Gitzo G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber

My favourite tripod (I own 3). Compact when folded, just about acceptable max. height when extended (I'm 6ft 2in). Reasonably stable except in wind -- but since I'm a landscape photographer, concentrating on Scotland, that's a BIG downside. I bought this tripod 2nd-hand 6 years ago, and it has been my main tripod ever since (the big Manfrotto, and the Baby Benbo, rarely get out more than once a year). It is a MK I version, with the extending centre column, and came with the G1276 B&S head. For years I've put up with the poor stability in windy conditions, but recently I discovered that Gitzo now sell a hook (£10?) which screws into the bottom of the bottom of the centre column, allowing a weight to be suspended beneath it. I snapped this up, together with the short column, and my G1228 is far more stable now. I suspend the handle of my Billingham bag from the hook when I'm ready to shoot, and the vibration damping, and stability, is far, far better. (One Billingham weighs over 10Kg with kit, so it's a strong hook!) One day I'll buy a bigger Gitzo, with centering mechanism, but for now, this tripod does fine for my Mamiya 7, and occasionally an EOS camera with reasonable lenses on it. BTW, the short column replacement has made this tripod far more flexible for macro work, and just generally shooting from low positions. Worth the small (£20?) replacement cost.

Light-weight. Easy to set up once you master the technique (turn it upside down to extend/retract the legs). Stable even in wind with the addition of the centre-column hook (and a suspended weight of course!). The head is excellent even if unorthodox. Best of all, because it is small and light-weight, it goes with me whenever I pick up one of the camera bags -- a tripod is no use at home! Hence the 5 stars for value.

Expensive, even 2nd-hand. I find the carbon-fibre gets cold, and am considering covering the top legs with insulation. But the tripod is usable even with gloves on, so I may never bother. Standard centre-column far too tempting if you are tall, as I am -- the short column protects me from shaky shots, at the expense of a little back strain. (I often now shoot kneeling, getting an even lower viewpoint -- worth thinking about). I'd give the std. tripod 4 stars; it gets 5 with the hook and short centre column.

Manfrotto 075B Benbo (Baby)

Not used.

This is one of those things that you're not sure if you need but once you buy it you don't know how you got along without it before. The four leg sections allow this tripod to fold down very compactly so it even fits through a small hatch in a sea kayak. It's also very stiff and light weight, and doesn't get hot in the sun or cold in the winter. Ever grab an aluminum tripod with bare hands in the winter when it's been outside awhile? You know what I mean. Another testament to how good this tripod is would be that when you occasionaly see them for sale used, they still sell for close to the price of a new one.

Because it's carbon fiber, it's very light weight an rigid. Carbon Fiber also doesn't transmit vibration so it could be argued that it's stiffer than aluminum. And, like I said above, it doesn't get hot or cold. The screw-down leg locks work quickly and easily, either bare-handed or with gloves on. The rapid center column also works just as well. The bottom of the center column has a hook to weigh the tripod down for more stability in strong winds or with heavy equipment, if needed. The leg angles are also adjustable, with three settings.

Sure, it's expensive, but once you get it you'll be glad you did. You could be like me and try a half a dozen different ones before you settle on this, and blow more than what this one costs to do it right the first time. The only real weakness is that the center column is only one piece. If you want to get down to the ground with it, you'll have to buy a separate short column. If you buy an older one, they did have some problems with adhesive in the leg joints sticking to the carbon fiber leg sections.

Gitzo, Bogen/Manfrotto and Slik aluminum tripods.

Not needed.

A great tripod if you can afford it(go on,treat yourself!)

Fits nicely on a Lowepro Minitrekker,light,very stable.

Expensive(you need to buy a short centre-post in order to use its low angle legs-this really should come as standard).

Slik Master Pro

A great product but why don`t Gitzo provide a short centre column as standard, seeing as the tripod has Performance legs?!

Strong,stable,light.Fits nicely on my L.P. Minitrekker.

The twist leg-locks are taking some getting used to but my style of photography affords me plenty of time.The light weight/easy portability and stability of this tripod are the important factors for me.

Slik Pro(excellent but far too heavy out in the field).

good for outdoor usage

light weight, rigid and tough.
very stable for small/medium 135 camera and compact medium format

center column irreversible for macro work.

Manfrotto 055CB

No