About to pull the trigger on a Gitzo 3541XLS

I've been very happy with my current pod, with one exception, it's too short. Some of the places where I shoot have gates or railings or whatnot, and I always ended up having to raise the center column. I also happen to be 6'5, so having something at eye level will be nice as well.

Since this thing is pretty expensive, anything bad that I need to know about these legs? I will be using my B1 head on top of it.

Wow, nice pod. I was just holding it in my grubby paws at B&H two Sundays ago.

My only question to you is: Is it overkill based on your lens lineup?

Is there not a 2 series gitzo that goes as high? The 3 series are heavy suckers.

mark

Tallest 2 series that I was able to find went to 56 inches without a column. That's just 2 inches higher than my current pod.

As for being overkill, I'd rather have a little too much rather than the other way around. I may be getting a 300 2.8 IS soon, but am mainly spec'ing this pod out because of the height.

You should really spend your money on some good glass or a decent body. Why have a tripod that's better than your crappy equipment?

I see a 200 f/2L in your future.

me

His "crappy equipment"?
Glass - Canon 24 f/1.4L II, Canon 35 f/1.4L, Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon 85 f/1.2L II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, Canon 17-40 f/4L
Speedlite 580ex II, 430ex - Bogen stands w/ Westcott accessories
Tamrac Aero 85 & Crumpler bags - Kirk and RRS brackets- Gitzo GT-1931 w/ Arca B1

I say just go for it, spend it and get what you want. You'll feel better about it and be happy with it.

Wallace River wrote in post #10829419
His "crappy equipment"?
Glass - Canon 24 f/1.4L II, Canon 35 f/1.4L, Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon 85 f/1.2L II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, Canon 17-40 f/4L
Speedlite 580ex II, 430ex - Bogen stands w/ Westcott accessories
Tamrac Aero 85 & Crumpler bags - Kirk and RRS brackets- Gitzo GT-1931 w/ Arca B1

I say just go for it, spend it and get what you want. You'll feel better about it and be happy with it.

Let me introduce you to Mark and what he considers to be a sense of humor. He's really not that bad for a 90 year old senile guy.

Well, I just received the pod.

I would just like to mention one thing...this thing is gigantic.

I'm 6'5, (196cm for you European types). I am able to stand under the tripod when it is fully extended. This is absolutely amazing.

I will do a proper review when I have some time to go out and shoot, but that's my initial impression. Oh and damn it's light for such a huge pod.

I bought a 3541LS for my 500mm and I wished I spent more to get the 3541XLS. There are just some subjects that need a taller point of view even if you need to bring along a lader.

I just upgraded from a 5D to a 5D2, so in this situation, the LiveView will be incredibly valuable. Tomorrow, the east coast is supposed to get skimmed by a hurricane, so even if I get no rain, I'm sure that it will be pretty windy. I am going to try and get the two pods set up and take as long an exposure as I can to see how the wind impacts their stability.

TaDa wrote in post #10837462
Let me introduce you to Mark and what he considers to be a sense of humor. He's really not that bad for a 90 year old senile guy.

I resemble that remark.

Congrats on new equipment Pedro