Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I was looking for a lightweight, compact tripod that would actually become a full-time part of my gear - not left at home or in the vehicle like my larger, heavier tripod often is. I was willing to pay top dollar as long as stability was not compromised to achieve portability.
The Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler tripod not only met my expectations, it exceeded them. It is compact, light, extremely easy to set up and use, and most importantly it is rock steady. I actually thought I would be purchasing a different ball head to replace the included one from Gitzo, but after using the tripod with the included ball head for several weeks now with a Nikon D800 and up to a fairly heavy 80-400 lens I am very pleased with the combo head and will save my money for something else.
This tripod has quickly become a permanent part of my camera pack, and I will never be without a tripod again. This is exactly the point of a travel tripod.
The GK2580TQR Traveler exudes quality. I am quite certain this tripod will far outlast any of the less expensive travel tripods I was considering, thus proving to be more economical in the long run. In this day and age of hype and hyperbole it is a joy to find something that not only lives up to its billing, but is actually better. Very impressive.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

This is my first tripod,packs up small,is well-made,stable and fairly light for travel.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I love this tripod...it's light and compact. The only complaint that I have is the plate that screws on the bottom of the camera slips if the camera is not level. I have a Nikon D800 and use a 14-24mm lens and a 28-300mm lens. Because Gitzo uses a generic plate so the camera can be mounted to the tripod the camera tends to rotate around the tripod screw. It seems to me this problem could be resolved quite easily by putting a lip on one side of the plate and then creating a slot in the plate for the tripod screw to adjust from front to back. This would allow it to fit a variety of cameras and would insure the camera would NOT rotate or slip on the tripod screw. Gitzo should create such a plate or change the tripod head to accept Arca Swiss type tripod plates from RRS or Kirk.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

It's a really good tripod when you are travelling. The biggest disadvatage is only one locking system what makes difficult to adjust a camera with 200mm lense. Would be nice if head had two locking systems. Also lack of scale makes almost impossible to take the panoramic shots.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

so light I can pick it up with a finger, yet sturdy in heavy winds and supports a heavy set up.exactly what I needed for shoots in the backcountry....

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

This is a user friendly tripod whick is light, however has a large camera & lens capacity. Great job Gitzo !

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

Own a few Gitzo tripods and was looking for a travel tripod that was small enough to fit in my carry-on bag and lightweight. This tripod fit the bill.
No problems with stability using my Nikon D700 and the 70-200mm 2.8 lens. I was told (by a Gitzo rep) that this Gitzo combo (tripod and head) would be able to handle the weight of a Nikon D700 w/a Nikon 300mm lens. Because I don't own the 300, I cannot accurately comment if that is true.
I had no problems with setting it up or breaking it down. I like that the ballhead comes with a quick release plate. My only suggestion, have the option to buy the tripod w/or without the ballhead. If you want to use a 3rd party head, you have to buy the gitzo plate so you can attach your 3rd party head to the legs.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I use this product when traveling and photographing in the field. it makes it much easier to check this item without adding too much extra weight to you luggage. It also is easier if you will be carrying it around all day.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I bought this tripod because I was looking for a small light weight travel tripod that would support the weight of a Nikon D700 with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens, this tripod fits the bill. I also wanted a tripod that would support longer glass (future purchase). The manufacturer told me it would easily be able to support a Nikon 300mm with a Professional DSLR.
I gave it 4 stars because you can only buy the tripod with the ballhead. I would prefer to be able to buy the tripod with the legs only because I use Really Right Stuff heads. If you do use Really Right Stuff, you have to pay an additional cost for the plate to mount your ballhead onto.
The tripod is well made and I like the compactness. I have no problem with the tripod fitting quite easily into my carry-on bag.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I bought this tripod for travel and camera support for landscape and wildlife photography with an 80-400 lens. It is light and strong, and the stability is great. Adjustments are smooth and easy. This happens to be the fifth tripod in my collection, and it is easily the best!

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I had been using a Monfrotto aluminum tripod with a 322 head which worked great in the studio but was miserable to carry while hiking. I bought this tripod hoping for a robust compact tripod capable of supporting a 1D Mark IV with a 70-200 2.8 or a 100-400 max. No problem yet- although I haven't used a lot of larger lenses much. This tripod is great strapped to my Tamrac 5X Expedition for long hikes (5+ miles).

I like the ball head that comes with the tripod but am not real picky. It is true that you are pretty much stuck using this tripod head due to the configuration of the legs.

Tripod is VERY stable using a 1D Mark IV and a 16-35 2.8 or 24-70. G-Locks work awesome.
Only very minor negative is the quick release plates slide into the head and don't snap in like others I have used. This can be a bit tricky trying to set-up the tripod in dark conditions (waiting on a sunrise, etc...). This is a minor deal. Workmanship is amazing!!!

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

My primary photographic interest is landscape photography. I wanted a stable, light weight tripod that I could carry in my back pack along with a full frame digital camera and one or two lenses. Tripod with ballhead weights 3.9 lbs and collapses to 17.5 inches, perfect. Also, it has four level bubbles. And everything works smoothly and securely. I like it, although it is expensive.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I have started looking to spend $200 on a tripod and ended up paying over $800 for this beautiful piece of engineering. I have justified this purchase on the fact it will last for several camera generations. I currently own D300s with 18-200m VR lens. The series 1 Traveller would probably be fine for my current set up, but I wanted it to be future proof if I ever buy 300mm lens... the weight is little higher, but the tripod is very sturdy and as compact. I love the engineering that went into this product - everything is thought through and and works a looks great. I am sure it will last me for many many years.... (at least it'd better last many years for that price)

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

Another quality Gitzo product. Heavy enough for D90 with 70-200 2.8. Did not give 5 stars because have to buy Gitzo head and I have Really Right Stuff already which is not compatible. Also need to buy plate and stud bolt in order to use the other head.
I own a Monopod and series 3 Systematic from Gitzo also. Wanted version I could carry around in standard backpack.

Comments about Gitzo GK2580TQR Traveler 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I gave the tripod 4 stars, but would have given it 5 stars if I didn't have to purchase the head portion of the kit with the legs.

I have removed the head, purchased a stud and attached a Really Right Stuff ball head to the legs. While the Gitzo ball head which comes in this kit is alright, it isn't in the class of the top ball heads in my opinion.

Being a Series 2 tripod, this is the first travel tripod of Gitzo quality which folds compactly, yet is strong enough and resists torque enough to hold a professional DSLR or SLR with a intermediate long lens, such as the Nikon 80-400mm zoom, or a 300mm prime steady.