Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg)

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I was surprised, when I held my new monopod in my hands for the first time. I have no doubt that this will be the last monopod that I will ever have to purchase.

It is beefy, yet light, and the twist locks work well and I have found them to be dependable.

Again, if you are looking to purchase only one monopod in your lifetime, you cannot go wrong with the big, sturdy and light weight Gitzo GM5541 6X.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

universal shoulder brace does not fit due to width of base plate

otherwise a nice instrument

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

This is one well made monopod. I also have a Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod, which doesn't hold a candle to this Gitzo. Mounted the RSS monopod head. Great combo. Have used it recently with my new Nikon 300mm 2.8 VRII, on both camera bodies (D300 & 700). Sturdy to the max. Worth the money, to be sure. Highly recommended..

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Very strong pod, easy tu use, light, etc. I'm very pleased with it

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Sports and wildlife

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Great, nice and light use it for 400mm and 600mm nothing else to say but it's perfect, lightweight and easy to use!

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

extremely sturdy and a nice solid feel to it.
locking mechanism performs exactally as described by manufacturer.
very comfortable grip and handy strap, belt clip is inovative.
light considering the load it can handle.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I did quite a bit of looking before deciding on the GM5541 and I can tell you that nothing was even in the same ball park. Like others, I added a RRS MH-01 Hi-Capacity monopod head with the B2-ProII clamp. At this point I am mostly using the Nikkor 300mm 2.8 AF-S VRII with the 500mm f/4 to come in the near future, but I have used a friends 800mm (I think it is about 11 lbs) and the GM5541 handles the weight without any problems, it is solid as a rock with no flex what so ever! I am convinced that for the Super Telephotos, this monopod and head are the best money can buy, there is no equal!!

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

This is my first monopod purchase. Having read many recommendations about "getting it right the first time," (not buying cheap - being disappointed then spending again for a new one), I am very happy I purchased this model. With the glass I have now (70 - 200 / 2.8), it is probably a little overkill but it is solid, easy to use and extremely light. I also know that if I add 300, 500, etc. to my collection, I do not have to upgrade. Works wonderfully with the RRS monopod head.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

This was a nice edition to my Nikon 500mm f4 vr. It really helped stabilize my shots as well as prevented fatigue. This monopod will support 55lbs of lens and camera and well worth the investment especially when pair with a monopod head.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Great for any trip or when you just don't want to tote a tripod around all day. There's no substitute for support on the move. Extremely well built, very strong, and light. This Monopod can be used with lightweight or the heavest gear. Add a Really Right Stuff MH-01 Head and it's perfect for any big lens.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I ordered this monopod for my new Nikon 200-400mm F/4 lens (over 7 lbs.). At first it felt a bit "beefy" on the grip. After the first shoot Igot used to it. I'm glad I got this one instead of the "smaller" one. It feels good and solid, provides great stability and no flex, and is still very light. If I was just using it for my 70-200MM the smaller Gitzo would probably be fine. I like the G-Clamps better than the levers too. Gitzo construction is superb.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Simple - buy it and use it and you will get better images. This beefy but lightweight stick offers versatility to move from a basic camera and lens set-up to camera and long glass. For "tack-sharp" images use this as a walking stick for general and street photography.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Typical Gitzo product quality. You get what you pay for; this is the only support I trust to hold the heavy rigs. The unit's Substantial, Manly gerth is perfect for most and reinforces that fact that this is not a toy.

The only (Accessory related) negative is after eight consecutive days of use, having to shoot while standing on a concrete slab, a small hole developed on the bottom of the rubber foot that comes with the Gitzo G-1220.129B spike kit. It is a good thing the spike kit comes with two of the rubber cup feets.

IMPORTANT REMINDER...!...USE BLUE LOCTITE to secure threaded foot accessories or clamp / head units.

I own and use two GM5541 Monopods; one with the G-1410.130 All Terrain Shoe mounted and the other with the G-1220.129B Spike mounted. Atop each is the RRS B2-PRO/L clamp which firmly holds the RRS Long Lens Support which manages any and all LARGE pieces of glass. The Gitzo GM5541 Monopod has no Equal!

