Hi Everyone,
I am preparing to make the jump to "big glass" with a 500mm f4 IS canon lense and body and Wimberly head and delve into nature photography with a big expensive leap. I have read many reviews and they all glow about each tripod made by Gitzo, but I only want to do this once if possible. A have been looking at the 3541 LS and it is nice and light, and some say it is enough for this setup, but want to make sure it will be stable enough in bad weather. The next beafier tripod is not tall enough and it looks like the next step to get the beefier and taller is the GT5561 SGT and that seems a bit over the top as we say, but any suggestions would be appreciated. Going to Yellowstone over Christmas and really hoping to do my homework and be prepared for this trip.
Thanks,
Chris
As you're considering the Gitzo, don't forget that your 500mm lens is going to act just like a sail in stormy weather. I'm not sure any tripod alone can totally eliminate stability problems then. There are techniques to handling big glass on and off the tripod, and learning those will help a lot on your trip. Hard to describe them here; best for someone to show you. Or, perhaps an NPN article is in order?
FWIW, I use the 3531 with an RRS BH55 head. Has really helped a lot with getting better quality images with my 300/2.8, which I often use with a 2x TC.
Hope you have a great trip to Yellowstone!
Posted by Gene Lugo on October 11, 2010 at 6:15 AM
If labels are less important than performance, and you are looking for good value, my setup for a 500 mm lens is a Feisol CT 3472 tripod and a Bogen/Manfrotto 3421 gimbal head.
I returned a 3540LS because I felt that although it was light, it was not as stable as I would have liked. The Feisol is noticeably better, only 2 oz heavier, and a whole lot less expensive. I had rented the Gitzo series 5 and Wimberley rig, but at close to $1400 for the setup, I found it way over my budget, although it was rock-solid. After making my purchase, I found that the big trade off of nearly 2 lbs and $700 was a minor compromise - the Feisol/Bogen was nearly as solid!
I am not sure what kind of pictures you are looking to take, but if you want to see someone's work who is using a Bogen head with excellent results take a look at Romy Ocon's work at
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone
Hard to argue with results like that!
The place to look at and purchase the Feisol is http://www.feisol.com/
Posted by Keith Bauer on October 11, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Chris: I use the Gitzo 3541LS with the Full Wimberly head for my 500 f/4. I think you'll find it plenty stable. I would not put a lens that big on a ball head. A gimbal is the only way to go with that size glass in my opinion.
Posted by Hali Sowle on October 11, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Hi Chris
I just got back from 2 weeks in Yellowstone with my new 500mm lens, Wimberly head and Feisol 3472 and it was a great combination. I looked at the various Gitzo's and got a lot of feedback from people here before deciding on the 3472. It's sturdy, and relatively lightweight (between the lens, camera, Wimberly and tripod the rig came in at just over 16 lbs to carry over my shoulder). Just make sure when you twist those leg locks you twist them good and tight. The tripod is plenty tall, I never extended the last section (but I'm pretty short) and when you are looking at height take into account that with the Wimblerly the lens does not sit right on the tripod base. If you do buy a Feisol I recommend against the self leveling head, it adds unnecessary weight and is not easy to use, especially with a big lens. We traveled with someone who used a wimberly side-kick with his rrs BH55 but it was unnerving watching him take the lens on and off sideways each time. He liked it since he didn't need to change tripod heads to switch from wildlife to landscape shooting (which was a pain with the Wimberly but worth it for the stability) but even he said that it required lots of concentration and couldn't be rushed to get things set up properly. I learned a lot about technique during this trip that I wish I had known before I started - I only had the lens about 2 months before the trip. If you want to know more email me, I won't rehash what most of the folks here with big glass already know. One other thing I'd recommend is getting a Lens Coat cover and hood for the lens, the lens cover that Canon ships with it is not great, comes off easily and is bulky. The lens coat hood cover fits tightly around the lens hood and is easy to take on and off. Enjoy and have a great trip to Yellowstone, It was a wonderful place and I can't wait to go back.
Posted by Douglas Graham on October 11, 2010 at 11:42 AM
I dont even know if Gitzo makes it anymore but Ive been using the G1325 for 7 or 8 years now and Ive used under all conditions and its never failed me. 90% of the times its holding a 500mm.
Posted by Ed Cordes on October 11, 2010 at 12:27 PM
I use a Gitzo 3540LS (replaced by the 3541LS) with RRS BH 55 and Wimberly Sidekick with my 500. I like it alot. I leave the Sidekick on the lens and insert it into the ball head when mounting. this is easier and safer than trying to insert the lens sideways.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 11, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Chris, I use the Gitzo GT3530LS with the Arca-Swiss MONOBALL Z1 DP and the Wimberly sidekick. The tripod has been very stable, light and holds up to long term use. I have a couple of friends that use a Feisol and they seem to do the job, but I cannot speak for the longevity of those tripods. I do know that I have tried saving money two other times by purchasing less expensive tripods and wish I would have purchased the Gitzo from the start since this is my third tripod in less than 3 years. Sometimes, saving the money up front costs you in the end.
