Best Gitzo for a 500 f4? Or how about Benro?

Well I took the plunge today and ordered the 500 f4 MK2. It'll take a month to arrive alas but that gives me plenty of time to think about a new tripod.

Man, Gitzo have a lot of models and trawling through the internet has given me a headache. What is the best Gitzo tripod for a 500 f4? I'll be using it for birding.

I checked out the Benro stuff on ebay and it seems like I can get a decent package for about $800 (the C3780T plus GH1 head) on ebay. Anyone using Benro with a 500 f4?

One thing about tripod brands is that models come and go and have different names in different areas. The Benro models on sale here in Japan do not match up to those on ebay either by name or by specs. Are the ones on ebay newer models? They are about 30% cheaper from Hong Kong than in Japan. I'd rather buy locally.

HokkaidoStu wrote in post #16297645
Man, Gitzo have a lot of models and trawling through the internet has given me a headache. What is the best Gitzo tripod for a 500 f4?

Here's what Gitzo has to say in a digestible table, they are conservative but that's good.

HokkaidoStu wrote in post #16297645
I checked out the Benro stuff on ebay and it seems like I can get a decent package for about $800 (the C3780T plus GH1 head) on ebay. Anyone using Benro with a 500 f4?

One thing about tripod brands is that models come and go and have different names in different areas. The Benro models on sale here in Japan do not match up to those on ebay either by name or by specs. Are the ones on ebay newer models? They are about 30% cheaper from Hong Kong than in Japan. I'd rather buy locally.

I don't know about Japan, but Benro USA don't sell the best Benro tripods which are their regular travel tripods and their systematics.

The C3780T isn't a new model. I almost bought one a couple years ago but then the equivalent Gitzo (3541LS) went on sale with a lower price than the Benro so I bought the Gitzo. I use two Benro tripods and they are very good, but they are not Gitzos. There is less of a differential in performance with the systematics in both price and performance than with the smaller and lighter tripods where I think Benro actually does better than Gitzo in terms of spec. and performance but not build quality.

Benro are Gitzo copies and some parts are interchangeable between the two brands. I would avoid buying a Benro kit, there are better ballheads out there.

Thanks for the reply. I was looking at the GT3542 which seems to be quite popular with birders. That list is very useful, thanks again.

DCstuffs (on ebay) seems to be the best place to buy Benro but I'm a bit dubious about spending $800 or more on ebay. Benro in Japan seems to sell different/outdated models.........

I find the GT3541LS (predecessor to the 3542LS) works fine on my 500 f/4 II. I use it with a Jobu Black Widow gimbal.

HokkaidoStu wrote in post #16297816
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at the GT3542 which seems to be quite popular with birders. That list is very useful, thanks again.

Jon and I have the 3541 model which is the predecessor to the 3542. I believe these 4 leg section 3-series tripods are Gitzo's best sellers and I can understand why; they're very stable, fold up to a short size, and have a good weight. Quite a few of the members here have this tripod. I'm very happy with mine.

HokkaidoStu wrote in post #16297816
DCstuffs (on ebay) seems to be the best place to buy Benro but I'm a bit dubious about spending $800 or more on ebay. Benro in Japan seems to sell different/outdated models.........

DC is where I bought my Benros, he's honest, has great prices and he ships quickly. He's also very helpful. (I have no connection other than being a customer.)

I have had great luck with DC Stuff, and love my Benro C-397M8 (I am sure there is a new model now) and GH-2 (gimbal head) for my Canon 500mm F4.

Thanks for the replies. I'll get the GT354LS, I just ordered the GH1P gimbal from dcstuffs to go with it..............

Gitzo is a Rolls Royce of tripods, not sure if that RRS tripods became the RR now but i will never give up my Gitzo, also that high price of RRS tripods over Gitzo or almost the same making me to think that it is pointless i replace my Gitzo for RRS.

I have 4 different series of Gitzo [1, 2, 3 and 5], and i was carrying series 1 for my travel but it wasn't sturdy enough, so i bought series 2 and even it was slightly better but i didn't feel happy with its stability, so i bought series 5 and it was heavy for travel, then i forced myself to go with series 3 and it is perfect for travel, so i only carry series 3 for travel and i use series 5 only in my country, series 1 or 2 i might give it to my daughters or keeping as backups.

Actually I went back to the place where I ordered the lens and tried to get the Gitzo added to the 'package', I got a MK3 1.4X and a Lowepro backpack heavily discounted but couldn't order the Gitzo as they said they couldn't tell me when it would be available, another online store I checked in Japan said it would be at least 3 months until delivery!

So I got the Benro after all.........I have a Benro monopod and my wife has a lighter Benro tripod and we have had no problems with them.