The Perfect Tripod Set-up: Please Review

My Fellow POTN Friends,

I have spent the last couple of months educating myself on tripods and ballheads. POTN has been an enormous resource while searching through endless options. I’ve finished my homework, and here’s what I’m leaning towards getting. I would appreciate any feedback you may have.

Background:
I primarily use a tripod for landscapes, weather photography, and macro work, but I’m certainly not limited to these uses. I’ve come to the realization that a good tripod is necessary if you want to discover what your glass is really capable of. As you can see in my signature, I don’t own any heavy artillery, but the 300 2.8 and a 400mm is in my near future. While I’d love to own a 500mm or longer lens, this is not a consideration for the next several years. I'm 5' 10" and travel frequently. Prior hobbies have taken me deep into the mountains, and I would love to tie my participation of these activities into photography.

My Approach:
I am considering two different set-ups. The first one would be a rock-solid tripod that could handle longer focal lengths and absorb vibrations very well (like the winds you sometimes encounter in weather photography). I want it to be robust, but with a manageable weight and size. The second set-up (which will come a little later down the road) would be an uber-light, compact set-up that would be a dream to carry while traveling and backpacking. I realize that both of these tripods can be expensive propositions, but I want to do it absolutely right the first time around.

What I’m considering:

Set-up #1 “Solid as a Rock”
Gitzo 3541
Markins M-20 with a RRS B2 LRII
RRS L-plate for my 40D
RRS L84 plate for my 70-200 2.8

Set-up #2 “The Traveler’s Dream”
Gitzo 1541T
Markins Q3T with a RRS B2 LRII
(Ben’s review really helped me)

Questions that I have:

1) At first, I was very much considering an Arca-Swiss Z-1 paired with the Gitzo 3541. But since Markins is such a favorite here on POTN, I had read many adoring comments about their ballheads during countless hours of research and I now seem to be leaning towards the M-20. Can anyone convince me that I should take a step-back and reconsider the Arca-Swiss Z-1, or is the Markins M-20 just that good?

2) Like I said before, I want to get this right the first time around. Admittedly, this isn’t going to be cheap. But if I go this route, I feel like I will have two top-shelf set-ups that will serve my needs for a very long time. Given my goals, have I overlooked anything?

I really appreciate your time and expertise!

Bryan

I cant offer anything to your questions, but have you considered the 3531 instead of the 3541? Everything I have read usually tends to agree that a 3 section tripod is generally more stable than a 4 section one. The 3531 is the one I have been looking at.

ben_r_ wrote in post #6693605
I cant offer anything to your questions, but have you considered the 3531 instead of the 3541? Everything I have read usually tends to agree that a 3 section tripod is generally more stable than a 4 section one. The 3531 is the one I have been looking at.

I have considered the 3531. The shorter folded length and the lighter weight of the 3541 is what's attracting me.

Taking a look at the specs:

Gitzo 3541 (4 sections)
Folded Length: 21.7 inches
Weight: 4.4 lbs

Gitzo 3531 (3 sections)
Folded Length: 26 inches
Weight: 4.7 lbs

I too have been giving this careful consideration. I wonder if the extra stability of 3 sections (vs. 4) is worth the extra size and weight.

Thoughts?

Bryan

When it comes to the 2 and above Gitzo series, the 3/4 section issue is not really a concern. The g-locks make the legs stronger than previously and essentially make the 3/4 section issue moot.

jhom wrote in post #6694385
When it comes to the 2 and above Gitzo series, the 3/4 section issue is not really a concern. The g-locks make the legs stronger than previously and essentially make the 3/4 section issue moot.

i agree. i bought the 3541 and it's rock solid.

ed rader

bps wrote in post #6693654
I have considered the 3531. The shorter folded length and the lighter weight of the 3541 is what's attracting me.

Taking a look at the specs:

Gitzo 3541 (4 sections)
Folded Length: 21.7 inches
Weight: 4.4 lbs

Gitzo 3531 (3 sections)
Folded Length: 26 inches
Weight: 4.7 lbs

I too have been giving this careful consideration. I wonder if the extra stability of 3 sections (vs. 4) is worth the extra size and weight.

Thoughts?

Bryan

Yes I had reviewed those specs too, but I was kinda going into with the mind set that I didnt really care how much the setup weighed since I had the light setup too if I needed it. I just keep referencing back to what my Bogen setup used to weigh. Almost 8lbs for the 055XPROB and 488RC4 head. So most all of these "heavy" setups seem light compared to that beast of a setup.

jhom wrote in post #6694385
When it comes to the 2 and above Gitzo series, the 3/4 section issue is not really a concern. The g-locks make the legs stronger than previously and essentially make the 3/4 section issue moot.

It's not just the g-locks... It's the fact that the bottom-most / 4th section (possibly 3rd section as well) of the legs on the 3541 are thinner than the the bottom-most / 3rd section of the 3531. That's the reason the 3531 weighs more than the 3541 as well.

Thinner = less stable.

Whether it's "stable enough" is your true question.

FYI - I have the 3531 and the Arca-Swiss Z-1 and love it...
Edit - I actually have the 2531...

ben_r_ wrote in post #6693605
I cant offer anything to your questions, but have you considered the 3531 instead of the 3541? Everything I have read usually tends to agree that a 3 section tripod is generally more stable than a 4 section one. The 3531 is the one I have been looking at.

BigDaveE wrote in post #6695875
It's not just the g-locks... It's the fact that the bottom-most / 4th section (possibly 3rd section as well) of the legs on the 3541 are thinner than the the bottom-most / 3rd section of the 3531. That's the reason the 3531 weighs more than the 3541 as well.

Thinner = less stable.

