Twist lock VS quick clamps

Tom Reichner wrote in post #17872721
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It's not just you. I hate the twist locks, too.

I don't mind the fact that they get grit and dirt in them - it's not a bother to clean them out. But what bothers me is that it takes SO DARN LONG to get them loosened, adjusted, and tightened back up again. I mean it literally takes me around 15 seconds to do this, and that's when I'm in a frantic rush! If an animal turns his head to look a certain direction for a few seconds, and that makes me want to shoot it from a different height, there is simply no way I can get all three legs re-adjusted and clamped down solid again before the critter turns its head back. Or if an animal is walking and I want to quickly adjust the height of my tripod before it takes another two or three steps, there is no way to do so, while with clamp locks I could do the whole procedure in about half the time.

The problem is that I don't know of any ultra-high-end carbon fiber tripod capable of solidly supporting huge heavy lenses that doesn't have the stupid twist locks. So what's a guy to do?

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Tom, originally I hated Gitzo tripods for their twist lock, and I chose Bogen (Manfrotto) after extensive handling trials in a well stocked store. Fast forward decades later, and someone on POTN mentions new version Gitzo with 'G-Lock' and 'ALR'. We have a 'shootout' to assess setup and takedown times, and it is a virtual tie. As a result, I go into a store to reevaluate Gitzo and find ALR and G-Lock to make a night and day difference. I purchased a Gitzo 2530 and sold off my trusty Bogen 3221. Now, almost a decade later no regrets. The single feature for which I prefer the Manfrotto over the Gitzo is simply the variable angle leg spread locks at the spider...the Gitzo can easily pinch fingers, the Manfrotto never pinched.

Wilt wrote in post #17872802
.. The single feature for which I prefer the Manfrotto over the Gitzo is simply the variable angle leg spread locks at the spider...the Gitzo can easily pinch fingers, the Manfrotto never pinched.

You ain't just whistlin' Dixie, there, man! Many more blood blisters had since jumping from the Manfrottos to the Gitzo....still won't go back, though.

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Snydremark wrote in post #17872786
The twist locks, for me, are MUCH faster to adjust as they don't require nearly the mechanical travel to loosen, adjust and resecure.
@Tom: What 'style' of tripod do you use/prefer? Center column, or direct mount to the legs? I would *think* someone offered the option, at least. Can help do a search <shrug>

I need a tripod with no center column. So, so often, I spread the legs out to the almost horizontal position, so that I can get the camera down as low as possible. Just no way to do that with a center column. Not to mention (although I am mentioning it) that center columns are a liability when it comes to rigid stability for a 13 pound lens attached to a 4 pound camera. When you're shooting 800 millimeters and have no Image Stabilization, any tiny bit of play will make it impossible to get razor sharp images at slow shutter speeds. Hence, no enter column for me, ever!

I also need a tall tripod. So many times I am trying to set up on very steep slopes, and need at least two of the legs to extend much further than my Gitzo allows for. Then there are times when using it on flat ground that I just have to get the camera up high in order to get the kinds of backgrounds I want. I made makeshift leg extensions out of PVC pipe and fittings. They extend the legs by an additional 33 inches, but that results in less than satisfactory stability, and it is awkward to hike far with 3 extra pieces of PVC pipe.

Also, my current tripod is not really stable enough. I know it is rated for 39.6 pounds, and I only put about 20 pounds on it, but I've learned that you really need a tripod that has a rating of about 4 times the actual weight you are going to use (if you want extreme stability).
This is my current tripod:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Systematic_6X_C​arbon.html

And these are the two tripods that I am trying to decide between, to get as a replacement:
http://www.reallyright​stuff.com …a-series-4-5-sections-leg
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …6_SECTION_SYSTE​MATIC.html

Unfortunately, both of those under consideration have the twist style locks, that on my current tripod take me over 15 seconds to fully adjust the height on (when doing all three leg sections).
I would like to have something where I could fully adjust the height and lock it down completely tight in just 4 or 5 seconds, but I don't know if anything like that is available on really good carbon fiber tripods. I don't know of any other tripods that would be sufficient for my needs, let alone have clamp style locks. If you find anything suitable I sure would be glad to hear what it is!

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Great info, Tom! I'll take a look and see if I can dig anything out of the tubes

Also, as Wilt points out above, when was the last time you tried out twist locks? They've made several advancements in current implementations that weren't available in older systems; particularly with the G-lock/ALR stuff.

I'm out in Issaquah, and I've got a G-lock Gitzo if you want to try and do a meet up to check it out sometime. Don't know how often you're up in the north here.

Hi Tom!
I use the Gitzo 3530LS - basically a 3 leg section version of your 3541, and it is more than up to the job of stabilising my 800 F5.6 L IS. Note I haven't used IS for just over 2 years. A friend has a 5 series which is quite a beastie to say the least, however I could find no advantage with it other than height - he does but then he is 6Ft 7 Inches tall! If you really need height I would suggest that you have a look at this:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …es&sts=ma&Top+N​av-Search=
A bit less daunting and will still support you or me!

I note Snydremark's comments on the ALR locks. Up until a few months ago I was running a Gitzo G1329 Mk2 (non ALR) alongside my other Gitzo tripods (with ALR) - didn't really notice any difference except that it's easier extend them thinnest section first - but I do that anyway.

I like to look of RRS tripods but they are hopelessly expensive over here. A few years back (when I had bought all my tripods) an acquaintance of mine bought a 3 series RRS - it was very nice too. But I had just bought the last of my tripods and I had spent £70 more than him. He had 1 tripod, I had 3 new Gitzo tripods (2 Carbon fiber), one used Gitzo Carbon Systematic tripod with the extra systematic centre column and a new Gitzo Carbon mono pod, I just don't understand why RRS don't sell better over here!