Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I recently moved from a Point-and-Shoot to a Nikon D7000. My cheap (<$100) tripod was clearly inadequate, and so I bought this as an upgrade. Web research, especially Thom Hogan's article on tripods and ball-heads, convinced me not to get a middle-of-the-line setup which I would be wanting to replace down the line with something better, so I decided to go for top-of-the-line. I was torn between a travel tripod and something more sturdy (e.g., Gitzo GT2540); as I usually bike to where I will be taking pictures and carry it while I'm hiking, I decided to go for a travel tripod, knowing that this might mean buying a second less-portable/more-sturdy tripod down the line. The Gitzo Traveler had received the best on-line reviews, so I decided on that.The earlier version, (GT1541T) was still available, but the GT1542T has a slightly longer center column, G-locks on the bottom legs, and better reinforced hinge points. It was also substantially cheaper than the first version on [@] (other places showed it as discontinued). So, I went with the GT1542T. I am using it with a Markins Q3T ball head with lever quick release and the Markins D7000 camera plate. The largest lens I regularly use is the Nikkor 4.5-5.6G 70-300mm VR. The weight of head, camera and lens is 13.28 oz + 24.3oz + 26.3 oz = 63.88 oz (4 lbs), and this setup, rated conservatively by Gitzo to 282 oz (17.64 lbs), has no trouble with that. Weight of tripod and head = 35.2 oz + 13.28 oz = 48.48 oz (3 lbs). I also have used it with a Sigma 50-150 (69.5 oz). While it was not as sturdy as I'm sure a heavier tripod would be, I didn't have any noticeable trouble with vibration.I am an enthusiast, and use the setup mostly for birding pictures but also do some landscape and general nature pictures. The build quality on the tripod is phenomenal. It's a gorgeous piece of equipment. The weight and size make it easy to carry on my bike, hiking, and maneuvering to get the best shot. The G-lock legs are easy to quickly loosen and tighten and I haven't seen any slippage with them.With the legs fully extended but the center column fully down, the viewfinder of my D7000 is at 52 1/4", which is too short for me. I'm 5'6", and for it to be most comfortable for me, I need to raise the center column up about 8", putting the viewfinder at 60". With the center column fully extended, the viewfinder is at 65" which would too high for me, but when I angle the camera up to look into the trees, which I often do, that lowers the viewfinder to a height that is comfortable. So, although I probably would have done fine with the shorter center column, I do use it at full length. I realize raising the center column sacrifices stability, but I decided it was worth the trade-off in size and weight and I haven't noticed any stability issues with my gear.The legs reverse-fold nicely around the Markins Q3T, but the longer center column means that either the ball head sticks out past the legs or the other end of the center column sticks out past the leg-attachment joints. I prefer to leave the other end of the center column sticking out past the leg-attachment joints so that the ball head is protected by the legs. Even so, the tripod is still amazingly portable. Folded up with the ball head, it is 20 ½ inches in length.The center column can be fully removed and the ball head mounted directly on the tripod, for weight savings, improved stability, or to use the ground-set feature (the ability to get closer to the ground with the legs at the widest setting). The center column can also be reversed and the camera mounted below to the point where the top of the camera is touching the ground.Although I don't have experience with other high-end tripod setups, I am very happy with mine. (I am also very happy with the Markins Q3T: it was easy to adjust the tension so that it allows me to adjust the camera while staying stable for the shot.)

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This tripod is very solid and very versatile. The construction feels good as well. It feels a little bit heavier than I expected, but I guess that is the price of the solid construction.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I bought this for international travel and backpacking. It's a significant upgrade from my old Bogen in terms of stability, ease of use and portability. Very light, quick to set up and sturdy even with exposures over a minute on the beach. Only negative is trying to find a tripod bag that fits this and the Gitzo kit head. The current gitzo bag fits the 1541 but, as best I can tell from reviews, not the 1542. I ordered a cheap, generic paced 22" tripod bag which should fit the tripod and head.. If it doesn't work, I'll take some material to a local tailor to copy the dust bag. Love the tripod.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I have been lusting after the GT 1542T for some time now. I have been using a Manfrotto 190MF4 as my travel pod for five years. It's done the job but it's relatively heavy (4.7 lbs/2.1kgs sans head) and I've never been a fan of the Manfrotto leg-locks. I had the GT1780QR head on the Manfrotto and it's light (12 ozs/350 gms).

