Investing in a taller Tripod - Gitzo or Induro

Hi All,

I currently have an Induro CT-203 that I've been using with my Hasselblad and Nikon gear. It's a great tripod, actually, but the issue is that I'm 6'1" and I'm very often forced to use the center column, which is not something I'm very fond of. The tripod starts to feel a good deal less stable and so I'm on the hunt for a taller tripod.

I'm currently looking at two tripods to replace the CT-203 with:

• A used Dead Link Removed
• A new Induro GIT304L

I reckon both are VERY good tripods. I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on which one is the better option over the long-haul. The Gitzo is used but comes with a fantastic reputation and a lifetime warranty, which definitely takes away the advantage of the Induro a little bit.

They're both within $50 of each other.

FYI: I work primarily on location in gyms with medium format cameras (Hassy and RZ67) and a Nikon F4 with heavy Zeiss lenses, shooting portraiture if that helps.

I use the Induro tripod for the Hasselblad with the 500mm lens.

Sirius Glass said:

I use the Induro tripod for the Hasselblad with the 500mm lens.

Click to expand...

And you feel it's stable even with that big combo on there? I'm going to be using a 180mm on the Hassy and a 210APO on the RZ. Not huge lenses, but pretty decent weight.

I use that combination for nature photography so it has to be stable and light enough to carry.

I use an Induro CT-314 (I think that's the model #) with every camera I have smaller than my 5x12. I've used it with the 5x12, a 6.5x8.5 (with a lens in an Ilex #5 shutter), a 5x7, a Sinar 4x5, and a Mamiya RB67. It has held each of them with aplomb. It has also gone over a 40 foot waterfall with said 6.5x8.5 attached to it, but you wouldn't know from looking at it. BTW- it floated.

Hope you don't mind, but can I throw another manufacturer into the mix? Manfrotto. I bought their 055 Xpro3 earlier this year and it's brilliant. I'm 5'11" and with my camera (Pentax 645NII) mounted it comes up to eye level without having to touch the centre column. It's also solid as a rock with aforementioned camera mounted, plus there's the brilliant function whereby you can use the centre column horizontally for near ground level shots.