Manfrotto 055XPROB versus Gitzo GT2531

I currently have a Manfrotto 055XPROB and am in the market of upgrading to a carbon fibre tripod. After days of research, I've narrowed my upgrade down to the GT2531. My question is, has anyone had any similar experiences upgrading from the 055XPROB to the GT2531? If so, what were your thoughts?

I imagine many aspects of it would be the same as going to any Gitzo from the 055XPROB. First thing youll notice is how much amazingly lighter in weight it is. Second thing youll notice is how much more stable it is. Then youll notice how it just like its made amazingly well. Fourth thing will be how much better youll like the twist locks. And finally how youll wonder how you used anything less before.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13545584
I imagine many aspects of it would be the same as going to any Gitzo from the 055XPROB. First thing youll notice is how much amazingly lighter in weight it is. Second thing youll notice is how much more stable it is. Then youll notice how it just like its made amazingly well. Fourth thing will be how much better youll like the twist locks. And finally how youll wonder how you used anything less before.

OP - I upgraded from the 190XPROB to the 2531 very recently, and everything Ben said is pretty much true. I think the 055XPROB is about the best deal going for a high quality tripod, but the Gitzo 2531 beats it in pretty much every dimension. You won't regret it, and the good news is they keep their value like good glass does...

(I've got a few thoughts and comments on my blog below)

M635_Guy wrote in post #13545847


OP - I upgraded from the 190XPROB to the 2531 very recently, and everything Ben said is pretty much true. I think the 055XPROB is about the best deal going for a high quality tripod, but the Gitzo 2531 beats it in pretty much every dimension. You won't regret it, and the good news is they keep their value like good glass does...

(I've got a few thoughts and comments on my blog below)

I just pulled the trigger on a GT2531 from B&H for AUD$585.92 shipped to Australia. I plan on using my Manfrotto 327RC2 head in the mean time, and depending upon whether I get a good price for it, it seems like I won't be upgrading for a while. I had a look at the Markins Q10, and it seems too fidgity - it seems like a hassle switching from landscape to portrait mode (but the obvious advantage over the manfrotto 327rc2 is that you can pan the shot smoothly). Thank you for your advice!

mrdunu wrote in post #13548044
I just pulled the trigger on a GT2531 from B&H for AUD$585.92 shipped to Australia. I plan on using my Manfrotto 327RC2 head in the mean time, and depending upon whether I get a good price for it, it seems like I won't be upgrading for a while. I had a look at the Markins Q10, and it seems too fidgity - it seems like a hassle switching from landscape to portrait mode (but the obvious advantage over the manfrotto 327rc2 is that you can pan the shot smoothly). Thank you for your advice!

Fidgity? How so? Its one of the most stable heads on the market. And as far as switching from landscape to portrait, we dont do that with the head as it forces you to recompose your shot. You do that with a camera body specific L plate. See this video: LINK

ben_r_ wrote in post #13549265
Fidgity? How so? Its one of the most stable heads on the market. And as far as switching from landscape to portrait, we dont do that with the head as it forces you to recompose your shot. You do that with a camera body specific L plate. See this video: LINK

Fidgity as in it there's too many knobs to play around with. The one thing I like about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is that I can just move my joystick in whichever orientation I please. Maybe I'm lazy? Maybe its a matter of personal preference, but from what I've seen on youtube videos, it just seems to much effort fiddling with the knobs to get your orientation right.

Which Markins head would you recommend for my GT2531? Ideally I was wanting a quick release with a lever (and not a knob). Was it the Q-Ball Q10 with lever release you were recommending? And say if I wanted to shoot the moon, how easy is it to move the ball head upwards and downwards. What I liked about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is the fact that I just have to grip the handle and move the head in whichever way I please. But I've now actually got a buyer for my 327RC2, and figured why not "upgrade" while I have the chance.

