Gitzo Explorer 2530 Tripod Review Round-Up
If you thought a horizontal center column was cool, then the GT2530EX tripod takes you to the next level. Rather than using a traditional center column running in between the legs, the GT2530EX offsets the column and mounts it in a pivoting clamp at the top of the legs. This allows the column to be quickly set at any angle including straight down. The ability to quickly adjust your camera position without having to move the whole tripod or adjust the leg heights is of tremendous benefit to anyone doing careful compositions. The Gitzo Explorer GT2530EX carbon fiber tripod and the G1276M head are a compelling combination if the price is not an object. Gitzo promotes the tripod as the perfect tool for “exploring new perspectives” and I have to agree that the total flexibility of positioning makes the combination extremely attractive for those shooters needing such versatility. READ FULL REVIEW AT PhotographyReview.com
If you own or have used this tripod, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.
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Featuring the same NeoTec opening and closing mechanism as the 458B tripod, the 684B monopod is designed for support with unprecedented speed. The 684B can fully extend to 65.6 inches and collapse to 27.9 inches. Like the 458B, the 684B can support payloads up to 17.6 pounds and features the same “upside down” leg construction, further ensuring its durability and reliability in all environments. 
This superlight carbon-fiber tripod weighs in at just 2.2 pounds, or about a kilogram, but can support nearly ten pounds. It extends to 57.5 inches, but folds down to a slim 14 inches. In other words, it’s small enough to fit in a carry-on sized bag, but strong enough to handle even a pro camera with some long glass attached. Less weight and size on the ‘pod means more room for other gear, and we like that a lot! 
This three-pound carbon-fiber tripod offers one of the best values in an ultracompact model these days. With four twist-lock leg sections, it collapses to just 18 inches. Although the legs look thin near the feet, the ‘pod is built to support up to 11 pounds of gear. It extends to a maximum height of 47 inches, or 61.2 inches with the center column fully extended. The column can be reversed, and has a built-in weight hook. The 714 even comes with a canvas bag that you can fill with stones (or other available materials) and attach to the tripod legs like a little hammock, for extra, on-the-spot stability. The new Slik’s legs lock at three angles and have retractable spikes integrated into their rubber feet. At their most splayed-out position, they allow the tripod to be lowered to its minimum height of 7.25 inches when you reverse the center column. Padding on the legs’ top segments makes for comfortable handling, though it’s not really necessary on a small carbon-fiber model and creates a little extra bulk when the tripod is closed. About $245. 
Do you get tired holding your camera and lens in use or in a ready-to-use position? Do you need assistance in holding your camera and lens steady? Do you shoot sports? Do you need a compact camera support? If you answered yes to any of these questions (and even if not), you may need a monopod. Which monopod becomes the next question. You probably have invested a lot in the camera and lens you will be mounting on top of the monopod, so quality-construction should be a requirement for your selection – you don’t want to risk having a monopod break. My initial monopod search resulted in a Gitzo G1588 Monopod (now discontinued) becoming part of my kit for many years. I liked it a lot, but when Gitzo introduced their 6x line of replacements, I upgraded to the Gitzo GM5540 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod. The Gitzo GM5540 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod is a really solid monopod. It provides a wide, firm-but-padded grip that gives you great control over even the largest lenses including the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens and the Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens. Build quality is very good overall. Narrower and lighter monopods such as the Gitzo GM3550 Monopod offer lower prices and higher working heights, but I prefer the greater control and stability of the Gitzo GM5540 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod. 
If you’re a pro basketball player looking for an eye-level tripod, this carbon-fiber model is a slam-dunk. Its three-segment, twist-lock legs extend to a 70-inch height on their own, and the tripod reaches a towering 79.7 inches with the sturdy geared center column all the way up. Yet the lowest of its three lockable leg angles allows it to get down to a 13.8-inch minimum height (head not included). The center column on this model isn’t reversible, but it has a built-in mounting screw on the bottom for attaching a head or the supplied weight hook. Also included in the package are a nylon bag for weight stabilization and tools for tightening up the head platform or adjusting the shoulder tension. Designed to support up to 30 pounds, this tripod weighs 6.7 pounds and measures 32 inches when folded up. Its legs have foam padding around their top segments for comfortable carrying over a shoulder, as well as retractable spikes in its rubber feet. The hand crank for the center column is nicely designed, folding in easily when not in use so that it doesn’t protrude when the tripod is closed. About $600. 
