New Tripod

CT · 21-02-2006, 23:18

After finally doing the right thing and really researching the market before I jumped for a change, I've bought a tripod I might actually want to take somewhere with me. It's a CF Gitzo Explorer, an absolutely stonking bit of kit and really adaptable to all situations. I've gone for a simple ball head with quick release plate to keep weight to a minimum. All up it's under 5lbs.

It's cost a horrendous amount of moolah, and I have to say the aluminium version would be a steal for a lot less money and very little weight difference.

The CF looks good though.

Braeden · 21-02-2006, 23:21

this is a photography forum you know...

I can't be bothered searching so TTIUWP!

CT · 21-02-2006, 23:27

Haha. I worked that out .... eventually.

I haven't taken any pics, but there's a good review with pics HERE.

Braeden · 21-02-2006, 23:30

looks a nice piece of kit, but expensive.

We need a TTIUWP smiley

Sean_Mcr · 22-02-2006, 00:04

Very nice, which one have you bought?

I have the Gitzo CF 2228 Explorer. Got it from 0ne stop digital for £263. costs over £400 over here. Work of art

CT · 22-02-2006, 00:09

That's the one.

4 section legs rather than 3.

Sean_Mcr · 22-02-2006, 00:12

Yeah its the three section of mine. I bought mine after that review you've just linked funny enough

CT · 22-02-2006, 00:23

'Work of art' Good description. The Italians do some things so well, they have this thing called 'flare' You can see it in the cars. Trouble is they do the engine and the beautiful body, then lose interest in the finishing off and the door handles come off in your hand.

Sean_Mcr · 22-02-2006, 00:51

Tell you one thing i've noticed, from time to time, at least with mine. A random twist lock will jam. If your hands are clammy for any reason i need a cloth to unfix them, and i've got big Irish hands lol

Watch your hands with the top snap locks! Christ i paid the price when i caught my finger in it as part of an experiment to see if it would hurt.

The experience taught me, that to next time use next doors cats tale for any further experiments (joking)

shiato storm · 22-02-2006, 12:50

I've been looking casually for a tripod and narrowed it down to either gitzo or manfrotto CF ones, for lightweight and compactability. I forget the lie up but there are some 'mountaineer' types that seem quite light yet load up to around 8kg - not that I have anything that massive, yet! but I do have the 100-400 and currently pondering the 1dmkIIN so what ever I go for a sturdy support yet lightweight is something quite desirable. this 2227 is stable with your 1d..N then?

Joe T · 22-02-2006, 13:22

I was looking at these, but in the end I went for a Manfrotto 055 MF4 I could see that the Gitzo models really offered anything more. They do look damn good tho!

CT · 22-02-2006, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiato storm

but I do have the 100-400 and currently pondering the 1dmkIIN so what ever I go for a sturdy support yet lightweight is something quite desirable. this 2227 is stable with your 1d..N then?

I haven't used it in anger yet, but the first thing I did was stick the 1DMK2N on it and and try it out in some pretty extreme positions and on the end of some horizontal centre column configurations. Yes... it's very stable. It has a max recommended load of 22lbs.

I've seen Matt (the mod) using a mahoosive 800mm Sigma on one of these with no problems.

P-E · 22-02-2006, 17:08

Looks a nice piece of kit.

I still can't decide which tripod to go for.

I was going to settle for one one of the Velbon Sherpa range.

CT · 22-02-2006, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-E

I still can't decide which tripod to go for.

That's good! Take your time - think about what you really need in a tripod, look at the market and be absolutely sure before you invest. If you get it right first tme, you'll probably never need to buy another.

P-E · 22-02-2006, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

That's good! Take your time - think about what you really need in a tripod, look at the market and be absolutely sure before you invest. If you get it right first tme, you'll probably never need to buy another.

That is the problem.....I already own a Manfrotto 055PRO but want something lighter and more compact.

Mr THX · 22-02-2006, 19:08

I was considering getting the 055pro - do you consider it to be a weighty tripod then ???

TBH I'm hoping to get a feel of a few tripods at the FOCUS show..........

22-02-2006, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr THX

I was considering getting the 055pro - do you consider it to be a weighty tripod then ???

