Gitzo 1325 Replacement
It’s official! Gitzo has finally come out with the GT3530LSV to replace the all-popular 1325 carbon-fiber model. The GT3530LSV is only a little lighter than the 1325 (only a few ounces different), but the 3530 has the anti-leg-rotation (ALR) system. ALR is a must-have for those who need to constantly put up and take down a tripod setup. You can release all the locking sections on each leg by turning all two (3-section tripod) or three (4-section tripod) locks at the same time.
Currently, I’m using a 3-section 1257, the 1227 replacement with ALR and new 6x carbon fiber technology. I can’t tell the difference in weight (1257 vs. 1227), but setup is so much easier with ALR! For this reason, the 1325 gets little use except for some serious pano shots.
Gitzo GT3530LSV webpage (Gitzo’s webpage is pretty difficult to navigate. They need to get their act together and hiring some web marketing experts!)
Gitzo GT3530LSV at NatureScapes.net (This is a much more readable page. NatureScapes.net is a great place to get Gitzo parts, too, if you like to abuse your tripod in bad weather or wet and dirty shooting conditions.)
The age-old question: 3 sections or 4 sections? I personally recommend a 3-section tripod. It is a little larger when folded up, so it’s not as convenient for carry-on airline travel, but the way security goes these days, more and more things have to be checked in anyways. The 3-section tripod is a lot more rigid; the thin and tiny last section of the 4-section tripod is just not as rigid as the thicker 3-section tripod.
Also, if you’re going to bother with spending good money on a tripod, you might as well replace the center column while you’re at it. The center column, when extended, just makes your setup more unstable. The center column is convenient if you’re setting up for a quick family self-photo, but if you need the stability for landscapes, macros, and other critical shots, a replacement base is a must. Kirk makes a really nice base. I prefer it over the Markins ones:
Kirk Enterprises Replacement Bases (Kirk makes all sorts of machined parts for photography, including L-brackets, lens plates, and ballheads. Look around their website for some great gear.)
Interestingly, I inquired about an ALR, 6x carbon-fiber replacement for the 1325 in the late summer. The Gitzo sales people claimed that the 6x carbon-fiber weave technology was not suitable for heavier tripods, but that some research had been done. I wonder if there are still some “beta” issues with these first batches. We’ll find out…