I need a new tripod, badly. I have about 800bucks to spend on legs and head. I am looking at this guy. Any owners out there that can contribute some feedback?
Posted by Keith Bauer on October 16, 2008 at 6:18 PM
It would be helpful to know what equipment you intend to put on the new tripod and head.
It will be used with a Canon DSLR with no lenses exceeding 70mm. I shoot wideangle and want the versatility to shoot macro with ease.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 16, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Seems like that tripod (GT2540EX) has been discontinued and replaced by the GT2541EX. The upgrade introduced the new G Lock legs that work so well that it would be foolish to try and find the older model.
If you don't mind the weight, then it looks quite versatile for your applications.
The Manfrotto 190CX Pro3 tripod seems to be pretty similar at half the cost, and the user reviews were quite glowing.
Thanks for that update, John. So is anyone familiar with the 2541EX or the 190CX?
Posted by Bill Chambers on October 26, 2008 at 7:53 PM
A friend of mine shoots the GT2530?? (which is the three leg section version). I was quite impressed with it - very sturdy for it's weight. His longest lens is a 400 f/5.6 and he says it handles it nicely.
I would recommend the Really Right Stuff BH-40 ballhead. It will easily handle your rig with a 70mm. I believe it's designed to handle up to a 300 f/2.8 if memory served me correctly.
I shoot a larger Gitzo GT model and have been very pleased with the new leg design, leg locks, and ease of set-up/take down. Mine is a 4 section leg model as well and it's still much faster than my old 3 leg section Bogen.
Posted by Anthony Gibson on December 17, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I have a 2540 and it is an excellent tripod. It is perfect for anything wide angle to a 100-400. There is no twist or give in the legs when panning with a 100-400, 1.4extender, and 1Ds III. I use an acratech gv2 ball head, which is the greatest ballhead I have tried. The combined weight of the head and tripod is only about 4-5lbs, depending on attahcments. Can't recommend it enough, it is the perfect all round use light weight tripod.
For large teles i use the 5541LS with a wimberley head.
Discussion
6 repliesIt will be used with a Canon DSLR with no lenses exceeding 70mm. I shoot wideangle and want the versatility to shoot macro with ease.
If you don't mind the weight, then it looks quite versatile for your applications.
The Manfrotto 190CX Pro3 tripod seems to be pretty similar at half the cost, and the user reviews were quite glowing.
I would recommend the Really Right Stuff BH-40 ballhead. It will easily handle your rig with a 70mm. I believe it's designed to handle up to a 300 f/2.8 if memory served me correctly.
I shoot a larger Gitzo GT model and have been very pleased with the new leg design, leg locks, and ease of set-up/take down. Mine is a 4 section leg model as well and it's still much faster than my old 3 leg section Bogen.
For large teles i use the 5541LS with a wimberley head.
Hope this helps,
Tony