Tripod Recommendations–2013 (Updated Aug 13, 2013)

Recommended Tripods From Left to Right:
Gitzo GT3530LS (replaced by Gitzo GT3532LS), Slik 700DX, Gitzo GT2531EX & GT1541
Photo by Ron Martinsen - All Rights Reserved

Thom Hogan back in 2003 wrote the definitive article on tripods where he states that he can save you at least $700 if you by the right stuff the first time, but I didn’t listen. I followed the exact path he says most consumers follow and guess what – he was right. I ended up wasting about $700!

As great as Thom’s article is, it’s woefully out of date which is no surprise giving the dizzying array of tripod choices. In this article I hope to offer some selections based on my conversations with experts at B&H as well as a non-scientific poll of pro photographers and club members.

My objective was to find at least 4 excellent tripods that met the needs of most photographers, and I’ve accomplished that goal. I think all of the tripods I’ll mention are an excellent investment and worth owning, but which one depends on your needs. Like most things in photography, there is no good “one-size fits all” solution. I REALLY wish there was, but there isn’t.

Like you, I face the dilemma of needing to purchase a new tripod myself and as much as I wish to win the lottery, I haven’t. As a result, I must decide where to spend my limited resources for my next tripod so I invite you to join me as I go in-depth on my research on each of these tripods.

My needs may not be the same as yours, so you can purchase any of these with confidence that you aren’t getting a piece of junk that you’ll replace in a few months. However, there are tradeoffs for each one so consider your needs carefully before making the right choice. Going for the cheapest, the most expensive, the lightest, or the most flexible could be a critical mistake if you don’t really give thought to how you’ll actually use your tripod.

My 2013 Tripod Recommendations

Thanks to the great people at B&H,I have had the pleasure of reviewing some of the coolest Gitzo tripods on the market right now as well as a excellent value tripod by Slik & Induro.

The models featured in this multi-part series are:

• Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Titanium Finish) (Review)– For less than $100 (on 5/4/2011), these are excellent tripod legs for the money. I’ve always wanted to have a economy set of legs to recommend, and now I have found one. It’s no wonder these have earned a 5 star rating from over 40 reviewers (as of 5/4/2011) on B&H. Naturally there are major trade-offs at this price point, but these will get the job done without breaking your back or bank account.
  
• Gitzo GT1541 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs - Supports 17.6 lbs (8kg) (Review) – I LOVE these legs! The best tripod is the one you have with you, and when your tripod is too big and bulky to carry around it’s easy to leave it at home. These are easy to attach to your backpack and carry all day, so for hikers you’ll love hearing more about this really awesome set of legs. In fact, I loved them so much that I bought these legs in August 2011 at B&H (for the same price you would pay).
  
• Induro Carbon 8x CT014 Tripod Legs – Supports 11 lbs (5kg) (Review) – Lust for the Gitzo GT1541, but just just can’t swing the price? This is a great alternative for $401 less (at the time of this writing), but be sure to read my warning about the stud height.
  
• Gitzo GT2531EX 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs - Supports 26.5 lbs (12kg) (Review) – These legs feature the killer cool rapid column and a revolutionary locking design that make this the Spiderman of tripod legs. There’s basically nothing you can’t do with these legs.
  
• Gitzo GT3530LS Long Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Review) – With no center column to reduce stability, this is basically your portable wall that can handle up to 39.6 lbs (18kg). If you are using a gimbal head to hold a big lens, then this is the ultimate solution for being able to handle big weight without carrying a tripod that weighs more than your big lens! (replaced by Gitzo GT3532LS)

You will notice that there are no Bogen Manfrotto legs in this list. This is because the legs I replace are Bogen Manfrotto and they have really let me down. I’ve had some serious problems with Manfrotto products over the last year, and my current Bogen Manfrotto legs are falling apart (see my Induro CT014 review for details). As a result, I went to the brand that everyone seems to trust the most – Gitzo for what is arguably the best legs in the business. To learn more about Gitzo, visit http://www.gitzo.com/.

