23 replies to this topic

[DJD]

Zain Adeel, on 08 March 2012 - 21:20, said:

wow..
i just dont know what to say

please take care of the tripod!
and congrats on the buy..

my tripod cost me $15

What are some features of this Tripod? I mean.. why is it so expensive? is it just the good built quality or some high tech features? Like auto balance or something?

Ok the Ballhead is an "Arca-Swiss" which is the company that actually set the standard for all ballheads that we know today, the ballhead has a double pan feature basically only the camera needs to be level to take panoramas the Legs can be totally crooked it won't matter. The Ballhead supports a load up to 60kg. It has a Lever action quick release clamp that's adjustable to any size plate which makes it compatible with any brand, as far as i know no other company has this.

The Gitzo is a systematic that means you can customize it for example you can add a center column, a leveling base, a video base. It comes with build in spike feet and snowshoes, it has special protection against sea water, mud, dust and sand. Its carbon fiber and it supports up to 25kg. other then that it all comes to sturdiness and build quality. It only weighs 1.96kg. If you want a cheap tripod that will be just as strong you end up with a 6kg aluminum tripod. try hauling that + all you other gear with you all day when hiking!

The Really Right Stuff L plate fits my camera's body perfectly and allows me to switch from landscape to Portrait mode with out decentralizing the weight balance. (It won't hang next to your tripod)
Just release the clamp flip your camera on its side and tighten.

You pay for the names of course but those names also guarantee quality products.
I also completely agree that its a lot of money but in my opinion worth every penny!

[DJD]

Larkin251, on 09 March 2012 - 00:12, said:

Took me three months to decide which one to buy.

Yeah so? There are a lot of options out there.
You have to take into account how much it needs to support, how long it is both folded and fully extended and how much weight you want to carry around all day.
Then you have the option of aluminum, wood, basalt, magnesium and Carbon. Carbon being the lightest and most expensive. There are also lot of different models and brands out there.

Also one of the bigger factors besides how much it will supports is vibration dissipation, which it really import with a combination of +30sec exposures and wind and waves bashing into it.

[crazzy88ss]

Zain Adeel, on 08 March 2012 - 21:20, said:

my tripod cost me $15

Not that everybody needs a $1400 tripod, but there's a HUGE difference just between a $15 tripod and a $50 tripod and a $150 tripod. A HUGE difference. HUGE HUGE HUGE. I can't emphasize it enough.

My current tripod was about $150, and I went through 3 cheaper ones before I finally got what I currently have (it's made by SILK). I had the previous ones for about 6 months each before they broke. I've had this one for about 3-4 years.

DJD could easily have his tripod for 30 years.

[Argote]

My Current tripod was about $60 total (ballhead + legs, nonmodular) and it's significantly better than my previous $30 tripod.

[remus_lupin]

I spent about $300 all together for my tripod legs and head.
I wanted to spend more and get a really nice carbon fibre one, student budget though.
You got yourself a beautiful tripod. 1.96kg is nothing. Well worth the money, my uncle has a 20 year old tripod (not sure if its gitzo or manfrotto). It's better than mine lol

[DJD]

remus_lupin, on 10 March 2012 - 18:57, said:

I spent about $300 all together for my tripod legs and head. (I think)
I wanted to spend more and get a carbon fibre one, student budget though.
You got yourself a beautiful tripod. 1.96kg is nothing. Well worth the money, my uncle has a 20 year old tripod (not sure if its gitzo or manfrotto). It's better than mine lol

Definitely planning on keeping it for +20 years, if it breaks before that I'll blow up the Gitzo factory hahaha

[Zain Adeel]

DJD, on 09 March 2012 - 00:09, said:

Ok the Ballhead is an "Arca-Swiss" which is the company that actually set the standard for all ballheads that we know today, the ballhead has a double pan feature basically only the camera needs to be level to take panoramas the Legs can be totally crooked it won't matter. The Ballhead supports a load up to 60kg. It has a Lever action quick release clamp that's adjustable to any size plate which makes it compatible with any brand, as far as i know no other company has this.

The Gitzo is a systematic that means you can customize it for example you can add a center column, a leveling base, a video base. It comes with build in spike feet and snowshoes, it has special protection against sea water, mud, dust and sand. Its carbon fiber and it supports up to 25kg. other then that it all comes to sturdiness and build quality. It only weighs 1.96kg. If you want a cheap tripod that will be just as strong you end up with a 6kg aluminum tripod. try hauling that + all you other gear with you all day when hiking!

The Really Right Stuff L plate fits my camera's body perfectly and allows me to switch from landscape to Portrait mode with out decentralizing the weight balance. (It won't hang next to your tripod)
Just release the clamp flip your camera on its side and tighten.

You pay for the names of course but those names also guarantee quality products.
I also completely agree that its a lot of money but in my opinion worth every penny!

DJD, on 10 March 2012 - 19:02, said:

Definitely planning on keeping it for +20 years, if it breaks before that I'll blow up the Gitzo factory hahaha

those are some great features.. ..
I dont know much about Tripods. So thats why i asked.

And well u BETTER!!! this thing should last a lifetime!

[moloko]

I can understand this. After owning a cheap 50$ tripod and moving up to a nice Manfrotto with ballhead it is a world of difference. Not portable at all but can hold my 70-200 and DSLR.

Nice toy you got.

[+mrk]

DJD, on 03 March 2012 - 11:25, said:

Cheapo in the sarcastic sense haha. all in all, the tripod ballhead and L plate set me back $1400.
A lot of money but worth every penny!

This tripod has some improvements over its predecessors, the base plate has a system in place that won't allow it to drop out any more. The legs are sturdier and have better protection against the elements.
The feet won't fall off anymore, it has build in spikes and it also comes with snow shoes.

Very nice but!

The price of the old version I'd have demanded to know why those "improvements" were not in the old version!! I imagine they purposefully leave these things out so that they have a "next" version otherwise they won't be able to release anything new with improvements and charge the earth for it

I have had Velbon and Slikk tripods in the past but currently have the Red Snapper alloy series with ball head and it's a good piece of kit and contains all of the above features yet also comes with a heavy duty padded carrying case as well as shortened centre column and brackets!

Cost £150 with the ball head too!



That absolutely does not budge when locked in place and the ball head feels as rigid as a tank!