Gitzo 2228 Explorer

Alex Nail

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I am considering purchasing a Gitzo 2228 Explorer. I have struggled to find opinions online (although I did find an article at luminous landscape on the 2227 although it gave little info on stability) It would be great if you could offer your input. I could get this tripod for just under £200 ($400). It has a retail price of about £280 over here. I realise this lens has now been updated (twice I think) but I just cant afford the more modern counterparts

I currently use a manfrotto 190XPROB. I really enjoy this tripod, the flexibility is outstanding, however, for shots longer than 200mm equivalent it really struggles on stability.

I have already come to the conclusion that I can not have a tripod without the horizontal center column option. I beleive this restricts me to either manfrotto or gitzo.

I am quite tall, 6'4 but due to the way I shoot I rarely have the camera above knee level anyway and seldom find the height of the 190XPROB a problem.

I will be using this tripod almost exclusively for landscapes and regularly backpack so weight is an issue.

So things which I would like to hear about, if you would be so kind, are:
1 Is this tripod very stable for a 70-200f4 non IS? (possibly with a 1.4x)
2 What is the quality of the tripod like?
3 Is there much difference in stability between the 2227 and 2228 (3 vs 4 legs)?
4 Is it tedious to have 3 twist locks rather than 2?
5 Do you like twist locks and are they fast to use?
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]6 Do you ever find that you are being slowed down?
7 Is there ever a chance that the leg angle will change after you have set it?
8 Do you have any reservations about the tripod?[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
9 Should I hang on to my manfrotto?
10 Can you use any ballhead with this?
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Thanks

Alex [/FONT]

aktse

First of all, the usual linky: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

I can’t answer all of your questions, but I do have another Gitzo (GT2540, 4 sec). However, most of the answers are personal preference.

Gitzo is the standard for most tripods and just get one that has the specs that you’re looking for (eg. weight limit). They work very well, but cost an arm and a leg. Most people are just as happy with Slik or the various other brands on the market. You go with Gitzo because it has a feature that you want and the other brands don’t have (usually weight). In general, gitzo does things a little bit better, but the differences are not really important unless you desire that feature.

I was about to go with another tripod brand, but tore out my rotator cuff and thus, weight became the important factor in my decision and I ended up with a gitzo. I picked the three section because I wanted something smaller and since I’m short, I don’t really extend all the legs (usually just untwist two). Since you’re much taller, a three section might be better since you’re nearly always be fully extended and three sections will have you twisting less. It’s all a matter of what you like.

My only real suggestion is to get a good ballhead and rrs plates to go along with it (personally use the acratech). This makes all the difference….

If I had to do it all over again, would I have picked the Gitzo? Maybe/maybe not.

I’m very happy with it, but I think I could have saved a bit by going to a cheaper tripod. I would still pick the rrs plates and acratech.. At the same time, I’m extremely happy with my legs and everyone is always surprised by how light it weights and after a friend used my setup, he bought one too (3 sections).

I also picked up a *very* light weight slik for trips in which weight matters (not carrying a 70-200 – could probably hold it) and I wanted something that fits inside a carry-on suitcase and I also use the acratech/rrs plates with it. It’s a great tripod, but I find that the twist locks don’t work as well as the Gitzo, but I don’t mind too much considering the price difference.

So… what really matters are the features that you find important, the maximize weight it can hold, how heavy are the legs, etc. And don’t forget a really good head (rrs, kirk, acratech, etc) and the plates that go along with it.

swintonphoto

The head of the tripod makes more of a difference in stability than just about anything - so no matter how good the legs are, if the head isn't built to handle heavy lenses, you won't get good results.

Alex Nail

Thanks guys, I was really looking for opinions from people who have used the tripod though. I have read so many of the "which tripod" threads, and I must have seen that link 50 times or more. This is much more of a specific question.

It would be great if someone with experience ofthis now outdated tripod could chime in.

Alex

Manfr3d

A tripod will be sturdiest without a centerpole. The Explorer
seems to be made more for macro shooters. I tried the
Aluminum version of the G2228 in a shop once and was
not impressed at all, it wobbles like crazy with the extended
centerpol (even more so if put horizontaly). I can't speak
about how much stiffer the carbon version is (I bet alot).

If I were looking into buying a stable tripod that can hold
400mm/5.6 and more I'd go for a Velbon Carbon Fibre
(Sherpa Pro series) or Feistol or Gitzo G13xx (aluminum)
or a large carbon Gitzo. There you can find models that can be
operated at eyelevel without a centerpole. The 2nd
thing you need to invest money in is a good ballhead.
The best ones I know of come from ArcaSwiss (B1), Linhof,
Acratech (UMB), ReallyRightStuff (BH55), Markins (M20), Kirk
and Wimbley. Then you need a camera or lensplate that
mounts on those heads. Once you are there you've spend between
600$ and 1000$. But it will be worth it. The question is
if you want to spend that much ...

Personaly I am using a Velbon CF-630 Sherpa Pro (1.5kg)
and an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V2. This setup is
steady enough (without centerpole) to hold a 300/2.8 or
a 400mm/5.6 and camera with grip and flash steady
without problems. It costed me around 600-700$.

Another tought: If you intend to shoot wildlife or birds,
you might want to get yourself a much cheaper Monopod
instead (Velbon Pro Pod 6/7, Gitzo, Manfrotto). Why?
Because you will need a fast shutter speed to stop the
action and a monopod will be more than sufficient
as a stable support with fast shutters.

Shizam

Alex Nail wrote:

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So things which I would like to hear about, if you would be so kind, are:
1 Is this tripod very stable for a 70-200f4 non IS? (possibly with a 1.4x)
A: This tripod is very stable with a 1DsIII+500mm IS and gimbal
2 What is the quality of the tripod like?
A: Lives up to gitzo standards, super awesome.
3 Is there much difference in stability between the 2227 and 2228 (3 vs 4 legs)?
A: Dunno, I wanted 4.
4 Is it tedious to have 3 twist locks rather than 2?
A: No, I can set this up and pull it down very quickly once you get the order of twists down.
5 Do you like twist locks and are they fast to use?
A: VASTLY prefer twistlocks, quiet and smooth, plenty fast to use.
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]6 Do you ever find that you are being slowed down?
A: No, And I use this for everything from landscapes, wildlife and people street photography
7 Is there ever a chance that the leg angle will change after you have set it?
A: This only happens to me if I set the legs waaay flat and put a heavy item on it, as long as you have the legs at normal angles you'll be fine.
8 Do you have any reservations about the tripod?
A: I used to do more macro work and the swing out arm really helped, now that I don't I don't really need it anymore.
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 9 Should I hang on to my manfrotto?
A: No way
10 Can you use any ballhead with this?
A: I've used several
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Thanks

Alex [/FONT]

This tripod is _awesome_, I've owned one for about 2 years now, they're impossible to find (I'm also 6'2" and wanted a tall tripod), I put all my answers up in your quote. I've been considering selling this tripod now that I don't do any macro work really and getting a non-swingout arm one if you're interested.

Sam

Alex Nail

Thanks a lot Sam. Not only did that cover everything I wanted to know but also gave me all the answers I wanted! Thanks

Alex