TBH I'm hoping to get a feel of a few tripods at the FOCUS show..........

i got an 055 pro a few weeks back...
to be honest its a compromise , as a heavier tropod is a more stable tripod, but is less atractive to lug around,

if you compare an 055 to a no name £20 tripod, yes.....its much heavier , but thats what ur buying it for to a certain extent.....as the no name pod will blow over if you fart in the wrong direction,

i went to a camera shop and test drove a few in the shop, and was impressed with the build quality and the steadyness of the manfrotto compared to a few others that were in there, i then decided to go for the best i could afford and got an 055 pro in black with a manfrotto trigger grip head , and am very happy with both

MyPix

P-E · 22-02-2006, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr THX

I was considering getting the 055pro - do you consider it to be a weighty tripod then ???

TBH I'm hoping to get a feel of a few tripods at the FOCUS show..........

For me it is just a little uncomfortable to walk around with........infact I do not take it with me at all.

Lighter/compact is what I am looking for but strong enough to take my 1D MKII.

21-02-2006, 23:18	#1 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	New Tripod After finally doing the right thing and really researching the market before I jumped for a change, I've bought a tripod I might actually want to take somewhere with me. It's a CF Gitzo Explorer, an absolutely stonking bit of kit and really adaptable to all situations. I've gone for a simple ball head with quick release plate to keep weight to a minimum. All up it's under 5lbs. It's cost a horrendous amount of moolah, and I have to say the aluminium version would be a steal for a lot less money and very little weight difference. The CF looks good though. __________________ Canon 1DMk2N/ EF 50mm 1.4/ EF 17-40L/ EF180L Macro/ EF100-400L Canon 20D /17-85 EF-S 580EX Flashgun/ Gitzo Explorer

21-02-2006, 23:21	#2 (permalink)
Braeden Getting Comfy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 131	this is a photography forum you know... I can't be bothered searching so TTIUWP!

21-02-2006, 23:27	#3 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Haha. I worked that out .... eventually. I haven't taken any pics, but there's a good review with pics HERE.

21-02-2006, 23:30	#4 (permalink)
Braeden Getting Comfy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 131	looks a nice piece of kit, but expensive. We need a TTIUWP smiley

22-02-2006, 00:04	#5 (permalink)
Sean_Mcr Getting Comfy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 123	Very nice, which one have you bought? I have the Gitzo CF 2228 Explorer. Got it from 0ne stop digital for £263. costs over £400 over here. Work of art

22-02-2006, 00:09	#6 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	That's the one. 4 section legs rather than 3.

22-02-2006, 00:12	#7 (permalink)
Sean_Mcr Getting Comfy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 123	Yeah its the three section of mine. I bought mine after that review you've just linked funny enough

22-02-2006, 00:23	#8 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	'Work of art' Good description. The Italians do some things so well, they have this thing called 'flare' You can see it in the cars. Trouble is they do the engine and the beautiful body, then lose interest in the finishing off and the door handles come off in your hand.

22-02-2006, 00:51	#9 (permalink)
Sean_Mcr Getting Comfy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 123	Tell you one thing i've noticed, from time to time, at least with mine. A random twist lock will jam. If your hands are clammy for any reason i need a cloth to unfix them, and i've got big Irish hands lol Watch your hands with the top snap locks! Christ i paid the price when i caught my finger in it as part of an experiment to see if it would hurt. The experience taught me, that to next time use next doors cats tale for any further experiments (joking)

22-02-2006, 12:50	#10 (permalink)
shiato storm Quite Chatty Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 56	I've been looking casually for a tripod and narrowed it down to either gitzo or manfrotto CF ones, for lightweight and compactability. I forget the lie up but there are some 'mountaineer' types that seem quite light yet load up to around 8kg - not that I have anything that massive, yet! but I do have the 100-400 and currently pondering the 1dmkIIN so what ever I go for a sturdy support yet lightweight is something quite desirable. this 2227 is stable with your 1d..N then?

22-02-2006, 13:22	#11 (permalink)
Joe T Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Amersham, Bucks Posts: 978	I was looking at these, but in the end I went for a Manfrotto 055 MF4 I could see that the Gitzo models really offered anything more. They do look damn good tho!

22-02-2006, 17:08	#13 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,811	Looks a nice piece of kit. I still can't decide which tripod to go for. I was going to settle for one one of the Velbon Sherpa range.

22-02-2006, 19:08	#16 (permalink)
Mr THX Getting Comfy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Barnsley Posts: 177	I was considering getting the 055pro - do you consider it to be a weighty tripod then ??? TBH I'm hoping to get a feel of a few tripods at the FOCUS show..........