Another Tripod Question

So I asked a previous question here about a cheap/heavy tripod and good head. I was recommended a Bogen 3021 and either an M10 or BH-40. I got myself a Markins M10. It's exactly what I asked for , but after using it -- it's heavier than I expected and I tend to get lazy and leave it at home.

To recap: I'm mostly a hobbyist landscape photographer. I'm looking for a good sturdy tripod. I'm fairly tall (6'1"). My longest lens is 200mm, and I would like the tripod to be able to hold a 5D and a 70-200 2.8 IS. I think the total weight is about 3kg.


So now I'm looking for a light-weight yet stable tripod which would fold small enough to travel with (I'd keep the ball head the same). Price: around $700 for the tripod.


After doing a lot of research online I found Gitzo to be the most popular recommendation for light-weight good quality tripods (with Fieroco (sp?) to be a cheaper alternative but also recommended). But they have a few too many choices

I looked into the: 2541 ($700, 3lbs, folded 22", height 51" (with center column down and no head/camera)), 2531 ($650, 3.02lbs, folded 25", height 54"), 2542L ($730, 3.15lbs, folded 24", height 59" -- maybe too tall and too large folded?), 2341L ($435, 4.2lbs, folded 22", height 58" -- maybe too heavy?).

From my research I'm leaning towards the 2541 -- it's small folded (easy to travel with) and it's one of the lightest ones.

1. Would any of these tripods be good for me? Or is there a better option that I'm not seeing?
2. While doing my research I kept reading people recommend using an RRS release clamp on the Markins Ball Heads. Is there a reason for this? I don't see any issues with the Markins Release clamps, are the RRS QR clamps really that much better?

Thanks again for the help, sorry for the long write-up.
-Max

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=538298

Probably the best light weight combo out there.

Messiah Khan wrote in post #10288244
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=538298

Probably the best light weight combo out there.

Thanks, but I'm not sure it'd be a good fit for me. It's only 44" (without head and camera) tall, and it's a 1-series gitzo which I read can have vibrations even with 200mm lenses on it. Any experience with that or is it just an "internet myth"?

Feisol 3441 + Photoclam?

kinghong1970 wrote in post #10288319
Feisol 3441 + Photoclam?

Thanks! It's great that they compare it to the Bogen side-by-side I'll take a look into it.

cool.. i love the gitzo... personally own the GT 1550T... but as you have mentioned... it is fairly light tripod (ultra portable imo) and there is that concern...

being vertically challenged (5'4") i can even use it without extending the last leg section...

in hindsight, perhaps a 1541 would have been better... but i was absolutely blinded by the sheer compactability of this tripod... seems feisol is a good option for you...

I recently got the Gitzo 2531 and absolutely love it. I was tempted by the 2541, but I already have a travel tripod, and the extra 3 inches in height for the 2531 was more important to me than the folded length.

With the BH-40, the setup is feather light compared to the 3021 I replaced with the gitzo. I am 6'2", and with the BH-40 and 2531, the camera with grip is right at eye level for me.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, you just have to figure out which is more important, folded length, or the extra height...

I can recommend the Feisol and Photo Clam option. Bought one last month myself. Amazing set up and easy to travel with. Just got back from Alaska. Remote flyfishing trip for a week after a 42 mile float plane flight. I could not tell the Feisol was there most the time. So light and compact. My signature tells where to look (or buy) them. Super nice guy in Oregon that ships fast.


Dan

Mac wrote in post #10292504
I recently got the Gitzo 2531 and absolutely love it. I was tempted by the 2541, but I already have a travel tripod, and the extra 3 inches in height for the 2531 was more important to me than the folded length.

With the BH-40, the setup is feather light compared to the 3021 I replaced with the gitzo. I am 6'2", and with the BH-40 and 2531, the camera with grip is right at eye level for me.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, you just have to figure out which is more important, folded length, or the extra height...

That's exactly what I wanted to hear about the 2531/2541. Thank you! The M10 is about an inch taller than the BH-40 (at least from what I remember), and I'm an inch shorter than you So I think the 2541 wouldn't make such a huge difference with the 3" height difference

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10292726
I can recommend the Feisol and Photo Clam option. Bought one last month myself. Amazing set up and easy to travel with. Just got back from Alaska. Remote flyfishing trip for a week after a 42 mile float plane flight. I could not tell the Feisol was there most the time. So light and compact. My signature tells where to look (or buy) them. Super nice guy in Oregon that ships fast.

Dan

I think I have it down between the Feisol and the 2541 at this point. So many people are happy with the Feisol, and that's still keeping me on the fence now (at first I thought it was just a cheap knock off, but I was quickly proven wrong :lol.

Thanks.

i think if i'm on the market for a more rugged and non-portable tripod, it'd be feisol...

"non-portable"??

My Feisol weighs 2.3 lbs and folds to 18 inches


After months of research, I choose it over the Gitzo Traveler.

ok Dan... maybe "non-portable" is bad choice of words...

something a bit more rugged?

hahaha... last nite, i saw the slim 1cm Dia last section of the legs and my hand automatically went to the tripod to give it a good shake (idiot's rigidity test)... lol...

the gitzo is perfect for me to sneak inside my luggage on my buying trips...
i am tempted to consider something that will put my mind at ease when using my tripod with my kids, with a nice zoom, taking pics of birds and/or moon...

Thanks for all the help guys. I decided to go Gitzo (a.k.a. my order has been placed) because I found a great deal on the 2541. $626 shipped and a $40 MIR from a reputable place. (Total $587 instead of $700 which most places sell it for)

My thinking -- the price difference for the Feisol (~$270) over the long run isn't worth "the risk" *to me*. Gitzo has a long standing history of great products and holds it's value well (in case I decide to upgrade in the future), with that being said -- if I had to pay $700, I'd get the Feisol their prices are great.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10292726
I can recommend the Feisol and Photo Clam option. Bought one last month myself. Amazing set up and easy to travel with. Just got back from Alaska. Remote flyfishing trip for a week after a 42 mile float plane flight. I could not tell the Feisol was there most the time. So light and compact. My signature tells where to look (or buy) them. Super nice guy in Oregon that ships fast.


Dan

Just wanted to comment on the bold part again -- thank you.

That site has an AWESOME comparison of the Feisol products in a simple to understand table (at least for the features that i was comparing). The Gitzo "comparison" table doesn't compare, in my opinion

I can't imagine you not being happy with the Gitzo. Almost bought one last month myself but went with the Feisol in the end. Have fun with the new tripod, it will serve you well I am sure.