What about Heads & Kits?

In August 2011, I did a tripod head comparison where you can learn more about some of the great products on the market. My recommendations are still the same in 2013.

Here’s what I used before switching to the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp (Single Pan):

Really Right Stuff BH-55 - Photo by Ron Martinsen - All Rights Reserved

When it comes to heads my favorite used to be the BH-55 made by Really Right Stuff (RRS), but after having the knobs come unscrewed on me a couple times while I was teaching workshops, I switched to the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp (Single Pan). I still use and enjoy the BH-55 because it’s a nice head, but I just prefer the Arca Swiss when I can’t afford a failure in the field.

Yes, good heads are insane expensive. I hate the price and I resisted them for years because I thought it was nuts to spend that much money on a stupid head. I still feel that way, but the BH-55 is the head that many people will tell you to get. It’s flexible and works extremely well.

Yes, RRS does nickel and dime you to death. Yes, their web site leaves a lot to be desired. Yes, they shouldn’t cost that much. Yes, there are Acratech, Gitzo, Induro, Kirk, Markins, etc… that people will swear on the Internet that are just as good or better. I encourage you to read my tripod head comparison article to see how they stack up against this head and make an informed decision about which head is right for you.

But what about the BH-40?

Don’t buy a BH-40 new, instead search for one used. You’ll find plenty. It’s a great head, but you’ll find that most end up needing the added support of the BH-55, so this becomes a frequent buyers remorse purchase that ends up on the used market so that the person in question can get the BH-55. You can also get a lighter head that works well for hiking by getting one of the less expensive alternatives in my tripod head comparison.

What about Monopods?

Click here to see my monopod recommendations article.

Will you be doing any other tripod reviews?

Yes. Like many of you out there, I have limited funds and would love a tripod that met more of my needs than any of the offerings in this series. I love them all, but all have trade-offs that cause me to pause when spending this kind of money (excluding the Slik & Induro). If in the future I find a better tripod, I will update this article to include a link to my review.

Aug 2013 Update: Send me your favorites and I’ll consider them for the next update

Links to Tripod Reviews

I am doing in-depth reviews of EACH of the tripods mentioned at the top of this article. Come back to this page and click the links below (when they become live) to see my reviews and photos of my 2011 tripod recommendations:

• Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Titanium Finish) – Review
• Gitzo GT1541 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs – Review (I bought this one in August 2011, and love it!)
• Gitzo GT2531EX 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs – Review (I own these too)
• Gitzo GT3530LS Long Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs – Review  (replaced by Gitzo GT3532LS)
• Induro Carbon 8x CT014 Tripod Legs – Review (see the warning in the review)
• Velbon GEO E540 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod – Review (not recommended)

• Gitzo Primer (understanding the Gitzo numbering system)

Disclosure

B&H has provided me with the tripods featured in this series on a loaner basis. I do not get to keep them and will be returning them back to B&H if I choose not to buy them. I will probably purchase one using my own money with no special discount from B&H or the maker. Induro, Gitzo and Slik had nothing to do with this article and as of this point and time I’ve never spoken to anyone from either company.

The selections made from this article were purely based on popularity recommendations from a variety of sources. I make no guarantees of any type, but all products that I am considering to purchase for my own needs. I am simply sharing my shopping experience with you.

If you purchase using the links in the article from B&H, I may get a commission. Thank you for supporting this blog by using my links when you make your purchase.

REVIEW: Gitzo GT3530LS-Maximum Stability for Long Exposure, Landscape and Studio Photography

 

*** PLEASE NOTE that the tripod featured in this article
has been replaced by the Gitzo GT3532LS ***

Gitzo GT3530LS with Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head
Maximum Stability

We buy tripods because we need a way to have the stability of putting our camera on solid level surface in places where no such surface exists. As a results early tripods were no more than a solid surface with legs. However, as time has evolved tripod makers have discovered that people want something that allows them to position their gear into odd configurations for things like macro photography, so octopus-like tripods like the Gitzo GT2531EX are their solution.

