Faux Gitzos (Benro, Induro, etc): Experiences?

[AngryCorgi]

I'm long seperated from my old G2220/G1377 setup, and I am stuck with this painfully wobbly Giottos 'pod that makes me wish on a daily basis that I had never parted with my Gitzo. I am now on the hunt for a new 'pod that has the quality of my old Gitzo, but perhaps a gentler price tag. The old Gitzo setup would cost me $550 to duplicate today, and I simply don't want to invest that much. I'm looking for spending an absolute maximum of $375. I could get the Gitzo legs again for $299+ shipping, but that would leave me with a weak budget and likely a very sad ball-head (probably similar to the one I have now). I checked B&H and found a lot of more affordable 'pods that look a lot like Gitzos, but are by other names.

I would like to know if anyone has experiences with these Gitzo-styled brands and what you thought of them. Also, any alternative advice is appreciated too. I know this much, I don't want anything even remotely wobbly. The winds here in Texas will toss your camera about on anything like what I have now. I'll even take some advice like "use the Gitzo legs and an alternative head" if that is a path that people feel makes the best compromise, but I need some names of good alternative ball-head manufacturers.

Oh, and I am looking for something in the 13-23lb support range that, perferrably with a hook on the center column like my old Gitzo that can take some weight for steadying purposes.

Thanks, people! ;)

[Twitch1977]

FWIW I have a Benro tripod and KS2 ball head and I'm very happy with it. It can support my 40D + 100-400L with no sag that I can see. The 100-400 I mount with the tripod ring, I also use the 40D + 70-200 F4 IS mounted from from the camera and don't have a problem with that either.

Doing it again I would still buy the same setup.

Kurt

[AdamLewis]

Ive never used an Induro but Ive heard nothing but good things about them.

[Wilt]

FWIW I have a Benro tripod and KS2 ball head and I'm very happy with it. It can support my 40D + 100-400L with no sag that I can see. The 100-400 I mount with the tripod ring, I also use the 40D + 70-200 F4 IS mounted from from the camera and don't have a problem with that either.

Doing it again I would still buy the same setup.

Kurt

Sag is not always the problem. Often the problem is vibration, which might be caused by the wind hitting the tripod legs and setting up harmonics. Or the problem is wind-induced twisting motion when the wind strikes a long lens and uses it as a lever arm, to twist about the center axis of the tripod. Take the tripod out on a windy day and see how much vibration is caused, or how much the lens deflects the aim of a long lens to one side, then report back.

[AngryCorgi]

Often the problem is vibration, which might be caused by the wind hitting the tripod legs and setting up harmonics.

This is my biggest problem. That's also why I need a hook on the column and a decent load rating to raise the mass of the setup, so as to lower the resultant vibration frequency. My current tripod vibrates far too much. My old g2220 legs were very rigid when locked and exhibited no vibrations (even in strong winds) when bearing 10+lbs or so on the hook. It's weight rating was a little low, though, and I have no idea how applicable the weight rating was to any mass on the hook.

[foxbat]

There's no common standard for measuring the max load on a tripod. Gitzo are open about how they measure theirs. This is quoted in full from a reply on another forum by a Gitzo representative:


Gitzo load capacities are determined by the torsion rigidity of the tripod, rather than a "break weight". The G-Lock mechanism used on the new tripods provides roughly 25% more stability than the previous lock system.

When considering which tripod you need, be sure to look at the torsion rigidity, meaning the amount of torque you can apply to the upper casting. Gitzo tripods are rated based on the angle of torque. It is important that a tripods torsion rigidity be less than the view angle on your lens. That is why even though a GT1530 may hold 17.6 lbs., I would prefer to use a GT2530 with a 400mm lens (even though my camera & lens weigh far less than 17.6 lbs.).

[Lars Leber]

I use a Benro C-227 n6 Carbon Fiber Tripod with a Benro KS-1 Ball Head. I never had any problems with it over the past 18 months.

[AngryCorgi]

There's no common standard for measuring the max load on a tripod. Gitzo are open about how they measure theirs. This is quoted in full from a reply on another forum by a Gitzo representative:

Interesting. Thanks for that!

My g2220 felt like I could turn it into a swing-set without damaging it. I miss those wicked leg locks too! :(

[MarkoPolo]

I have a Gitzo 2220 in excellent shape I would sell for $210 plus shipping ( I would estimate $15-$20 for that) I just purchased the 2530 ex and no longer need the aluminum tripod. PM me if you are interested.

