Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

My own fault, but I thought this would work with my scope mounted on it and it doesn't. The heavy scope flips everything 180 degrees. It is designed strictly for tripod legs only but otherwise it's pretty nice with a little pouch for keys or accessories and it's nicely made.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

I expected a good shoulder strap and one I could hold by hand. It is a good and well made shoulder strap; to hold it as a handle is poor as it is too big.
I expected it to connect to the GT3541LS I bought at the same time. While it will connect with the straps to the legs there is not a place to connect the top. It appears to be made for use with a center column which the 3541LS doesn't have unless you add it as an option.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

I tried to fashion my own tripod-carrying strap out of shoulder straps I had laying about, and velcro pieces. It didn't work very well. This Gitzo strap, on the other hand, is very well thought out. I love the fact that you never have to remove either end from the tripod -- you just unclip the leg bundling strap, and then you unfold and use the tripod as normal, with the strap still attached. So you won't lay the strap aside and leave it behind when you pack up -- it stays conveniently attached to your tripod. Re-cinching the legs is a simple matter of inserting a single tongue into its clip -- and off you go.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Needs a better way of attaching to lower leg.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Comfortable & easily adjust while carrying tripod.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

I purchased this strap to complement my Gitzo 3541LS systematic tripod. I wanted a simple way to improve portability while hiking trails with my tripod and this product delivers. A couple of nitpicks means that I couldn't quite justify a 5 star rating, but it is an easy 4.5.

Installation was easy - the strap attaches to the tripod via upper and lower loops. The top loop is meant to fit around the center column, but since my systematic pod has no column, I instead looped mine around the top of one of the legs and secured it under the hook on the underside of the platform. The loop itself is a braided nylon "shoelace" so I'm a little nervous about long term durability, but so far so good. The bottom velcro loop is much more robust and fits around the bottom of the uppermost leg section, just above the G-Lock. Its underside is rubberized and when pulled tightly it is fairly secure. There has been a slight tendency for this strap to "ride up" the leg, so to prevent this I have installed a "leg warmer" (LensCoat) right above the lower strap.

When the tripod is collapsed and closed, a sturdy strap and pinch buckle holds the three legs together so they don't flop around or droop when carrying the pod. The underside of the strap is a grippy fabric with firm padding and ridges to prevent slippage. The strap is broad like a golf bag strap to distribute the weight across the shoulder. Balance is good with a ballhead (mine is a BH-55) but don't expect to carry it with a camera attached. There is a small zippered accessory pouch large enough to hold some business cards or a couple of flash cards. I store my cable release in it since I use it only when I'm using my tripod.

Aside from the seemingly light duty upper loop, the strap is made from high quality, durable nylon and neoprene. Plastic clips and buckles appear well made.

All in all I am happy with this tripod strap. It does what it is intended to do with mimimal bulk and fuss. The strap keeps my hands free for shooting and my shoulders comfortable!

Summary
Pros - simple, compact, improves tripod portability
Cons - questionable durability of upper attachment, lower attachment tends to slide (but this is fixable)

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

carrying tripod when traveling/hiking and do not need to use it on every shot; very comfortable and easy
second one purchased since I now have two tripods

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Thank goodness I found this affordable and easy to use shoulder strap. In the past I would sacrifice carrying a tripod because it was just another thing to carry, and I could usually manage by wedging my camera into something fairly stable.

Because I can now carry a tripod, I'm no longer locked in to an f2.8 exposure. Who would have thought that a simple strap could make your photography better?

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Good for hiking, especially over elevation changes and rugged terrain when freeing up hands really helps balance, mobility. Padding is comfy. Quick release makes it pretty fast to set up tripod and then hook strap back up when finished shooting. Wish the strap length was adjustable but wrapping it in various ways controls length pretty easily.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Climbing around looking the perfect shot of a waterfall, frequently requires the use of both hands. Carrying a tripod uses up one of those. The Shoulder Strap is comfortable and secure and gives one the peace of mind of not having to worry about your pod and being able to use both hands for safety.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

doesn't work great on the gitzo traveler: GT1541T

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Looks good and works great. I especially like the little zippered pocket for storing small items. A little pricey, but then every thing "Gitzo" is

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Every other day I hike 10 to 15 miles round trip through the mountains and valleys of the Pacific Northwest. The kit I carry is a digital camera, 3 lenses and my Gitzo 6X tripod. The camera and lenses are in a pack, but the tripod has been switched from shoulder to shoulder until I got the Gitzo strap. It's a very durable professional quality product, easy to install and fits a wide range of tripods. The use of the strap has freed up both hands for scrambling up and down hillsides and taken away the aches in my shoulders and neck. I highly recommend it for those who travel the back country wilds on day excursions.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

I have a Gitzo 1 series tripod which I used to carry in hand during day trips. My fingers started hurting enough after a couple of hours, prompting me to buy this strap.

Pros
This strap is definitely useful in that you can carry it around your shoulders or across. This way, you hardly feel there is a tripod you are lugging around the whole day. The material of construction is definitely very good. There is even a small pocket in which you can carry credit cards (if you fear your pockets getting picked), a small cell phone (definitely not the iphone), keys, etc. Lastly, the trap is designed such that you can pretty much use it with ANY tripod, not necessarily Gitzo.

Cons
The strap with velcro which goes around the center shaft keeps slipping up. This is very irritating. I am sure they could have designed this part better.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Very well made. This strap is built to attach to the tripod's vertical column. My 3140 systematic doesn't have one so I made due by attaching to the top of one of the legs. It works well for carrying the tripod without a ball head and camera but with the camera attached the balance is not right and it doesn't sit well on the shoulder. The adjustment isn't adequate under this situation. I'll have to get a center column and see if things improve although I doubt it.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Very comfortable. This is for my GT-2531 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs - which isn't the lightest tripods around since it is designed for heavy-duty cameras.

Comments about Gitzo GC5210 Tripod Shoulder Strap:

Basically, its a tripod strap. It is good quality and comfortable.