Lightweight/Traveling Tripod

[HDNitehawk]

It´s true that the legs are screwed in, but on the two I have, you need tools to get them off. A very solid spike tip, which is nice to have available on ice and rocks, is tightly screwed in. For normal use, a high quality rubber cap is fitted over it, with a snap-in-to-place design. That rubber cap can be turned, but with limited friction on the spike. I saw the same comment you make Rick, in an earlier review I read, but I will be very surprised if anyone get this problem with the current design.

Perhaps the newer versions fixed it. For me it is just something to watch. It wouldn't deter me from buying a fine Gitzo tripod.

The reason I thought I should point this out to Brant, is the lowest review on B&H for the 1542T is a complaint about loosing a foot. Especially with this tripod, the idea of owning this tripod is that it is so light you would carry it several miles in to the mountains to a remote area. Check your gear and be prepared, I am meticulous that way as anyone doing a long hike in to the wilderness should be. I would rather Brant know the possibility exists that it could happen, rather than recommend the Gitzo then he loose the foot on a 20 mile hike in to the wilderness.

I will eventually buy a backpack tripod, the 1542T is what I would buy if I ordered today. The foot thing is a non for me.

[Kayaker72]

Perhaps the newer versions fixed it.

Well, I should be able to answer the question by the weekend. The GT1542T is ordered.

So, now onto the ball head. In reading through things, it appears that the RRS BH-30 and Markins Q3T were specifically designed for the GT1541T (predecessor to what I just bought) so that the legs can fold around the ball head. The Kirk BH-3 may have been as it seems to fit the general criteria. It doesn't appear Arca-Swiss makes a lighter ballhead and that RRS, Kirk, and Markins are all very good. Anyone familiar with Markins or Kirk?

In the end, I hope to have a very lightweight and portable set up. Eventually, I'll add a more typical/slightly bigger set as well. BTW, while I love taking photos, another great thing about photography is all this really cool gear.