Camera Labs

Thanks for the review Bob but I have a question for you - how were you able to get your hands on one of these? Bogen told me they would not be available until the end of May!

Thanks,
Jorge

Hi Jorge,

May I wish you a warm welcome to the CameraLabs forums.

I bought mine from SpeedGraphic who still have stock. Ordering from that company should come with a health warning, though, as their service was exemplary and they send you a complimentary catalogue with all sorts of wonderful toys in it.

I presume, from your mention of Bogen, that you are in North America. Maybe the launch is a little later over there?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

As for the GT1541T I recently bought one from Adorama Camera in NY (online), although the capacity should be 8KG or 17lbs. not the 4.4KG as indicated on the Speedgraphic site.

And bought the Q-3 ballhead directly from Markins; they are great to deal with.

Also I bought the RRS clamp lever style B2-40 50mm directly from RRS.

BUT, you need a reducer bushing to make the clamp connections to the Q-3, and the one RRS sent me "screwed" itself right into the Q-3 inside of the ball. I am waiting for the MArkins people to disassemble the Q-3 and return it to me with their reducing bushing that contains a lip or stop to prevent this from happening again.

Never had a chance to use the setup yet...

Terry

Thanks Bob and Ted.

Yes Bob, in California. I have a BH55 and a BH40 [this is the one I intend on using on the traveler].

Does this forum have a "for sale" section like FM?

Thanks,
Jorge

[off-topic]

'Fraid not. In fact a thread suggesting one be set up was started only a few days ago. Current policy is not to have one.

[/off-topic]

@Terry Good to hear they are also available in the States. I considered buying some small accessories from RRS but, from memory, the International postage rates were exorbitantly high so they lost the order.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I've read this before but I'm commenting after the second read.

The tripod looks awesomely rigid! No centre brace too.

SnS

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.: Sony DT 18-70mm :: Sony 75-300mm :: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 :: Minolta 24mm f/2.8 :: Sony 50mm f/1.8 :: Samyang 8mm f/3.5 fisheye :: SLIK Pro 330DX :: Manfrotto 496RC2 :.


my flickr

Great review Bob - even if it is on kit that most of us will never have probably...but IF I was after this sort of kit, it would be just what I would be looking for, every question I might be wondering is probably answered

As you say, tripod gear just isnt 'sexy' enough to warrant in-depth reviews in most peoples eyes....untill you are actually looking for some!

It must be remembered that there are ALL KINDS of consumers out there in the DSLR category - there's the ultra-keen/professional consumer like yourself, where money is no object whern quality is a concern, and there's also the noobs like myself, wanting to get started with half-decent gear but not wanting to break the bank for something they're just getting into...

With the 'Search' facility on most forums and google etc; the chances are that in a few months (years, even) someone will be looking to buy the gear you might have just bought, so it's a great idea to give an in-depth review on ALL gear as you buy it to help others along the line decide....

I certailnly will be submitting my reviews on my 'starter' gear in the coming months as I get on the photography trail!

Thanks for your effort....

Hi Rex,

Thanks for your kind words.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi!

Unless I have missed it, you don't mention what the combined weight
of the camera & lens that you used for this test was. Also, it has been a
while since you posted this test, if you were buying something today, would you consider other equipment?

Anderswq

Hi Anderswq,

May I wish you a warm welcome to the CameraLabs forum.

Well, from the Canon site we have a weight for the 40D of 740g and a weight for the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM of 760g adding up to a conveniently simple 1.5Kg.

I'm not aware of any Gitzo successor for this model so I'd certainly opt for the same again from them. Maybe other manufacturers have moved on but I haven't done the research I'm afraid.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the welcome and quick response!

I was hoping your setup would be heavier than mine, giving me some
additional margin! At 2030 grams I guess there would sufficient margin
to the 8 kg listed capacity anyway.

At the Gitzo webside there now is a 90th universary Travel Titanium tripod advertised. However, availability is limited and price unknown.

Anderswq

Wow, very impressive review! I can't believe I didn't see this sooner!

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Canon 40D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto 055CX3 + 496RC2
www.thomaslowe.com

Bob... I'm confused!

In your review you state that the difference between the DP version and the SP version is the panoramic turntable at the TOP.

I can see how you would level the camera using the ball and then rotate the camera on the top turntable.

The thing I don't understand is if one bought the SP (or using the drop notch for portrait orientation with the DP) how do you level the camera. Do you have to level the legs exactly to do this so you can pan using the bottom turntable

_________________
Canon EOS 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 MK I, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/1.8, EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 430EX II, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Arca Swiss P0
Panasonic GF3, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 45mm f/1.8

MY FLICKR!