Gitzo GK2580TQR Series 2 Traveler Kit Tripod

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Price: $739.00 Too low to display   

Product Feature

• Ground level set allows you to remove the center column to save weight and get the camera closer to the ground
• G-Lock locking mechanism gives faster operation and stronger, safer locking
• The rapid column can easily be inverted for an alternative shooting angle or low level macro work
• Anti Leg Rotation system allows loosening of all the twist locks on each leg at the same time for quick set up
• Removable rubber feet allows you to easily change worn out rubber feet or to fit other accessories, such as spiked feet or snow/sand shoes

Product Description

Gitzo Traveler is the most compact professional tripod in the market thanks to its revolutionary 180° leg folding system. The new Series 2 Traveler is a more substantial combining the compactness and lightweight of the Gitzo Traveler System, with the stability and size of a regular Mountaineer Series 2 tripod. The new Series 2 Traveler tripod is a four section standard height tripod and comes as a complete kit, including a new dedicated center ball head. The tripod and head have been designed as a single combined product and not as two separate entities to allow the combined units to lightweight, compact and have superb performance with no compromises. The tripod has all of Gitzo most advanced features, such as 6X tubing, G-Lock, ground level, removable self locking feet, rapid and reversible column and retractable hook. The head is a traveling head that combines lightweight and compactness with the latest Gitzo technologies. The main body is made of casted lightweight magnesium, the sphere is the revolutionary patented Gitzo Bubble Ball �� and is exceptionally smooth. Recommended for DSLR with 200mm lenses up to 300mm maximum, the new Series 2 Traveler offers excellent maximum load capacity and great torsion rigidity thanks to G-Lock and the newly designed upper casting. Extremely lightweight and compact, this kit is the ultimate solution for photographers looking for a regular size tripod that combines lightweight, compactness and transportability without compromising on stability and image sharpness. closed length 16.93 in; load capacity 15.43 lbs; minimum height 12.6 in; material carbon fiber 6X; maximum height 60.63 in; 4 leg sections; maximum height (with center column down) 51.18 in; rapid center column; attachment 1/4" and 3/8" screws; weight 3.79 lbs.

Gitzo GK2580TQR Series 2 Traveler Kit Tripod Review

So I did not want to buy this tripod. I walked into a local camera store planning on spending about USD 200 on a tripod. I had no idea what I wanted so I took my camera (D300) with a 200mm lens into the store. I looked around and no salesman in sight. Just about 15 different tripods out to be looked at with another 20 or so folded up on the side. I began putting my camera on different tripods to see which I liked.

Instead of telling you all the great things about this Gitzo I figured I would explain what I learned and my reasoning for buying this one.

1. I did not know this but when I began putting my camera on different tripods I saw that many of the lighter ones were not sturdy. What I mean by sturdy is that they did not hold my camera up well. A sturdy tripod (I learned) has to be made of proper material but this is not enough. The locking systems on the legs have to be well engineered. You see tripods have to be carried by the photographer so the manufactures make them collapsible. The challenge is not having them collapse when you are using it. The locking system on the telescopic legs is the real weak point I saw on a large number of tripods. This is especially true on the thinnest portion of the leg. As the leg diameter decreases there is less to hold onto so the chances that a locking system will fail increases. The Gitzo uses a spinning locking system which I found most stable. I added weight, pushed and pulled it and I never saw a single one of the spinning designed locking systems fail. Not so with the others. As an added advantage it is fairly easy to pull apart to clean.

2. Material. Most tripods are made out of aluminum or carbon. This is a question of cost versus strength. There are some aluminum tripods I found that were indeed very sturdy and strong. The problem is that they weighed ALLOT. The carbon gives you strength and it is VERY light. As an added bonus it absorbs vibration better. I quickly decided that the carbon was the best bet. The Gitzo carbon system 6X is actually a layering system where the grain of the carbon is mismatched every layer. This is done because carbon is weakest along its grain. By altering it they added rigidity that can be felt. Seriously I could feel the difference.

3. Controls. The goal of the tripod is to hold your camera steady BUT give you easy access to point it. This is where all others failed. The mounting head that the Gitzo has is GREAT. The ball and swivel gives you easy adjustments and quickly locks into place and stays there. I saw different mounts that did hold everything steady but took too long to adjust. This ball and swivel design is very well made.

4. Weight. Simply put out of all the "acceptable" tripods I found the Gitzo was the lightest. The weight ranged from 7 lbs (Gitzo) to 11 lbs for an aluminum one. That is a big difference.

The final straw....after I bought it I showed it to a friend who likes photography. He laughed at me for five full minutes because of the amount that I spent. He laughed pointing out that he bought a tripod for USD 200 and it was just as good. He walked over to it and although he saw the better construction he said it was not worth the additional money. Finally after making all kinds of jokes he picked it up....it was MUCH lighter than his. The next day he bought one too.

Go and LOOK and FEEL the different tripods. Then decide. Is this a lot of money...yes. Is it worth it...only if you plan on using your tripod. I figure I will change cameras before I change tripods.

Hope this helped.

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