'Serious Support' by Thom Hogan

[benny]

Hi guys,

Was just browsing around and thought this article on support (legs and heads) might be of interest to some.

Serious Support by Thom Hogan

Cheers,

[Shadow]

using two sturdy tripods to hang laundry

[juggler]

Should get an even sturdier pair so we can setup a hammock!

[StanChung]

I think that article is music to my ears and how true. Very detailed and I have bookmarked and pdf'ed it!

I have destroyed 4 cheapo tripods because, i never really had a prosumer camera worthy of the gitzo i have now. It's a joy to use and although i still hesitate to soil it in jungles and muddy places, I would recommend you to get something similar. Carbon fiber constructtion is light weight and will prevent you from getting hunchbacked prematurely...

[benny]

By the way, the Gitzo cheat sheet for deciphering the Gitzo model code that Thom provided is not quite correct. Obviously Gitzo's confusing website does not help either.

As opposed to the old numbers (eg. G1228 MK2, G1548 ), the current Gitzo has model numbers that look something like this:

GT%@&}XX (e.g. GT3540LS)

Here's what the coding means:

GT = G stand for Gitzo and T stands for Tripod (as opposed to M which is monopod)

% refers to the size of legs, with 00 being the smallest diameter (16mm), followed by 0 (20mm), 1 (24mm), 2 (28mm), 3 (32mm) and 5 (41mm) being the largest. 00 is denoted by the symbol "-" instead of double 0. Following that, there is 0 and 1 series tripods, which work only for very light cameras. 2 and 3 series tripods amongst the most popular sizes. 5 is best for studio or long telephoto lenses. There is no series 4 (37mm) in the current line up.

@ refers to the type of material used. 3 is for aluminium, 5 is for Carbon Fibre and 9 is for Basalt.

& refers to the number of leg sections. ie. 3 is three section, and 6 is six (only seen on the GT5560SGT and monopods).

} is the number of revision the tripod has gone through. For example, If you see GT2931 and GT2930, you will know they are both the same tripod, but GT2931 is the newer revision of the two.

XX is a designation of type and/or option:
T = Traveler
EX = EXplorer
G = Geared center
LVL = LeVeLing
L = Long
XL = eXtra Long
S = Systematic (Take note that only Systematic tripods do not have centre column)
V = Video bowl

Hope this is useful for those interested.

Cheers,

[StanChung]

You lost me at hello.
I don't even remember the model number. Must check the receipt. Their website[gitzo] is a hassle to navigate. I can't find my tripod on it when I bought it. It must be a model so old it's been taken off their website!

[benetay]

Thats very informative. Thanks for letting us know. With the above given information i'm able to tell that i have a older model of gitzo.

Cheers!

[luenny]

Geezz, am I the only one not using Gitzo tripod here? They are a bit more expensive than the ones I have and I wonder if I were to get a Gitzo, would I put it in the mud like I did my Manfrotto? Or would I lose photo opportunity because of it? Darn, things like this never come easy huh?

[benny]

luenny,

You can stick it in the middle of the river if you like.



And mud washed off easy. By the way, Cathay Photo is now having a promotion for Mamiya Carbon Fibre tripods for less than S$400. Used to cost a lot more. Something else to consider.

Cheers,

[ranmasatome]

i have already stuffed my explorer into sand and water and all that..haha.. awesome i have to say.

[luenny]

Benny,
Cannot buy anymore I'm afraid. I already went on a shopping spree when I was in Penang and got a Manfrotto 190X. I think if I buy another one my wife's gonna use it to whack me. Anyway, I think those are enough for the setup I have - for now.

Justin,
That explorer of yours is something of a dream for macro photography. Darn, I'm looking at one of those next time I buy.

[StanChung]

Lol, Luenny, sell it in Clubsnap and get a Gitzo! devil you a bit.

Benny that's a quite a shot. Will give me confidence to use it that way! lol. [I was so clutzy I lost one of the rubber studs at Ung Seng Lip's house. Luckily I found it back but I think must be extra careful in the river!

[valice]

luenny,

You can stick it in the middle of the river if you like.

Great promotional shot!

"Strong against the force. Get Gitzo!"

[benny]

[I was so clutzy I lost one of the rubber studs at Ung Seng Lip's house. Luckily I found it back but I think must be extra careful in the river!

The rubber legs are replacable. There are part numbers for it, just like Eheim. You can buy spikes too for rough terrain.

Cheers,

[trident]

Luenny,
Use the old ones to hang clothes, then buy new one to stick into the mud.

Benny,
Cannot buy anymore I'm afraid. I already went on a shopping spree when I was in Penang and got a Manfrotto 190X. I think if I buy another one my wife's gonna use it to whack me. Anyway, I think those are enough for the setup I have - for now.

Justin,
That explorer of yours is something of a dream for macro photography. Darn, I'm looking at one of those next time I buy.

[luenny]

Hahaha ... you guys are funny. Giving me such temptations. But then I need to know my limit. I cannot afford a made in Italy clothes hanger yet. The cost is too high ... wait a minute, my built in clothes hanger cost higher. Darn!

But seriously, there are so many models, which Gitzo ones do you guys recommend? I don't even know where to start. The only one I've seen and hold is the Explorer that Justin was carrying the other time.

[ranmasatome]

My old slik is a clothes hanger!!! wah!!!

luenny, depends what you use it for loh..