Gimbal Heads and Tripods

Looking at two different tripods to be used with a gimbal head.
Both do not have center column.
Induro GIT 304 L at 59" and the GIT 404 XL at 71"
At 5'11 tall the 304 would be fine for relatively flat ground............
So do most of you that have a "Rig" go for the larger size?
Just thought I would see what most are using.
Thanks.

You can make tall shorter but you can't make short taller. That's the main advantage for 404. One way to figure out whether this is going to be a real and practical advantage for you is to ask how many times have you in the past felt the need for a taller tripod for your shooting needs. If not, then you don't really have a practical need for one and 304 has a real, practical advantage in weighing far less than 404, if you do plan on using the tripod for birding or wildlife. Since you want to pair it with your Gimbal head, I'd have to assume that it isn't for your home use. Gimbal head alone can get pretty heavy. You add the tripod, ball head and your camera and the long lens on top of everything, things can pile up quickly weight wise.

I have a Gitzo GT4553S with almost identical weight as 304 and ProMediaGear GT1 Tomahawk Sidekick Gimbal that only weighs 1.9lbs, and these two alone is pretty heavy. Add the RRS BH-55 ball head, 5DIII and pretty light Sigma 150-600C.... and I'm not young.

Just to give you an idea, I am a bit shorter than you at 5'9''.
I was out earlier today using my Gitzo GT4542LS, Wimberley 2 and 800mm. This tripod goes to 61'' and I still had 9'' of tripod height in reserve. The Gimmbal head adds quite a lot of height!
Always get a tripod that is taller than you need but you don't have to go too far

I prefer the 3 series for pretty much all the work I do.

I did happen to pick up an Induro 4 series a few years back when they were on stupid low price clearance for the newer model,. and man it's a huge wonderful tripod. That said, I have never needed the additional height or "beef" and pretty much always pack the 3 series. The only time I have really used the 4 was in studio, or when I needed more than one tripod, and lastly for astro work at above 1000mm.

3 series with a Gimbal is the most common bird set up I've seen. But there are those with 4 and even 5 series out there too.

I am 6'

As John says, the Gimbal adds height, as does a leveling column if you go in for that. I find them indispensable.

Well I bought the Induro GIT 304 L Tripod along with the Induro GHB2 Gimbal Head. With a level surface and my lower legs retracted about 4", my 5D Mark III and 100-400 L IS Mark II on Gimbal raised at Center Point is at a comfortable eye level.
Very sturdy and does fold down to a nice small size.

I've got a Gitzo GT 5541LS with a Wimberely WH-200. It's a beast, but I never have to worry about stability. I'm a very fit woman in my 50's, 5'7" and I climb down cliffs with the Gitzo attached to a ThinkTank Glass Limo with a 400/2.8G and a D5 or D500, so portability is subjective. I'll shoot with a 400/2.8, 1.4x TC III and a D500 on it and it's solid. It is taller with the WH-200, but the tripod is pretty tall on it's own and works for odd situations, like his. It also folds down to shoot from about 6" off the ground.

My feelings on tripods are, get something that more stable than you need for your longest lens set up, so you're ready for anything. Pick up a second lighter duty tripod later later for other stuff. You can always put a 14-24 on the 5541LS, but you can't put a 400/2.8 on a 2 series.

Valerie S wrote in post #18643692
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. . . and I climb down cliffs with the Gitzo attached to a ThinkTank Glass Limo with a 400/2.8G and a D5 or D500, so portability is subjective.
I'll shoot with a 400/2.8, 1.4x TC III and a D500 on it and it's solid.
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This is quite intriguing!

What is it that you shoot?


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Valerie S wrote in post #18643692
I've got a Gitzo GT 5541LS with a Wimberely WH-200. It's a beast, but I never have to worry about stability. I'm a very fit woman in my 50's, 5'7" and I climb down cliffs with the Gitzo attached to a ThinkTank Glass Limo with a 400/2.8G and a D5 or D500, so portability is subjective. I'll shoot with a 400/2.8, 1.4x TC III and a D500 on it and it's solid. It is taller with the WH-200, but the tripod is pretty tall on it's own and works for odd situations, like his. It also folds down to shoot from about 6" off the ground.

My feelings on tripods are, get something that more stable than you need for your longest lens set up, so you're ready for anything. Pick up a second lighter duty tripod later later for other stuff. You can always put a 14-24 on the 5541LS, but you can't put a 400/2.8 on a 2 series.

I like your thinking! The 5541 is a bit of a monster but, as you say, it is stable!

I am more than happy with my 4 series (GT4542LS) for my 800mm (my previous 3 series was OK too) but you can never have too much with tripods so long as you can carry them!