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

Yno wrote in post #11911429
Looking at the specs on the two, the 1542 is 1.5 cm longer closed, has a 9 cm taller max height (3.5 cm taller w/o column) minimum height is 4.5 cm higher, and the max load is one kg less. This is an improvement???

That's what I was thinking before I ordered the 1541t... I compared the 2 and did the "huh?!?!"...

personally, I think the 1541t has better specs...

^^ wow yea those specs doesn't really seem like an improvement lol.

tagakweens wrote in post #11906758
I was able to order mine last week, and the day after I ordered it, the status changed to "not in stock", now they changed it to "discontinued"....

just check everyday, sometimes people return it and they put it back as "available"

good luck...

I ordered mine just before it became unavailable, but thanks for the tip!

tagakweens wrote in post #11911527
That's what I was thinking before I ordered the 1541t... I compared the 2 and did the "huh?!?!"...

personally, I think the 1541t has better specs...

LOL! I did the same calculation last December and came up with the same answer.

As of now, the GT1541T is still available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com …k-Traveler/dp/B0019QZPGS​/

How does the Gitzo 1541T compare to the Benro C269M8? The legs on the Benro seem more like a "2" series Gitzo, but it folds up more compactly than the 1541T and seems very well made & sturdy - and cheaper. The weight bearing capacity is better, too.

Any comments?

I'm sure the C-269 M8 is a good tripod but it has 5-section legs, which is what makes it more compact than the 4-section leg Gitzo 1541T. My first tripod, a Slik S502 had 5-section legs and I wouldn't buy another. The nearest equivalent to the 1541T in the Benro line is the C-268 M8, which was relabeled to the C2680T. I have a C2680T as well as a 1541T and can confirm that the build quality is excellent and it's very sturdy. It's also taller than the 1541T so you can use less of the center column. It's very competitive with the Gitzo.

peter_n wrote in post #11917728
I'm sure the C-269 M8 is a good tripod but it has 5-section legs, which is what makes it more compact than the 4-section leg Gitzo 1541T. My first tripod, a Slik S502 had 5-section legs and I wouldn't buy another. The nearest equivalent to the 1541T in the Benro line is the C-268 M8, which was relabeled to the C2680T. I have a C2680T as well as a 1541T and can confirm that the build quality is excellent and it's very sturdy. It's also taller than the 1541T so you can use less of the center column. It's very competitive with the Gitzo.

Great points, Peter. Do you feel that the extra leg sections on the Benro play a big role in terms of stability, or just a pain in the butt to deal with more screw locking joints?

Stability is the issue, it's what a tripod is all about. The fifth leg section is just one too many in terms of joints, and the bottom section has a very small diameter which doesn't help stability either. Perhaps the most stable, rigid tripod you can get is a 3-section leg with no center column. They are relatively heavy and long and there are many factors in choice with portability uppermost when you're talking about a travel tripod. My Benro is about 1" longer than the Gitzo and the leg sections have larger diameters and it's slightly heavier. If you're carrying a tripod all day weight is really important, the number of lock joints not so important, at least to me. Benro actually does a very nice job with it's twist locks; they're very smooth and easy to use.

peter_n wrote in post #11922872
Stability is the issue, it's what a tripod is all about. The fifth leg section is just one too many in terms of joints, and the bottom section has a very small diameter which doesn't help stability either.

Actually the bottom section of that Benro C269M8 is the same diameter as the bottom leg section of the Gitzo 1541T. But your point on the number of leg sections is well taken.

Yes that's because the Benro starts off with a larger diameter leg section at the top. The bottom section of my Benro is 18.5mm in diameter which is larger than the Gitzo. I think all other things being equal a larger diameter is to be preferred over a smaller one.

b.d.bop wrote in post #11924077
Actually the bottom section of that Benro C269M8 is the same diameter as the bottom leg section of the Gitzo 1541T. But your point on the number of leg sections is well taken.

yup, can verify that as well

alas, after all the time spent visiting this thread I'm selling my Gitzo/Markins combo. It's like a museum piece and I love owning it but the problem is that it's like a museum piece - I never use it. Will I regret selling later? Don't know, but funding new gear is always fun, no?

Anyone with a Thinktank Streetwalker HD have problems fitting this setup in the tripod/monopod holder and straps?

xdmg wrote in post #11995667
Anyone with a Thinktank Streetwalker HD have problems fitting this setup in the tripod/monopod holder and straps?

how is you're setup?

I actually have the same bag and the same tripod/ballhead setup, but haven't tried it with the bag yet (my tripod is in the office and the bag's at my apartment)...

let me know... pics would be nice too...

xdmg wrote in post #11995667
Anyone with a Thinktank Streetwalker HD have problems fitting this setup in the tripod/monopod holder and straps?

No issues at all. I've tried fitting it outside the bag (as per normal), and inside the bag. When fully folded, the GT1541t and markins q3t length happens to be able to fit into the TT streetwalker HD exactly. But i've to rearrange the dividers to accomodate that.

So I have a question about my Q3T. What does the small dial on the larger dial do? From what I've read it's the tension control. But isn't that what the main large dial is for? What does the small dial do?

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