Anyone use a Gitzo GK1581OT Ocean Traveler tripod?

I'm thinking about getting one, my main interest is being able to use it in salt water fairly regularly without having to rinse/maintain it. Yes I know I'm lazy but I'm willing to pay the extra premium over the 1541T if I can avoid the time involved in cleaning it.

Anyone here have one? I'd be interested in hearing how it is in use.

I should as I shoot a lot at the beach but I can't afford it. After 3 years using a Manfrotto aluminum tripod with the legs frequently in the ocean I don't see any signs of corrosion. Sand gets in the flip locks but I just clean it away. I clean the tripod with fresh water regularly.

I am not convinced that it would be wise not to rinse salt water off any tripod, regardless of what it is named. Salt water is corrosive and I think extended exposure without rinsing the salt water off would be a real mistake.

even if you buy the ocean traveller, im pretty sure you'd still have to maintain it.

I just looked into that tripod. Gitzo does claim the leg locks are water tight. And as it's carbon fiber, not sure salt water can corrode it in any event.

It is quite expensive however, in comparison.

MDJAK wrote in post #11401280
I just looked into that tripod. Gitzo does claim the leg locks are water tight. And as it's carbon fiber, not sure salt water can corrode it in any event.

It is quite expensive however, in comparison.

AFAIK it´s stainless steel and not CF. I think CF is corroded as aluminum. I´m not sure what material is more resistant to salt water between Aluminum and Carbon Fiber, maybe an engineer can chime in.

Well, as you can see from this link, you are partially right. The ballhead is stainless as are the fittings. However, the legs are carbon fiber.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Section_Carbon_​Fiber.html

One thing I never liked about the traveler series is the fact you are limited to the built in ballhead. I prefer RRS or Markins to a large degree. While you can change it out, you then can't fold up the legs. I've played with it at B&H, where I happened to be today.

MDJAK wrote in post #11401491
Well, as you can see from this link, you are partially right. The ballhead is stainless as are the fittings. However, the legs are carbon fiber.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Section_Carbon_​Fiber.html

One thing I never liked about the traveler series is the fact you are limited to the built in ballhead. I prefer RRS or Markins to a large degree. While you can change it out, you then can't fold up the legs. I've played with it at B&H, where I happened to be today.

The ballhead can't be removed? That's a shocker.

No, I didn't say it can't be removed. But if you place any other head on the traveler series, you cannot fold up the legs.

remember, one thing that makes it so compact is the fact that the legs fold up around the ballhead. Most if not all other tripods the ballhead remains atop and the legs fold down along the shaft. On the traveler series, the ballhead has to be very small in order for the legs to fold around it.

And while I love Gitzo tripods, own one, and their monopods, own two, and one of their fluid ballheads for video, their regular ballheads leave something to be desired AFAIK, when compared to RRS and Markins.

I've played around with some of the Gitzo ballheads too. They really aren't desirable in any way.

MDJAK wrote in post #11401533
No, I didn't say it can't be removed. But if you place any other head on the traveler series, you cannot fold up the legs.

If I get a GK1581OT I'll be using a Markins Q3T ballhead on it. It was designed to work with the Gitzo travelers. The ballhead that comes with the GK1581OT is rubbish.

Live and learn. I just checked the Markins site and you are indeed correct. Now that would be a sweet combo.

Thing that annoys me is that you have to pay for the included Gitzo head; they do not sell the traveler series without it.

MDJAK wrote in post #11401491
One thing I never liked about the traveler series is the fact you are limited to the built in ballhead.

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

there is newer version of the q3t that was redesigned so the knobs are placed where the legs fold up more easily.

i agree with you on markins heads...great quality.

midget wrote in post #11401142
even if you buy the ocean traveller, im pretty sure you'd still have to maintain it.

Aluminum one isn't that heavy now-days, honestly CF tripods only 1/3 lighter than aluminum ones. If you'll use your tripod constantly in such condition, buy aluminum tripod. worry free and cheaper, otherwise, every time you have to completely unlock all the legs and clean them, may have to use WD-40.