(non budget)Lightweight tripod?

I currently have a MF 190 XPRoB + MF ball head, all weighs in at about 2.3kgs

Looking for something lighter. Recently was shown a Gitzo mountaineer 6x something (1530?) in store. 1.3kgs , 4 section legs, reasonable height (higher than 190). Removable centre column (which I will, saves 120g).

Also looked at a gitzo ball head to go with it. All up in the store it was abut $1600NZ :O Sure I can find this cheaper online!

Liked the Gitzo stuff tho, twist locks, sealing, the ball head with pano rotate option etc.

I'm shortish, 5ft8/172cm, so anything around 130-140 would be fine I think?

Looked on the Gitzo website and theres a lot of choice just for them! So finding it tough to find what I really want so looking for options.

I shoot 7D and will be used mostly for back country landscapes, looking to go 5d2 and will be using 17-40L to 24tse to 70-200 and 400/5.6L, so nothing too heavy in SLR terms.

I've seen some gitzo mountaineer stuff on ebay for about $600ish (NZ) I think...

I have a Gitzo GT-0541 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs, it weighs only 800 grams. I use it with a Markins Q3 T and that weighs 375grams. I'm sure you can remove the center column to save even more weight. BTW, it works fine and I'm 5'7".

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

RobDickinson wrote in post #13400441
I'm shortish, 5ft8/172cm, so anything around 130-140 would be fine I think?

Depends entirely on what you want to shoot

Have you seen this sticky?

Quite a bit of info and links to reviews there…

Have you looked at the Feisol range of tripods? Very decently priced, good specs. I just ordered myself on not long ago.

So many choices but if you want to buy from a store in NZ you may be constrained a bit. René's suggestion of checking out the Tripod FAQ is a good one.

Most on this board would probably agree that the Markins Q3T is the best small/travel ballhead, much better than the Gitzo models. When it comes to legs there is divergence of opinion with the most popular choices probably being Benro, Feisol and Gitzo. Perusing the FAQ will give you background info and help you make an informed decision.

I had a Gitzo 5541, it was too heavy at 6.3 lbs. I switched to a RRS 34L, it knocked a couple of pounds off my tripod weight. It's a noticeable change if I'm wandering around with it; for quick in/out of the car shots I don't notice the weight difference at all.

Def check out the Tripod Support sticky, lots of good info in there, especially in the reviews section. After youve chewed through that for a few hours and have an idea more specifically what might work best for what youre looking for, post back and ask us about the details.

Good luck, its a lot to digest, we know, but you are among friends who have all been through it before

Thanks I am checking out the sticky rather a lot of info to get through!

peter_n wrote in post #13402194
Most on this board would probably agree that the Markins Q3T is the best small/travel ballhead, much better than the Gitzo models..

What makes it better?


Saint728 - thanks seems like you thing the Q3T is worth it too! The Gitzo GT-0541 looks good but only 5kgs of weight? Is it strong/stable or should I look at one of the 8kg ones ?

My Markins (M10) is smoother then any Gitzo I've ever laid hands on...

Yea stay away from Gitzo heads. They make good legs, not good heads.

peter_n wrote in post #13402194
Most on this board would probably agree that the Markins Q3T is the best small/travel ballhead, much better than the Gitzo models.

I'll agree to better than gitzo, but the acratech GV2 and arcaswiss p0 are both lighter and can hold just as much.

I love my Feisol + acratech head. Super light (3.2 lbs), reverse folds for traveling, and supports anything I put on it (25+ lbs). The model numbers are in my sig.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #13403575
I'll agree to better than gitzo, but the acratech GV2 and arcaswiss p0 are both lighter and can hold just as much.

Acratech GV2 looks interesting - works as a gimbal too , how well does it do both I wonder, how solid?

Arcaswiss p0 looks a nightmare from usability and panning and the QR plate is another design too..

RobDickinson wrote in post #13403701
Acratech GV2 looks interesting - works as a gimbal too , how well does it do both I wonder, how solid?

Its pretty solid and rotates without much friction. But it is hanging off to one side, and you have to align it to not hit the legs. Of course a true gimble head like the Whimberly would be ideal but its $600. Its definitely a nice added feature built into the head.

I have used the gimbal on my GP-S (almost the same as the GV2) a few times with a borrowed 70-200 f2.8 IS with success. The GP-S also has the ability to be flipped around and used as a panno head. Only problem with the acratech may be the cost of shipping to NZ, not sure if they have distributors outside the USA.

Hmm. Not sure how much I would use it but I certainly would (with the 70-200 and 400/5.6).

$350 + $150 for the plate is pricey though.