

I use a Manfrotto (euro Bogen) but I think we have totally differnt model numbers. I think they are 55 Legs, and my head is 141RC.

John Harrison82293 · Nov 23, 2002

I had same situation. No where to look at anything worthwhile locally. After listening to the messages in one of the threads about pods and some comments by David P I decided to get the 2227 for me. I had thought about saving some money and getting the aluminum one but was told the CF was taller and I am 6-5. I love it. Its plenty tall enough and I have had it in some unique situations on rocks in some streams.
John R.

WalterK · Nov 23, 2002

Forrest said:
Gitzo 1228 - This seems to be the most popular, and everybody

can't be wrong...

Unless you really need the tripod to be sompact, go with the 1227, which is a 3-section pod. Even Gitzo's descriptions of the two indicate there is greater stability with the 1227.

Forrest41926 said:
Gitzo 2227 - This one looks a lot better than the 1228. It goes

higher and lower. The legs on this one lock at any angle, instead
of 24, 55, or 90 degrees. It doesn't support quite as much weight,
but that's not really an issue beyond seven or eight pounds.

--

The 2227 is more versatile than the 1227, but does weight a pound more. As far as the "7 or 8 punds" goes, are you sure that you eventually won't want a ballhead like the Arca Swiss B1, a gymbal-type add on such as the Wimberly Sidekick, a bracket that will hold 1 or 2 flash units, and a big telephoto lens? It would be a shame to find the 13lb max load of the 2227 insufficient. The 1227 has a 17lb max. I am currently debating over getting the 1227 vs the 2227, and I think I will go with the 1227 for that reason.

I currently own the Manfrotto 2401 convertible tripod with the lateral/vertical center pole, and also the Gitzo 1224. Both are aluminum. the Gitzo is much less vibration prone than the Bogen, and the Bogen quick-clamp leg locks have always been harder to use than the Gitzo leg locks, for me, anyway.

For the long haul, any difference in price between Gitzo and Bogen for similar pods becomes negligible, compared to my preference for the Gitzo engineering.

Walter K

Nill Toulme · Nov 23, 2002

But how big is it?

Nill

Tim Lozinski said:
Hakuba ePod

Marvel of modern engineering

Nill Toulme · Nov 23, 2002

...is a marvelous piece of gear. I haven't weighed what I'm putting on it, but it typically is a 1D with 70-200 IS or 100-400 IS on a Kirk BH-3 head holding a Wimberley Sidekick. It's pretty darn solid.

The ability of the legs to lock at any angle makes it really easy to level the pod on uneven ground (it has a built-in bubble level), and the lateral arm is great for macro and copy work.

Nill

WalterK said:
The 2227 is more versatile than the 1227, but does weight a pound
more. As far as the "7 or 8 punds" goes, are you sure that you
eventually won't want a ballhead like the Arca Swiss B1, a
gymbal-type add on such as the Wimberly Sidekick, a bracket that
will hold 1 or 2 flash units, and a big telephoto lens? It would
be a shame to find the 13lb max load of the 2227 insufficient. The
1227 has a 17lb max. I am currently debating over getting the 1227
vs the 2227, and I think I will go with the 1227 for that reason.

WalterK · Nov 23, 2002

Nill Toulme said:
...is a marvelous piece of gear. I haven't weighed what I'm
putting on it, but it typically is a 1D with 70-200 IS or 100-400
IS on a Kirk BH-3 head holding a Wimberley Sidekick. It's pretty
darn solid.

The ability of the legs to lock at any angle makes it really easy
to level the pod on uneven ground (it has a built-in bubble level),
and the lateral arm is great for macro and copy work.

Damn, Nill....Just when I think I've made my mind up on which to get, you put me back to my obsessive indecision! Choices, choices, choices. What is one to do?

--
Walter K

Nill Toulme · Nov 23, 2002

I think it's a tough choice, especially if you're really going to be doing a lot of hiking with the tripod. But for all around use the 2227 is marvelously versatile and I think it's hard to go wrong with it unless you're into really big lenses.

Heck, order them both and send one back.

Nill

WalterK said:
Damn, Nill....Just when I think I've made my mind up on which to
get, you put me back to my obsessive indecision! Choices, choices,
choices. What is one to do?

John Harrison82293 · Nov 23, 2002

Nill Toulme said:
Heck, order them both and send one back.

Nill

WalterK said:

Damn, Nill....Just when I think I've made my mind up on which to
get, you put me back to my obsessive indecision! Choices, choices,
choices. What is one to do?

Click to expand...

Tim Lozinski · Nov 23, 2002

sans texte

Thomas Gardner · Nov 23, 2002

Forrest said:
I need a "real" tripod, and I think I've narrowed it down to three
choices:

All too often, people get the lightest, wigglyist, floppyist, yet most expensive tripod possible. Let sturdyist, for the monies, be your guide.

I'm in the process of updating my tripod bag. I'm spending a small fortune to do this right.

I've replaced the head with the Bogen 3039 head and a 3297 quick release plate. These are large and heavy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh4.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___5280___BO3039___REG___CatID=4900___SID=F1EA74ECDA0

The smaller tripod is being replace with the Bogen 3051.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh4.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___5297___BO3051___REG___CatID=0___SID=F1EA74ECDA0

The large tripod is going to be either the Bogen 3058 or the 3258.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh4.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___5310___BO3058___REG___CatID=0___SID=F1EA74ECDA0

Bags, of course, for both will be purchased.

The Swiss arca style head will be a Acratech ballhead.

http://acratech.net/prod01.htm

The piece de resistance will be the Wimberly Sidekick.

http://www.tripodhead.com/sk_close.htm

I'm not a light equipment kinda guy but I'll have a rock steady platform

Other's may suggest lighter equipment and lighter equipment might suit your purposes better as I'm just posting what I'm currently in the process of doing to give you some ideas.