The rebate and great BH price got me to order the 1542.

It's really amazingly light (at 1.35 kgs with the 1780QR head), very compact and really, a thing of beauty. It is very steady but does feel top heavy. Even Gitzo can't beat the laws of physics and the centre of gravity with a load is going to feel higher and more critical from the simple fact that the tripod is amazingly light. I don't see this as a 'con', especially with the portability plusses that the 1542 brings.
I will still use my GT2331 for studio work but the 1542 is going to be the tripod I reach for most often. It's super light, small, easy to use and does the job for me and looks gorgeous. Highly recommended.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I recently moved from a Point-and-Shoot to a Nikon D7000. My cheap (<$100) tripod was clearly inadequate, and so I bought this as an upgrade. Web research, especially Thom Hogan's article on tripods and ball-heads, convinced me not to get a middle-of-the-line setup which I would be wanting to replace down the line, so I decided to go for top-of-the-line. I was torn between a travel tripod and something more sturdy (e.g., Gitzo GT2540); as I usually bike to where I will be taking pictures and carry it while I'm hiking, I decided to go for a travel tripod, knowing that this might mean buying a second less-portable/more-sturdy tripod for different occasions. The Gitzo Traveler had received the best on-line reviews, so I decided on that. The earlier version, (GT1541T) was still available, but the GT1542T has a slightly longer center column, G-locks on the bottom legs, and better reinforced hinge points. It was also substantially cheaper with the price I found for the first version on [@] (other places showed it as discontinued). So, I went with the GT1542T. I am using it with a Markins Q3T ball head with lever quick release and the Markins D7000 camera plate. The largest lens I regularly use is the Nikkor 4.5-5.6G 70-300mm VR. The weight of head, camera and lens is 13.28 oz + 24.3oz + 26.3 oz = 63.88 oz (4 lbs), and this setup, rated conservatively by Gitzo to 282 oz (17.64 lbs), has no trouble with that. Weight of tripod and head = 35.2 oz + 13.28 oz = 48.48 oz (3 lbs)I am an enthusiast, and use the setup mostly for birding pictures but also do some landscape and general nature pictures. The build quality is phenomenal. It's a gorgeous piece of equipment. The weight and size make it easy to carry on my bike, hiking, and maneuvering to get the best shot. The G-lock legs are easy to quickly loosen and tighten and I haven't seen any slippage with them.With the legs fully extended but the center column fully down, the viewfinder of my D7000 is at 52 1/4", which is too short for me. I'm 5'6", and for it to be most comfortable for me, I need to raise the center column up about 8", putting the viewfinder at 60". With the center column fully extended, the viewfinder is at 65" which would too high for me, but when I angle the camera up into the trees, which I often do, that lowers the viewfinder to a height that is comfortable. So, although I probably would have done fine with the shorter center column, I do use it at full length. I realize raising the center column sacrifices stability, but I decided it was worth the trade-off in size and weight and I haven't noticed any stability issues with my gear.The legs reverse-fold nicely around the Markins Q3T, but the longer center column means that either the ball head sticks out past the legs or the other end of the center column sticks out past the leg-attachment joints. I prefer to leave the other end of the center column sticking out past the leg-attachment joints so that the ball head is protected by the legs. Even so, the tripod is still amazingly portable. Folded up with the ball head, it is 20 ½ inches in length.The center column can be fully removed and the ball head mounted directly on the tripod, for weight savings, improved stability, or to use the ground-set feature (the ability to get closer to the ground with the legs at the widest setting). The center column can also be reversed and the camera hung below to the point where the top of the camera is touching the ground.Although I don't have experience with other high-end tripod setups, I am very happy with mine. (I am also very happy with the Markins Q3T: it was easy to adjust the tension so that it allows me to adjust the camera while staying stable for the shot.)

