Gitzo Travel Tripods

By Claire

Love them or hate them, landscape photographers need them.

It is one of those purchases that people seem to agonise about. Mainly I suspect because one size rarely fits all. We require stability but also want them to be light, people who travel know only too well the dilemma of weight restrictions. We sometimes need height on a subject but also need to get low.

My advice. Forget the price, buy the best you can afford and make it a purchase that you don't regret and can live with for years; if not a lifetime. I've learnt this from experience. I have several cheaper versions gathering dust in the cellar.

My current travel tripod is a Gitzo G-1128 Mk2 Mountaineer Carbon Fibre that supports 9.90 lb (4.49 kg). I've searched the web and it appears this model has been replaced (details of similar models below). I am five foot one so don't need as much height as many. I am "slight" so don't have the muscle power to lug around a monster. I travel a lot by budget airlines so need to keep weight down as they are MEAN with baggage allowance. This fits neatly in a medium sized case. I can easily support a Canon 100-400 zoom with a good head (more about these later).

Why Gitzo?

Mine is a thing of beauty and a mechanical marvel. It oozes quality, and has been put through the test of time. It has been in engulfed in sea, sand and mud. It has independent leg spread. The positive locking action is the best in the industry. All have a lifetime warranty. It folds to about 18 inches.

The equivalent model to mine is here.

Tip learnt from Mel - at the end of a long hard day take a shower with your tripod - easiest way to keep it salt free. Another PTR strange but true fact.