Bought this cheapo tripod

[DJD]

Picked it up this Tuesday, what do you guys think?

Oh yeah absolutely love it:

Bragging rights - Gitzo GT3542LS by Gryphes, on Flickr

All the support a man needs in his life... (8/52) by Gryphes, on Flickr

[crazzy88ss]

Define "cheapo."

[DJD]

Define "cheapo."

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.

[Argote]

Somebody has plenty of disposable income :p

[blade1269]

Hey

Next time http://m.lifehacker.com/5889467/steady-your-camera-with-this-20-pvc-shoulder-mount

[wrack]

Bah...I have to survive on this.

http://joby.com/gorillapod/focus#images

[KingCracker]

I understand the importance of a good quality tripod but damn spending that much money for a tripod..

[Draconian Guppy]

Wow for $1,400 it better do my laundry!

[DJD]

Wow for $1,400 it better do my laundry!

It will dry your laundry lol

[Draconian Guppy]

It will dry your laundry lol

fair enough :laugh:

[crazzy88ss]

It will dry your laundry lol

LMAO!

But holy jesus that's a lot for a tripod!

What other tripods have you had? how's it compare?

[DJD]

I have had no other tripods, I like to spend my money on the right stuff right away. Lots of people cheap out on their tripods at first and end up buying several tripods in the end spending more then i did.

Also most people forget with a 5D MkII and a proper lens you have 3.5 grand sitting on top of it, you do not want it to fall to its death!!!!

This tripod can officially support a weight of 25Kg, well I weigh about 71Kg and can lean on it with my full weight and it doesn't even flinch! This thing is as solid as a rock! Tried a few tripods at the store and none of them come even close to the build quality of this, the only brand that has a similar build quality is Really Right Stuff, and those tripods cost even more.

Took me three months to decide which one to buy.

[goofyinthehead]

I have had no other tripods, I like to spend my money on the right stuff right away. Lots of people cheap out on their tripods at first and end up buying several tripods in the end spending more then i did.

If you've had no other tripod how do you know it's even the "right stuff"? because of the price? More power to you but seems a little over the top unless you're a professional photographer.

[DJD]

If you've had no other tripod how do you know it's even the "right stuff"? because of the price? More power to you but seems a little over the top unless you're a professional photographer.

No because unlike some people who have money to burn, I actually work hard for my money and do a fair amount of research before I buy something. I've spend three months reading reviews online, asking questions, and testing tripods at my local store before deciding this is the right one for my current and future needs. Price doesn't say ****, My 400 dollar Samyang 35mm f/1.4 blows the 1300 dollar Canon 35mm f/1.4 out of the water at almost any level image quality wise. I do not buy things because of their price tag, but for its quality and i never buy something on a whim. High quality tripods have a average life span of 20 years and up if you take good care of them thats only 70 dollars a year. I know plenty of people who still use their 30 year old Gitzo's on a daily basis.

[Zain Adeel]

wow..

i just dont know what to say :o

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? :p

[DJD]

wow..

i just dont know what to say :o

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? :p

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

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. :p

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.

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

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 :p

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!