And where would be the best place to get a Markins Q10 with lever release (shipped to 2141, NSW, Australia)? Ideally, I'd like to keep using my BlackRapid RS-7. Will the portrait L plate accessory interfere with my ConnectR-2? And will I still be able to use my FastenR-T1 with this new "kit"?

mrdunu wrote in post #13549850
Fidgity as in it there's too many knobs to play around with. The one thing I like about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is that I can just move my joystick in whichever orientation I please. Maybe I'm lazy? Maybe its a matter of personal preference, but from what I've seen on youtube videos, it just seems to much effort fiddling with the knobs to get your orientation right.

Which Markins head would you recommend for my GT2531? Ideally I was wanting a quick release with a lever (and not a knob). Was it the Q-Ball Q10 with lever release you were recommending? And say if I wanted to shoot the moon, how easy is it to move the ball head upwards and downwards. What I liked about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is the fact that I just have to grip the handle and move the head in whichever way I please. But I've now actually got a buyer for my 327RC2, and figured why not "upgrade" while I have the chance.

And where would be the best place to get a Markins Q10 with lever release (shipped to 2141, NSW, Australia)? Ideally, I'd like to keep using my BlackRapid RS-7. Will the portrait L plate accessory interfere with my ConnectR-2? And will I still be able to use my FastenR-T1 with this new "kit"?

Yes, the Markins Q10 is the best fit for the 2-series Gitzo legs, and yes you can def point it straight up if you wanted to. There is a 90 degree notch in pretty much all ballheads that allow for that angle or downward. As far as the quick release goes, I bought my heads without any clamp and put the RRS lever clamp on both and thats what I do recommend. However I have heard quite a few good things about the Markins lever clamp. So thats up to you. However, which ever way you go, be sure to called Markins after placing your order and tell them to remove the clamp (if you buy one with a clamp) from the ballhead so that they do not permanently Loctite it on there. That way you have the freedom to choose for yourself.

As far as the BlackRapid question goes I couldnt help ya as I have never used or played with one, but as I understand it those just screw into the tripod mount hole on the bottom of the camera and while the RRS L plates do have a tripod screw mount hole on the bottom of them I believe using that would block the area where you would clamp it to your tripod. But again, Ive never played around with that setup so I cant tell you for sure.

mrdunu wrote in post #13549850
Fidgity as in it there's too many knobs to play around with. The one thing I like about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is that I can just move my joystick in whichever orientation I please. Maybe I'm lazy? Maybe its a matter of personal preference, but from what I've seen on youtube videos, it just seems to much effort fiddling with the knobs to get your orientation right.

Funny - I came from the 190XPROB and the 322RC2 to the Gitzo 2531/RRS BH-40, so I had the little brother of your system! I think you and I both have a issue with things being "fiddly". I liked the idea of the 322 head, but in practice I found it awkward and very inconvenient for any shot upward.

Ball heads are fiddly almost by nature, so the design needs to be very strong to avoid it. I'm not a fan at all of the 496/498 Manfrotto ball heads. Their new Magnesium series are pretty nice. The problem is that Manfrotto has a crappy L-plate solution, and if you shoot much portrait-orientation at all, it is going to drive you to yank the ears off puppies. If you don't shoot portrait and you want to stay with Manfrotto, grab the moderately-pricey Magnesium head and you not only get to keep your Manfrotto plates but you can get a pretty cheap accessory from Black Rapid to have the plate and the BR connector integrated.

If you shoot portrait and want the best handling, the Arca-Swiss platform is a dream. The hitch is you are going to be fighting the plate/bracket and the Black Rapid strap a bit. More on that below.

mrdunu wrote in post #13549850
Which Markins head would you recommend for my GT2531? Ideally I was wanting a quick release with a lever (and not a knob). Was it the Q-Ball Q10 with lever release you were recommending? And say if I wanted to shoot the moon, how easy is it to move the ball head upwards and downwards. What I liked about my Manfrotto 327RC2 is the fact that I just have to grip the handle and move the head in whichever way I please. But I've now actually got a buyer for my 327RC2, and figured why not "upgrade" while I have the chance.

I think you're right for upgrading, but if you are like me, you might find the Markins tension adjustment fiddly. Their quality is excellent, but personally I don't like their implementation. Personally, I got the Really Right Stuff BH-40 and I couldn't be happier...

