Gitzo GT2543L Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long)

I have five gitzo tripod, namely: GT1542 eXact, GT2543L eXact, GT 2540FL safari, GT3541L 6X Cabon, and GT4552GTS, each one has its own characteristics:personality and applicability, but the common feature is: stable , strong,and texture. But in the balance of these five tripod is: GT2543L eXact, from its 1. rugged enough , 2 Load enough (I put it to frame 8x10 camera), 3 high enough, let me use it can adapt to uneven ground type, and the weight is not too heavy: 1.74kg, such that I can use this stand in any venue, whether it is the scenery, landscape, portrait, sports, news, press conference, or video occasions, can be fully qualified. There are many so-called performance but close to half the price to gitzo tripod, but they are still insufficient,that wasYou get more then what you buy

I own the Gitzo Traveler GT 1542T. It is a perfect tripod if you need to travel: it collapses down to fit comfortably within a carry-on suitcase. However I wanted a regular daily use tripod that would A) come to at least eye level, and B) was a bit more sturdy in situations like strong wind and the occasional rushing surf. I purchased the Mountaineer GT2543L and the GT3542L to compare and kept the series 2. These two tripod have near identical specs (within .5 to 1 inch for collapsed/expanded sizes) but the series 3 is half a pound heavier. Doesn't sound like much but here are my results: Im sure that under rigid enough examination the series 3 would be more sturdy than the series 2, physics simply demands that that is true. However I noticed no difference to my eye in the results. Both tripod provided an exceeding amount of stability over my series 1 Traveler. The 3 series was noticeably bulkier visually, more cumbersome to handle and the weight difference, though only .5 a pound, was apparent. Keep in mind that you're usually handling a tripod one handed: one to hold and the other to twist and expand the legs. If you're like me you don't like using the center post so you're always making minor adjustments to get the height just right and using the series 2 tripod feels like less of a burden. The bulk of the series 3 also became a factor in regards to getting it in and out of camera bag straps. Might not sound important but I'm constantly moving around to different location on a shoot and I like to keep the camera in my hands so the tripod is going in and out of the bag straps. The series 3 required more adjusting of straps compared to the series 2 which felt as convenient as my series 1 traveler. I would not hesitate to recommend this tripod. Its amazing, stable, beautiful. It's one of those products where you want to baby it because you know its valuable. The only situation I would recommend the series 3 is studio work because the cost difference is only 20 bucks so if you're not traveling with it why not have the series 3? Keep in mind that Travelers are amazing tripod and they feel like feathers compared to the Mountaineers, BUT they are shorter tripod. I you need a taller tripod, with great stability, and a respectable low weight then get this tripod.

Love this tripod. It's a bit heavier than the Gitzo Traveler, but still light enough to carry around on an extended shoot. It's also taller than the Traveler. The added length is useful when you're on the side of a hill. You can place one leg down the hill without having to lower the height of your camera. If you need to get the camera up high, you can without raising the center post and placing your equipment in an unstable position. The center post can be removed with a simple twist of the wrist enabling you to lower the camera to just inches above the ground. If you're looking for the best tripod on the market, this is it. Well worth the price.