Comments on: Traveling light with a tripod – Gitzo G1058 and the RRS BH-25 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25 Photo blog featuring outdoor, travel and nature photos. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:41:17 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-142259 Ron Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:25:50 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-142259 I agree Jared. I agree Jared.

]]> By: Jared http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-142256 Jared Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:08 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-142256 I have been using the Gitzo GT0530 since 2007, it seems to hold a Canon 1Ds Mark II with a 24-70mm f/2.8L USM just fine. That is a pretty heavy camera lens combination. If you extend the center column, it can get pretty shaky, but it can still be done as long as it is not too windy. I recommend using an L-Plate on your camera body with this tripod, as it will keep the camera's weight centered over the three legs. I also second the use of a cable release and mirror lock-up for the sharpest images. Jared I have been using the Gitzo GT0530 since 2007, it seems to hold a Canon 1Ds Mark II with a 24-70mm f/2.8L USM just fine. That is a pretty heavy camera lens combination. If you extend the center column, it can get pretty shaky, but it can still be done as long as it is not too windy. I recommend using an L-Plate on your camera body with this tripod, as it will keep the camera’s weight centered over the three legs. I also second the use of a cable release and mirror lock-up for the sharpest images.

Jared

]]> By: Julia http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-138340 Julia Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:42:03 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-138340 Thank you, Ron! Your suggestions make perfect sense. I am planning to use a cable release if I buy this ultra-light combo. Thanks again! Thank you, Ron!

Your suggestions make perfect sense. I am planning to use a cable release if I buy this ultra-light combo. Thanks again!

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-138273 Ron Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:50:34 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-138273 Hi Julia, That combination will hold a fair amount of weight it you are careful as it will be a bit top heavy. In addition, I try to always use a two second shutter delay and mirror lockup to minimize the shake. I also try not to extend all the leg sections with heavier loads - the last section is really skinny. Hope that helps, Ron Hi Julia,

That combination will hold a fair amount of weight it you are careful as it will be a bit top heavy. In addition, I try to always use a two second shutter delay and mirror lockup to minimize the shake. I also try not to extend all the leg sections with heavier loads – the last section is really skinny.

Hope that helps,

Ron

]]> By: Julia http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-138252 Julia Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:30:30 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-138252 Hi, Ron, Thank you for your article about light tripod options. I wonder this combination, GT0541 and BH25 would not support a Nikon D700+ 70-200mm/2.8? How about Nikon D700+ 24-70mm/2.8? I have been looking for something light for traveling. Thank you! Julia Hi, Ron,

Thank you for your article about light tripod options. I wonder this combination, GT0541 and BH25 would not support a Nikon D700+ 70-200mm/2.8? How about Nikon D700+ 24-70mm/2.8? I have been looking for something light for traveling. Thank you!

Julia

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-73448 Ron Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:35:49 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-73448 I agree - great to hear Michiel. I agree – great to hear Michiel.

]]> By: Michiel http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-73435 Michiel Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:52:21 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-73435 i just received my gt0531, the new locking system is very very fast. i just received my gt0531, the new locking system is very very fast.

]]> By: Alan Eldridge http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-70924 Alan Eldridge Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:40:00 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-70924 Howdy Ron, Thanks for replying. I'll have to do more research on how to carry my tripod when in town and try out different methods. You're right, I do have to explore Alaska some time. The colors there seem so vivid and the people unassuming. You're pictures are fantastic. You give me a standard to try to achieve. Much like the average weekend sports warrior I keep on trying but know I'll never measure up without commiting serious time, dedication and effort. I watch in awe professionals like you demonstrate their talents. Yup, I'm impressed. Until later, Alan Howdy Ron,
Thanks for replying. I’ll have to do more research on how to carry my tripod when in town and try out different methods.

You’re right, I do have to explore Alaska some time. The colors there seem so vivid and the people unassuming.

You’re pictures are fantastic. You give me a standard to try to achieve. Much like the average weekend sports warrior I keep on trying but know I’ll never measure up without commiting serious time, dedication and effort. I watch in awe professionals like you demonstrate their talents. Yup, I’m impressed.

