Gitzo GT2531EX Series 2 Carbon 6x 3 Section G-Lock Explorer Tripod - Replaces Gitzo GT2530EX (Black)

This is the real deal in a carbon tripod. Very strong and stable and easily adjustable for any position.I've had all types, but this will be the last tripod I'll have to buy.(5 Stars to the Seller)

Huge price tag to go with a brand name reputation, but not rugged enough for heavy use.This tripod performs exceptionally well, with very well designed features. I love the no-spin locking leg clamps, the articulating center column, super light weight, and strength. I also love the individually free-movement legs that can lock at any angle. There are other little things, like the level and well-pressured thumb-locks that are great to have once you get down and dirty with it.All this comes at a price though. I don't should heavily all that often (maybe a few weeks a year where I am shooting 8-10 hours a day of up and down setups), and I have had this for about two years more or less. What I have found is that the design is a little light on build, and uses a lot of regular screws and threaded parts to hold it together. Over time, each of those threads loosens up a slight bit, or the locking pad wears out a little.During this last few days of heavy shooting the rubber feet came off over and over again despite my best efforts to "lock" them with tension. I eventually lost two of them and now have to track down the (expensive) parts for replacement. One of the leg segments also gained a slight jiggle in certain positions. I'll have to take it apart to see if it can be fixed. And finally the head plate lost tension in the tiny allen locking bolt and started to spin apart during shooting. After a half day of dealing with it (no time to stop and take it all apart) I had a break long enough to take the whole head apart and wrench down on that allen bolt. That steel bolt "locks" into an aluminum plate, so the next time it loosens up and I have to wrench down on it, my guess is that it won't be long enough and I will need to jerry-rig a longer bolt to keep digging into the aluminum for a locking fit.So, all in all this is a high performance tripod that is super versatile, meeting all my needs in the field, but also something that won't last 5 years under "professional" use.

This is the real deal in a carbon tripod. Very strong and stable and easily adjustable for any position.I've had all types and materials, but this will be the last tripod I'll have to buy.

I cant say this is a bad product as it is the complete opposite.I did find the legs awkward to adjust. Not having preset positions for the legs to lock into makes it slow to setup the tripod. If you need to work somewhat quickly this tripod is slow. I am sure this is perfect for product photography or reall awkward position type macro shots, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

I bought this for my wife to use, along with a Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro ball head. Now I have tripod envy. It's not that my Manfrotto 190MF3 is a bad tripod--just that this tripod is taller, sturdier, and more stable.Every tripod has its purpose. I do a lot of macro work, and like that I can squeeze the 190MF3 into small spaces low to the ground. I also like that the Manfrotto is light enough to be easily carried all day on either a photo pack or a regular backpack. But the maximum height of that tripod leaves it either too low (with center column not extended) or less stable, particularly with a wildlife lens or in windy conditions (with center column extended). This Gitzo tripod is rock solid for general purpose work--but the longer legs are more ungainly when low to the ground and it weighs a bit more. The only solution for us is to own and use both.There are a couple things you should know before buying this tripod. First, the center column on this tripod is set off-center, part of the design for this tripod so that the column can be rotated quickly to a horizontal position. Second, Gitzo stands behind its products, so that is factored into the price. Third, the center column comes preloaded with a hook at the bottom, so one can loop weight to the bottom for added stability. And lastly, the legs lock into any position, rather than into 3-4 fixed positions. I don't have trouble with this latter feature, but I can see that some folks might get fussy when leveling the tripod on uneven ground since they may not be able to eye-ball leg angles. If you're a klutz with tripods, you might look at one of the sister Gitzo tripods before making a decision.The RRS ball head was a great find, too. While the Manfrotto is paired with an ultralight Acratech ball head, the slightly heavier RRS ball head locks down more easily, and it maneuvers better due to its tension control.Different strokes for different folks--there's a lot to like about this tripod. The question you must ask yourself is whether the unique mix of features matches up to the way you do photography. And perhaps whether there is enough equipment to share with your spouse."HONEEEYY, I need your tripod! And the 180mm macro lens!"

This is my last tripod... The extreme flexibility is without peer. It is Gitzo and will last and handle extreme weather and environment. Easy to breakdown and deep clean. When used with the Gitzo GH2750QR Series 2 Off Center Magnesium Ballhead you can put an 11pound camera set-up in ANY position you want to... the uses for this in shooting macro and nature photography can not be understated.... I have been in the middle of streams, under waterfalls, on steep creeksides, and you can create a stable shooting environment. I do not believe there is any other tripod/head set up available that can do what this one does... I am 6ft 5in and when extended to its highest height I do not have to stoop over to use it..a godsend for a guy starting to have back issues from time to time. This tripod will take some time getting use to because everything is adjustable and when setting up at first may take some time but you get faster the longer you use it and you will get angles and shots that are not possible with standard tripods... and that is what everyone is trying to do if you want to create something that is special.