Review: Gitzo GM2541 Monopod, RRS High Capacity Monopod Head w/ RRS B2 Pro II Clamp

Reserved for a leg protection accessory.

While this solution is not without its issues, it is still without a doubt the most stable, strong and best solution available for the money. The only way it gets and more stable is by upgrading to a 5 series Gitzo monopod. The only ones who will be doing that are those who are fortunate enough to own a large, heavy telephoto lens like a 500mm+ or even the 300mm 2.8 IS.

Now, as a rather unusual way for me to finalize my review, I have to end by adding that I didnt end up keeping this combo after all. After spending a week or so shooting with it I just decided that I dont do enough of the type of shooting that monpods benefit to justify keeping a $500 monopod setup. Sad to see it go, I have alloted the fund elsewhere to something I hope will be of much great use to me. However I will say for those of you that shoot sports of any kind, or any other telephoto or low light, compact working area type shooting this combo is a definite winner!

Once again thanks for all your support and thank you for taking the time to read all this. I hope I was able to offer you some help or insight into your next purchase! As always feel free to ask anything you like. While I no longer have the gear and cant take any additional pictures I did spend enough time with it to answer or at least help with any questions you might have. Thanks and enjoy!

ben_r_ wrote in post #6165957
While this solution is not without its issues, it is still without a doubt the most stable, strong and best solution available for the money. The only way it gets and more stable is by upgrading to a 5 series Gitzo monopod. The only ones who will be doing that are those who are fortunate enough to own a large, heavy telephoto lens like a 500mm+ or even the 300mm 2.8 IS.

Now, as a rather unusual way for me to finalize my review, I have to end by adding that I didnt end up keeping this combo after all. After spending a week or so shooting with it I just decided that I dont do enough of the type of shooting that monpods benefit to justify keeping a $500 monopod setup. Sad to see it go, I have alloted the fund elsewhere to something I hope will be of much great use to me. However I will say for those of you that shoot sports of any kind, or any other telephoto or low light, compact working area type shooting this combo is a definite winner!

Once again thanks for all your support and thank you for taking the time to read all this. I hope I was able to offer you some help or insight into your next purchase! As always feel free to ask anything you like. While I no longer have the gear and cant take any additional pictures I did spend enough time with it to answer or at least help with any questions you might have. Thanks and enjoy!

again a nice write-up Ben. the other day i ordered the kirk/manfrotto tilt head. the more i thought about it i knew i didn't want to be using two different systems so i'm completely arca swiss now .

the biggest advantage i see with your tilt head is weight and if you're using big lenses .... say 500f4 and above .... you'll probably want to take a serious look at the RRS tilt head.

but don't let the weight rating of the manfrotto fool you....it will take plenty of weight (more than its rating).

also the markins plate on my camera allows me to mount the camera pointed in any direction. there's no need to remove the QR and reposition it.

with the manfrotto tilt head you can quickly rotate the plate on your camera or lens to accomplish the same thing.

the cost of my benro monopod + kirk/manfrotto head will be like $180 less plates.

ed rader

Very nice and thorough review -- simply terrific job! I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this.

You did mention the Gitzo 5 series, so you did obviously consider it, but what about the 3 series? What are your reasons for eliminating this as an option?

SYS wrote in post #6168542
Very nice and thorough review -- simply terrific job! I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this.

You did mention the Gitzo 5 series, so you did obviously consider it, but what about the 3 series? What are your reasons for eliminating this as an option?

Oh yea I guess I forgot to talk about the 3 series didnt. Well the main two reasons I didnt go with one of those was because I first felt that the 26lbs max load capacity of the GM2541 would be more than enough for the gear I intended to use the combo with. The weight of my 5D, 70-200 2.8 IS, and 580EX II flash is a little over 8lbs, so the extra max load capacity of the 3 series I felt was not needed. Second I wanted to shave off as much off of the total weight of the rigs as much as possible. The RRS head was already pretty heavy as was the 2 series monopod and I didnt want to add anymore if I didnt have to. In addition to these two factors there was also the fact that the 3 series monopods range in price at around $50 more than the already pricey 2 series. So those are the reason why I didnt go with a 3 series. I just didnt feel I had the gear or requirements that would necessitate a stronger monopod.

Nice review.

You mentioned you got rid of the combo. Did you send back the head and monopod?

jhom wrote in post #6168818
Nice review.

You mentioned you got rid of the combo. Did you send back the head and monopod?

Yea, I returned the head back to RRS, and the monopod to 17th Street Photo both for a full refund. I know there will come a point when I regret it, but for now I need to use the money elsewhere.

ben_r_ wrote in post #6168835
Yea, I returned the head back to RRS, and the monopod to 17th Street Photo both for a full refund. I know there will come a point when I regret it, but for now I need to use the money elsewhere.

Ben -- what are the weights of the two different RRS tilt heads?

thanx,

ed rader

great thread.

ed rader wrote in post #6169083
Ben -- what are the weights of the two different RRS tilt heads?

thanx,

ed rader

Just the head itself: 8.8oz

The head with the lever clamp: 14.4oz

The head with the screw clamp: 13.4oz

Nice writeup.

Very nice and complete review, thanks a lot.

Laurent.

René Damkot wrote in post #6172734
Nice writeup.

devil350 wrote in post #6172896
Very nice and complete review, thanks a lot.

Laurent.

Thanks guys!

Ben, thanks for the excellent and thorough writeup! This was very helpful for me. I'm trying to find a setup for my 1DMKIII & 200 f/2 combo. Do you think this setup will be strong enough? Just like you said I want to keep the rig as light as possible.

Thanks,
Thai

gixxer_kidd wrote in post #6235112
Ben, thanks for the excellent and thorough writeup! This was very helpful for me. I'm trying to find a setup for my 1DMKIII & 200 f/2 combo. Do you think this setup will be strong enough? Just like you said I want to keep the rig as light as possible.

Thanks,
Thai

I think youll be more than fine. You lens/body combo is well under the 26lbs max load capacity.