Gitzo GT3530LSV ¿ Tripé em Fibra de Carbono de 2 Estágios - Longo

Comments about Gitzo GT3530LSV 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod - Long:

After a long internet search and reading other reviews I decided to buy the GT3530LSV and also bought a full Wemberley Head. There is a very small learning curve reaching the twist locks but it works wonderfully and provides rock solid support. I have taken this set up to 2 rookeries using a 500mm lens and are really impressed by the support this provides. Save yourself the pain and aggravation and just buy this tripod. You cannot go wrong.

Comments about Gitzo GT3530LSV 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod - Long:

Using it with my 500mm lens. Was considering which model to get until I saw this GT3530LSV series. The height is a bonus for tall user.

Comments about Gitzo GT3530LSV 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod - Long:

This is really the tripod I've wanted for a long time and had to save up to purchase. It's light, flexible & durable.

With my first impressions on examination and putting together....

I purchased the Bogen Half Ball. It went together very easily. Seems like it was designed to work together. (the Gitzo has been out of stock for a long time) This will definitely be the cheapest part of my setup. I am used an ol' Bogen 501 head I had on my last set of legs. I would not highly recommend the LegCoat leg protectors. They are huge, bulky and nothing special. They are going to tear up quickly. I am probably sending those back.

On to the tripod itself:
Very light, as you can imagine. The construction of the joins and pivots all seem to be very well engineered. It will be able to hold up to the paces I'm going to put it through in some harsh African bush experiences. The screws to loosen the legs seem sturdy and will not let me strip them out. The one negative I have (because I've enjoyed Bogens feet) are the rubber feet. They are good, but I'd love to have something like on my bogen feet where they can be spikes or rubber feet. Since I'll mainly be using this in the bush, the spikes would come in much handier than rubber feet. Though they seem well made and will not tear up easily, but I would have preferred spiked feet. There's not much that goes into these things. I'll have another review in a few months after some real world use.

Oh, one other con... the tab at the top of the leg that allows the legs to spread wider seems a little shoddy. The lowest point almost puts the legs completely sideways, but to much that the handle of the half bowl sits on the ground... one notch up on the legs and it's positioned a foot above the ground. I wish there was one notch in between to get closer to the ground.

Comments about Gitzo GT3530LSV 2-Stage Carbon Fiber Tripod - Long:

After taking some time to properly grasp the new Gitzo model designations, I decided that I wanted a 3 Series systematic carbon fire tripod in three sections, the latter for improved stability. To my mind the ideal tripod for my applications would be the 3530 LS, except Gitzo have none. As I live in South Africa and Gitzo has very little representation here and a very limited model range, I kept on doing research until I surmised that I could just buy the LSV, remove the video bowl and replace it with the flat base plate (included with packaging) or Gitzo level base. This was easier than I could imagine. The tripod is superbly made, weighs very little and comes well packaged with all tools required included. Instructions are not included, but can be downloaded from the official Gitzo website - I think this is only required if you want to service the tripod yourself. I ordered the Gitzo 1321 levelling base, rather than the GS5120LVL base the latter having a lesser load capacity. The new twist locks works effortlessly. I can highly recommend this tripod to any serious photographer requiring the best support available in this class. My tripod setup is completed by the RRS BH-55 ball head and all components fits together perfectly.

Expertise: Serious amateur / Intermediate

Problems Encountered: The screw-in leg tips do come loose quite easily. I applied some Lock-tight and have not any problems since.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: SLIK tripod

Items I Recommend: Gitzo GIG1321 Level base and Lec Coat covers (LELCG1325BK)