To Gitzo or not to Gitzo?

The Gitzo GT2541 barely seems high enough for me and it also has a center column? I really don't want that. Also the price difference over here in Belgium/Holland between the Gitzo GT2541 and the Gitzo GT3541XLS is really small (less than 50 euro).

When I bought mine I found that the 3542LS was the perfect height for me and no center column. Maybe slightly heavier duty than I need right now but I will be renting longer lenses so it will work great.

jocau wrote in post #14380205
The Gitzo GT2541 barely seems high enough for me and it also has a center column? I really don't want that. Also the price difference over here in Belgium/Holland between the Gitzo GT2541 and the Gitzo GT3541XLS is really small (less than 50 euro).

Well the center column on the 2-series can def be removed, but the height issue cant be helped. Then I guess a GT3541XLS with a Markins Q20 and RRS lever clamp is what Id go for in your case. In fact I did! lol Except I have the LS version of the legs.

jocau wrote in post #14378701
So basically Gitzo has proven its durability throughout the years while other brands (RRS, Benro, Feisol...) don't have that reputation (yet)?

Gitzo and other popular brands have good products, but they continue to lead the market because of reputation and word of mouth. It's absurd to say that no other product will ever be as good or better than one of today's popular products. It may be difficult and time consuming to reach the same level of reputation, but products get better with newer manufacturing techniques and technology all the time.

Benro has been making tripods for 12 years. Feisol has been making them for 10 years. Exactly how long does it take to prove that your product is durable? I assure you it takes far less time to prove it to actual owners and users of these products than it takes to prove it to the rest of the gearhead population.

Mark-B wrote in post #14380665
Gitzo and other popular brands have good products, but they continue to lead the market because of reputation and word of mouth. It's absurd to say that no other product will ever be as good or better than one of today's popular products. It may be difficult and time consuming to reach the same level of reputation, but products get better with newer manufacturing techniques and technology all the time.

Benro has been making tripods for 12 years. Feisol has been making them for 10 years. Exactly how long does it take to prove that your product is durable? I assure you it takes far less time to prove it to actual owners and users of these products than it takes to prove it to the rest of the gearhead population.

Well, Ironically, the only tripod I have ever seen the leg fall off is a
Benro. I've never seen a Feisol, but own a couple Manfrotto and
Gitzo Tripods and Monopods. Before I would buy any tripod, I want
to actually hold one in my hands to see how they are built. I can
honestly say, I could probably take out a bear with my Manfrotto,
but it's just too heavy for traveling, and walking around for great
distances.

--Evan

I have to be quick it seems. Already 1 store doesn't sell the GT3541XLS anymore. Still at least 3 stores left. I don't want the GT3542XLS. It's too heavy and much more expensive!

jocau wrote in post #14378701
So basically Gitzo has proven its durability throughout the years while other brands (RRS, Benro, Feisol...) don't have that reputation (yet)?

Not quite , I'm afraid .
In todays CF tripod market, Gitzo is is just one of many players without a track record .
Prior to that, Gitzo made a decent and somewhat popular product, which worked well for small format and MF cameras .

Of the reputable brands, there are only Gitzo and Manfrotto left, and Gitzo has somehow managed to win the marketing wars in the amateur sector .

You should look closely at the Gitzo lifetime warranty. It's nothing special. It's limited and will not replace wear and tear problems. See this discussion.

I have a Feisol, and when I asked about its warranty at www.reallybigcameras.c​om, I was told stories of people who had a wear and tear issue with tripods out of warranty. Apparantly, they sent them back to Feisol in Taiwan and they were repaired free of charge. Ask Kerry Thalmann at RBC about those events.

Feisol makes tripods which are the equivalent in specs to all the CF Gitzo's, for half the price. They have an excellent track record for ten years, and many here use them. I've taken both Gitzo's and Feisol's apart for cleaning, and they are both over-engineered for strength and longevity.

If there were problems, given the nature of our community, there would be marathon threads about them here. It's one thing to have a fixable light leak on a camera; imagine the outrage of a tripod failing and ruining $6000 worth of camera gear as it fell to the ground. Even a cracked leg would start a thread.

I went to Gitzo for my first tripod knowing if i gotten a cheap ass tripod, I'll utterly kick myself in the ass, which I would've upgrade getting a second one... -_-

If Gitzo is ever an option then Gitzo is the correct answer. That's a rule like the Rule of Thirds or Sunny 16.

ENto. Abyss wrote in post #14391408
I went to Gitzo for my first tripod knowing if i gotten a cheap ass tripod, I'll utterly kick myself in the ass, which I would've upgrade getting a second one... -_-

That a beauty of a setup. Pretty much what I use myself, except I use the 3531s legs.

I made my decision. I just ordered the Gitzo GT3541XLS (605,50 € shipping costs included).

jocau wrote in post #14392928
I made my decision. I just ordered the Gitzo GT3541XLS (605,50 € shipping costs included).

Excellent -- you'll love it!

Congrats!
Bryan

Indecent Exposure wrote in post #14391426
If Gitzo is ever an option then Gitzo is the correct answer.

Unless you can afford RRS?

Indecent Exposure wrote in post #14391426
If Gitzo is ever an option then Gitzo is the correct answer. That's a rule like the Rule of Thirds or Sunny 16.

So in other words it should be disregarded most of the time if one actually wants good results?