Gitzo GM-3550 Monopod

[SYS]

My Manfrotto 3245 monopod suddenly died on me, and I'm looking to purchase a new one. My top candidate right now is Gitzo GM-3550, but there aren't that many reviews of it out there. If you happen to own it, would you mind sharing your pros and cons about the product? Thanks.

[ed rader]

My Manfrotto 3245 monopod suddenly died on me, and I'm looking to purchase a new one. My top candidate right now is Gitzo GM-3550, but there aren't that many reviews of it out there. If you happen to own it, would you mind sharing your pros and cons about the product? Thanks.


i bought one as a gift for a friend. very hi-tech. very very light. i didn't really like the twist locks so when it came time to buy a monopod for me i bought....

Bogen / Manfrotto 676B

i use it with a tilt head w/ quick release. i love it! very light weight and portable and cost me about 80 bucks!

ed rader

[SYS]

i bought one as a gift for a friend. very hi-tech. very very light. i didn't really like the twist locks so when it came time to buy a monopod for me i bought....

Bogen / Manfrotto 676B

i use it with a tilt head w/ quick release. i love it! very light weight and portable and cost me about 80 bucks!

ed rader



Thanks, Ed. My Manfrotto only lasted a couple of years of not-so-heavy use, so I'm pretty disappointed and would rather not go back to another Manfrotto monopod, or at least not to the auto trigger ones....

[jhom]

Forget the automatic monopod. I would suggest you look at the Manfrotto 680 or 681. The only thing that can go wrong with them is the flip locks might need some tightening after very extensive abuse.

[René Damkot]

I don't like flip locks. My next monopod will be exactly that Gitzo. It's the only one long enough to allow shooting over a crowd.
There is a review 'coming' here (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Gitzo-GM3550-6x-Carbon-Fiber-Monopod-Review.aspx). No idea when it'll be finished though.

[SYS]

The only useful review of Gitzo 3550 was found here: http://www.amazon.com/Gitzo-GM5540-Carbon-Section-Monopod/dp/B000MIP4GA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200425741&sr=8-3

The first reviewer of Gitzo GM-5540 gave a comparative review between this 5 series and 3550, and it made me stay away from the 5 series, as I don't need to hold a "tree trunk" for a monopod.

I decided to pull the trigger and ordered the 3550 this morning. Amazon.com had only one available via Adorama, and I had to purchase it through Amazon in order to use up a $50 gift certificate. I'll provide a review of the product.

[RichNY]

The only useful review of Gitzo 3550 was found here: http://www.amazon.com/Gitzo-GM5540-Carbon-Section-Monopod/dp/B000MIP4GA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200425741&sr=8-3

The first reviewer of Gitzo GM-5540 gave a comparative review between this 5 series and 3550, and it made me stay away from the 5 series, as I don't need to hold a "tree trunk" for a monopod.

I decided to pull the trigger and ordered the 3550 this morning. Amazon.com had only one available via Adorama, and I had to purchase it through Amazon in order to use up a $50 gift certificate. I'll provide a review of the product.

You've got all 'small' glass and the 3550 was the right choice. Well done- once you've gone Gitzo you'll never go back.

[SunTsu]

The only useful review of Gitzo 3550 was found here: http://www.amazon.com/Gitzo-GM5540-Carbon-Section-Monopod/dp/B000MIP4GA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200425741&sr=8-3

The first reviewer of Gitzo GM-5540 gave a comparative review between this 5 series and 3550, and it made me stay away from the 5 series, as I don't need to hold a "tree trunk" for a monopod.

I decided to pull the trigger and ordered the 3550 this morning. Amazon.com had only one available via Adorama, and I had to purchase it through Amazon in order to use up a $50 gift certificate. I'll provide a review of the product.

Just when I thought I had everything, you had to make me think of upgrading a piece of equipment! Please do post a review as soon as you can as I'm looking at getting this monopod to replace my cheap, bought-in-the-streets-of-HK monopod. I've noticed that there is a big jump in price between the 3550 and the next cheaper Gitzo monopods. Can you please explain how you decided on the 3550?

Was there any particular reason you bought via Amazon aside from using up the gift certificate?

[SYS]

Just when I thought I had everything, you had to make me think of upgrading a piece of equipment! Please do post a review as soon as you can as I'm looking at getting this monopod to replace my cheap, bought-in-the-streets-of-HK monopod. I've noticed that there is a big jump in price between the 3550 and the next cheaper Gitzo monopods. Can you please explain how you decided on the 3550?

Was there any particular reason you bought via Amazon aside from using up the gift certificate?

I narrowed it down to Gitzo 3550 mainly due to all the reasons that Amazon.com reviewer gave: light weight, compactness, plenty sturdy for my lenses, as well as the fact that I do lots of hiking and outdoors. I think it's perfect for my long term needs.

I went with Amazon as I've bought tons of stuff in the past few years from them with zero negative experience, but I mainly wanted to make a good use of that gift certificate. I'll post a review as soon as I get it.

[Packhorse-4]

I’ve been looking forward to getting a monopod since last summer. I just ordered the Gitzo 3550 this evening. I don’t expect it to arrive until the end of the week so your 3550 should arrive a few days before mine does. I wanted the additional height this monopod provided in addition to the excellent reputation Gitzo has for tripods and monopods.