Gitzo tripod for Canon 100-400/Canon 400mm f/5.6

[RonnF]

After waiting until the very last moment to buy another Gitzo tripod prior to a trip to Yellowstone, I'm asking for help from other Gitzo owners who use lenses up to 400mm for wildlife. I have a Gitzo G2258 already and am happy with it, so I'm planning to stay with Gitzo. I've used it with my Canon 100-400, Canon 400mm and the 100mm f/2.8 Macro. I'm shooting a Canon 7D and my wife has a Canon 5D. If there are any forum members who can help me refine my search down to the best choice for my purposes, I'd very much appreciate hearing from you. I'm hoping to order the tripod by COB on Monday so I can get it by Friday at the latest.
Thanks!

[ben_r_]

If you want to stick with Gitzo then their rating is I believe a 3-series for a 400mm lens. So say something like their GT3541. I have the GT3541 with a Markins Q20 head and LOVE it! SUPER stable with a 400mm f/5.6L on it when I had one.

[tvphotog]

I just bought the GItzo 3542L Systemic tripod. Check the Gitzo.us site. It's a series 3 tripod, which as ben points out, is supposed to be used with a lens up to 400mm, which is the longest I have now and plan to have for a while. I like to shoot panoramas and got a leveling head for the tripod, which interchanges with the flat base that comes with the sticks.

Also having an M20 (now called Q20) made up by Markins with a lever quick release supplied by Really Right Stuff. Not here yet, awaiting the UPS man.

[MCAsan]

Being on the shorter side I use the 3531S. I don't need the extra height from an L or XL. Since the tripod is one of the shorter models, I go with 3 leg segments. Work for both me and the wife.

We both shoot landscape and wildlife. The 100-400 lens is a natural fit for that tripod and a good ballhead/clamp combo such as RRS 55 with QR clamp.

[elogical]

weight-wise, the 3-series is probably overkill for a relatively compact lens like that. I don't use either of those products but I use a comparable size 300mm f4 on a tripod that is the same specs as a gitzo 1-series 154x. Although, ideally, if you don't need to carry it long distances and want the best quality, the 3s probably are best as everyone is saying.

I guess gitzo rates everything based on the weight but also based on lens length just because of increased vibrations with higher magnification of the long glass.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by elogical

weight-wise, the 3-series is probably overkill for a relatively compact lens like that. I don't use either of those products but I use a comparable size 300mm f4 on a tripod that is the same specs as a gitzo 1-series 154x. Although, ideally, if you don't need to carry it long distances and want the best quality, the 3s probably are best as everyone is saying.

I guess gitzo rates everything based on the weight but also based on lens length just because of increased vibrations with higher magnification of the long glass.

Exactly.

[RonnF]

My thanks and much appreciation to ben_r, tvphotog, MCAsan and elogical for taking time to provide suggestions regarding my last minute tripod purchase. I ordered the following from B&H this morning:

Gitzo GT3541L Tripod
Kirk BH-1 Ballhead

And because our PowerShot SD850 gave up the ghost recently, I ordered a Powershot S100 plus an extra battery and a couple of memory cards.

Things have been hectic here while we're preparing for our trip so I really value getting thoughtful advice from experienced forum members.

Ron

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by RonnF

My thanks and much appreciation to ben_r, tvphotog, MCAsan and elogical for taking time to provide suggestions regarding my last minute tripod purchase. I ordered the following from B&H this morning:

Gitzo GT3541L Tripod
Kirk BH-1 Ballhead

And because our PowerShot SD850 gave up the ghost recently, I ordered a Powershot S100 plus an extra battery and a couple of memory cards.

Things have been hectic here while we're preparing for our trip so I really value getting thoughtful advice from experienced forum members.

Ron

Awesome and youre very welcome! Enjoy and please come back and post some shots of the setup and some taken with it, we all love some good gear shots!

[pbelarge]

I have been using the Gitzo 2542L and Acratech GV2 head
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...mbal_Head.html

I use it for the 5d3/70-200MII, which is heavier than the 7D/400mm. I have not had issues and they work extremely well together.
The 3 series is about 1.5 lbs heavier than my 2 series Gitzo.

[S_Egbert]

Originally Posted by RonnF

I ordered the following from B&H this morning:

Gitzo GT3541L Tripod
Kirk BH-1 Ballhead


Ron

You should be quite happy with this. I have the 3541XLS, which is the extra tall version, that I use with the 100-400. Very stable.

I will be in Yellowstone myself at the end of the month for 3 weeks.

[johnf3f]

Sorry I got to this thread a bit late!
The Gitzo GT3541L is overkill for your longest lens. I have used my 600 F4is on 2 to 5 series and ended up buying a 3530Ls as (imo) the best compromise.
However fear not! You will be delighted with your tripod and it will easily cope with any future needs!
Whilst the 3 series is bigger/stronger than you need now you can NEVER have a tripod that is too rigid and it is still pretty light! Also should you start to delve into the stupidly expensive SuperTeles then I am certain you won't be replacing your support (I have the heaviest and my 3 series is just fine!). The extra rigidity is great for macro work as well.

P.S. Beware Gitzo stuff is overpriced but strangely addictive - I swore I would never waste that much money on a tripod - oops! I tried one! Now I am poor - but happy as I have 4!!!

[tvphotog]

Originally Posted by johnf3f

Sorry I got to this thread a bit late!
The Gitzo GT3541L is overkill for your longest lens. I have used my 600 F4is on 2 to 5 series and ended up buying a 3530Ls as (imo) the best compromise.
However fear not! You will be delighted with your tripod and it will easily cope with any future needs!
Whilst the 3 series is bigger/stronger than you need now you can NEVER have a tripod that is too rigid and it is still pretty light! Also should you start to delve into the stupidly expensive SuperTeles then I am certain you won't be replacing your support (I have the heaviest and my 3 series is just fine!). The extra rigidity is great for macro work as well.

P.S. Beware Gitzo stuff is overpriced but strangely addictive - I swore I would never waste that much money on a tripod - oops! I tried one! Now I am poor - but happy as I have 4!!!

I'm now a fan of the 3 series, but I'd be interested how you know that it is stable enough for the 600mm lens. I may be interested down the line in a supertele prime.

[tvphotog]

Originally Posted by RonnF

My thanks and much appreciation to ben_r, tvphotog, MCAsan and elogical for taking time to provide suggestions regarding my last minute tripod purchase. I ordered the following from B&H this morning:

Gitzo GT3541L Tripod
Kirk BH-1 Ballhead

And because our PowerShot SD850 gave up the ghost recently, I ordered a Powershot S100 plus an extra battery and a couple of memory cards.

Things have been hectic here while we're preparing for our trip so I really value getting thoughtful advice from experienced forum members.

Ron

You did the right thing with the S100. Awesome camera. Use it in the best of health.

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by elogical

weight-wise, the 3-series is probably overkill...

Originally Posted by johnf3f

The Gitzo GT3541L is overkill for your longest lens.

You can never have too much support. The Gitzo 2012 spec sheet shows Gitzo 3 and 4-series to be good for 400mm lenses, so the 3-series is actually at the lower end of the 400mm spectrum as far as Gitzo is concerned.

Maybe a 4 or a 5-series might be overkill for a light(ish) 400mm lens but is that a problem? When he gets his 600mm lens sometime in the future he won't have to buy a new tripod...

[Tsmith]

I had a Gitzo GT2830 3-Section Basalt Tripod (Series 2) that was outstanding with the 400mm f/5.6. Bit cheaper than the CF model but nothing shy of quality construction and still light weight in design.