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.

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)

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.

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.

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).

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

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Slik Master Pro

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.

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

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

Light weight.
Very stable, even with centerpost extended to eye level.
Goes down quite low already with standard centerpost.
Short when legs are retracted, hence easily packable for travel.
Easily cleaned from sand and dirt.

Needs (expensive) accessory short centerpost to go down to ground level (macro work).
(Full) leg extension takes time.
Difficult to keep legs fixed in intermediate positions (in between fixed ones), especially on slippery surfaces.

I simply adore this tripod ! I bought mine used without a scratch. It was half the normal price, so I was extremely lucky.
I carry it on the side of my Lowepro Photo Trekker AW backpack and I hardly feel it's there when hiking. It's also nice and short when I pack it in a suitcase or regular backpack for travel (a sharp contrast with my former tripod, a Benbo Trekker). Despite the light weight, it keeps a Nikon N90 with 2.8/80-200 very stable, even in windy conditions and with centerpost extended (also much better performance than the Benbo).
It goes down low enough for low-level landscape shots, so I don't need to switch to my short centerpost every time. I use the latter only when I am photographing small plants from ground level. The only thing that annoys me a bit, especially when the light is suddenly turning great, is that it takes so much time to fully extend all the legs. In that respect, the Benbo was much quicker. I wouldn't want to miss my Gitzo anymore, though. I am taking it everywhere !

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Benbo Trekker

Very light weight.
Very sturdy.
Short collapsed length.
Variable leg angles.

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)
I've noticed a lot of complaints about the leg-locks, but I don't find this much of a problem, like anything new - it just take a little getting used to.
It IS expensive, but this is going to be my tripod of choice for many years to come, so I don't mind the initial outlay, after all - it IS an investiment. If you're looking for light and strong - this is the one.

Customer Service

Not yet.

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Manfroto

Light, portable, short when folded, adequate height when extended. Excellent quality. It feels like it will last.

Expensive. Leg locks are difficult to use, but will not break as easily as other types of locks.
Needs carry strap rings.

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.

I am sure Gitzo offers a custom strap, but I had to jury-rig a carry strap for it. Even with the home-made strap, I hardly know I am carrying it. The total weight of it plus the head is 5 pounds. That represents about a 30% weight savings over my previous tripod with the same head. It is shorter, so it is not as awkward. I really appreciate that short length now that I have carried it a few times. I did not realize just how much difference a few less inches would make. I do not notice the legs swinging like I did with my old tripod. And, because there are no levers on the legs, I do not feel anything digging into my back.

The legs are somewhat difficult to deal with. But at the same time, there are no protruding parts to break. That was the problem with the other tripods I have used. One encounter with a large rock, and the easy-to-use leg locks were a thing of the past. This will not happen with the twist-locks on the Gitzo. So, do not be put off by the twisting leg-locks unless you never intend to take the tripod outdoors. What first appears to be a disadvantage turns into one of the best features in the first few miles of a trail. I am a little concerned about the carbon fiber legs, however. That same rock might crack the legs. The Gitzo legs are thicker than most of the other brands and appear better made. That was one of the reasons I bit the bullet and bought it. Time will tell if carbon fibers will hold up to the abuse all of my equipment receives.

I have already used the wide angle leg positions more than I ever thought I would. Nature has a bad habit of putting a rock or a tree right where I need to put a tripod leg. Now I can set one leg to the horizontal position and just rest it on the rock. It has turned out to be a handy feature. I am not happy with the angle release clips, however. They should be spring loaded. They are difficult to pry out if there is any tension on the legs.

The value rating I give it is lower strictly because of the price. If Gitzo could cut the cost by at least a third, the G1228 would be unbeatable. With the high price, it deserves only a 4 value rating. Of course, when I am still using it 20 years from now, I might change my mind. I used my aluminum Gitzo Reporter for over 30 years, and would still be using it if I could find the friction parts. I estimate that my first Gitzo costs me only $5 a year (1968 dollars.) If I can use my new G1228 for just 20 years, it will cost less than $40 a year (2000 dollars.) That is less than 4$ a month! If I consider all the money I have thrown at those cheap, useless tripods I have used and discarded over the years, the price is not that bad at all.

The G1228 is not for everyone. Some people do on need a carbon fiber tripod at all. Most can get by with another brand, or a different model. But, if you can afford it, and you need a quality lightweight tripod, this is the one to get.

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.

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Most

Light weight, Attractive, Stable

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

light, adjustable leg angle, short center column available for low shots

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...........

Yes, the Gitzo folds smaller, but not because it's carbon. Yes, it's sexier. I suppose the pride of ownership is higher. But it's also risker: I almost lost a Hasselblad when the carbon center column split due to the short engagement of the aluminum insert. They have changed the glue, but the insert is still too short and is a design flaw.

All in all, a nice product, but truly overpriced not in terms of how much it costs for Gitzo to build, but in terms of actual weight savings. And the talk about better damping of vibrations due to carbon, if you believe this really makes a difference try reading the story about the Emperor's New Clothes. It sounds like I have a bone to pick here, but I get annoyed when I hear people raving because advertizing is jamming some exaggerated claims into their heads.

Summary: This saves a little weight, at the expense of durability and a lot of money, and like an expensive watch, if you have the money and like it go ahead and buy it. But if you are counting your dollars, and need that better lens, or are scrimping and saving to support your film and processing habit, you should re-think the purchase of this.

Customer Service

cooperative but slow

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tiltall, many bogen, davis and sanford

low vibration, very low weight, well made

not cheap

great tripod for travel

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everything