Since Gitzo increased the weight ratings of their carbon fiber tripods with the new 6X Series, I wanted to find out if a 2-Series 6X model could do the same job my old Gitzo G1327 did for me. Of the available models, I selected the Gitzo GT2530 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod (though gave serious thought to the leveling column model). The Gitzo GT2530 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod benefits from the new features discussed in the Gitzo GT3530LSV Tripod review including Anti-Rotation Leg (ALR) System, G-Lock design, 1.2mm Gitzo 6X carbon fiber tube, removable leg tips … I won’t bore you with the repeated description of these benefits – the GT2530’s functionality is very similar. Like all Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, construction and feature qualities are top of the line. Weighing only 3.1 lb (1.4 kg), the GT2530 measures 25.6″ (65 cm) folded, a nice 54.3″ (138 cm) extended w/o the rapid column and a high 63.4″ (161 cm) with the rapid column fully extended. The GT2530 is rated to hold 26.4 lbs (12 kg). Actually, I can hang from the fully extended GT2530 – I weigh 170 lbs (77 kg). This is a very solid tripod – I’m impressed. My personal conclusion is this: If the largest lens you need to tripod mount is the size of a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, the Gitzo GT2530 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod is a great choice. For anything at or beyond the size of Canon 300mm f/2.8 lens, I strongly suggest moving up to at least the Gitzo GT3530LSV or the Gitzo GT3530S – or possibly the GT3530 rapid column version. I used lenses as heavy as the Canon 600mm f/4 IS lens on the GT2530, but vibrations are quite noticeable unless good long lens technique and IS are used. The GT2530 will work in this situation, but the 3-Series is a better option. 
The Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod is a great value monopod. ? ?For a very low cost, you get a well-constructed four-section monopod with a heavy weight rating. The “B” is for black. The Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod reminds me of a leg from the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021B Pro Tripod. Fully round aluminum construction with flip-locks. ? ?Fully extended (60″), the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod is tall enough for me (6′), but there is not a lot of room to spare. When resting the monopod on the ground at the same height I am standing on, the height was adequate. If I were standing on a step above the monopod, I would need to crouch down a bit to use the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod. The Bogen 349 (Manfrotto 3449) Carbon-One Monopod and the Gitzo G1588 Mountaineer Mk2 Carbon Fiber Monopod both extended longer. Although I prefer flip-locks on my tripod, I prefer twist locks on my monopod. Flip-locks are (basically) either locked or unlocked. I like to extend all but one section and snug the last one to a length a bit longer than I expect to need. I then push the last section down to the height I want and finish the tightening. The flip-locks on the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod require a very firm squeeze to close – and the resulting noise is noticeable. But they hold tight. Although probably not a big deal for most, the foot on the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod is less grippy than the foot on the Bogen 349 (Manfrotto 3449) Carbon-One Monopod and the Gitzo G1588 Mountaineer Mk2 Carbon Fiber Monopod. If you have a slippery/smooth surface to work on, this might be important to you. A rotating and adjustable handstrap is provided on the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod. Mount a Wimberley Quick Release Plate and possibly a Bogen 3232 Swivel Tilt Monopod Head the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod for an excellent setup. Again, the Bogen 680B (Manfrotto 3249B) Monopod is a great value monopod with a heavy weight rating. 
The Gitzo GT3530LSV 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod delivers the quality, features and performance that professionals and serious amateurs require from their camera support. I’ve been using a Gitzo G1327 Carbon Fiber Tripod for many years and have grown to appreciate it a great deal – It has been one of the most important pieces of equipment I own. Gitzo has refreshed their carbon fiber tripod line with the 6X Series. The best photographers in the world have relied on Gitzo carbon fiber tripods for their careers – for many years. The new 6X line improves on an already great product. Those using the prior Gitzo Carbon Fiber models will have to look carefully for a feature they really need/want to decide if an upgrade makes financial sense as the differences are not huge. I think the Gitzo GT3530LSV 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod is a great tripod. It functions exceptionally well and is built to hold up for the long haul. And Gitzo is betting on this point – by giving us a limited lifetime warranty.