Gitzo G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber Tripods
Gitzo G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber Tripods
USER REVIEWS
[Mar 12, 2004]
David Rees
Intermediate
Strength:
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.
Weakness:
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. 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. Customer Service Not used. Similar Products Used: Manfrotto 075B Benbo (Baby) |
[Sep 13, 2003]
another
Intermediate
Strength:
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.
Weakness:
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. 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. Customer Service Not needed. Similar Products Used: Gitzo, Bogen/Manfrotto and Slik aluminum tripods. |
[Mar 10, 2002]
fastest
Casual
Strength:
Fits nicely on a Lowepro Minitrekker,light,very stable.
Weakness:
Expensive(you need to buy a short centre-post in order to use its low angle legs-this really should come as standard). A great tripod if you can afford it(go on,treat yourself!) Similar Products Used: Slik Master Pro |
[Mar 07, 2002]
fastest
Casual
Strength:
Strong,stable,light.Fits nicely on my L.P. Minitrekker.
Weakness:
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. A great product but why don`t Gitzo provide a short centre column as standard, seeing as the tripod has Performance legs?! Similar Products Used: Slik Pro(excellent but far too heavy out in the field). |
[Jul 26, 2000]
Gerard Oostermeijer
Expert
Strength:
Light weight.
Weakness:
Needs (expensive) accessory short centerpost to go down to ground level (macro work). I simply adore this tripod ! I bought mine used without a scratch. It was half the normal price, so I was extremely lucky. Customer Service Not needed. Similar Products Used: Benbo Trekker |
[Jul 23, 2000]
Ian Johnston
Intermediate
Strength:
Very light weight.
Weakness:
Very expensive. A perfect tripod for travel - it's small, light, and the leg locks don't stick out, so you avoid catching them on something(Or breaking them off against a rock!) I use a Linhof Profi-II QR ball head and it feels like my 80-200 f2.8 lens weighs more this the tripod! It can hold a fair bit of weight and still is rock solid. I haven't experienced any camera shake at extreme focal lengths, either. It also extends to a comfortable working height for me (My back thanks Gitzo) Customer Service Not yet. Similar Products Used: Manfroto |
[Apr 28, 2000]
Don Ide
Expert
Model Reviewed:
G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber
Strength:
Light, portable, short when folded, adequate height when extended. Excellent quality. It feels like it will last.
Weakness:
Expensive. Leg locks are difficult to use, but will not break as easily as other types of locks. If you hike or just need to carry a quality tripod outdoors, you will love the Gitzo G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber tripod. It is light, sturdy, and reasonably easy to use. I carry it on mountain trails and I throw it in the back of my Jeep whenever I go anywhere. I need a tripod that is very stable. Mountain winds are a problem, especially when using a medium format camera. The Gitzo is plenty rigid and sturdy. I have had it only a couple of months, but it has not caused a blurred photo yet, even in very high winds. Customer Service Tried to order rebuild kit for an old Gitzo over two months ago - still do not have it. Parts availability is not good. Similar Products Used: Most |
[Apr 14, 2000]
Peter Walker
Expert
Model Reviewed:
G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber
Strength:
Light weight, Attractive, Stable
Weakness:
Leg locks are ackward Conceptually a great tripod and I continue to use it. But Gitzo could improve the leg locks dramatically. Getting the order right just takes a bit of practice but getting the amount of tightness right is difficult. Many times when trying to tighten or loosen the lower leg lock, the uppper lock is too loose and the leg just turns instead of loosening. Then you have to tighten the upper leg and try again. Very fiddly. Customer Service Never Used Similar Products Used: Manfrotto |
[Feb 24, 2000]
armando conti
Model Reviewed:
G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber
Strength:
light, adjustable leg angle, short center column available for low shots
Weakness:
leg locks are a pain, you have to do them in the right order, center column attachemnt point to the aluminum insert is a weak point This is a pretty light tripod, which is its strength. But its marketing appeal, due to the "techy" reputation or sound of "carbon fiber" (can we all go "oooooohhhhhhhhhh" at the same time?)are beyond the actaual savings in weight. For instance, after I removed the lousy, built-on head of the Davis and Sanford tripod I own, the Davis and Sanford is only 1/2 pound, or 14% heavier! This is almost negligible. And the Davis and Sanford goes taller, is more rigid, is a little over $100.00 I think........... Customer Service cooperative but slow Similar Products Used: tiltall, many bogen, davis and sanford |
[Feb 22, 2000]
Bob
Professional
Model Reviewed:
G1228 Mountaineer Reporter Carbon Fiber
Strength:
low vibration, very low weight, well made
Weakness:
not cheap great tripod for travel Similar Products Used: everything |