...except my Black Rapid new needs to be unscrewed from the camera every time I need to mount it on my tripod. That is dang fiddly...

mrdunu wrote in post #13549850
Will the portrait L plate accessory interfere with my ConnectR-2?

Yes. If you care about having to unscrew it a fair bit.

mrdunu wrote in post #13549850
And will I still be able to use my FastenR-T1 with this new "kit"?

No. At least I'm pretty sure you can't. Have a look at this thread:
https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=13546957#po​st13546957

I've got the pieces of a solution on the way based on merging a couple ideas in that thread. I just posted the problem on my blog - I'll post pix here and there when I get it all in and put together (Monday-ish). It is $50, but to get completely clean, worry-free use of both the Arca setup and the Black Rapid strap, it will be worth it to me...

M635_Guy wrote in post #13551489
Funny - I came from the 190XPROB and the 322RC2 to the Gitzo 2531/RRS BH-40, so I had the little brother of your system!

How was the transition going from a Joystick Ballmount head to a "fiddly" ballmount? Thats more or less my worry at this point. Do you have any complaints with your setup at the moment? If you had a second chance, would you change anything at all?

Interesting idea, though it seems a tad bit bulky. But i'll have a closer look when you post up some new pictures! I really like my RS-7 and I don't think I'd be willing to give it up!

PS: love your blog!

mrdunu wrote in post #13542654
My question is, has anyone had any similar experiences upgrading from the 055XPROB to the GT2531?

Just upgraded from a 190XB (not PRO) to 2531. Best money I ever spent.

Mike

mrdunu wrote in post #13556951
How was the transition going from a Joystick Ballmount head to a "fiddly" ballmount? Thats more or less my worry at this point. Do you have any complaints with your setup at the moment? If you had a second chance, would you change anything at all?

Nope - I'm entirely happy. The transition was magic, and I now have a head and leg combo that is everything I realistically need for a very, very long time. That feels good. The L-bracket is the big secret here. What I most liked about my 322 and dreaded about the Arca setup was shooting portrait orientation. The drop notches of the ball-head to shoot portrait seemed awkward. The L-bracket solves that issue entirely and is just plain awesome.

Check the video on the RRS site to get the idea:
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx​?fc=80

What the 322 had in terms of easy configuration it lacked in shooting upwards and less balance than an L-bracket shooting in portrait orientation.

mrdunu wrote in post #13556951
Interesting idea, though it seems a tad bit bulky. But i'll have a closer look when you post up some new pictures! I really like my RS-7 and I don't think I'd be willing to give it up!

I'm a little worried about that, too, but I think it will work out. You'll see the outcome here and on the blog.

mrdunu wrote in post #13556951
PS: love your blog!

mrdunu wrote in post #13548044
I plan on using my Manfrotto 327RC2 head in the mean time, and depending upon whether I get a good price for it, it seems like I won't be upgrading for a while. I had a look at the Markins Q10, and it seems too fidgity - it seems like a hassle switching from landscape to portrait mode

You are kidding, right?

The Markins is so much better then the pistol grip head that it isn't even comparable…

You set the drag once, and don't have to touch the knob again. And, opposed to the 327RC2, it's actually stable.

oy and i was just set on the manfrotto... now i read this thread..

René Damkot wrote in post #13563403
You are kidding, right?

The Markins is so much better then the pistol grip head that it isn't even comparable…

You set the drag once, and don't have to touch the knob again. And, opposed to the 327RC2, it's actually stable.

My buyer backed out ;(

Now it's really a choice between the Markins Q10 versus the BH-40 LR II. I'm more or less leaning towards the BH-40 LR II, because of the *soon to be* compatibility with the Blackrapid RS-7

I once owned a Bogen 3221, the predecessor of the Manfrotto 055. I purchased a Gitzo 2530. I can tell you that I absolutely love having my Gitzo, and it is just as convenient and fast to set up and take down -- except for the single thing:

• the Bogen legs have more mass, so when you unlock the legs the sections telescope out simply due to gravity
  
• the Gitzo lens have so much less mass, that you have to pull out the sections rather than gravity being able to telescope them out