I Need a New Tripod

[d2creative]

So I'm in need of a new tripod. Needs to be a general purpose tripod, something that can go from studio to the country to the city, etc. My biggest lens is my 70-200 VR.
Of course I'm looking at Gitzo, probably the 1227. Light weight is important to me so carbon is attractive. But Manfrotto also seems to have some decent looking legs, too. The one thing I did notice between the two is that the manfrotto has flip levers for the legs and the gitzo has twist locking mechanisms. Which do you prefer and why?
And some of manfrotto's center columns quickly transform into horizontal supports. Does the gitzo do this as well?
And finally, the manfrotto legs have a unique triangular shape to them that they say prevents twisting or rotating of the legs. What is the benefit of that?
Any other differences or advantages of one over the other?

Thanks!

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by d2creative

So I'm in need of a new tripod. Needs to be a general purpose tripod, something that can go from studio to the country to the city, etc. My biggest lens is my 70-200 VR.
Of course I'm looking at Gitzo, probably the 1227. Light weight is important to me so carbon is attractive. But Manfrotto also seems to have some decent looking legs, too. The one thing I did notice between the two is that the manfrotto has flip levers for the legs and the gitzo has twist locking mechanisms. Which do you prefer and why?
And some of manfrotto's center columns quickly transform into horizontal supports. Does the gitzo do this as well?
And finally, the manfrotto legs have a unique triangular shape to them that they say prevents twisting or rotating of the legs. What is the benefit of that?
Any other differences or advantages of one over the other?

Thanks!

You're looking in the right direction. My overall favorite tripod is the Gitzo 1229. I have a tripod from every gitzo series, and this one is a gem.

The 1325 is awesome, too, but heavier than you need.

I'd stay away from bogen tripods. They're not made as well. Their ball heads are fine, in my opinion.

The 1229 has the center column. I personally prefer the flexibility of the column, but other swear against them.

The next question is "where do you buy the tripod"?

In my opinion, B&H does not have the best prices on tripods. I actually have found some of the lower series gitzos on ebay.

[d2creative]

Thanks. What's the diff between the 1229 and the 1227/28? I didn't see the 1229 at B&H.

[d2creative]

and doesn anyone know anything about the new Basalt material that gitzo is using?
Advantages/disadvantages to that over Carbon Fiber? I know it's brand new so not much info available yet...

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by d2creative

Thanks. What's the diff between the 1229 and the 1227/28? I didn't see the 1229 at B&H.

The only difference is the center column. I could be wrong about the model number. But when you're dealing with the general 12xx or 13xx or 15xx with gitzo, the xx typically connotes whether the tripod comes with the center column.

Note you can always remove the center column. And you can always purchase a center column later.

[Rageboy]

Do a web search on Fiesol or check them out on eBay. I have both the tripod and the monopod and they are both workhorses, at very attractive prices.