Gitzo First Impressions

**lithedreamer** · 12-15-2016, 06:30 PM

New blog post, here.

**lithedreamer** · 12-15-2016, 10:40 PM

I went out shooting with it tonight, so I'll update this blog post tomorrow with some in-use impressions.

**WPRESTO** · 12-16-2016, 05:46 AM

Hope you find the tripod satisfactory. I have a Gitzo 1228, which I think was their first carbon-fiber. I have never found their leg twist-locks entirely reliable. I replaced the original friction rings after 20 years or more, but the smallest leg sections remain prone to collapsing and therefore untrustworthy. I have found flip-locks much more reliable as well as quick. Flip locks on a much older Slik 444Sport I own are still 100% slip-proof.

PENTAX LEEBO · 12-16-2016, 05:51 AM

Great info for the tripod I think Gitzo are brilliant, enjoy using mine and now can set-up without thinking now which is a plus when in a hurry. Look forward to further updates on your progress thanks

**BigMackCam** · 12-16-2016, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the enjoyable read. That is some tripod

$800, though... I know it's an important piece of equipment, and I know people spend even more than that, but I don't think I could get my head around that kind of outlay for a tripod...

I agree with you about the bag. For that kind of investment, I'd expect a nice, padded travel bag with a strap.

Overall, though, looks like a fantastic bit of kit

JeffB · 12-16-2016, 05:58 PM - **1 Like**

I'll have to make a camera to firearms analogy here that may enrage some people for different reasons. But bare with me...

Gitzo tripods remind of really expensive M1911 45 auto pistols. They are made to ridiculously tight tolerances and perform flawlessly when maintained in perfect condition. But one little piece of sand can bring the whole thing to a grinding (literally) halt. I have had this experience with both a Gitzo and a 1911. I prefer a slightly sloppier fit that allows for some grit and grime in the mechanisms without causing a total seizure.

lightbox · 12-16-2016, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by JeffB

I prefer a slightly sloppier fit that allows for some grit and grime in the mechanisms without causing a total seizure.

Which one do you recommend?

slipdm16 · 12-16-2016, 07:30 PM - **1 Like**

Just happened to scroll down and saw your article on filters too - very well done as was the tripod review!

Obin Robinson · 12-16-2016, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Hope you find the tripod satisfactory. I have a Gitzo 1228, which I think was their first carbon-fiber. I have never found their leg twist-locks entirely reliable. I replaced the original friction rings after 20 years or more, but the smallest leg sections remain prone to collapsing and therefore untrustworthy. I have found flip-locks much more reliable as well as quick. Flip locks on a much older Slik 444Sport I own are still 100% slip-proof.

It's interesting you mention that because all I own (and trust my equipment to) are twist-lock tripods. On the other hand none of them are Gitzo. I have a Vivitar from the early 1980s, a Quick-Set from the early 1990s, a Mefoto I use for flower photos, and an Induro from two years ago and all of them are twist lock. I wonder why the Gitzo locks are troublesome?

obin

JeffB · 12-16-2016, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by lightbox

Which one do you recommend?

Benro.

**lithedreamer** · 12-16-2016, 08:40 PM

I've added an update to the end of the blog post, thanks so much for everyone's input.

JENSEN7474 · 12-16-2016, 08:58 PM

I own a Benro travel angle that is light and very compact with twist style clamps and have never had a problem. The price was a very reasonable $239

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-16-2016, 09:36 PM

I still use the Manfrotto I bought in 1982 to support my M400/5.6 and attached camera. It has the lever locks and I have never even had to adjust them in over 30 years of use. They weren't babied. I was chasing a heron at Duck Lake a few km North of Creston BC and was up to the parts of me that really feel cold water, tripod and all. I lost a sandal in the mud, but rinsed off the tripod with no problems. I am liking it even more with the RH2 gimbal head my wife got me for my birthday last June.

The only money I have spent on it were the hexagonal plates the 0168 head uses when the cork wore down even with the metal and they didn't hold anymore.

I also know a whole bunch of people who treat their tripods no better than I treat mine and who have twist locks and have had no slippage problems.

The only tripod I have that has ever given me a hassle is my Benbo Trekker, and then only when I didn't pay attention to the one lever that tightens all. It has twist locks.

**Ex Finn.** · 12-17-2016, 05:56 PM

I take Manfrotto lever-locks over Gitzo twist. Hate to have to waste time setting up a fiddly pod that cost 900+... Just my opinion.

bigfoxkiB · 12-18-2016, 05:07 AM

Gitzo is wonderful in quality...but price is too high for me...I think I will go for Benro, too.
Plus, my family will hunt me down if they know I bought a 800~1000 dollars tripod.

12-15-2016, 06:30 PM	#1
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Gitzo First Impressions New blog post, here.

