a nearly perfect middleweight tripod for mirrorless
i bought this to replace another middleweight tripod that wasn't as sturdy as i'd hoped it would be. the Gitzo GT1542-82QD Series 1 Mountaineer is stable, light and durable. it also folds down into a much narrower profile than the competition by using a narrower spider. the carbon weave has a higher thread count, allowing for a thinner tube that's equally durable and much lighter than the rest. speaking of the legs, while i'm not a fan of twist locks, these work smoothly and lock up securely with minimal force. they also unlock with a quarter turn or less. finally, the angle locks cleverly hold their position until the leg is swept all the way up and automatically re-engage the teeth by spring tension. this is excellent for easily deploying the legs without having to fumble with the angle lock at the same time. while not a necessary feature, it's a design flourish that makes using it far more pleasant. the ball head is extremely smooth. all of the locking knobs, the panning action and the ball itself glide effortlessly while locking up confidently. there's no hint of stiction and knobs never get jammed up. the panning motion can even be adjusted for tension via the hex screw within the mounting hole at the bottom. it's also lighter than many other ball heads of its size and more compact than those within its load class. it's pricey, sure, but it's worth it. Gitzo is a "prestige" marque but they've earned it with a legacy of great products that continues today. if you can afford it, this will be the last tripod you'll need to buy; their lifetime warranty ensures that. Read more