Hope this helps.

Michael Porter · Nov 23, 2002

Thomas Gardner said:
All too often, people get the lightest, wigglyist, floppyist, yet
most expensive tripod possible. Let sturdyist, for the monies, be
your guide.

Tom is so right!

In the real world, where the wind blows, you want the sturdiest tripod and head you can afford.

For serious backpacking, it's another story. But I suspect most tripod use takes place within reasonable carry distance from a car.

Andy Biggs · Nov 23, 2002

I have the 1228 MKII and absolutely love it. However, in a perfect world, I would have the 1128 for hiking, and the 1348 or similar for 'normal' work. My sensitivity is that I don't want a center column, when weight isn't an issue.

$.02

mike b in oklahoma · Nov 23, 2002

Thomas Gardner said:
Thomas Gardner said:

The Swiss arca style head will be a Acratech ballhead.

Click to expand...

http://acratech.net/prod01.htm

Fine advice overall, but if you are trying to assemble the best system, regardless of weight, I'd recommend the original Arca-Swiss over the Acratech (I own both). the ability to tension the AS is wonderful, and I am convinced it is more stable with a large lens.

The Kirk BH-1 would probably work well also, though I haven't used it myself.

I do use my Acratech when I'm trying to save weight, it's not a bad ballhead. Just not the equivalent of the AS. I've never had any of the much-talked about lockup problems with the Arca-Swiss, by the way.

Forrest41926 · Nov 23, 2002

Laurie Sokoloff said:
Most here use Gitzo, and prefer the turn-adjust legs. I use the
Bogen 3443 and love it. I owned a Gitzo non-CF previously, and I
(possibly alone?[g]) prefer the Bogen clip adjustment legs. I've
yet to pinch my fingers, which seems to be a big complaint from
others, and find I can adjust leg height faster. I believe it's
cheaper than the Gitzo.

Yeah, I'll have to find all three of them to decide which kind of adjustment I prefer ... and how dangerous that pinch seems! Do you ever use the center column as a lateral arm? Just how useful is this, and how rigid is it? Can you trust a longish exposure with a heavish lens ( my 16-35L is about a pound and a half ) with the lateral arm?

Laurie Sokoloff said:
In terms of quality, I doubt you could go wrong with either.

That's kind of what I'm guessing/hoping. I have a decent Slik, but it leaves a lot to be desired ... and some of that is solidness.

Lee Rothman · Nov 23, 2002

I've had my 2227 now for over 8 months and carry it everywhere. It is fast to setup and a light load overall. I use it with the Gitzo 1377 center ballhead (as i played with it next to a Arca and just couldn't see the $$$ difference going the higher route) and I use it with a Ideesign Qtop quickrelease. It's a fast and efficient combo and easily handles the 1D/100-400L and 1.4xII teleconverter combo. I much prefer the quick twist to the hand flesh eating flip clips of the Bogens. It's your call and your body, but I'd do it right the first time GITZO.........

Forrest said:
I need a "real" tripod, and I think I've narrowed it down to three
choices:

Gitzo 1228 - This seems to be the most popular, and everybody

can't be wrong...

Gitzo 2227 - This one looks a lot better than the 1228. It goes

higher and lower. The legs on this one lock at any angle, instead
of 24, 55, or 90 degrees. It doesn't support quite as much weight,
but that's not really an issue beyond seven or eight pounds.

Bogen 3443 - This one extends higher than either Gitzo, with it's

minimum height in between them. It weighs a little more than the
1228 and a pound less than the 2227. The center column becomes a
lateral arm -- this sounds like a great feature.

The local shop doesn't have all three of these, so I can't just
walk in and find the one I like the most. ( They also don't have a
mountain in the back yard... ) So I'd love to hear some feedback
on these guys, or anything else I missed...

Thanks!

Forrest41926 · Nov 23, 2002

Michael Porter said:
Michael Porter said:

All too often, people get the lightest, wigglyist, floppyist, yet
most expensive tripod possible. Let sturdyist, for the monies, be
your guide.

Click to expand...

Michael Porter said:
In the real world, where the wind blows, you want the sturdiest
tripod and head you can afford.

I agree with you guys about the point of this excersize. Are you suggesting the particular tripods I'm looking at are wigglier than they should be? They sure are some of the more expensive tripods available...

I do most of my photography at f/11, so getting something rigid is pretty important to me. I'm using a D60, and probably will be for a year or two, but would ultimately like something FF in the EOS 1 family. In the meantime, I'm working on my lens collection; the heaviest in my bag so far is the 16-35L. That puts the camera and lens at about three pounds.

Michael Porter said:
For serious backpacking, it's another story. But I suspect most
tripod use takes place within reasonable carry distance from a car.

Maybe ... but that's not what I have in mind. I go on pretty long hikes ( five to ten miles ), and I always bring a tripod -- you need one to get the best quality. I do some backpacking, too, and have a four to six week trip planned for the summer ... I'd love to bring the camera gear, if I can work out some kind of solar power solution.

Nill Toulme · Nov 23, 2002

On the Gitzo 2227 you can hang a counter-weight on the other end of the lateral arm to assure stability.

Nill

Forrest said:
Yeah, I'll have to find all three of them to decide which kind of
adjustment I prefer ... and how dangerous that pinch seems! Do you
ever use the center column as a lateral arm? Just how useful is
this, and how rigid is it? Can you trust a longish exposure with a
heavish lens ( my 16-35L is about a pound and a half ) with the
lateral arm?

Gitzo or Bogen CF Tripod?

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