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

René Damkot wrote in post #13319877
That's apparently as designed:

From here (somewhere down in the comments):

Never been a problem for me.

Yeah I was just a bit shocked when I thought I was locked down and it rotated but I think practically it won't be an issue.

Also the weight difference between the 1541 (non-t) + Q3T is amazing compared to the manfrotto setup

tats wrote in post #13319901
Yeah I was just a bit shocked when I thought I was locked down and it rotated but I think practically it won't be an issue.

It's actually a brake rather than a lock. As René said its design is to help reduce the effects of vibration. Once you get used to it you don't notice it.

tats wrote in post #13319901
Yeah I was just a bit shocked when I thought I was locked down and it rotated but I think practically it won't be an issue.

Also the weight difference between the 1541 (non-t) + Q3T is amazing compared to the manfrotto setup

YES it is!

peter_n wrote in post #13320302
It's actually a brake rather than a lock. As René said its design is to help reduce the effects of vibration. Once you get used to it you don't notice it.

Yea, its never once been an issue for me. The brake holds just fine for me.

I'm still on the fence between the Feisol 3441T and the Gitzo 1542T. I like the extra height of the Feisol (since I'm 6'1" tall), but I also like how small and compact the Gitzo folds down to. I'd like to put the tripod in my backpack if possible.

I'm kind of leaning towards the Gitzo. I'm young enough and in decent shape so bending over once in a while shouldn't bother me too much. But this is my first tripod so I really don't know how much of an issue that would be.

For landscape and travel photography, will I really need the extra height of the Feisol?

rudeshi wrote in post #13325785
I'm still on the fence between the Feisol 3441T and the Gitzo 1542T. I like the extra height of the Feisol (since I'm 6'1" tall), but I also like how small and compact the Gitzo folds down to. I'd like to put the tripod in my backpack if possible.

I'm kind of leaning towards the Gitzo. I'm young enough and in decent shape so bending over once in a while shouldn't bother me too much. But this is my first tripod so I really don't know how much of an issue that would be.

For landscape and travel photography, will I really need the extra height of the Feisol?

Only you can really answer that. Maybe go out to a local camera shop and try and fin two tripods that you can set to the same heights and see if you can decide from that.

jnd wrote in post #13327579
ben_r, have you ever heard of the GT1543T? This is offered as GK1580TQR4 including the GH1780TQR head. Is the 1543T the successor to the 1542T?

No I have not, and a little google searching doesnt show such a model number anywhere but a few German websites and nothing from Gitzo. Since I cant read German Im have no idea what they are saying about. We'll just have to wait and see what Gitzo has up their sleeve now.

jnd wrote in post #13328552
It's on the Gitzo site http://www.gitzo.com …4/_/SER.1_6X_TR​AVELER_KIT

Well the kit is, but where on the site does it say the legs of this kit are indeed a GT1543T "next model" traveler?

jnd wrote in post #13328601
The Gitzo site doesn't say this, but see these photos.

Very interesting... Looks like only the Germans have it.

Well, who speaks German?

jnd wrote in post #13328627
It's available in the U.S. too, e.g. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …R4_Series_1_Tra​veler.html

Okay, I do seem to remember someone mentioning this combo (or one similar) earlier in this thread, but no one saw that the legs are labeled as a 1543T. Also I dont think anyone around here bought the combo because its very overpriced considering the head is terrible and pretty much worthless for resale value so no one bothered trying. Interesting. Too bad they dont list the specs for the tripod alone. I wonder if the 1543T was what the second gen 1541T should have been. Or what if its the same just re-model-numbered. The closed length of 16" really makes it sound like that.

I think Gitzo is just putting some random numbers on their kit legs, they do the same with kit heads .
Maybe to keep them apart for warranty and internal identification reasons and whatnot .

This numbering scheme change has happened before. All of a sudden some different gitzo product numbers showing up, and then later they update their catalogs and websites. Usually it's differences like when they lightened up the tubing (1228 ->1258), made some minor mods in design or mfg (3540LS->3541LS) etc... Probably what's happening here.

J.

I went to B&H in NYC over the weekend to play around with the Gitzo 1542T. It's incredibly compact and light. If I extend the center column about halfway, it's at a workable height so I don't need to bend over too much. Without the center column extended at all, I need to bend quite a bit.

I asked the B&H sales rep about the stability with center column extended. He said since it's carbon fiber and Gitzo's are so well made, I can extend the center column with no stability issues. I'm taking that statement with a grain of salt...I'm thinking the center column will compromise stability if it's extended too far, right?

I can't see the Feisol 3441T in person, so I'll have to make a choice based on the reviews. Need to pull the trigger soon since I leave next month for Patagonia. Decisions, decisions..

rudeshi wrote in post #13332019
I went to B&H in NYC over the weekend to play around with the Gitzo 1542T. It's incredibly compact and light. If I extend the center column about halfway, it's at a workable height so I don't need to bend over too much. Without the center column extended at all, I need to bend quite a bit.

I asked the B&H sales rep about the stability with center column extended. He said since it's carbon fiber and Gitzo's are so well made, I can extend the center column with no stability issues. I'm taking that statement with a grain of salt...I'm thinking the center column will compromise stability if it's extended too far, right?

I can't see the Feisol 3441T in person, so I'll have to make a choice based on the reviews. Need to pull the trigger soon since I leave next month for Patagonia. Decisions, decisions..

You might want to look at the 1542 (no 'T'). I think it would be more stable, does not require bending over, is about the same weight.

It makes no sense to spend all that money on an effective set of tripod legs and then give it all away by mounting the camera up on a stilt.

J.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #13332044
You might want to look at the 1542 (no 'T'). I think it would be more stable, does not require bending over, is about the same weight.

It makes no sense to spend all that money on an effective set of tripod legs and then give it all away by mounting the camera up on a stilt.

J.

My 1541 (no T) is also a good option - perfect height for me (I'm 5'9) with center column all the way down

I think they are the same. 1541~1542.

J.