Giottos

[mknabster]

I have been looking for a good camera tripod, and this Giottos seems to fit my needs. How is this one, Giottos MT-9180, compared to some of Bogen's and Gitzo's?

[MillCreek]

I have both a Giotto's P-Pod monopod and a MT-9170 tripod, and think they offer excellent value for the money. Speaking as someone for whom photography is a hobby, not the way I earn my money, striking a balance between cost, quality and features is something I do for all my photography purchases. I looked at the Bogens and Gitzos at a local shop and thought they had many fine models, but boy, did you pay for them!

[DEMO]

I was also looking at the Giottos MT-9180 and I liked the specs

Maximum Height 71" (180 cm)
Minimum Height 10.5" (27 cm), without center column
Folded Length 23.3" (59 cm)
Load Capacity ± 26 lb (10 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist-lock
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Sections 1
Center Column Type Rapid sliding
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet Yes
Head Type No
Head Mount Thread Size Dual 1/4-20" & 3/8"
Weight 6.6 lb (3 kg


the only thing I dont care for is the twist type locks, If it came with the flip type locks it would be to me the perfect tripod. What do you think about the twist type locks MillCreek? I am also looking at the Manfrotto 3021BPRO and I cant decide.


Manfrotto 3021BPRO specs
Maximum Height 69.2" (175.7 cm )
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended 53.2" (135.1 cm)
Minimum Height 4.4" (11.2 cm)
Folded Length 25.6" (65.0 cm)
Load Capacity 13.3 lb (6 kg)
Leg Sections 3
Leg Lock Type Flip levers
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Sections 1
Center Column Type Sliding
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Type None
Head Mount Thread Size 3/8"-16
Weight 5.3 lb (2.4 kg)


ALMOST SAME PRICE !!!! Giottos 154.99 VS 3021BPRO 159.99

[mknabster]

O yea, i also forgot to ask. The B&H one they sell for the MT 9180 doesn't come with a head. Should i buy a ball head or 3 way, and should i get it by Giottos, or from some other manufacturer?

[Jon]

Ball head. Depending on what you're going to be using on it, a Manfrotto 486RC2 will be plenty (based on what's in your sig., it'll be overkill) for capacity.

[KevC]

I love my Giottos Rocket Air blower :D

[useless post of the day]

[whiteflyer]

^^ :lol::lol::lol:

[MillCreek]

I tend to avoid flip locks insofar as they are more prone to snag on my backpacks and foliage up here in the very dense forests of the Pacific NW. One of the reasons I went with the Giottos was the versatility of the center column, similar to that of the Gitzo Explorer line of tripods. This is a big help in getting some shots in difficult and mountainous terrain. I am using a Giotto's ball head and have a spare quick release plate that I keep on my Sigma 70-200 2.8 at all times.

[MarkoPolo]

Interesting, but flip locks would be the deal breaker for me. I much prefer the twist type. I do have a Giottos 1002 medium ball head that I fitted with a Kirk Arca style plate and I used it with my Velbon Chaser EF-4 as my lightweight travel tripod. Works very well and I would recommend it without reservations.