This huge flat surface for mounting your head is as solid as it gets

For those doing landscape photography or even portrait photography in the studio, all of that flexibly offered by flexible tripods or hiking tripods like the Gitzo GT1541 come at the expense of stability. Some argue that the flexible center column has a tremendous impact on stability as do the tiny surfaces for which many other tripods give you to mount your head. To satisfy the needs of this crowd, Gitzo offers the GT3501LS which is about as solid as a wall which is especially critical for those doing extremely long exposures. Under very long exposure conditions even the slightest movement can ruin the sharpness of the image, so the GT3530LS is the ultimate solution in maximum stability for up to 39.6lbs (18kg) of gear. However, thanks to the carbon fiber design, yet it only weighs 4 lbs (1.840kg)!

The leg angle locks were both fast to operate and rock solid under pressure
In fact Gitzo claims the get even more solid the the more you put weight on them

This tripod features three position angle locks for the legs that actually become more stable under load. Mouse in and out the image above to see how to lock and unlock the legs.

Thanks to the lack of a center column, you can get this tripod down to a minimum height of 4.3” (11cm) and quickly raise it back up to its maximum height of 58.3”(148cm). As you can see below, I’m 6’1” and this height is a usable operating height for me, but for those who want a higher operating height and don’t mind an extra leg segment then Gitzo offers the GT3541XLS which goes up to 6’6” (198cm).

I’m 6’1” and the L version offers a comfortable height
but the GT3541XLS will go all the way up to 6’6”

But I WANT A Center Column

GS3511S Compact Rapid 6x Carbon Fiber Center Column

I know some people can’t deal without the center column, so Gitzo has a solution – the Gitzo GS3511S Compact Rapid 6x Carbon Fiber Center Column as a way to have your cake and eat it too. There’s even a Gitzo GS3511KB Carbon 6X Low Level Column Kit if for some reason you want a center column when down low with this tripod.

Conclusion

This is a rock solid tripod that is a must for gimbal head users that are carrying big 400mm lenses and up. It’s also the perfect solution for studio photographers and those doing long exposures like landscape photographers. While the GT3541XLS will offer some additional height, the stability of the three section design is my preference for this class of tripod.

This will be the tripod I get for my studio use, when I can managed to afford it! I therefore highly recommend this tripod for the uses described above, and I have no negative comments about this product beyond its price. For those looking for more flexibility or much lighter weight then I’d suggest you check out my tripod recommendations.

If you found this article helpful, please support this blog by purchasing your GT3530LS at B&H.

*** PLEASE NOTE that the tripod featured in this article
has been replaced by the Gitzo GT3532LS ***

To learn more about the Gitzo system, check out my Gitzo Primer.

Disclaimer

B&H has provided me with the tripods featured in this series on a loaner basis. I do not get to keep them and will be returning them back to B&H if I choose not to buy them.

Gitzo had nothing to do with this article and as of the time of this writing, time I’ve never spoken to anyone from Gitzo. I do not have a relationship with Really Right Stuff (RRS) and I DO NOT make a commission if you purchase any RRS products.

If you purchase using the links in the article from B&H, I may get a commission. Thank you for supporting this blog by using my links when you make your purchase.

REVIEW: Gitzo GT2531EX–A Macro Photographers Dream–Stability In Any Position You Desire (UPDATED: 5-13-11)

Gitzo GT2531EX offers a multi-angle Rapid Column
that allows you to position your camera any way you want in a 360 radius

If you have ever tried doing macro photography with a tripod you know that the position you NEED your tripod to be in, is not one that it can support so you have to make compromises. Some of those compromises end up showing in your shots because your lens isn’t on the same plane as the subject so DOF suffers. Many photographers frustrated by this situation will just go to shooting freehand, but that can result in camera shake which is amplified when doing macro photography so the net result is a missed shot.

Rapid Column features a Level
and Endless Configurations

While using a tripod is tough for moving subjects like bugs or butterflies, for those cases when you are shooting flowers or dead bugs (you do know that many macro shots are of dearly departed bugs right?), then the Gitzo GT2531EX is just the ticket to allow you to place your tripod EXACTLY where you need it!

