New CF Tripod Choices - Help :)...
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 4:48 pm
I'm seriously considering getting some new carbon fibre sticks (and probably something like a RRS BH-40) to replace my venerable Manfrotto 190 Pro B (the very old model) + 488RC4 ball head (which would be consigned to my daughter).
My current 190 Pro B has in theory from google searching old records specs of 2kg (holds 5kg), 3 leg sections and a folded length of 56cm and a max height (centre column down) of 119cm and with the column up of 145cm. Basically I try to use it with the column down most of the time but I often find it too low so ideally I'd like something which is perhaps 15-20cm taller with the column down.
I'm leaning towards 4 section tripods so I can keep the folded length down to around the same or less than my current.
So here's the rub...
I know Gitzo are the bees knees but they are freaking expensive (even the current 2 day 50% discount price from QCSA basically just brings them to parity to getting it from Adorama or eBay incl delivery)
In Gitzo it looks like something like the Traveller GT2541 4leg/1.36kg/12kg 55.5cm 17/130/153cm would fit the bill however would be something like $700-750 delivered either from QCSA or Adorama or $630 delivered eBay from Korea
I was also looking at the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 4leg/1.7kg/8kg 54.5cm 11.5/135/170cm which is a bit heavier (but still much lighter than my current) and taller (centre column) but much cheaper - from $390 ebay to just over $400 from B&H/Adorama delivered to just over $500 walk into DDP say
Finally I could go radical and get a Gitzo knockoff like the Triopo GX-1228 4leg/1.4kg/12kg, 56cm 32/160cm for just over $200 delivered or Benro C2980T 4leg/1.67kg/12kg 54.5cm 39/135/162cm for $330 here in Syd
Has anyone had any experience with these Gitzo knockoffs like the Triopo (I have a Benro CX monopod which seems fine) with any sort of comparison to a real Gitzo (i.e. is it worth me spending 3 to 4 times for it).
So a plea for help from the Tripod gods
My current 190 Pro B has in theory from google searching old records specs of 2kg (holds 5kg), 3 leg sections and a folded length of 56cm and a max height (centre column down) of 119cm and with the column up of 145cm. Basically I try to use it with the column down most of the time but I often find it too low so ideally I'd like something which is perhaps 15-20cm taller with the column down.
I'm leaning towards 4 section tripods so I can keep the folded length down to around the same or less than my current.
So here's the rub...
I know Gitzo are the bees knees but they are freaking expensive (even the current 2 day 50% discount price from QCSA basically just brings them to parity to getting it from Adorama or eBay incl delivery)
In Gitzo it looks like something like the Traveller GT2541 4leg/1.36kg/12kg 55.5cm 17/130/153cm would fit the bill however would be something like $700-750 delivered either from QCSA or Adorama or $630 delivered eBay from Korea
I was also looking at the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 4leg/1.7kg/8kg 54.5cm 11.5/135/170cm which is a bit heavier (but still much lighter than my current) and taller (centre column) but much cheaper - from $390 ebay to just over $400 from B&H/Adorama delivered to just over $500 walk into DDP say
Finally I could go radical and get a Gitzo knockoff like the Triopo GX-1228 4leg/1.4kg/12kg, 56cm 32/160cm for just over $200 delivered or Benro C2980T 4leg/1.67kg/12kg 54.5cm 39/135/162cm for $330 here in Syd
Has anyone had any experience with these Gitzo knockoffs like the Triopo (I have a Benro CX monopod which seems fine) with any sort of comparison to a real Gitzo (i.e. is it worth me spending 3 to 4 times for it).
So a plea for help from the Tripod gods