Which tripod for someone that's 5'8"/173cm tall?

You could get the Gitzo GT5562GTS Series 5 6x Systematic 6 Section Giant Tripod, 109.05" Maximum Height and never have to worry about if it was tall enough. Just use half the leg length for normal use. But seriously, get one a little taller than you need. It comes in handy in case you ever decide to go outside and play.

Sirrith wrote in post #15978810
Gitzo are definitely built to higher standards; their prices reflect that. But that doesn't mean the Feisol is "cheap" by any means. In fact, some of the parts Feisol use are higher quality than Gitzo. And their customer service is much better from what I hear (I have no experience with Gitzo CS, but I see many complaints).

The Feisol "stance" is a bit narrower at the first leg angle I believe. It does not, however, affect stability during real use.

Here is my summary which I've gotten tired of typing out:

For sure and that's probably why I've only bought Gitzo before. I have to say the price for the Feisol 3442 definitely have my attention. I really love the build quality of every Gitzo Carbon Fibre tripod I have owned or used. The craftsmanship is second to none. I don't have a problem using a cheaper tripod, but is the craftsmanship any good at all?

peter_n wrote in post #15979014
The Feisol base and other metal parts are milled from a solid piece of high grade aluminum. The Gitzo base and other metal parts are made of die cast magnesium alloy. Aluminum is heavier than magnesium alloy. Parts made from a casting process have been known to fracture in extreme cold but the occurrence is rare.

Just wondering where did you get the information that the Feisol base uses high grade aluminium? I just want to know for reference purposes.

I don't know if I want this to be my most stable tripod, but I definitely have no intentions of using the centre column.

Weight is also a concern. Will the Gitzo 2542LS fit into a carry-on luggage when folded?

ed rader wrote in post #15979468
i'm 5' 10" and I use the GT 2541 for everything. I previously used the the GT 1541 (not the traveller) which was taller but I wanted something studier and the GT 2541 can easily be carried on or checked. are you saying the GT 2541 isn't tall enough?

I haven't used the GT2541 before, but I looked at the specs and I thought I might have to bend my back to use it just like my GT1542T. I'm still quite young, but I really hate that feeling of bending my back to use the tripod sometimes. I'm not saying I'm going to sell my traveller tripod. I still intend to keep it when weight and size is a concern. It's just that as I approach 30, I want to ensure I stay as healthy as I possibly can and I am healthy in case you're wondering.

pdrober2 wrote in post #15979559
Dont forget the viewfinder is a few inches above the top of the ballhead. My guess, the viewfinder mounted on a GT2542L with a BH-40 is around 65.5". For reference, I am 5'10" and my eye level is 65". In other words, that will be too tall for you since you wont be able to see the top of the camera or tilt the camera down. For your height i would stay around 53-55" for the tripod alone. Some that come to mind are listed below.

GT2541 is 52.5"
GT3541 is 52"
GT3541LS is 57.5"
CT3442 is 54.3"

I have the GT2541 and I am 5"10. the viewfinder is a few inches below my eye level, but i would rather have it be a touch shorter than too tall

So in other words, the GT2541 would be perfect for me? You're basing this assumption from the fact that you're using the GT2541 with the Markins Q10 right? I suppose that is comparable to the kind of setup that I'm looking at. You're not using the centre column right? I try to avoid using the centre column whenever possible even when there's barely any wind.

luciddreamer wrote in post #15980560
You could get the Gitzo GT5562GTS Series 5 6x Systematic 6 Section Giant Tripod, 109.05" Maximum Height and never have to worry about if it was tall enough. Just use half the leg length for normal use. But seriously, get one a little taller than you need. It comes in handy in case you ever decide to go outside and play.

That's too big and heavy dude. I still don't quite understand why I would want a tripod that's taller than what I need. I don't think I've ever been in a situation like that, but please explain a scenario where the extra height will come in handy.

Im 5'8" and love my Gitzo 3531S. BTW, the S stands for systematic, not short.

lsquare wrote in post #15981030
That's too big and heavy dude. I still don't quite understand why I would want a tripod that's taller than what I need. I don't think I've ever been in a situation like that, but please explain a scenario where the extra height will come in handy.

I was kidding about getting that particular tripod. Thought I made that clear.

Do you ever think you might decide to go outside and maybe do landscapes? Sometimes you're shooting a scene in hilly or mountainous terrain and the place you have to stand is higher than where you can sit your tripod. It's really a bear to scrunch down to try to set up while standing on the side of a hill. Sure would be nice to get that head up higher so you could work at a comfortable height.

