Aaargh...which travel tripod? Gitzo vs 3 Legged Thing vs Sirui vs MeFoto

[stoogest]

Hi all,

It's time for a new tripod!

Budget: Up to $1000, but preferably <$700
Use: Travel and hiking
Style: Landscapes
Material: Carbon fibre

I've reviewed umpteen dozen brands and the ones I've discarded include Manfrotto, Benro, Feisol and Really Right Stuff. I'd need a massive incentive to revisit these.

The final four brand contenders are:

BrandModelWeight (kg)Load Capability (kg)Length Folded (cm)Height (no-ex) (cm)Height (extended) (cm)PriceGitzoGT1542T1.00843117149$700-8003 Legged ThingBrian1.3842134193$539 (incl ball head)SiruiN12041.01244132156???SiruiN1204X1.21246132160$799SiruiT1204X0.81040115140$309MeFotoRoadTrip1.4839135156$440 (incl ball head)

The Gitzo has an awesome reputation and is a quality product, but is pricey and its specs don't stand out.

The 'Brian' looks great on paper (the extra 300g isn't a big deal), but is only relatively new to the marketplace.

Sirui in general seems like the best value for money. The N1204 looks good on paper, but I can't find a supplier in Oz and product quality may be dubious.

The MeFoto also seems like a good allrounder.

So, my main question is...

Has anyone out there had real world experience with 'Three Legged Thing', Sirui and/or MeFoto tripods??

In the absence of info, my default will probably be the Gitzo.

A secondary question then, has anyone had recent experience with the current generation of Gitzo's?

Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers,
Andrew.

[CarlR]

Andrew,

I have the Sirui carbon fibre travel tripod (I think it is the T-025X) that I purchased to take on a trip through Europe. I too was a little sceptical about the Sirui, but doing some research and reading some reviews convinced me otherwise. Its price was also very competitive - particularly for a carbon fibre tripod.

Whilst I didn't use it much whilst on that trip, I have used it quite a bit since. I have found the tripod (and the ball head that came with it) to be well made and solidly constructed. The model I have is a lightweight model (both a pro and a con), so tends to be the one I take in preference to my solid aluminium Manfrotto but is not ideally suited for requirements where a really stable base is required. This is not a criticism of the tripod - rather a recognition that this model is lighter weight. They have a good warranty (6 years) which helped convince me of the product quality.

Sirui is available in Australia. I am not sure of who the wholesaler is.

[Lance B]

I did a 4 week trip to Europe and the UK in mid 2013 and I took a Sirui T-1204X Carbon Fibre tripod + K-10X ball-head bundled kit and I can't express highly enough how good it was and build quality is exemplary. This small light tripod, only 1.32kg!! complete with head, took the weight of my D800E and 24-70/16-35 lenses for my night shots, photos of up to 30 secs with no vibration issues whatsoever. The ball-head plate is the Arca Swiss type plate. It fitted into my check in luggage across the bottom of the suitcase taking up minimum of room. 400mm folded length and 425mm folded length with head. I purchased it at Mainline Photographics in Crows Nest Sydney. Again, I cannot recommend this little tripod highly enough.

http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/

Actual product:

http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/prod312.htm

Took these photos with it using my D800E + 16-35 f4 VR or Sigma 35 f1.4:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/151693346/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/151821706/original.jpg

[stoogest]

Thanks Carl and Lance, that's exactly the sort of feedback I'm looking for! As much as I'd love to get a Gitzo, my gut feel says I'd be paying too much. In the meantime Mainline Photo have responded to me advising that they don't import the N1204, so I'll have a closer look at their other models.

The 3 Legged Thing still has significant appeal to me as well...has anyone used one of their tripods before?

[shaneando]

I have a Sirui 2204 and K-20X ballhead that I have used for a number of years now. For the money it's a very good tripod, and has never let me down.

However I'm curious as to why you've discarded RRS? Last year I had a need to purchase a second tripod, and ended up with an RRS TVC-2X, with 4 section legs, and a BH-40 ballhead. Although about the same weight as the Sirui, the RRS is actually shorter when folded with the ballhead, although slightly longer without the ballhead. The RRS is clearly a much better and sturdier tripod.

[MissionMan]

What about throwing Benro in as an option?

[stoogest]

I did look into Benro (as mentioned). I can't recall the exact reason why I ruled them out (along with about half a dozen other brands) but there was definitely a reason... :)

Judging by your gear list I'm guessing you've found them to be quite good?

[MissionMan]

Benro is essentially a Gitzo copy but if you can afford Gitzo, its the best option. I haven't bothered with Gitzo because I use my tripod in areas with salt water so I don't expect it to last long irrespective of brand, but I still bought carbon fibre for salt water reasons.

[stoogest]

Can you strip the Benro down in order to clean it (as I believe you can do with the Gitzo)?

[MissionMan]

I believe you can. I've never had to do mine, largely because when I bought it, I was intending doing more sports photography and with the arrival of my kids, that idea fell away.