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[OM] Re: Roger Key's quest for a Gitzo [Part 1]

Subject: [OM] Re: Roger Key's quest for a Gitzo [Part 1]
From: Tris Schuler <tristanjohn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 03:07:44 -0700
Re the relatively high cost of Gitzo tripods . . . everyone is sobered by the price of Gitzo tripods, as well as other high-end gear. This is a rite of photography, Roger.

Re cartage of kit: I suggest you try a Lowepro Mini Trekker. These backpacks are perfect mates for the light, compact Gitzo tripods, with convenient holders on the back replete with a quick-release function. Assuming a body and lens already in hand, an Olympus user could tote another body and/or three or four lenses plus filters/film/accessories with little difficulty using one of these well-designed and sturdily-built packs. I've found nothing better, though Lowepro does sell larger backpacks (actually, sells an entire system, which you are apparently aware of).

One of our members suggested Robert White Camera Specialists in Poole, England and thoughtfully provided us with a link . . .

        http//www.robertwhite.co.uk/

. . . which I followed. Well, I read the whole damned site, or most of it. Based on this exposure yesterday (Wednesday) morning I called (0945 UK time) and spoke with a man who introduced himself as Stu. He came across as a polite enough fellow, patient, and possessed of quiet intelligence. All in all he sounded like a man who knew his onions.

        Then again, maybe he's just a very slick salesman I thought to myself.

        Read on!

Wishing to immediately establish my credentials as both an experienced photographer and a serious buyer, I initiated my conversation with Stu on all things Gitzo tripods with a few carefully-chosen remarks, and then asked what the European market thinks of this product vis-a-vis the competition might be. I also asked about various ball heads and their manufacturers as well. Stu quietly and politely listened to my entire little spiel. Soon enough I had exhausted my puny knowledge; and without missing a beat Stu happily filled in. And then he filled in some more.

First, Roger, Robert White Camera Specialists will sell you a Gitzo G2228 four-section Explorer for $410.00, which amounts to a $125 savings over the price presently listed on B&H Photo out of New York. The G2228 is a remarkable tripod (by the looks of it--I have not yet had the pleasure of actually working with one). Not only do its three legs fold out to infinite degree settings (reaching horizontal at their extreme excursion points), but attached to the center column is a sort of offset hinged center-column extension which tilts from vertical all the through and past horizontal to effectively afford our nimble and ambitious field photographer just about any camera perspective he is ever likely to encounter no matter how small and inaccessible his subject may be. This curious-looking tripod comes equipped with a bubble level mounted to the lower section of the center column, quite necessary for shots sensitive to relative perspective of lens and subject--as the legs fold outward to infinite-degree positions, with no marking mind you, level and plumb will soon be thrown out and no easy to re-establish. Not to beat a dead horse, but please keep in mind this tripod's individually locking legs are not "stopped" on their excursions outward bound or along the axis of swing in three stages like other Gitzo tripods in the series, but rather they move to positions measured in infinite degrees. Now this might strike you as somewhat daunting at first, but in practice I can suppose our photographer will manage to sort it out. It is clear to me that with such an arrangement before him our photographer will have in his capable hands a powerful (and fascinating) piece of equipment with which to work. The Gitzo G2228 has a rated load capacity of 13.2 pounds and stands 65" fully erect (add ~3.5-5 inches for a suitable ball head), collapses to 22" with a gross weight of 4.4 pounds. As with all Gitzo products this tripod comes with a lifetime warranty and a reputation of performing effortlessly and flawless in the field; its carbon-fiber finish seems to whisper from out of the night.

        
(itwasataboutthisjunctureinmyconversationwithstuthatIstartedtodroolagain)

The more conventional Gitzo tripod designs feature one-piece center columns with locks above the collar. These stealthy and stalwart entries are more than capable to meet most photographic needs of SLR to medium-format gear. The G1128 Sport and G1228 Reporter come with four-section legs, ubiquitous Gitzo lifetime warranty and unrivaled reputation for in-field performance. (Three-section variations exist for Gitzo's carbon-fiber series, but I'll focus on the four-section variety as I find these to be more to the point--I completely fail to grasp Gitzo's rationale to sell a three-section carbon-fiber tripod to begin with.) There isn't a lot to choose between these two superb tripods. The former collapses to a shorter length 19" as opposed to 20.5") and weighs somewhat less (2.6 pounds versus 3.25 pounds), but its rated load capacity suffers in the process. Whereas the G1128 is said to be capable of sustaining a load of 11 pounds, its somewhat larger brother can support 17.5 pounds of camera gear atop its svelte figure. Still, keep in mind that Gitzo's tend to underrated when it comes to nominal performance, and Olympus users could, in my opinion, use any of these tripods anywhere for any duty will no difficulty whatsoever.

B&H Photo prices for the G1128/G1228 are quoted to be $511.95 and $652.00 respectively. If that comes as a dash of cold water in your face, relief can be found at Robert White Camera Specialists, where both of these beautiful tripods are maintained in stock and will be rapidly shipped to anyone willing to pay the much more reasonable sum of $330.19/$381.43.

        Hel-lo-ohhh? B&H? Is anybody home?

I mulled that over while Stu and I conversed further. Our subject migrated to the issue of ball heads, and we began to debate the relative merits of Arca-Swiss, Linhof and, of course, the old standby Gitzo. (Some standby!) Now I happen to know little about Arca Swiss except the reputation this firm has gained over the years for stellar performance in the field. The Arca Swiss company gets rave reviews everywhere you go so the product has to be better than okay, likely a lot better than okay. With this and other appreciations in mind, Stu and I and I agreed that a decent match for someone working off the G2228 Explorer might be the Arca Swiss B1 Monoball. If you have interest you can look up this one's specs (B&H affords it a blurb), but suffice to say this ball head is probably some sort of dream to work with in the field and would undoubtedly service any Olympus user beyond his wildest dreams until the end of time. Unfortunately, the Robert White is out of this product. Demand is incessant, the B1 is on permanent backorder to the tune of at least six weeks, and a full quarter's wait would not be out of the question. On top of that, at the moment the Arca Swiss factory workers in France have escaped the humidity of mid-summer for parts unknown (Iceland, the east coast of Spain, San Francisco?) and will not return until September, so, with my time limitations in mind (how the hell did I come into this equation anyway?) the B1 swiftly flew out of the picture. A dead issue with my needs in mind, yes, but if and when this item becomes available again Robert White will sell you one for $284.71. B&H Photo asks $378.95.

        (ahem)

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