Gitzo 1548 Carbon Fibre Tripod

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I'm considering this tripod, after a leg clamp snapped on my Manfrotto/Bogen.

I use fairly heavy monorail cameras (Arca M-Line 5x4" with an Arca B2 monoball, and will also use an Arca 10x8" M-Line).

I know the Gitzo 1548 only extends to around 5 feet, but I can live with that. It appeals because of its light weight for this class of tripod, and I think it might be solid. I've not actually seen this model, so I'd like some feedback before I buy one.

I'd like to know if anyone has used this particlar model; whether it's stable anough for large 10x8" cameras; whether it's well-built and likely to last a long time, etc.

I'm not sure if I like the Gitzo leg locks - they seem hard to operate, but then the Manfrooto clamps are obviously weak, and they can be knocked open accidently.

Any opinions would be grateflly received...

David Nash

-- David Nash (nashcom@btinternet.com), April 08, 1999

Answers

David, you might want to consider the Ries A series tripods as well.

-- Carlos Co (co@che.udel.edu), April 08, 1999.

Are you doing studio or field work?

-- Ellis Vener (evphoto@insync.net), April 08, 1999.

I shoot 4x5 from a Gitzo 1348 and have found the tripod to have ample stability and freedom from vibration. I believe it's plenty of tripod for any 4x5 and all but the heaviest (e.g. Sinar P2) 8x10 cameras. The 1548 is considerably beefier than the 1348; I think it's big enough for any 8x10.

The Gitzo leg locks are secure and nearly indestructable, and never need adjustment. I think new users tend to tighten the locks more than is necessary -- they clamp really well with only modest torque -- causing them to be unnecessarily difficult to loosen.

-- Sean Donnelly (smd@alumni.rice.edu), April 10, 1999.


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