Review: Gitzo 1541T Tripod, Markins Q3T Ballhead w/ RRS B2 LR II Clamp

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by JC4

I warn you. The first few times you have to put those fine Gitzo legs in the mud, it won't be easy.

Oh Im already worrying about that! I know thats gonna hurt! Might find some all weather shoes for it first.

[JohnJ80]

And then you find out that they shrug it and don't care. I've put my tripods in all sorts of nasty places. They look like new.

J.

[René Damkot]

On a side note: Might be personal preference, but I'd attach the camera to the QR the other way around (lever under the lens). Gives you a bit more "chin clearance", and you're able to see the bubble level

[gool]

Great review. I wouldn't hesitate to get a similar setup if I were in the market for a tripod and ballhead.

I know the guy that sent in his Gitzo to get the Q3T made. Now they need to make a Q3T II or something to get all three legs folded in properly.

Thanks for taking the time to do a great write-up.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by René Damkot

On a side note: Might be personal preference, but I'd attach the camera to the QR the other way around (lever under the lens). Gives you a bit more "chin clearance", and you're able to see the bubble level

Okay, thanks for the suggestion, I didnt really like that I couldnt see the bubble level, so that will def help! I do have a hotshoe bubble level, but I can only use that when the hotshoe is empty.

Originally Posted by gool

Great review. I wouldn't hesitate to get a similar setup if I were in the market for a tripod and ballhead.

I know the guy that sent in his Gitzo to get the Q3T made. Now they need to make a Q3T II or something to get all three legs folded in properly.

Thanks for taking the time to do a great write-up.

Yea and Im sure they will someday and when they do ill just sell mine and upgrade

[TheHoff]

Excellent review, thanks! I have a 3540LS + Markins M-10L -- at under 5 lbs I think you should start planning for your heavy duty tripod purchase The Markins head is a piece of work; one of the best engineered photographic items around.

One thing about the focal length mounted on your rig: it isn't just the weight of the lens, I'm sure you know, the long focal length of the lens magnifies every little vibration that much more. So regardless of the weight of the 300 (f/4 vs f/2.8, let's say) it is the 300mm part that gets you in trouble with the lighter legs.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by TheHoff

Excellent review, thanks! I have a 3540LS + Markins M-10L -- at under 5 lbs I think you should start planning for your heavy duty tripod purchase The Markins head is a piece of work; one of the best engineered photographic items around.

One thing about the focal length mounted on your rig: it isn't just the weight of the lens, I'm sure you know, the long focal length of the lens magnifies every little vibration that much more. So regardless of the weight of the 300 (f/4 vs f/2.8, let's say) it is the 300mm part that gets you in trouble with the lighter legs.

Yes I tried to emphasize that in the review but without going too far into the physics behind it all.

And yes I am already planning out the heavier duty tripod setup. Im pretty sure that I will be going with a Markins M10 ballhead, but the legs Im still looking into. As I do not intend to ever go any larger than the 100-400L I might try to stay in the Gitzo 2 Series if I can.... I dont know yet, we'll see.

[JohnJ80]

Gitzo 2 series is way too small for 400mm.

For a two tripod system, you have the uber-light end, go for the Series 3 and make it a M20. There is little difference in weight between the M10 and M20 and I think the M20 fits the Series 3 better and probably has a larger ball (didn't check) so more stable with big glass. 3540LS with M20 is exactly at 5lbs weighed. That rig will damp out 2X the vibration that a Series 2 will.

J

[TheHoff]

And compare the weight / folded size of the 3540LS with any of the two series -- it is actually smaller in length when compacted and only a little heavier. I went with the M-10 since I found a deal on it LNIB and it would be easy to upgrade if I ever get over 300mm.

[JohnJ80]

The main point, I think, is that if you do two - then you do one for uber light weight and portability (i.e. travel) and one for everything else.

J.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by JohnJ80

Gitzo 2 series is way too small for 400mm.

For a two tripod system, you have the uber-light end, go for the Series 3 and make it a M20. There is little difference in weight between the M10 and M20 and I think the M20 fits the Series 3 better and probably has a larger ball (didn't check) so more stable with big glass. 3540LS with M20 is exactly at 5lbs weighed. That rig will damp out 2X the vibration that a Series 2 will.

J

AH! OF COURSE the 3 series is needed! Well being that a 3 series setup with say a GT3541L and a Markins M20 ballhead with an RRS clamp is going to be a $1300+ setup all to support one lens (my 100-400L) that I mostly use hand held anyway when I do use it. So that setup will be a while for me I think.

[alexg]

Originally Posted by ben_r_

And here is what the tripod looks like in it's ground level mode. You can see that its literally only inches off the ground.

you can actually probably get much lower if you stick the middle post from the bottom... you can literally have the top of the camera touch the ground that way... or better yet 1mm from it hehehe

[JohnJ80]

Originally Posted by ben_r_

AH! OF COURSE the 3 series is needed! Well being that a 3 series setup with say a GT3541L and a Markins M20 ballhead with an RRS clamp is going to be a $1300+ setup all to support one lens (my 100-400L) that I mostly use hand held anyway when I do use it. So that setup will be a while for me I think.

You can get away with it if you only extend 1 of the leg sections and no column - that will require kneeling.

Literally, the Series 2 damps about 1/2 the amplitude of vibration that the Series 3 does. Hence the spec that says max of 200mm on Series 2 and 400mm on Series 3 (also 2X) if my memory is correct on the specs.

J.

[MDJAK]

Absolutely top notch, professional quality review. If you're not writing for magazines, you certainly should be if you desire same.

Great read.

[ben_r_]

Originally Posted by MDJAK

Absolutely top notch, professional quality review. If you're not writing for magazines, you certainly should be if you desire same.

Great read.

HA! Thank you very much! Writing reviews would be a dream job for me!