ugly_a
31st of July 2008 (Thu), 19:09
First of all, it’s been hell trying to select which tripod I need. After reading countless posts about tripods on this forum, there are several schools of tripod owners categorized in the following:
I. I like using the best group
Mr. Belmondo with multiple tripod purchases, cough cough. :) ben_r_ with new legs and ballhead. And RRS L plate. And clamp. And flash bracket. And ... ? :)
Anyway, this group goes for Gitzo carbon fiber 6x with various combinations of supported weight class, rigidity, and portability. Ballhead of choice seems to be Markins or RRS BH series. Costs run 800 bucks minimum for a set of legs and a ballhead.
II. I am buying cheapest tripod possible group
Goes for no-name tripods with non-detachable head. Less than $100, all aluminum (steel?) legs.
III. I love Manfrotto 190/055 + 488rc2 group
Largest group here I think. Buys the combination above. Great review by dlivelyphotography as listed on the how to choose a tripod faq. Costs $250-$300.
IV. I want to be in group I but I can’t/won’t spend that much money group
Spends somewhere between group III and group I, buying carbon fiber tripods made from Slik, Feisol, Benro, Amvona, etc. Actually, I think Amvona might be cheaper than III.
V. I don’t need no stinkin’ tripod group
Costs $0. Good for them.
So, I wanted to be in group IV but wanted Gitzo. Now, if you’re not in one of these groups, your quest for finding the right tripod here in the forums is a treacherous one due to lack of information. In short, I ended up with Gitzo 2941 basalt fiber legs for $300. The best set of information I found was B&H website with their specification tabs of the tripods combined with user reviews from all over the web. If you’re looking for a tripod and are not in any of those groups, I recommend that you take a look at basalt fiber legs from Gitzo or the explorer 2 series.
With that intro out of the way, off we go onto the Gitzo 2941 review.
Cost from Canoga:
Gitzo 2941 - $300
Manfrotto 488rc2 - $100
Shipping - $12 UPS
Total - $412
Note that this tripod is a discontinued model. Gitzo 2942 replaces this model.
Gitzo 2941 “Reporter” tripod is made with basalt fiber, supposedly as good in rigidity as carbon fiber but heavier. It has 4 sections with regular G-lock and removable, reversible center column. I’m not sure if basalt fiber can dampen vibration at all, but by the feel of the material (feels like a soft rock, doesn’t bend much) I don’t think there will be as much vibration dampening as carbon fiber models. Other relevant specs:
* Supports upto 22lbs
* 66.1” maximum height
* 53.5” height, column not extended
* 22” folded length
* 3.7lbs
Everyone worries about the weight of their tripod. 3.7lbs is heavy but not bad. With 488rc2, the tripod comes in at hair above 5lbs. What more can you expect out of a non-carbon fiber tripod? In comparison, 055xprob + 488rc2 is 6.5lbs, 1541T + Markins Q3 is 3lbs, and 2540 + Markins M10 is ~4lbs. Not really for extended hiking unless you have a nice bag, but it’s very easy to lug around for couple hours at a time.
293227
When folded and closed, this tripod spans length of 4 pens - about 25”. The legs are black like the Manfrotto tripods, but it seems to have a lot of reflective properties like a shiny rock.
I. I like using the best group
Mr. Belmondo with multiple tripod purchases, cough cough. :) ben_r_ with new legs and ballhead. And RRS L plate. And clamp. And flash bracket. And ... ? :)
Anyway, this group goes for Gitzo carbon fiber 6x with various combinations of supported weight class, rigidity, and portability. Ballhead of choice seems to be Markins or RRS BH series. Costs run 800 bucks minimum for a set of legs and a ballhead.
II. I am buying cheapest tripod possible group
Goes for no-name tripods with non-detachable head. Less than $100, all aluminum (steel?) legs.
III. I love Manfrotto 190/055 + 488rc2 group
Largest group here I think. Buys the combination above. Great review by dlivelyphotography as listed on the how to choose a tripod faq. Costs $250-$300.
IV. I want to be in group I but I can’t/won’t spend that much money group
Spends somewhere between group III and group I, buying carbon fiber tripods made from Slik, Feisol, Benro, Amvona, etc. Actually, I think Amvona might be cheaper than III.
V. I don’t need no stinkin’ tripod group
Costs $0. Good for them.
So, I wanted to be in group IV but wanted Gitzo. Now, if you’re not in one of these groups, your quest for finding the right tripod here in the forums is a treacherous one due to lack of information. In short, I ended up with Gitzo 2941 basalt fiber legs for $300. The best set of information I found was B&H website with their specification tabs of the tripods combined with user reviews from all over the web. If you’re looking for a tripod and are not in any of those groups, I recommend that you take a look at basalt fiber legs from Gitzo or the explorer 2 series.
With that intro out of the way, off we go onto the Gitzo 2941 review.
Cost from Canoga:
Gitzo 2941 - $300
Manfrotto 488rc2 - $100
Shipping - $12 UPS
Total - $412
Note that this tripod is a discontinued model. Gitzo 2942 replaces this model.
Gitzo 2941 “Reporter” tripod is made with basalt fiber, supposedly as good in rigidity as carbon fiber but heavier. It has 4 sections with regular G-lock and removable, reversible center column. I’m not sure if basalt fiber can dampen vibration at all, but by the feel of the material (feels like a soft rock, doesn’t bend much) I don’t think there will be as much vibration dampening as carbon fiber models. Other relevant specs:
* Supports upto 22lbs
* 66.1” maximum height
* 53.5” height, column not extended
* 22” folded length
* 3.7lbs
Everyone worries about the weight of their tripod. 3.7lbs is heavy but not bad. With 488rc2, the tripod comes in at hair above 5lbs. What more can you expect out of a non-carbon fiber tripod? In comparison, 055xprob + 488rc2 is 6.5lbs, 1541T + Markins Q3 is 3lbs, and 2540 + Markins M10 is ~4lbs. Not really for extended hiking unless you have a nice bag, but it’s very easy to lug around for couple hours at a time.
293227
When folded and closed, this tripod spans length of 4 pens - about 25”. The legs are black like the Manfrotto tripods, but it seems to have a lot of reflective properties like a shiny rock.