Now the Rapid Column is certainly important for getting the position you need, but what if the ground itself isn’t level and the traditional 3 position leg angle lock won’t work? This is where this tripod is revolutionary. Thanks to the cool locks shown below, this tripod will allow for a stable lock at ANY angle:

Lock the legs at any angle from 0 to 90 degrees
independent of the other legs with these clever leg angle locks

This important design along with the clever design of the Anti Leg Rotation (ALR) system allows you to quickly adjust the legs at any individual height or angle you desire to get stability where you need it on all terrains.

All that is well and good, but honestly when I first saw this tripod my bigger was concern was getting it to stay straight! By using the built-in level and ideally having a hot shoe bubble level to make sure the camera is properly level, I could get a perfect level configuration anywhere I set up my camera.

I will also point out that the design of the leg angle locks on this tripod means that you have a chance to pinch your hand. I found getting these opened and closed harder than I would have liked and not nearly as quick and easy to operate as the standard design shown below:

Normal Gitzo Leg Lock found on the Gitzo GT1541 and  GT3530LS

With that gripe aside, I the flexibility that this design offers make it worth the risk of the occasional pinch!

I enjoyed pairing up the Gitzo GT2531EX with Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head as shown below:

Gitzo GT2531EX with Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head

This tripod supports up to 26.5 lbs (12kg) when configured as shown above, but if you rotate the rapid column to be horizontal to the ground (as shown a the top of the article) then you’ll end up only being able to support half that weight as you’ll need to counterbalance the other side of the arm with roughly the same weight for maximum stability (and the safety of your camera).

At 4.1 lbs (1.85kg) this tripod is twice as heavy as the wonderfully light Gitzo GT1541, but the addition of this marvelous rapid column and leg lock design means you’ll have more options to position this tripod exactly the way you need it – for all occasions.  However, this weight is still very light for a full size tripod.

GT2531EX extended to to 66.9” (170cm)

As you can see above, even though I’m 6’1” I can get this tripod up to 66.9” (170cm) with the column extended with three solid leg sections keeping it steady. I can also get it down to 1.2” but the center column rains on the parade as it doesn’t appear to have brilliant ground level set design of the Gitzo GT1541 that allows you to completely eliminate the center column. The net result of this problem is that you can get low, but the column is high:

 
Feedback from readers pointed out that the only workaround is to do like I did below to get you lower, but it still kind of high when you consider the size of the head. It works, but I wish that it would just work like the 1541.

Getting low requires the right ball head and some acrobatic efforts

Conclusion

The center column issue and the price are the only two things keeping me from ordering one of these tripods for my personal use today. This tripod supports a wide range of accessories found on the Gitzo website, and this thing is so flexible that I can’t imagine a realistic scenario where I couldn’t get it in to the exact position I needed for a stable shot. As a result I’m struggling to decide if this or the Gitzo GT1541 will be my next tripod purchase. I want both, but can only afford one for now.

I highly recommend this tripod for those who need the flexibility it offers – especially macro photographers. Hikers might prefer the lighter weight of the Gitzo GT1541 and studio or landscape photographers will benefit from the lack of a center column in the wall-like stability of the GT3530LS.

Click here to buy or learn more about this tripod on B&H. You can also check out my tripod recommendations for other tripods that might suite your needs.

To learn more about Gitzo tripods, check out my Gitzo Primer.

Disclaimer

B&H has provided me with the tripods featured in this series on a loaner basis. I do not get to keep them and will be returning them back to B&H if I choose not to buy them.

Gitzo had nothing to do with this article and as of the time of this writing, time I’ve never spoken to anyone from Gitzo. I do not have a relationship with Really Right Stuff (RRS) and I DO NOT make a commission if you purchase any RRS products.

If you purchase using the links in the article from B&H, I may get a commission. Thank you for supporting this blog by using my links when you make your purchase.