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I use this product where extra stability is needed but where you can't use a tripod. I tested it out by shooting small birds with a 600mm lens mounted on it. It not only can hold any camera/lens configuration but, keep you steady while shooting. It's height will probably work for someone who is no taller than 6'6"-6'7" which covers almost everyone. The twist locks are amazing and only need to be finger tight to work which make this monopod fast to ajust. A really great product, would buy it again!!!

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

This Gitzo monopod is perfect for using long glass on sports coverage or in the wild for animals & birds. I ordered this specific model of the Gitzo because I'm rather tall and at 6',4" I need the camera viewfinder to come up to my eye height. This unit does the trick. It's the perfect height when fully extended. Even so, it's still very light and only a little longer than Gitzo's compact traveler model when fully closed. It's so strong I think I could even trust it to hold a Hi-DEF broadcast camera! I ordered it from B&H and as always the price was right [...]

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

THIS REPLACES MY MANFROTTO 681. NO COMPARISON BEYOND THE SIMILAR WEIGHT AND MAX. HEIGHT. CONSIDERED AN ALUMINUM GITZO, AND THE 2541/5561/3551 MODELS - AND THE MONOSTAT - BEFORE LANDING ON THE 5541.

YES, THE TUBES ARE LARGER DIAMETER THAN THE OTHERS, BUT IT WEIGHS VERY LITTLE FOR WHAT IT CAN SUPPORT. NICE MINIMUM HEIGHT ALLOWS ME TO SHOOT ON MY "CAN" IF NEED BE. I COULDN'T DO THIS WITH THE 681.

BY THE TIME YOU STICK 10-14 LBS. OF LENS/BODY ON THE 5541, THE MONOPOD GIRTH JUST MELTS AWAY. THE LARGER DIAMETER TOP SECTION/PADDING DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT OF LARGE GLASS VERY WELL ON THE OLD COLLAR BONE, TOO. MY 681 ALWAYS DUG TOO MUCH. I SUSPECT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE "PETITE" 2541.

WITH THE RRS MH-01 MOUNTED, THIS REPLACES MY FORMER GITZO 1548 TRIPOD AND WIMBERLY HEAD FOR GIMBLE PANNING, ETC. FAR EASIER TO MOVE AND FOLLOW WITH THE MONOPOD SOLUTION. FAR FEWER DOLLARS FOR THE SAME EXQUISITE QUALITY AND ULTIMATE FUNCTION, TOO: LESS THAN $500 VS. ABOUT $1500 FOR THE GIMBLED TRIPOD SCENARIO.

IF YOU HAVE SMALLISH HANDS, THEN LOOK AT A 2541 OR 3551. THE 3551 EXTENDS TOO HIGH FOR MOST PURPOSES, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE AN EXTRA LEG SECTION THAT NEVER SEES MUCH USE. THE 2541 MORE COMMONLY SELECTED, I'M SURE, BUT IF I END UP WITH A 500/600 ON THE 5541, I KNOW IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, OR BE OVERWHELMED.

I'M SURE THE COMPARABLE MONOSTAT A FINE TOOL, BUT THE GITZO GETS SHORTER, AND I KNOW WHAT I'M GETTING WITH GITZO. IN MY OPINION, THEY NOW OFFER DEFINITIVE SUPPORT PRODUCTS.

SUMMARY: IF YOU USE A SUPER ZOOM/TELEPHOTO, AND YOU CAN HANDLE THE ADDED GIRTH, THEN YOU WILL LIKE THIS MONOPOD A LOT.
IT'S A LIFE-TIME INVESTMENT.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

Provides all the stability I need no matter what the use

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I purchased this monopod to use with a 500mm f4. It suits this application perfectly. Yes it is large but not really that heavy and provides rock solid stability.

Comments about Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports 55 lbs (25kg):

I needed a solid support for my 300 f2.8 and DSLR. I was using an aluminum monopod and bought this one because it was much lighter. I have found it not only lighter but rock solid. I can lean on this monopod with my full weight and there is no flex or movement in any of the sections.