Gitzo 1228 and Acratech ballhead

[Pete Wong]

Has anyone bought the Gitzo 1228 tripod and Acratech Ultimate Ballhead combination and regretted it?

Would love to hear your user experience.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ken1]

Pete, I just ordered the Gitzo 2228. The 1228 has the uses the same head. I am using an Acratech Head. Here is a link that might answer your question. Do a search under Gitzo 1228 to get more results. The best is to do a search under all forums.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=6068953

 

[polarpics168086]

Not quite the same but I'm using the Acratech on a Slik Pro 804 CF and as a backpacking tripod it's the lightest and yet most solid feeling combo I've ever used. Once I got over my bias of " if it ain't heavy it ain't worth using" and started to trust the combo I was amazed with it's versatility and steadiness. have fun

Pete, I just ordered the Gitzo 2228. The 1228 has the uses the
same head. I am using an Acratech Head. Here is a link that might
answer your question. Do a search under Gitzo 1228 to get more
results. The best is to do a search under all forums.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=6068953

 

[Keith D.]

That is the exact combination I have been using for the past few months. To make my long tripod story short- after trying a number of tripods, including the EFL-4 Chaser recommended at http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gkrc/Tripod-Test.html , I finally found a camera store with the 1228 in stock. Within 30 seconds of setting it up I knew it was the tripod for me...

Just for comparisons with your requirements, I wanted something that would fold to 20.5" or less, 4.5 lbs or less, and was solid at full extension. I also wanted a ball head/qr that could be reversed under the tripod for travel. The 1228 was, IMHO, better than anything else I've tried. Note I could not find a Velbon/Hakuba 630 but I did compare the Gitzo to the Manfroto carbon (can't remember the model, carbon one perhaps) and I thought the Gitzo was more solid.

After plunking down much more for a tripod / head combo than I ever thought I would, I can honestly say it was worth it. The only thing "less than perfect" are those infamous Gitzo twist locks. I think the key is to tighten them just enough (it does not take much) and work from the bottom section up.

BTW, if you go with the acratech, the "medium" size general brand lens pouch at B&H is a perfect fit for it. I put it on mine whenever I reverse the center column for travel.

Keith

Has anyone bought the Gitzo 1228 tripod and Acratech Ultimate
Ballhead combination and regretted it?

Would love to hear your user experience.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pete Wong]

Thanks, guys. Just needed confirmation from existing users before I put down my money.

Just for comparisons with your requirements, I wanted something
that would fold to 20.5" or less, 4.5 lbs or less, and was solid at
full extension. I also wanted a ball head/qr that could be
reversed under the tripod for travel. The 1228 was, IMHO, better
than anything else I've tried. Note I could not find a
Velbon/Hakuba 630 but I did compare the Gitzo to the Manfroto
carbon (can't remember the model, carbon one perhaps) and I thought
the Gitzo was more solid.

After plunking down much more for a tripod / head combo than I ever
thought I would, I can honestly say it was worth it. The only
thing "less than perfect" are those infamous Gitzo twist locks. I
think the key is to tighten them just enough (it does not take
much) and work from the bottom section up.

BTW, if you go with the acratech, the "medium" size general brand
lens pouch at B&H is a perfect fit for it. I put it on mine
whenever I reverse the center column for travel.

Keith

Has anyone bought the Gitzo 1228 tripod and Acratech Ultimate
Ballhead combination and regretted it?

Would love to hear your user experience.

Thanks in advance.