Tripod center column

[250swb]

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4 hours ago, pgk said:

My Gitzo 1548 is heavy and now its equivalent is very expensive.

Good grief, I think of my Gitzo 1548 as my light tripod! 

But heavy tripods can put people off using a tripod, so if anybody is reading this thread to buy a tripod maybe start with the lightest using the load specs all manufacturers publish, and then think one weight higher for a safety margin and  because you know, in the future you buy a heavier camera etc….

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[pgk]

13 minutes ago, 250swb said:

Good grief, I think of my Gitzo 1548 as my light tripod! 

But heavy tripods can put people off using a tripod, so if anybody is reading this thread to buy a tripod maybe start with the lightest using the load specs all manufacturers publish, and then think one weight higher for a safety margin and  because you know, in the future you buy a heavier camera etc….

My 1548 has been modified over the years and is probably bigger and heavier than when I first got it!

Yes, specification creep is a problem. I have a couple of other Gitzos a G1128 and a G126 which are much lighter but only usable in bening (not windy) conditions. My thoughts are always to use as heavy a tripod as you are prepared to carry. I once carried the G1548 with a Contax 645, 2 mags and three lenses up Snowdon via the Watking path. I would not do so again, but all the photos were sharp .....

[pgk]

1 hour ago, pgk said:

I have a couple of other Gitzos a G1128 and a G126 ....

I should have added that both have centre columns and I have and do use them - when the conditions allow - with good results.

[Olaf_ZG]

Three years ago I made a series of long exposures with the GFX, all with 110mm and an ok-ish manfrotto tripod. Results were disappointing as I had some movement, I guess due to usage of the middle column.

After this I invested in a big gitzo (forgot it’s number) but it is taller than me, and without the column. And heavy.

 I guess it is an overkill for the m or q, but for the SL it is great.