I know the G1228 carbon fiber tripod is a crowd favorite but in terms of saving roughly $325, will the G126 be sturdy enough for my trek around the woods or travelling? I will be carrying a Nikon F100 (please don't suggest using a lighter camera) and I don't forsee using anything larger than a 300mm F4 lens. The G126 specs. looks similar to the CF 1228. I only want to feel the pain of forking over the money to buy a Gitzo tripod once. Thanks.

-- Dan (dan88kwan@hotmail.com), May 07, 2000

Answers

In a word, no. I have used the Gitzo 126 for travel photography for several years. Provided you have a good head, the G126 will support the camera and lens combinations you mention, but it is a fairly short tripod and the fourth leg sections are rather small (i.e., flimsy). I only use it when travelling light. I use the G226 for most of my travel and general photography. The G226 MIGHT be a reasonable substitute for a G1228, but the G126 is not. It is a great travel tripod, but not much more. If I was starting over, I would take the plunge and get one of the Gitzo carbon fiber tripods.

-- Bruce Rideout (brideout@sunstroke.sdsu.edu), May 07, 2000.

Check out Gitzo G1220 tripod. It's a couple of inches longer than the G1228 when closed and weighs about 1-1/2lbs more. It's not as light as the 1228 but then again it is also cheaper by $300. I have the Gitzo G1276m ballhead on it and it works fine. Hope this helps.

-- Gary (garyk99_99@yahoo.com), May 09, 2000.