Tripod Help

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

After many years away from the big whites I have just ordered a 500 f/4 IS and now need to buy a suitable Gitzo tripod for it, I have ordered the Wimberley MkII $1000 AUD here and have to decide between two available tripods

The GT3541LS or its big brother the GT5541LS

http://photovideo.com.au/-c-274_275_280_283.html

Advice from those that regularly use this lens please, should I go for the heavier duty or is that overkill.

Thank you.

[Lance Peters]

hi Chris - I am using a 3531 with my sigmonster and it works fine - got the replacement flat feet for it (cant remember what Gitzo call em)
Congrats on the new lens - be prepared for a little learning curve - now need to master a long lens technique.
looking forward to seeing some of your shots with the new lens.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Thank you Lance, I had and used this lens a while ago before my legs got stuffed by a stupid young driver.

I used it as a hand held and mono-pod mounted lens and quite frankly never got even close to its potential.

Age has modified my expectations and I would not use this lens as I did before and now I will have it Tripod mounted (I have made a tripod mount in my punt) and I hope to get a fair bit of use in our lakes (Gippsland)

I look forward to getting re-acquainted with this lens and spending as long as I have left cruising the shore line of the islands in the lakes and rivers.

We live in hope, and thank you very much for your help and advice.:)

[Mike Tracy]

I have been using the GT3541LS / Wimberley for a couple years with the 500 and for my purposes it suits me fine. It is sturdy enough that I am confident in its abilities to walk away from it when it is windy, light enough to hike with and fits in my duffel bag that I keep in my truck.

I was standing next to a guy last week with the GT5541LS ( I believe). That tripod was huge and looked solid as a rock like it could hold any lens / body combo made and then some. It isn't suited though for my tasks where I need more portability.

[Jay Gould]

Chris, did you buy the lens in Oz or have it shipped in from the USA? Enjoy!

[Doug Brown]

You shouldn't need the 5541 IMO. The 3541 handles a 600 without breaking a sweat. The 5541 is overkill.

[Alfred Forns]

Fully agree with suggestions Before the new Gitzo tripods came out the larger one was needed for the 600 lens and four section tripods were not recommended. Now even the three series four section seems very stable !!

[Doug Brown]

I use the 3541XLS and agree with Al's statement regarding the stability of the four leg section tripods.

[Van Hilliard]

I agree with the above observations that the lighter tripod will do the job even though I personally prefer the heaver tripod. I don't carry it long distances though. I have a lighter tripod (3541XLS) when I need to carry my gear a longer distance. I also have a lighter Feisol, which works well but the leg adjustments aren't as easy to make.

PS: I should mention that one of the reasons I like the heavier rig is that I use the 800 quite a bit in addition to the shorter lenses.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Thank you all for your advice, the 3541LS it is:)

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Chris, did you buy the lens in Oz or have it shipped in from the USA? Enjoy!

Jay I tried Teds and Michaels in Melbourne and none available, and as usual shocking service so I went here and ordered one.

https://www.camerasdirect.com.au/ind...telephoto.html

They are based on the Gold Coast and have a good reputation among the Canon Pros down here.

[Arthur Morris]

I am surprised that nobody asked how tall you are...