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

"What can you expect from Chinese copymakers"?

That's what we all said here in the UK about Japan some years ago - "good at copying, but not cutting edge product design", but the big two, Canon and Nikon, are both Japanese so who's laughing now? Does the UK have any representation in this field? Even the US has only a fading toehold with Kodak.

I'd not write off China any time soon, after all it WILL be the next world superpower bar non fairly shortly.

Lowner wrote in post #9929473
[I]"What can you expect from Chinese copymakers"?

I'd not write off China any time soon, after all it WILL be the next world superpower bar non fairly shortly.

Off topic: Yeah just don't build your house using their sheetrock. Don't Buy Chinese Drywall

Don't know the terms sheetrock or drywall here in the UK. Maybe our use of the word drylining is similar? Basically plasterboard glued to walls in place of "proper" plastered walls.

If you are talking about exterior finishes, we are not big on cladding, unless its wood or tile.

Lowner wrote in post #9929473
"What can you expect from Chinese copymakers"?

That's what we all said here in the UK about Japan some years ago - "good at copying, but not cutting edge product design", but the big two, Canon and Nikon, are both Japanese so who's laughing now? Does the UK have any representation in this field? Even the US has only a fading toehold with Kodak.

I'd not write off China any time soon, after all it WILL be the next world superpower bar non fairly shortly.

Without turning this thread into a political thread, I want to add that you forgot India.

Oh dang guys, come on, stay on topic...

Chinese knockoffs can be good and even excellent. There is no doubt about that. The problem comes in the numerous examples of taking liberty with materials and specifications and coming up with something nasty (leaded paint in toys are an example and there are many others).

The other issue is the protection of intellectual property. Making a knockoff, without the obvious advantage of having developed the materials and design, makes for weird performance on a lot of things and that is often hidden by the nice paint job.

Between those two things, usually unless it is managed by an experienced company (typically non-Chinese), makes for issues and uncertainty. Personally, as far as it goes and having been in many factories all over Asia in a technical capacity, unless it is managed properly and I understand that management, then I tend to avoid them.

J.

Ben,
Thanks for the leg protectors for the GT1541t. You did a really nice job with them and i think they will last a long time.
I also just got the Gitzo GE10P bag from the Aussie vendor and it is just a nice as you said it would be. Sadly I sent back my gt1541t in favor of a gt3541.

jallis wrote in post #9950510
Ben,
Thanks for the leg protectors for the GT1541t. You did a really nice job with them and i think they will last a long time.
I also just got the Gitzo GE10P bag from the Aussie vendor and it is just a nice as you said it would be. Sadly I sent back my gt1541t in favor of a gt3541.

Youre very welcome and Im sorry you didnt end up keeping the 1541T, BUT ANY 3 series Gitzo is AWESOME, so if that will work better for you functionally, Im sure you will 100% satisfied with that choice!

Ben,
thanks for the kind words. I've got my mind set on a Gitzo for sure. I just wished that the Gitzo gt2540t was a few inches taller and availible without the Gitzo head being permanently attached. Considering that i have the Canon 100-400 lens I think the gt3541 will probably be my best choice to match my height of 6'1". I also have to consider my wife's height of 5'8" as well.
Ben, are you aware of what gitzo has/had bag-wise for the gt3541 that compares to the GE10P? I looked around and all I could find were the thinner neopreme ones.
BTW, when I do get the Gitzo gt3541, can I have you make me up a set of leg protectors for them?

jallis wrote in post #9951772
Ben,
thanks for the kind words. I've got my mind set on a Gitzo for sure. I just wished that the Gitzo gt2540t was a few inches taller and availible without the Gitzo head being permanently attached. Considering that i have the Canon 100-400 lens I think the gt3541 will probably be my best choice to match my height of 6'1". I also have to consider my wife's height of 5'8" as well.
Ben, are you aware of what gitzo has/had bag-wise for the gt3541 that compares to the GE10P? I looked around and all I could find were the thinner neopreme ones.
BTW, when I do get the Gitzo gt3541, can I have you make me up a set of leg protectors for them?

If I remember correctly, when I bought the GE10P there was a GE20P and GE30P... Again, I could be wrong about that, but I do remeber there being larger ones.

And sure, I'd be more than happy to make you some more. You're just gonna have to tell me the length you want for each leg as unfortunately I do not have a 3 series at my disposal.

Ben,
thanks for the info. I will check it out and let you know what i find. I'll let you know what the lenght will be when i get the tripod.
cheers

Ben,
i was able to find the correct number at amazon for all the GExxP bags..

GE10P 0 series
GE11P 1 series
GE12P 2 series
GE13P 3 series
GE14P 4 series
GE15P 5 series

They go from relatively cheap from roughly $75.00 for the GE10P to pretty expensive at $215.00 for the GE15P. The third party vendor is selling the GE13P for the 3 series for $172.00 Not exactly cheap.

Wow! Well, it is Gitzo... They certainly dont play with their pricing... I just hope I can still find one when I finally get my 3 series setup!

Ben,
I should be getting my gitzo gt3541L and markins m20 tomorrow. What info do you need to make me up some more protectors? length with all four legs extended? width or diameter?

cheers

ausimo,
i got your pm and just replied back to you.