Customer Reviews

Gitzo GT3541XLS Series 3 Long 6X Carbon Fiber 4-Section Systematic Tripod with G-Lock - Replaces GT3540XLS

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are considering a 3 section 3 series Gitzo, you should really consider this 4 section one instead because you can use it as a 3 section most of the time but have extra height available when you want it; just pull out the bottom 4th section and you can go all the way up to 78"!

This tripod is only a little more heavy than the equivalent 3 section (the 3530LS) and only a tiny bit longer. The non 'X' model is also quite nice in that it folds to nearly the same small length as a 2 series Gitzo and is only sightly heavier. But, that one only goes to 58". This 3541XLS is 59" with just 3 sections extended! And, no center column attachment will be needed because it can go to 78" with legs only.

If you need something smaller for traveling, and hiking extensively, this would not be the model to consider. But for virtually everything else, this is the one!

This tripod seems like it will last a lifetime, very well built, looks wonderful. I wish it was about $200. less in cost though. This is the only reason I'm not giving it the full 5 stars. It represents an okay value, but not an excellent value in my opinion. Still, the cost should not dissuade you as it's really worth it.

The Gitzo GT3541XLS is impressive equipment. I searched long and hard for the appropriate tripod, and the GT3541XLS was the best choice. Originally I wanted to purchase a tripod with three leg sections for greater stability. The problem is that I am 6' tall, and most of the three leg section tripods could not raise the camera to my eye level. When the GT3541XLS arrived, I extended the legs to maximum length, and - to my surprise - I walked under the tripod with room to spare.

Why would anyone need that much height? It allows you to shoot in those rare situations where extra leg length - for one, two, or all three legs - is necessary. 99.9% of the time, I shoot with three sections extended, and even then I cannot full extend the third section. This tripod is incredibly versatile. The fourth leg sections adds extra stability in many situations and relatively little weight. I highly recommend this tripod. The quality is exceptional, the warranty is excellent, and Gitzo service is well known. Yes, it is an expensive piece of equipment, but less than many of my lenses. I adhere to the policy that buying the right tripod early on is much cheaper than purchasing a sequence of less expensive tripods before finally buying the right one.

but I can tell you right now, I did the right thing!!! Fortunately, this is just my second tripod. I started out with a Manfrotto 055ProB and I have to say that it's worked well for me. I really can't complain. But you know what they say about not realizing what you're missing. I just didn't realize until I got this tripod. I put a Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead on it and I'm telling you, it's rock solid!!!! Yet it's amazingly light!!!! I just can't get over how light it is compared to my previous tripod. Yet so solid!!! Like has already been stated here, it's so amazing to extend it to the full length (I can easily stand under it with it totally extended). After reading about the many uses for the extra height (hill sides, etc.), I can see what they mean. Standing on a slope you can easily extend the bottom leg and shorten the top two legs to keep it at eye level you for. That's one advantage of the longer legs. Another I've have found is being able to stand on a stool and have the camera just a little higher to get that shot from just the right angle.

It's really rock solid!!! Once locked down, it's there.

I also order and received a Wimberley Sidekick to use as a gimbal head using the Really Right Stuff ballhead. Wow!!!! Talk about great!!!! I looked at the full fledged Wimberly Gimbal head but after reading many reviews I went with the Sidekick!!! It works really great and at less than half the price of the full Wimberley!!! I'm totally pleased with it and can see that I'm getting a much higher percentage of "keepers" especially dealing with birds in flight. It really makes it so much easier with the gimbal to follow the birds!!!

As you can tell, I'm very pleased with what I've got. It's really great!!

This is my first wholly-owned tripod, versus "checked out", so I can't do comparisons but do like the following features:

- Gitzo's G-Lock system allows fast, solid securing of all 4 sections

- 6X carbon fiber for high rigidity while maintaining its ultra light design

- High load capacity for long lens/body combination. This Gitzo GT3541XLS can easily handle my little Canon 70-200 f/2.8L lens attached to the 50D with its battery grip.

- Great reach. At about 80 inches when all 4 sections are fully extended this tripod is huge. I'm 6 feet tall and it dwarfs me when fully raised. You most likely will not need a center column unless you're shooting giraffes or something LOL.

- 3-position leg angles

- Built-in bubble level

- Used with the ARCA-SWISS Monoball Z1 DP Double Pan with Quick Set Device "Flip-Lock" head

Of course all these features come at a cost of about 9 Ben Franklins but that's about par with all the other photographic equipment costs.

This Gitzo is enormous when fully extended. I think it'll become my Christmas tree this Xmas. I am 6'4" and it towers over me. With it I can comfortably shoot at eye level without bending over or leaning. And if I shoot moonscapes or anything in the sky, I can still shoot comfortable while standing because it is taller than me. To shoot at eye level, I would not extend the final section of each leg. The combination of the tripod extended to just 3 sections, plus ballhead, and Nikon 7000 w/ battery grip makes it perfectly eye level for me.

Vibration is extremely minimal even when fully extended. The legs are extremely sturdy and rigid and showno signs of bowing when i place them horizontally on a table edge and apply pressure to the center of the leg. The same holds true when I press down on the entire tripod. Keep in mind that I don't press too hard...just enough to simulate camera weight and maybe me casually leaning on it. And even though this is the second largest tripod Gitzo offers (I think) with 4 sections, the Carbon Fiber 6X system makes this an extremely light tripod. I can imagine hiking or traveling short distances with this as long as I have a decent bag to carry it with. But even w 4 sections, this is still an extremely long tripod when closed. It is around 29 inches without a ballhead. Something to consider for some buyers.

The Gitzo tripod is definitely 5 stars. The Amazon shipping, however, is 1 star. My Gitzo was delivered on time (Amazon Prime - 2 day shipping) but it arrived in it's own product packaging with out being taped/sealed and with no package filler. This means anybody could have opened the package and took my Gitzo out at any time. It also means my Gitzo had zero protection against bumps and crush damage. The box also has large creases indicating crush damage from larger or heavier objects on top of it. I am still inspecting my Gitzo for signs of damage as a result of this poor packaging. This is very unusual on Amazon's part and I've already emailed my feedback to them and awaiting any response. But if you are as concerned as I am about how this high quality and VERY expensive product arrived, then you may want to purchase from a local B&M store instead for some peace of mind.

This is my first high-quality tripod, and it is a pleasure to use. While home recovering from an illness, I used it to support a Nikon D3 plus 70-200 lens to take hummingbird pictures. The tripod was easy to set up, and matched well with the RRS full-sized ballhead. Especially important to me was the extra height - at 6'1", I can stand straight while looking through the camera (and there is some height to spare). I'm happy I bought it.