Until later,
Alan

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-70356 Ron Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:17:21 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-70356 Hi Alan, Great to hear about your experiences! That must have been an awesome trip. 41 pounds for a week - you were doing very well. I don't have a good recommendation on a day pack - unfortunately mine doesn't have a place to carry a tripod, so I'm not much help. I usually keep mine in my hand. I would suggest looking at climbing day packs. They often have a spot for an ice ax or snow shovel - that spot would work for a tripod as well. Thanks for coming back and sharing your experiences - Colorado sounds like a great trip! You might have to add Alaska to your travels one day. Thanks, Ron Hi Alan,

Great to hear about your experiences! That must have been an awesome trip. 41 pounds for a week – you were doing very well.

I don’t have a good recommendation on a day pack – unfortunately mine doesn’t have a place to carry a tripod, so I’m not much help. I usually keep mine in my hand.

I would suggest looking at climbing day packs. They often have a spot for an ice ax or snow shovel – that spot would work for a tripod as well.

Thanks for coming back and sharing your experiences – Colorado sounds like a great trip! You might have to add Alaska to your travels one day.

Thanks,

Ron

]]> By: Alan Eldridge http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-70322 Alan Eldridge Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:56:38 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-70322 Ron, Again, thank you for your tripod recommendation. I completed the one week Grand Canyon backpacking trip last April 2008. It was wonderfull. The tripod was so light that my entire pack, water and food included, weighted only 41 pounds. By using the tripod I took some fantastic sunset shots and also the orange glow during and after twilight that reflects off the canyon walls. Yes, in part you helped me capture these wonderful pictures. Help: I find myself wanting to carry this tripod, Gitzo GT0540, more and more, but don't want to carry a light day pack, like for walking around town and at community festivals. Do you have any recommendations on how to carry the tripod without a day pack? Is there a special tripod strap or something I can sling around my back or shoulder? I feel if I had a tripod constantly with me it would give me more shooting options and better pictures. Also, I'm now starting to plan for my five week long Colorado Trail backpacking trip next summer. Yup, the tripod will be coming with me. Again, thank you, Alan Eldridge Ron,
Again, thank you for your tripod recommendation. I completed the one week Grand Canyon backpacking trip last April 2008. It was wonderfull. The tripod was so light that my entire pack, water and food included, weighted only 41 pounds. By using the tripod I took some fantastic sunset shots and also the orange glow during and after twilight that reflects off the canyon walls. Yes, in part you helped me capture these wonderful pictures.

Help:
I find myself wanting to carry this tripod, Gitzo GT0540, more and more, but don’t want to carry a light day pack, like for walking around town and at community festivals. Do you have any recommendations on how to carry the tripod without a day pack? Is there a special tripod strap or something I can sling around my back or shoulder? I feel if I had a tripod constantly with me it would give me more shooting options and better pictures.

Also, I’m now starting to plan for my five week long Colorado Trail backpacking trip next summer. Yup, the tripod will be coming with me.

Again, thank you,
Alan Eldridge

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-65584 Ron Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:04:49 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-65584 Thanks John, I will update my write up. Gitzo sure doesn't seem to keep a model number around for very long. Ron Thanks John, I will update my write up.

Gitzo sure doesn’t seem to keep a model number around for very long.

Ron

]]> By: John http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-65576 John Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:02:22 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-65576 Note that the 0530 and 0540 have now been replaced with the 0531 and 0541. No significant different, as I far as I can tell. Note that the 0530 and 0540 have now been replaced with the 0531 and 0541. No significant different, as I far as I can tell.

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-55089 Ron Fri, 09 May 2008 20:17:06 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-55089 I updated the original post with Gitzo's new model numbers. I updated the original post with Gitzo’s new model numbers.

]]> By: fred http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-53469 fred Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:41:20 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-53469 Maybe a bit off topic but ever tried to do something like snowboarding with cheap gear? Maybe a bit off topic but ever tried to do something like snowboarding with cheap gear?

]]> By: Valerie McElroy http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-47870 Valerie McElroy Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:28:55 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-47870 thank you SO much for taking the time to help. It's a blessing to us that you would consider "befriendiing" a fellow photographer who wants to grow! It sounds like the perfect combination. I did note on some web sites that they are having "close out" sales on it, so guess they have discontinued the 1058. I'll call RRS and see what they say. Again, thank you. Valerie thank you SO much for taking the time to help. It’s a blessing to us that you would consider “befriendiing” a fellow photographer who wants to grow! It sounds like the perfect combination. I did note on some web sites that they are having “close out” sales on it, so guess they have discontinued the 1058. I’ll call RRS and see what they say.

