Review: Gitzo 1541T Tripod, Markins Q3T Ballhead w/ RRS B2 LR II Clamp

Well in my haste to get something before the weekend I actually bought a 1541 non T. I'm on my phone now so I can't see the spec differences but I am pretty happy with this one.

Only thing is that I already ordered the Q3T - so I am unsure how it will fit seeing that I have the non T...

It's still a series 1, which is what the Q3T was made for..

Main difference for me is the folded length. The non-T folds down to 21.3 inches, while the T folds down to 16.1 inches. Very significant, IMO, if you're looking for a travel size tripod.

v35skyline wrote in post #13292869
It's still a series 1, which is what the Q3T was made for..

Main difference for me is the folded length. The non-T folds down to 21.3 inches, while the T folds down to 16.1 inches. Very significant, IMO, if you're looking for a travel size tripod.

Yep, that was the problem I had with it as well. However, for those that want a taller travel tripod, the non-T is a bit taller. Everythings a trade off...

ben_r_ wrote in post #13293315
Yep, that was the problem I had with it as well. However, for those that want a taller travel tripod, the non-T is a bit taller. Everythings a trade off...

I think I'm actually going to hang on to this. And for the record I am a convert already, this is so light and easy to use.

I can't wait until my markins set up arrives on Thursday to reall see.

tats wrote in post #13293360
I think I'm actually going to hang on to this. And for the record I am a convert already, this is so light and easy to use.

I can't wait until my markins set up arrives on Thursday to reall see.

Yea, the setup gets better and better as you acquire each piece!

At 21 inch's why not go to a series 2? My 2541 is only 22 inch's and I think its more stable? Ben I am sure you know this.

Also Ben, I think you have the right idea having 1 for travel and 1 for ultimate stability. I love the 2541 but I wonder if its to big to take on a trip. Something tells me next time I fly I will want to ad a smaller setup. I have nothing planned for a while and I find the 2541 fine to take around town and a perfect middle ground. I guess for the 5 inch's or so I will just make it work, its really a great setup and while not exactly small its very sleek and almost stylish.

tat's your gonna love the markins head. Night and day to the Manfrotto stuff and really IMO makes a bigger impact then the tripod did. Its just about as easy to frame a shot as it is hand holding the camera.

Tommydigi wrote in post #13293586
At 21 inch's why not go to a series 2? My 2541 is only 22 inch's and I think its more stable? Ben I am sure you know this.

Also Ben, I think you have the right idea having 1 for travel and 1 for ultimate stability. I love the 2541 but I wonder if its to big to take on a trip. Something tells me next time I fly I will want to ad a smaller setup. I have nothing planned for a while and I find the 2541 fine to take around town and a perfect middle ground. I guess for the 5 inch's or so I will just make it work, its really a great setup and while not exactly small its very sleek and almost stylish.

tat's your gonna love the markins head. Night and day to the Manfrotto stuff and really IMO makes a bigger impact then the tripod did. Its just about as easy to frame a shot as it is hand holding the camera.

Yea thats kinda how I looked at it too when I looked at the 1541 non-T. Why not just get a 2 series and have one tripod.

And yea, I know how crazy it sounds to have to have $2k+ in a dual tripod support system, but I just could figure any other way to have the best of both worlds without doing it that way. Its something you build up to though, both mentally and financially. Unless you can do it all at once, then by all means, get it over with and be complete.

Hmm the 1541 I got was like $530... What are the 2541's going for? Sorry on my phone in the car...

tats wrote in post #13293658
Hmm the 1541 I got was like $530... What are the 2541's going for? Sorry on my phone in the car...

Think the best price Ive seen on them was a weird bundle deal Tommy found at Adorama for like $680. LINK And thats pretty much by far the best deal.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13293671
Think the best price Ive seen on them was a weird bundle deal Tommy found at Adorama for like $680. LINK And thats pretty much by far the best deal.

Hmm. I think I will just hang on to this, the weight difference is really amazing. I wonder how muc lighter the markins heads will be (still stuck in the car)

The Q3T weights 0.83lbs. That's pretty significant, IMO, compared to the 498rc2 I had (1.34lbs).

tats wrote in post #13294507
Hmm. I think I will just hang on to this, the weight difference is really amazing. I wonder how muc lighter the markins heads will be (still stuck in the car)

4 hours...and I thought traffic was bad in LA.

Just an FYI, the 1-series tripods are rated up to 200mm. If you think you'll need a longer focal length, you might want to reconsider.

klr.b wrote in post #13295093
4 hours...and I thought traffic was bad in LA.

Just an FYI, the 1-series tripods are rated up to 200mm. If you think you'll need a longer focal length, you might want to reconsider.

Nah I don't think I will be going any higher, maybe grab an extender if anything.

Yeah huge accident coming back to the city from upstate...

Just got my Markins setup - and WOW. The ball head moves so smoothly and you only have to turn the locking knob a bit to clamp it or release it.

The only thing I am not too pumped about is the panning part where it is basically free to rotate unless the friction is up real high.

I don't know how this will affect anything in the field cause I was just messing around in my apartment.

That's apparently as designed:

From here (somewhere down in the comments):

Never been a problem for me.