Which Gitzo Tripod

I need a good carbon fiber tripod, right now my largest lens is the 300 2.8 IS, bodies are 1D and 1Ds Mark III's

There are so many, I am really confused on which one. I do not want to just throw $$ away, so wanting to get the right legs. I would say birding is less than 15% of my shooting. Portraits and weddings is 70%

Thanks

Others might say get a llighter tripod, and they may be right. I have the 5541LS. It is over 6 pounds and it costs $800+ but you will never feel you have to upgrade to a more substantial tripod.
Disclaimer: Birding is 95% of my shooting.

For long teles, the standard answer would probably be 3 Series Systematic, i.e. GT35xxLS. Some might suggest 5 Series but again Systematic. These do not come with a column, so changing height is very cumbersome. In fact, at the widest legspread, you can't meaningfully change the height, period. With long teles, height is not extremely critical, so giving up the column in the name of strength is Ok. For other use, it's bad news.

Personally, I don't think there is a tripod that covers all basis. I currently use a Gitzo 3541XLS for birds and an acient Cambo ECS studio stand in the studio. The latter can suspend a 10+lb camera in the air with no legs underneath and can go from a floor level to 6 feet up in one go. But it weights 130lb and is too tall to even slide through the studio door. And if I were into landscape or macro, I would probably want something like Gitzo GT2541EX--relatively light, not so strong but extremely agile near the ground. See, individual solutions for incompatible requirements :)

Now having said that, I'd say Gitzo GT2542L would probably meet your current needs. And if you're planning to go to bigger teles, GT3541L would be pretty good all around. Note the lack of "S" in the name. That means it has column. The standard one is pretty long, so for low level work, you might want to add an extra shorter one.

Andy

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Originally Posted by allanrube

Others might say get a llighter tripod, and they may be right. I have the 5541LS. It is over 6 pounds and it costs $800+ but you will never feel you have to upgrade to a more substantial tripod.
Disclaimer: Birding is 95% of my shooting.

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I took your advice and got the 5541LS, then added the leveling base. I agree, I am done with my tripod buying. I also can use this for my Hi Def Video Cameras (Canon XH-A1) when in a pinch and dont have room for the video tripods.

I know I could have saved a couple lbs, and a little money, but feel this is the last tripod I will ever need and me being a large guy over 250lbs, a couple lbs will not make or break me.