Hi there - new member - thanks for reading. I am considering finally buying a high end tripod. I am very tall and would like to be able to shoot at eye level. I am considering a Gitzo and it seems like my best options are the 3 series XLS (systematic) or the 3 series Mountaineer (long). The XLS seems great but is 28” long. The Mountaineer itself is still pretty long. How do folks fly with these? I am used to taking my tripod as a carry on, either on my backpack or in my carry on bag, but I am guessing that isn’t possible with either. Is the Mountaineer still very sturdy with the Center column extended? I guess my preference would be the XLS but I am concerned it might be too long to even put in a checked bag. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I think without even recommending a tripod/brand, you should try to decide on what you want travel wise.
Do you want to be able to carry it on? Check it every time? Figure out the answer to those and then pick!
Thanks - I always prefer to carry on, but I would consider checking a bag if it would be worth it. For example, with the Moutaineer, I might be able to get away with carry on, and if the center column is really solid when extended, that would probably be the winner for me. But if folks feel that the XLS is just the way to go and is worth checking it in luggage, I would definitely consider that. Does that make any sense?
If you get a short tripod, complement it with some good knee pads! :-)
This might not help you much, but if you don't mind putting your tripod in in your checked luggage, then you have a ton of options. I do that all the time and don't see a problem with it. Unless you're used to flying just with your carry on, in which case it would defenitely suck to check a bag just for the tripod, it's really fine to do.
I only have one tripod currently which isn't compact by any means, the Feisol ct-3472 which I love, and I can still travel with that anywhere. I've also heard a lot of great things about Pro Media Gear Tripods lately, but I haven't tried them myself. Gitzos are great without question, but you're defenitely paying a premium for the name. And then of course there are Really Right Stuff tripods, which are even more expensive.