Again, thank you.

Valerie

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-47854 Ron Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:54:53 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-47854 Hi again, If I fold the clamp to the side, it is just under 20 inches long. If you remove the small head, it is just under 18 inches. As far as going low, the legs will spray straight out so that they are parallel to the ground, but mine has a 9.5 inch center column that prevents it from going to ground level. I have not looked at removing the center column, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Really Right Stuff made an attachment so that you could remove the column. I suppose you could also cut it, but it is made of carbon fibre - don't know if cutting that is a problem or not. Hope that helps. Hi again,

If I fold the clamp to the side, it is just under 20 inches long. If you remove the small head, it is just under 18 inches.

As far as going low, the legs will spray straight out so that they are parallel to the ground, but mine has a 9.5 inch center column that prevents it from going to ground level. I have not looked at removing the center column, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Really Right Stuff made an attachment so that you could remove the column. I suppose you could also cut it, but it is made of carbon fibre – don’t know if cutting that is a problem or not.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-47780 Ron Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:54:58 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-47780 Hi Valerie, I used to use Bogens as well - for the price, they are hard to beat, but this Gitzo setup is much lighter! I will measure it tomorrow and comment here. Thanks, Ron Hi Valerie,

I used to use Bogens as well – for the price, they are hard to beat, but this Gitzo setup is much lighter! I will measure it tomorrow and comment here.

Thanks,

Ron

]]> By: Valerie McElroy http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-47772 Valerie McElroy Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:00:10 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-47772 Hello Ron. I've really enjoyed your site. And your photos are gorgeous. My husband and I are both serious amateur photographers/backpackers here in Colorado and are looking for what you have described as your lightweight combo. Could you tell me how small it folds up? We're trying to find a new tripod combo to replace our heavy Bogens, not only for backpacking but also to be able to carry on in our luggage to go hike the Alps in May(a lifelong dream). Also, we're really into being able to get close to the ground for our macro photography as well as wide angle shots with large flowers in foreground and mountains in background. (Muench like photos). Does this tripod allow you to get low to the ground for these kinds of shots? Thanks. We're almost befuddled with all the tripods available today, so your comments have been very helpful. Valerie Hello Ron. I’ve really enjoyed your site. And your photos are gorgeous.

My husband and I are both serious amateur photographers/backpackers here in Colorado and are looking for what you have described as your lightweight combo.

Could you tell me how small it folds up? We’re trying to find a new tripod combo to replace our heavy Bogens, not only for backpacking but also to be able to carry on in our luggage to go hike the Alps in May(a lifelong dream). Also, we’re really into being able to get close to the ground for our macro photography as well as wide angle shots with large flowers in foreground and mountains in background. (Muench like photos). Does this tripod allow you to get low to the ground for these kinds of shots?

Thanks. We’re almost befuddled with all the tripods available today, so your comments have been very helpful.

Valerie

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-45305 Ron Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:38:33 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-45305 Hi Alan, Wow, those should be two killer hikes! Have fun! Ron Hi Alan,

Wow, those should be two killer hikes! Have fun!

Ron

]]> By: Alan Eldridge http://www.my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25/comment-page-1#comment-45253 Alan Eldridge Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:08:28 +0000 http://my-photo-blog.com/traveling-light-with-a-tripod-gitzo-g1058-and-the-rrs-bh-25#comment-45253 Ron, Woops, I meant to say the tripod will be a Gitzo GT0540. I also wasn't sure to go with 3 or 4 legs. 3 legs are more stable and quicker to set up but 4 legs is taller and packs smaller. I will go with your advice and get the 4 leg model. Tripod and ball head total weight is about 2.4 lbs. Thank you, Alan Eldridge Ron,
Woops, I meant to say the tripod will be a Gitzo GT0540. I also wasn’t sure to go with 3 or 4 legs. 3 legs are more stable and quicker to set up but 4 legs is taller and packs smaller. I will go with your advice and get the 4 leg model. Tripod and ball head total weight is about 2.4 lbs.
Thank you,
Alan Eldridge

]]>