Whether it's "stable enough" is your true question.

FYI - I have the 3531 and the Arca-Swiss Z-1 and love it...

The 3-section/4-section debate is a moot point on higher-end tripods such as the Gitzo (if you're buying a Dynatran though, that's a different story). And "thinner" doesn't necessarily mean "less stable". It all depends on how the part is designed and manufactured, such as the number of layers of CF, the quality of the CF, and the ratio of epoxy resin to CF. Making a blanket statement that thinner is automatically less-stable is a falsehood.

FWIW, I went with the GT2540 due to the amount of hiking that I do. I added the Markins TB-20 base and the M-10 ballhead, topped off with an RRS B2LRII lever clamp. The tripod has seen some rough duty, including exposure to high winds and rushing water...very stable, couldn't be happier.

To the OP: don't worry about the 3/4 debate with the Gitzo line, it just isn't a big deal. Also, you may want to consider adding in a Markins tripod base (it also helps in damping out vibrations). You'll probably need the next size up...not sure what the number is (TB-30?) since the MArkins site is down at the moment. Here's what it looks like:

argyle wrote in post #6696836
The 3-section/4-section debate is a moot point on higher-end tripods such as the Gitzo.

if it is then why do they bother making 3 section pods anymore? Seriously, regardless of the manufacturer, less joints is more stable and thicker is more stable. It's just that with someone like Gitzo, their worst, thinnest, pod with the most sections will still be reasonably stable.

As BigDaveE said, you're not looking for the most stable, you're looking for stable enough for your needs.

regarding those Markins tripod bases? Do they make a big difference? Specifically on CF legs?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #6697488
if it is then why do they bother making 3 section pods anymore? Seriously, regardless of the manufacturer, less joints is more stable and thicker is more stable. It's just that with someone like Gitzo, their worst, thinnest, pod with the most sections will still be reasonably stable.

As BigDaveE said, you're not looking for the most stable, you're looking for stable enough for your needs.

regarding those Markins tripod bases? Do they make a big difference? Specifically on CF legs?

And why is that? This is the key point that I was making with regard to higher-end tripods such as a Gitzo...the design/engineering and quality of materials play key roles. Just making a blanket statement that "thicker is always more stable" is a bogus claim. I still say that the OP will not see any change in performance from one tripod to the next if using a 3-section or 4-section Gitzo. If the shorter collapsed length suits him for hiking and traveling, he won't have any problems whatsoever (provided that he doesn't go beyond Gitzo's recommended focal length for that particular tripod series). There's more to tripod stability than just supporting a mass...there's also the resistance to torque (for which the Gitzo's are known).

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Please, keep the opinions coming.

Since I will eventually have a lightweight set-up for hiking and travel, I am giving thought once again to the 3-section Gitzo 3531. However, it is tough. I'm a firm believer that size and weight do play a psychological-role to a certain extent -- you may be less likely to use a tripod the heavier and more cumbersome it is. So I guess it comes down to what Argyle has said: will I be able to perceive a stability difference between the two? And in the end, is it worth the extra weight and size? (which is definitely noticeable)

Sorry to pick it all apart. But building a two-tripod support system is going to run $2,500 so I want to get it right.

Bryan

argyle wrote in post #6697593
And why is that? This is the key point that I was making with regard to higher-end tripods such as a Gitzo...the design/engineering and quality of materials play key roles. Just making a blanket statement that "thicker is always more stable" is a bogus claim. I still say that the OP will not see any change in performance from one tripod to the next if using a 3-section or 4-section Gitzo. If the shorter collapsed length suits him for hiking and traveling, he won't have any problems whatsoever (provided that he doesn't go beyond Gitzo's recommended focal length for that particular tripod series). There's more to tripod stability than just supporting a mass...there's also the resistance to torque (for which the Gitzo's are known).

Keep in mind that EVERTHING remains relative. Even a steel I-beam has some degree of deflection and transmission of induced vibration. A 4-section might be very rigid and stable, but the 3 section (with fewer joints and thicker cross section of the tube --which makes more weight) is more likely to be more stable than the 4 section. The fact that one might not perceive a difference, does not mean that there is no difference that can be measured.

argyle wrote in post #6696836
Also, you may want to consider adding in a Markins tripod base (it also helps in damping out vibrations).

I've been looking at the Markins tripod base. I'm definitely interested, but I want to use my new set-up for awhile to see if I can live without the center post. BTW, I love your picture of the Markins base and M-10. I've noticed it in several threads and it always stops me in my tracks. Nothing tells a story like pictures!

I just pulled the trigger on a RRS L plate, a B2 LRII lever clamp, and a L84 plate. It's kind of crazy how fast the costs add up! I've also decided on the Markins M-20, but their website is still down so I haven't been able to place the order yet.

All that's left is to decide between the 3531 and the 3541...
Bryan

bps wrote in post #6698180
I just pulled the trigger on a RRS L plate, a B2 LRII lever clamp, and a L84 plate. It's kind of crazy how fast the costs add up! I've also decided on the Markins M-20, but their website is still down so I haven't been able to place the order yet.

All that's left is to decide between the 3531 and the 3541...
Bryan

Well, it is an expensive hobby. RRS gear can be a bit pricey, but it is top-notch. As far as the tripod goes, I'd go with your first instinct. Building up any angst over a supposed stability difference between a 3-section and 4-section Gitzo, measurable or not, is like pixel-peeping at 200%...what's the point? The 3541 or 3531 will work for you just fine...its just a matter if the extra collapsed length of the 3531 will be a PITA for you when traveling or hiking.

Picked up the 3541LS myself for the extra bit of weight reduction, but mainly because it fits carry on specs. Couldn't be happier with it, I also went with the M20.