most durable tripod

edwinb · Post by **edwinb** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:56 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Ive used a sinar p system which is quite heavy with a Foba tripod and crank system.
the Foba is swiss engineered precision and stability http://www.foba.ch which should last a lifetime.
edwin

BennehBoy · Post by **BennehBoy** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:44 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I eventually picked up a Slik Pro 4 from The FLash Center in Leeds, it was ridiculously inexpensive at 150 quid - way less than any price I've seen it at elsewhere. Anyhow, it's absolutely perfect for me.

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:57 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I have finally pushed the boat out and bought the Gitzo GT3541XLS and treated myself to a new Manfrotto 410 head, will keep the old one on my old tripod which is ideal for MF. After much browsing I found that Bob Rigby was the cheapest at £510 for the Gitzo.

Paul

timparkin · Post by **timparkin** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:19 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:I have finally pushed the boat out and bought the Gitzo GT3541XLS and treated myself to a new Manfrotto 410 head, will keep the old one on my old tripod which is ideal for MF. After much browsing I found that Bob Rigby was the cheapest at £510 for the Gitzo.

Paul

I'd advise buying the spikes as they make a big difference in stability on a lot of surfaces.. do be careful when tilting the tripod over when they're dug in, not good for connection to the leg as I found out ..

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:37 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Tim, thanks for that bit of advice, I notice they make short & XL spikes... any preference? Do you use a strap or carry bag to lug it about?

Paul

joolsb · Post by **joolsb** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:55 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Just to toss my 2p-worth in....

I bought the short spikes in the end. The £45 price differential was the deciding factor - that and that the overall height of tripod + long spikes would place the camera above my head. The short ones work well enough in the vast majority of circumstances.

Sean Lewis · Post by **Sean Lewis** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:56 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hi all, I've just been tripod window shopping at Park Cameras in Burgess Hill. I must say the Gitzo GT3541XLS is rather tasty, well built, easy to use and all the height you would need. I also tried out the GT3541LS, not as high but I'm tempted by its light weight for hill walking. Has anyone any veiws on the smaller LS i.e too light for large format, not stable ect:

Steve Gledhill · Post by **Steve Gledhill** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:57 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Sean Lewis wrote:Hi all, I've just been tripod window shopping at Park Cameras in Burgess Hill. I must say the Gitzo GT3541XLS is rather tasty, well built, easy to use and all the height you would need. I also tried out the GT3541LS, not as high but I'm tempted by its light weight for hill walking. Has anyone any veiws on the smaller LS i.e too light for large format, not stable ect:

I've had the GT2541L for 18 months now. It's the lighter version than the ones you refer to but more than enough for my 5x4 Zone VI or Chamonix cameras. The tripod is superbly rigid and stable - and less expensive and lighter weight.

Sean Lewis · Post by **Sean Lewis** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:31 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hi Steve, thanks for the info. The lighter tripods should be just fine for my Wista Field, and my back.

Cheers

Sean[/quote]