Optics4Birding.com: Gitzo Reviews

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I ended up with a used 300-series Gitzo.

Advantages: Lifetime guarantee, extended to second owner without questions asked. No heavier than the Bogen, but weight distributed more evenly. Few moving parts, and those insulated and made of either aluminum or stainless. Heavy, virtually unscratchable surface paint. No projecting widgets.

Disadvantages: expensive, even used typically over $200. (But I'd been through 3 other $100 tripods in ten years ... if this one lasts that long, I'm ahead). Also, some people don't like the leg-release twist-locks (I find them just as fast, and much quieter, than the Bogen). Hard to find a good used one (try rec.photo.marketplace).

Laurie Larson, 15 Sep 1995