I do recommend the full Wimberly if you are only going to be using the big set-up. I went with the sidekick and ballhead, because I use the tripod for several other set-ups.
Posted by Garry Revesz on October 12, 2010 at 1:10 AM
I should throw my 2 cents in this conversation as well. I just got back from a photo Tour in the northern British Columbia wilderness with my 500, Jobu gimbal, and Feisol tripod; a fantastic combination. About 3 months prior to the trip, I bought a 500 and realized I also had to get a new tripod. and upgrad my Jobu Design gimbal system to a heavier model for the 500. I did a ton of research on tripods and narrowed it down to the Feisol 3472. I like their customer service, their design and manufacturing standards, and high value for the price. During the trip it lived up to all expectations and more as being extremely stable and quick and easy to setup. I am completely sold on Feisol and highly recommend them.
Ok, apparently I've been overlooking a basic requirement (as I see it). I am 6'1" tall and it seems a tripod that I don't have to hunch over to look throught the viewfinder would make the most sense, but I could have sworn that the Gitzo I mentioned in the opening was around 72" tall, but today I noticed everything except the Giant 5561 SGT(102") are in the 60" range. Am I missing something, or is there very limited heavy duty tripods for us tall folks? Once again, any knowledge is appreciated in advance.
Chris
Posted by Bob Karcz on October 18, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Chris- I am 6'1" and wanted to buy a new tripod to hold my 500mm. After much research I bought the Gitzo 3541XLS, with wimberley side kick and RRS BH-55 Ballhead. Love the extra height with the XLS- lot of time for birds you are shooting up- No Problem with this guy. About $100 extra I think for the extra height but, well worth it. Very sturdy setup- love the Gitzo compared to othe tripods I have owned in the past.
Discussion
12 repliesI am preparing to make the jump to "big glass" with a 500mm f4 IS canon lense and body and Wimberly head and delve into nature photography with a big expensive leap. I have read many reviews and they all glow about each tripod made by Gitzo, but I only want to do this once if possible. A have been looking at the 3541 LS and it is nice and light, and some say it is enough for this setup, but want to make sure it will be stable enough in bad weather. The next beafier tripod is not tall enough and it looks like the next step to get the beefier and taller is the GT5561 SGT and that seems a bit over the top as we say, but any suggestions would be appreciated. Going to Yellowstone over Christmas and really hoping to do my homework and be prepared for this trip.
Thanks,
Chris
FWIW, I use the 3531 with an RRS BH55 head. Has really helped a lot with getting better quality images with my 300/2.8, which I often use with a 2x TC.
Hope you have a great trip to Yellowstone!
I returned a 3540LS because I felt that although it was light, it was not as stable as I would have liked. The Feisol is noticeably better, only 2 oz heavier, and a whole lot less expensive. I had rented the Gitzo series 5 and Wimberley rig, but at close to $1400 for the setup, I found it way over my budget, although it was rock-solid. After making my purchase, I found that the big trade off of nearly 2 lbs and $700 was a minor compromise - the Feisol/Bogen was nearly as solid!
I am not sure what kind of pictures you are looking to take, but if you want to see someone's work who is using a Bogen head with excellent results take a look at Romy Ocon's work at
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone
Hard to argue with results like that!
The place to look at and purchase the Feisol is http://www.feisol.com/
I just got back from 2 weeks in Yellowstone with my new 500mm lens, Wimberly head and Feisol 3472 and it was a great combination. I looked at the various Gitzo's and got a lot of feedback from people here before deciding on the 3472. It's sturdy, and relatively lightweight (between the lens, camera, Wimberly and tripod the rig came in at just over 16 lbs to carry over my shoulder). Just make sure when you twist those leg locks you twist them good and tight. The tripod is plenty tall, I never extended the last section (but I'm pretty short) and when you are looking at height take into account that with the Wimblerly the lens does not sit right on the tripod base. If you do buy a Feisol I recommend against the self leveling head, it adds unnecessary weight and is not easy to use, especially with a big lens. We traveled with someone who used a wimberly side-kick with his rrs BH55 but it was unnerving watching him take the lens on and off sideways each time. He liked it since he didn't need to change tripod heads to switch from wildlife to landscape shooting (which was a pain with the Wimberly but worth it for the stability) but even he said that it required lots of concentration and couldn't be rushed to get things set up properly. I learned a lot about technique during this trip that I wish I had known before I started - I only had the lens about 2 months before the trip. If you want to know more email me, I won't rehash what most of the folks here with big glass already know. One other thing I'd recommend is getting a Lens Coat cover and hood for the lens, the lens cover that Canon ships with it is not great, comes off easily and is bulky. The lens coat hood cover fits tightly around the lens hood and is easy to take on and off. Enjoy and have a great trip to Yellowstone, It was a wonderful place and I can't wait to go back.
I do recommend the full Wimberly if you are only going to be using the big set-up. I went with the sidekick and ballhead, because I use the tripod for several other set-ups.
Chris
Chris