Gitzo Tripods

[Rigby470]

I am looking to purchase a Gitzo G1228. I am a bit confused though. B&H has 3 types listed: a "rapid column", a "geared column", and a "leveling column".

Can someone please explain the difference in the 3? Which is preferable? There is about $200 price difference between the rapid column and the leveling column.

Also, do I need to buy a head in addition to the tripod?

I'm new at tripods, so please help me out here.

Thanks so much.

Keith

[steven]

Leveling column allows you to move the center column to adjust leveling after you have set the legs.

Geared column has gears on it and you use a handle to move the center column up or down.

Rapid column just has a clamp of some type that you loosen to move the column.

Yes you will need a head in addition to the tripod.

steve

[DocFrankenstein]

All of them are really nice and light.

I think acratech ultimate ballhead would suit that tripod well.

[Rigby470]

Thanks Doc! Any other suggestions for heads? Again, I'm new to the tripod market so I don't know what to look for. I just want a tripod to keep for a long, long time. I don't want to have to upgrade when I finally get that 100-400L!

[ed2day]

I have the acratech ballhead and that tripod. The acratech is a little quirky, but it's well made and lightweight. The others I would look at are more conventional designs: Arca-Swiss, Kirk, and Really Right Stuff. Oh, and Markins, if I got the name right. The 100-400L is about as heavy as I'd want to go on that tripod and acratech head. Be prepared for sticker shock, but I wouldn't skimp there if you plan on heavier lenses.

[GPR1]

Manfroto also makes some good ball heads at a reasonable price that will hold the weight of the 100-400.

Greg

[scottbergerphoto]

I use the Gitzo G1228 with Rapid Column and either an Ultimate Ballhead or Wemberley. The 1228 is light and very sturdy. The geared column is a waste of $100. It adds instability to the tripod in my opinion. If you plan on using a long telelphoto like 500mm and up, consider the 1325 or 1548. Gitzo's come with a lifetime warranty.

[DocFrankenstein]

I use the Gitzo G1228 with Rapid Column and either an Ultimate Ballhead or Wemberley. The 1228 is light and very sturdy.
How do you like using the acratech ballhead with 70-200 2.8? I have heard so much about it's creep issues, but I've had a chance to play with one recently and it seemed stable.


The geared column is a waste of $100. It adds instability to the tripod in my opinion. If you plan on using a long telelphoto like 500mm and up, consider the 1325 or 1548.
I have to agree, whenever I extend the column it vibrates at very low frequencies and is pretty much useless. But it helps to add the counterweight on it, I usually just hang my bag on the opposite side of the column and it feels much more sturdier.

The 100-400L is about as heavy as I'd want to go on that tripod and acratech head.
Would you be comfortable with it though? I am very close on pulling the trigger on it, it seems good but I am considering acratech vs RRS and don't know which one to choose.

It's for 2220 gitzo legs and the heaviest lens that I'll use for a while is the 70-200 2.8

[ed2day]

I think the acratech is fine with a 3-4 lb. lens on it, as is the 1228. I personally would go with a stouter ball head with a lens heavier than that. One thing I'd point out is don't assume, esp. with ballhead, that because it's rated at 13 lb that it can handle a 13 lb load effectively. It won't. It may be strong enough to keep the camera from flopping over, but it's not going to be sturdy enough to keep it still, or feel confident in your hand.

As for the acratech I got it primarily because it's light, yet strong. I think RRS has a new lightweight model that I would consider if buying now. The acratech is a unique design--exposed ball which makes maintainence easy. It's got an asymmetrical range of motion that can be good or bad. If you orient it properly for your view then it can give you a wider range of motion(and easy switch to vertcal framing). If you don't take that step then it can limit your range and frustrate you. With conventional design you have equal freedom of movement in all directions, but you can't go vertical unless you orient the ballhead to line up with a notch. To me it's pretty much a wash.

The "creep" issue you mention is overstated I think. It's not a slip of any kind, but I do see a very slight deflection with a heavy lens. For me it's not an issue, and I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't read the complaints. You'll also read complaints about the tension screw being too sharp and uncomfortable, but they've changed the design to a softer screw so that's not an issue anymore. The one complaint I do have is the lack of a secondary tensioning screw to adjust "drag" on the head. You just need to hold onto the camera when loosening and adjusting.

On the plus side the acratech is a clean, simple, effective design that can generate a great amount of clamping power for its size.

[radar-eclipse]

Rigby, What is the largest lense you are planning on using on this Gitzo?