Gt2531 or GT3531S ?

[markgoble]

Thanks for all the info on the S models, you answered all the questions Gitzo's site couldn't!

I use an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, and it looks like the quick release knob might hit the tripod when pointing down and attached without a center column, but this shouldn't be a problem: in the hypothetical case where I would want to point the camera directly up or down I could just flip it in the QR clamp so the knob points up.

I was surprised that the low height of GT3531S, thanks for pointing it out. The heights are not listed for some unimaginable reason on Gitzo's product description page. It looks like I might need to go all the way to GT5531S to get face-level height with my smaller cameras. I'm afraid to check out how much that costs. I'd be using it mostly with TLRs so most of the time the low height is an asset, but sometimes I want/need to go higher, and without the center column it wouldn't be an option. Or I could get the optional center column for the GT3531S. Decisions.

Gitzo really needs to get their website in order. And can anyone get their tripod configurator to work?

 Tripod Configurator............. I emailed them 2 weeks ago, told them the Configurator didn't work. Did not receive a response back.

Mark

[Aristoc]

THe thing about going with a 4 section tripod is once again...instablilty. The fourth extension is usually very skinny and there fore it is much more flexible. Try it in the store and see any 4th extension and the last 4th extension is so flexible. I tried it and decided to never by a 4 extension. Some photog's however like the 4th extension because they only unscrew it a little bit and use it to stick the tripod into the mud or sand or something soft.



Yes you could buy one of the L series or Longer tripods but good luck trying to find that. The GT3531LS might be the right 'systematic' series withouth centre column that you are after since it is 58.3 inches in height and weights 4 lbs and $760. Still much shorter than the GT2531 at 63 inches max. in height (without column extended its only 54" so the sytematic wins there) and only 3lbs $599. Sorry , I guess i'm in love with my new Gitzo.!

[aaykay]

Hi,

It depends. I used mine with the RRS BH40 and that was a bit problematic because the top plate is so wide that the "lever type" lock button collided with the top plate in certain positions. The button is ratcheted so it's not a real problem but a nuisance.

The RRS BH55 works just fine.

Best regards
Erik

I mount my Arca-Swiss Z1/B1 ballheads directly onto both the 3540LS (predecessor of the 3541LS) and the 5540LS (predecessor of the 5541LS).  The 5540LS in particular has an extremely broad top-plate.  Collision is not a problem since I use L-plates.  

In fact, it is the broad-ness of the Series-3 systematic top-plates that allow Gitzo to recommend their usage for upto 500mm Focal length lenses, while the non-systematic Series-3 models like Mountaineer etc are only recommended  by Gitzo for Focal lengths upto 300mm (for critical sharpness).

PS:  Sorry, read your post once again and you were talking about the lock button and not interference during usage (like when shifting to a portrait mode from a landscape orientation and so on). Yeah that may be a problem with such small ballheads with protruding lever locks.

[aaykay]

THe thing about going with a 4 section tripod is once again...instablilty. The fourth extension is usually very skinny and there fore it is much more flexible.

That argument might be true from a theoretical perspective but I never found any of my images shot on either the 3540LS or 5540LS (both being 4-section tripods) to be anything less than critically sharp, even when shutter speeds were extra slow.  Incidentally, I only shoot at or below 300mm (on the Sony A900 primarily).

[Wayne Fox]

When I add the RRS BH 55 ball head to the 3531, at full extension I am looking through the viewfinder of my camera without bending over or standing on tiptoe. (I am 6 feet 2 inches tall.) That's fine for the work I do -- however if you think you'll be setting up on a slope, or on steps, you might want the much taller 3541XLS, which provides more versatility at the expense of size, weight, and of course cost.

This is a good thing to point out. I shoot in the mountains frequently and the 3541XLS has been great ... most of the time I need one leg either much shorter or much longer than the other two.  The 3531 would be challenging in my case.