Review: Gitzo GT1541 + Markins Q3 + RRS B2 LR II

Hey all,

I’ve finally finished my tripod setup, so I thought it’d be helpful to write a review for those of you considering the same setup and have some questions.

thanx for the thorough review. that's a very nice set-up. i've been thinking about getting that legset because we will be travelling more...i already have the head and QR .

ed rader

The Markins pan knob should be considered a panning brake and not a lock. It does not lock down like some other ballheads. I have not found this to be a problem with any of my shooting. Once normally tightened, you need to force it to move.

Me too. I'm looking to probably sell my 1258 (same as 2540 but a year older) and replace it with a 1541 since I also have a 3541LS.

That would be a great traveling rig and it looks like the Q3 is perfectly sized to it.

J.

Awesome! Glad to see this combo reviewed! Make sure this gets put in the tripod sticky! Great job!

It would be nice if you explained what you'll be using it for and why you chose this over the 1541T/Q3T combo. Especially since that is the standard "high-budget, light-weight setup" around here. Thanks for taking the time to review and post pics!

I'm guessing folded length wasn't as much of an issue and you wanted the extra height with the center column down?

I love it when people post reviews. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Bryan

I'll be using it for my day to day tripod, i think it's a good balance between stability and portability. I don't travel too much, so i don't think that the traveler version was needed. and if i do travel, i'd probably strap it on the outside of my bag (rather than putting it inside), so i didn't need for it to fold down like the traveler version.

i will be traveling with it in a month, so i'll definitely have a better opinion after using it extensively for a month and a half.

chinoamigo wrote in post #8039517
I'll be using it for my day to day tripod, i think it's a good balance between stability and portability. I don't travel too much, so i don't think that the traveler version was needed. and if i do travel, i'd probably strap it on the outside of my bag (rather than putting it inside), so i didn't need for it to fold down like the traveler version.

i will be traveling with it in a month, so i'll definitely have a better opinion after using it extensively for a month and a half.

Yes awesome review! Thanks so much, I'm considering this exact setup, but have the same cons you have...if you were to sub one part of this setup out, or if you could purchase all over again, what would you change?
I would have to buy the Gitzo tripod brand new, no one in Oklahoma has a Gitzo on craigslist...guess I might find one used on another site?

I can handle all the prices here, but that tripod from Gitzo is what gets me! I love them though...might have to go find me a part time job to offset this cost.

Also curious why you went with the Q3 and not the Q3TR?
When you bought the Markins Q3, did you buy it without the camera place, knowing you would buy the RSS stuff?

Is this the same Gitzo tripod you purchased on craigslist?
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ountaineer_6X_C​arbon.html

those are some good questions.. but i haven't really had the time to go and test this setup out yet, so i couldn't tell you how it's performing out in the field. although sometimes i do wish i had gotten the gitzo 2541 model (the 1 series is tiny!) but then again i'm not sure if i'm just paranoid b/c i haven't taken it out shooting yet! some people think it's stable enough, some people don't, i guess i just gotta find out if i think it's ok for myself. also, i found the 1541 on craigslist for $500 so i couldn't pass that up...

I bought a Q3 because it was $20 cheaper than the Q3T.. and people told me that you dont really need a Q3T on non-traveler series tripods. i'm probably gonna sell my quickshoe too, so that'll help offset some of the RRS quickshoe cost.

Well, reading up on the RSS site, they tend to think your choice of Gitzo legs works fine for a lightweight standard setup...

What is the main difference in the GT1531/1541 series vs. GT2331/2531/2541?

This is a cool graphic for help...I'm leaning towards the GT2531 after seeing some online and hearing your comments.

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I found some other thread where they were giving you guys some advice on the Gitzo legs, where you got help to decide on what legs you ended up with. That was a good read as well for me.
What made you decide on the 4 shafts vs. 3 shafts in the end? I'm trying to determine which legs are best for me, you've already stated maybe the 2 series is better (bigger) than the 1 series; one is so tiny.
Would that mean that the 1 series is maybe better for a "traveler" type person, and the two is better for an everyday general purpose user? Then I still need to decide on the 3 vs. 4 shafts. I know the 4 would close up smaller than 3, but then 3 gives more stability, I don't plan to have any lenses bigger than what you were using, and right now all I have is a 24-70L, so not sure which is better. You think the 4 or 3 in series 2 is better for your needs, if you could do again?
And with the Gitzo, what is the EX (explorer) give you?

I assume you just bought the L plate and not the B5D2: Plate for 5D MkII without BG-E6, because it would be overkill since you got the L? Any reason to not have just the single plate as well?

Oh and one last question...

Why did you or why does anyone choose the Quick Release Clamp Lever Release vs. Knob Release?

You're review has pretty much sold me on this setup or very similar. I love it, and think its perfect for my shooting needs. I might have to buy a fluid video head one day for the HD Video shooting, but that can come later.

as per another thread as well, i decided on the 4 section legs because the tripod was smaller folded compared to 3 section leg (21.3" vs. 24.4").. a difference of about 3 inches. when taking this into account you also have to account for the ballhead which adds another 4 or so inches.. i doubt i'll be taking my ballhead off much.

i'm planning to go on a trip to asia in about a month, so that was another consideration as well. it was pretty crazy how i ended up with the 1-series, b/c i was deciding between a 1541 and a 2541 when i searched on craigslist and someone was selling a like-new 1541 for $500, so i took it as a sign from God that i should get the 1541 and i jumped on the deal.

also, another member of the forum (ed rader) suggested that the 1-series would be fine for my needs, considering i would probably rarely mount my 70-200 f/4 IS on it. most of the lenses that will be on it will be the 17-40, 24-105, 50 1.4, and maybe the 100 2.8 macro.

from my understanding the explorer gives you a center column that is very versatile

http://reviews.photogr​aphyreview.com …rbon-fiber-tripod-review/

i figure it'd be nice to have but i would rarely use it (i'm not too much of a macro person)

the RRS clamp lever is nice because it is fast. in <1 sec i can mount my camera on from any position (sliding or top). with knob releases, once you release the knob you can only slide it out until you release the knob even more (then you can load it from the top). does that make sense? i thought it was overkill at first until i realized that too.