Anything near equivalent to the Gitzo 1541T?

So I was THIS close to getting the Gitzo 1541T...actually placed the order and cancelled it. Felt a little guilty for spending that much on tripod legs. So now I'm curious if there is any product that is near equivalent(mostly care about folded size with decent unfolded height+weight support from a different vendor for cheaper. In my searched the closest I found was the 055CXpro4 but it wasn't that much cheaper and was a good deal heavier and a couple inched longer folded up. Anybody have any other options I might be missing?

Well... there are some cheaper manufacturers like Benro/Induro, Slik, Triopo, Feisol, etc I;ve recently been dabbling with HorusBennu ballheads, but I haven't tried their tripods yet.

Slik Pro 724CF is a possible option for travelling

http://www.thkphoto.co​m …slik/slik-pro724cf-a.html

I use a Benro C2680T, also sold on eBay as the C-268 M8 (don't ask!). It's about an inch longer and 9 oz heavier. However it has beefier legs; max dia. is 29mm and min is 18.5mm and a higher max load rating. The best thing is it's taller by about six inches so you use much less of the center column. You can remove the rubber feet and put spikes on the Benro, and the Gitzo & RRS spikes/claw feet fit the Benro too. I've taken it apart and it has very similar design/construction to the Gitzo and the build quality is excellent. I bought mine in September of last year for $323, you can still buy them on eBay for $325. Mine is going on a long trip in a few weeks then after that I'll write a review as I'll have had it for a few months and I've given it a bit of a bashing. Below is a pic of the base/top section area of the Benro and my Gitzo for comparison.

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Thanks both those options look good. They aren't THAT different in price so my wondering now is if something about the Gitzo makes it worth $490 vs. high$200 to mid to high $300's for the others. Thanks!

Check this review.

peter_n wrote in post #11987271
I use a Benro C2680T, also sold on eBay as the C-268 M8 (don't ask!). It's about an inch longer and 9 oz heavier. However it has beefier legs; max dia. is 29mm and min is 18.5mm and a higher max load rating. The best thing is it's taller by about six inches so you use much less of the center column. You can remove the rubber feet and put spikes on the Benro, and the Gitzo & RRS spikes/claw feet fit the Benro too. I've taken it apart and it has very similar design/construction to the Gitzo and the build quality is excellent. I bought mine in September of last year for $323, you can still buy them on eBay for $325. Mine is going on a long trip in a few weeks then after that I'll write a review as I'll have had it for a few months and I've given it a bit of a bashing. Below is a pic of the base/top section area of the Benro and my Gitzo for comparison.

i remember talkin to you about this benro peter. This definitely looks like a great alternative to the 1541t.

I was going to pick up this benro but ended up going w/ the gitzo last christmas due to the awesome amazon sale + rebate.

With that Benro...is it a old model? Can't find it on their website. Seems like most of theirs are 5 section tripods. Not sure if those are really where I want to go. Is there a recommended current model benro?

Have you looked at the Giottos tripods.. like this one

I just bought one (not that model, but aluminum) yesterday.

I've handled them all and went with Feisol. No regrets

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #11988919
With that Benro...is it a old model? Can't find it on their website. Seems like most of theirs are 5 section tripods. Not sure if those are really where I want to go. Is there a recommended current model benro?

It is a current model. Benro changed their product ID codes in September and upgraded many models. Here is the manufacturers web page for the tripod. Here is the seller on eBay. Email the seller and make sure that if you order a C-268 M8 you'll get a C2680T.

itsmejson wrote in post #11988756
i remember talkin to you about this benro peter. This definitely looks like a great alternative to the 1541t.

I was going to pick up this benro but ended up going w/ the gitzo last christmas due to the awesome amazon sale + rebate.

I did the same thing. Was going to pick up the Benro equivalent 3-series systematic then found the Gitzo sales and got a 3541LS for $8 cheaper than the Benro.

peter_n wrote in post #11990912
It is a current model. Benro changed their product ID codes in September and upgraded many models. Here is the manufacturers web page for the tripod. Here is the seller on eBay. Email the seller and make sure that if you order a C-268 M8 you'll get a C2680T.

Weird, that product isn't on the USA website from what I see.

hairy_moth wrote in post #11988945
Have you looked at the Giottos tripods.. like this one

I just bought one (not that model, but aluminum) yesterday.

I have one of the aluminum ones too and I like it a lot for the price. I have to say though. that if I was going to spend the extra for carbon, I'd personally go all the way and get the gitzo I think. Maybe the benro is nicer, but the Giottos one is no where near gitzo quality. Very nice, just that you can tell right away from handling the knobs and levers that it's not a super high end product. I've never used the Gitzo though, only handled it a bit, so I can compare feel but not stability.

peter_n wrote in post #11990939
I did the same thing. Was going to pick up the Benro equivalent 3-series systematic then found the Gitzo sales and got a 3541LS for $8 cheaper than the Benro.

ditto the gitzo was $27 cheaper!


@Sdiver2489 - Benro's lineup is VERY confusing, if going through email take peter_n's advice and email them. I remember when i was looking at benro sellers on ebay they made it very confusing with the model name and different model pictures. Especially with their new traveler + monopod series.