Or maybe you might decide sometime you'd like to shoot the moon or stars. You're standing out there in the field scrunched over trying to get everything set up. Sure would be nice if you could set that tripod higher so you didn't have to squat to look through the viewfinder.

Maybe someday you'll decide to shoot some birds up in the trees. Sure would be nice to raise that tripod up so you could see through the viewfinder without standing sideways.

Hey, maybe you're into aircraft and you decide to go out to a landing flyzone to catch them coming in. Sure would be nice to get that head up high enough you didn't have to squat to see through the viewfinder.

Hope that's enough examples for you.

But then again maybe you can work standing on your knees. I'm old and can't do that very well. Just trying to offer you some advice so you don't limit yourself then come back in six months asking which taller tripod you should buy. You can always make a tripod a little shorter by not extending the legs all the way. Unless you got a sky hook in your back pocket it's pretty darned hard to make it taller.

lsquare wrote in post #15981017
I haven't used the GT2541 before, but I looked at the specs and I thought I might have to bend my back to use it just like my GT1542T. I'm still quite young, but I really hate that feeling of bending my back to use the tripod sometimes. I'm not saying I'm going to sell my traveller tripod. I still intend to keep it when weight and size is a concern. It's just that as I approach 30, I want to ensure I stay as healthy as I possibly can and I am healthy in case you're wondering.

I never understood why anyone bought the traveller, when there are so many lightweight, fullsize, options on the market. i'm twice your age and the 2541 hasn't crippled me yet ! and the first thing I did when I got the tripod was remove the center column.

lsquare wrote in post #15981006
is the craftsmanship any good at all?

Of course it is. It is very good. Gitzo is just even better.

luciddreamer wrote in post #15981162
I was kidding about getting that particular tripod. Thought I made that clear.

Do you ever think you might decide to go outside and maybe do landscapes? Sometimes you're shooting a scene in hilly or mountainous terrain and the place you have to stand is higher than where you can sit your tripod. It's really a bear to scrunch down to try to set up while standing on the side of a hill. Sure would be nice to get that head up higher so you could work at a comfortable height.

Or maybe you might decide sometime you'd like to shoot the moon or stars. You're standing out there in the field scrunched over trying to get everything set up. Sure would be nice if you could set that tripod higher so you didn't have to squat to look through the viewfinder.

Maybe someday you'll decide to shoot some birds up in the trees. Sure would be nice to raise that tripod up so you could see through the viewfinder without standing sideways.

Hey, maybe you're into aircraft and you decide to go out to a landing flyzone to catch them coming in. Sure would be nice to get that head up high enough you didn't have to squat to see through the viewfinder.

Hope that's enough examples for you.

But then again maybe you can work standing on your knees. I'm old and can't do that very well. Just trying to offer you some advice so you don't limit yourself then come back in six months asking which taller tripod you should buy. You can always make a tripod a little shorter by not extending the legs all the way. Unless you got a sky hook in your back pocket it's pretty darned hard to make it taller.

Lots of times, but I don't recalled being in a situation where I wanted a tripod taller than me though!

ed rader wrote in post #15981164
I never understood why anyone bought the traveller, when there are so many lightweight, fullsize, options on the market. i'm twice your age and the 2541 hasn't crippled me yet ! and the first thing I did when I got the tripod was remove the center column.

Maybe I fell for ben_r's review a few years back. lol!

So one more time, you're 5'10" and you don't bend your back at all with your GT2541? You're not using the centre column? Which camera setup are you using? Which ballhead are you using?

lsquare wrote in post #15981012
Just wondering where did you get the information that the Feisol base uses high grade aluminium? I just want to know for reference purposes.

http://www.feisol.net …od-ct3442-rapid-p-31.html

lsquare wrote in post #15981851
Lots of times, but I don't recalled being in a situation where I wanted a tripod taller than me though!

Maybe you weren't being extreme enough then.

lsquare wrote in post #15981858
Maybe I fell for ben_r's review a few years back. lol!

So one more time, you're 5'10" and you don't bend your back at all with your GT2541? You're not using the centre column? Which camera setup are you using? Which ballhead are you using?

5' 10", no center column, markins Q10, 5d3 no grip. perfect height for me.

there's a reason this tripod was made to this height and is so popular !