[JohnJ80]

Personally, I'd look at Feisol before Benro.

Here's some stuff that gives me great pause about Benro:

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=318800

I can't find it since Naturescapes changed their forum software, but there is a thread there somewhere that talks about the CF layup between Benro and Gitzo. Benro cuts the corner by leaving out quite a bit of CF and filling it with epoxy instead - looks great, but the design is less than one would presume. The teardown of the Benro ballhead is quite graphic - again, the paint job is great but the underlying design leaves very much to be desired.

Have you thought about searching for a used Gitzo?

J.

[zeva]

FEisol is better than benro? gnerally?

[Gliderparentntn]

Personally,

Have you thought about searching for a used Gitzo?

J.


Being in the market for a new tripod and head setup I can say this Gitzo holds it's resale value very well. I have actually seen used Gitzo products sell for almost what a new one would cost. This goes to show if a guy can save 20-50.00 on a used Gitzo he will due to the fact he/she knows the quality of the product. In saying that did I mention that Gitzo holds it's resale value very well? Better than Canons "L" lens I might add.

[zeva]

better than canon L used lenses!?

[Gliderparentntn]

better than canon L used lenses!?

Yea I have seen the Gitzo 3 and 5 series auction off used from 20.00-50.00 off of the cost of a brand new one andthis is just for a set of legs only. Show me a used "L" lens that can get that close to original cost new.......

[argyle]

...I can't find it since Naturescapes changed their forum software, but there is a thread there somewhere that talks about the CF layup between Benro and Gitzo. Benro cuts the corner by leaving out quite a bit of CF and filling it with epoxy instead - looks great, but the design is less than one would presume. ..

This is just one of many reasons why knockoffs are less expensive (cheaper?)than the original. The knockoff may work for you short-term, but over the long haul the name-brand equipment will hold up better and continue to perform as they should.

[bimmerteck]

I have loved my Induro. I got it because they had a great educational discount(i.e. my wallet decided for me) I haven't looked back since.

[DocFrankenstein]

There will be people who are happy with benro/induro.

The majority of them never shot with gitzo, from what I've seen.

Right now I'm without a tripod and there's just no way I'm buying anything other that gitzo. :) The 2220 I had was neither here nor there - a bit too large for carrying all around and not quite tall enough for a monster I'd like to have. I'll have to buy an extra light gitzo CF and a manfrotto monster for the times when there's a dedicated shoot.

[JohnJ80]

There will be people who are happy with benro/induro.

The majority of them never shot with gitzo, from what I've seen.

Right now I'm without a tripod and there's just no way I'm buying anything other that gitzo. :) The 2220 I had was neither here nor there - a bit too large for carrying all around and not quite tall enough for a monster I'd like to have. I'll have to buy an extra light gitzo CF and a manfrotto monster for the times when there's a dedicated shoot.

Very true and I agree.

Using any tripod and ballhead is a hassle. However, using a good one is orders of magnitude less hassle with better results than the not so good ones.

The issue is not how much the good ones cost, but the delta in cost between the goods ones to the bad ones. When you start getting aggravated, and over the lifetime of this gear, the difference becomes minimal and benefit is much greater. It really gets down to it, for me, that I'm not rich enough to buy the cheap stuff.

J.

[AngryCorgi]

Well, B&H just put their remaining G2220s on sale for $229! That's got me sold on a new one!!

[Blue Deuce]

An old post of mine but still relevant.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=318800&highlight=induro

[bimmerteck]

Re:BlueDeuce

That was an excellent read, I realized that I didn't state in my first post what Induro I have loved so much. I have an Aluminum Induro with their largest ballhead, and have ordered two more.(Tripods only) (one for use with an RRS head and one will get a wimberly). They are heavy but very stable/well built.(the heads leave something to be desired.) That being said I understand the extreme differences in construction between an aluminum and a carbon fiber tripod and have to say that if I had the money for a composite tripod I would only go with a well known and proven brand. When you think about it all that holds a carbon tripod together is essentially the resin(glue) and that is not something I would gamble with, For now I am going to continue lugging around these aluminum induros but I look forward to the day I can ditch the weight for my mobile rig and get a set of gitzo legs.:) I will then transfer my Induro's to strobe/reflector holding duty in the studio.

Erik

An old post of mine but still relevant.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=318800&highlight=induro