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12-15-2016, 10:40 PM	#2
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799 Original Poster	I went out shooting with it tonight, so I'll update this blog post tomorrow with some in-use impressions.

12-16-2016, 05:46 AM	#3
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,103	Hope you find the tripod satisfactory. I have a Gitzo 1228, which I think was their first carbon-fiber. I have never found their leg twist-locks entirely reliable. I replaced the original friction rings after 20 years or more, but the smallest leg sections remain prone to collapsing and therefore untrustworthy. I have found flip-locks much more reliable as well as quick. Flip locks on a much older Slik 444Sport I own are still 100% slip-proof.

12-16-2016, 05:51 AM	#4
PENTAX LEEBO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 111	Great info for the tripod I think Gitzo are brilliant, enjoy using mine and now can set-up without thinking now which is a plus when in a hurry. Look forward to further updates on your progress thanks

12-16-2016, 08:36 AM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,656	Thanks for the enjoyable read. That is some tripod $800, though... I know it's an important piece of equipment, and I know people spend even more than that, but I don't think I could get my head around that kind of outlay for a tripod... I agree with you about the bag. For that kind of investment, I'd expect a nice, padded travel bag with a strap. Overall, though, looks like a fantastic bit of kit

12-16-2016, 05:58 PM - 1 Like	#6
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 'Merica! Posts: 209	I'll have to make a camera to firearms analogy here that may enrage some people for different reasons. But bare with me... Gitzo tripods remind of really expensive M1911 45 auto pistols. They are made to ridiculously tight tolerances and perform flawlessly when maintained in perfect condition. But one little piece of sand can bring the whole thing to a grinding (literally) halt. I have had this experience with both a Gitzo and a 1911. I prefer a slightly sloppier fit that allows for some grit and grime in the mechanisms without causing a total seizure.

12-16-2016, 07:24 PM	#7
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	Originally posted by JeffB I prefer a slightly sloppier fit that allows for some grit and grime in the mechanisms without causing a total seizure. Which one do you recommend?

12-16-2016, 07:30 PM - 1 Like	#8
slipdm16 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Minneapolis, MN Photos: Albums Posts: 159	Just happened to scroll down and saw your article on filters too - very well done as was the tripod review!

12-16-2016, 07:39 PM	#9
Obin Robinson Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 272	Originally posted by WPRESTO Hope you find the tripod satisfactory. I have a Gitzo 1228, which I think was their first carbon-fiber. I have never found their leg twist-locks entirely reliable. I replaced the original friction rings after 20 years or more, but the smallest leg sections remain prone to collapsing and therefore untrustworthy. I have found flip-locks much more reliable as well as quick. Flip locks on a much older Slik 444Sport I own are still 100% slip-proof. It's interesting you mention that because all I own (and trust my equipment to) are twist-lock tripods. On the other hand none of them are Gitzo. I have a Vivitar from the early 1980s, a Quick-Set from the early 1990s, a Mefoto I use for flower photos, and an Induro from two years ago and all of them are twist lock. I wonder why the Gitzo locks are troublesome? obin

12-16-2016, 07:50 PM	#10
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 'Merica! Posts: 209	Originally posted by lightbox Which one do you recommend? Benro.

12-16-2016, 08:40 PM	#11
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799 Original Poster	I've added an update to the end of the blog post, thanks so much for everyone's input.

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12-16-2016, 08:58 PM	#12
JENSEN7474 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 38	I own a Benro travel angle that is light and very compact with twist style clamps and have never had a problem. The price was a very reasonable $239

12-16-2016, 09:36 PM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I still use the Manfrotto I bought in 1982 to support my M400/5.6 and attached camera. It has the lever locks and I have never even had to adjust them in over 30 years of use. They weren't babied. I was chasing a heron at Duck Lake a few km North of Creston BC and was up to the parts of me that really feel cold water, tripod and all. I lost a sandal in the mud, but rinsed off the tripod with no problems. I am liking it even more with the RH2 gimbal head my wife got me for my birthday last June. The only money I have spent on it were the hexagonal plates the 0168 head uses when the cork wore down even with the metal and they didn't hold anymore. I also know a whole bunch of people who treat their tripods no better than I treat mine and who have twist locks and have had no slippage problems. The only tripod I have that has ever given me a hassle is my Benbo Trekker, and then only when I didn't pay attention to the one lever that tightens all. It has twist locks.

12-17-2016, 05:56 PM	#14
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I take Manfrotto lever-locks over Gitzo twist. Hate to have to waste time setting up a fiddly pod that cost 900+... Just my opinion.

12-18-2016, 05:07 AM	#15
bigfoxkiB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 100	Gitzo is wonderful in quality...but price is too high for me...I think I will go for Benro, too. Plus, my family will hunt me down if they know I bought a 800~1000 dollars tripod.