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This is a perfect choice for those who travel and use small and/or light-weight cameras. The 2 and 3 Series Gitzo tripods (or equivalents by other makers) are needed by those with heavier DSLRs and using longer lenses, but this model is an excellent choice for those who don't need to put a lot of weight or length on top of the ball mount. Quick and easy to set up and use, provides a rigid and stable platform for your equipment, and compact and light to carry. What's not to like? ...

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I am using this tripod for travel purposes. It is very compact and fits in my carryon luggage. The tripod for it' weight is very stable and sets up fast. It is ready to go when I need to shoot. I do not have any bad comments about this tripod so far, it is working out perfect for my needs.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This is one precision piece of equipment. The leg locks function with a minimal amount of rotation. The legs slide easily. It sets up quickly. I also like being able to use it close to the ground. It doesn't fold as small as the Benro it replaced but it still fits where I need it to, backpack and suitcase. The Acratech GPS ball head works great with it.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

Really lightweight, compact tripod. Ideal for travel, folds up and stows in a small overnight bag. Easy to unclamp and extend legs in one motion, tripod is really stable even with an EOS 1Ds/70-200 Lens attached.

Highly recommended.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

Great product. After months of research I decided to get the gitzp travel tripod since its one of the lightest tripod with a 17 lb capacity to handle my canon 70-200 f2.8 lens. I purchase the markins q3 t ball head which is the best match for this tripod for size and capacity. What a great combo. I definitely will use the tripod more often when traveling Its the best investment to get sharp pictures.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This is my third Gitzo, and my second of the CF models. The GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x CF folds up nicely with each leg doing a full 180 degrees, leaving nothing to stick out! Its light, highly portable, compact and at the same time rigid and stable. The hook under the main column allows you to further stabilize the tripod by hanging some weight (or your camera bag). At just over $610.00 this tripod is money well spent. I bought it along with the Kirk BH-3 ball head and using this for landscape/portrait photography, with a D7000. The rig is 10/10.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This is my third Gitzo tripod. I am impressed with its weight for its and the way the Magnesium Series I fits between the legs to stow for travel. Definitely the way to go for adventure travel !!

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

After a little research, settled on this tripod along with an Acratech GP-s ballhead. It's a sweet combo for when you want to keep things light while traveling or hiking. Wish the center column was a few inches shorter, but that's more a preference than a criticism. Appreciate the fact that you can disassemble the center shaft and set-up for shots low to the ground.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

The Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock is a revolution for the world of travel photographer

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

This is incredible light and sturdy, I was so surprised on how solid it can get with so little weight. The tension to flip the legs is a bit too much if you are handling it with one hand, but that adds to the stability of it all. Using a Q3T Markins ballhead, it fits snuggly and works just right.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

I typically use the product when I travel. Weight limitations for cabin baggage got so tight that every pound counts. The tripod was among the most lightweightest I was able to find.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

Light and stable

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

Light, yet very rigid. I'm glad I bought this version with four leg sections. It's so small when folded up. The 'traveler' size says it all. It's as stiff as my old (and 2X heavier) aluminum tripod. The quick release leg adjustments are also terrific. It's an incredible tripod.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

Very light weight, stiff joints, perfect product quality.

Comments about Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod w/ G-Lock:

After two uses the stopper on the end of one leg fell off and was lost. Pretty poor workmanship. Now the leg will actually get stuck inside the larger piece when folded. To make it worse, I emailed Gitzo three times and all went unreturned. I called B&H and they gave me a phone number for them. Four phone messages have gone unreturned and two more emails also. It appears I have no chance to get this fixed as they won't communicate with me [...] I hate paying premium price for a average product and below average customer service.