Gitzo Lightweight Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head, Silver & Black (GK1545T-82TQDUS)

Gitzo’s travel tripod is designed like a Ferrari and built like a Mercedes. Mind you, this was designed to be lightweight and compact for backpacking and adventure. There are more stable, but heavier tripod/head combinations but this gem at 3 pounds is set up perfectly for mirrorless cameras. There is nothing on the market that stacks up to this including RRS options. Beautiful engineering throughout, including the center column (don’t listen the the amateur fable that center column tripods are inferior to those without).

This Gitzo unit seems to be stable, light and conveniently portable, and the strap in well thought out. I attached a Really Right Stuff lever release clamp to the screw at the top of the tripod so that I can easily use this tripod with my Sony A7R3 camera's attached RRS quick-release L-bracket (needed 1/4 to 3/8 screw adapter).. Compared to my Gitzo Mountain Reporter Tripod (excellent but HEAVY) this tripod is a pleasure to tote.

Awesome tripod. Light weight for its size and rock steady with heavy telephoto lenses mounted on my camera. Just used it for wedding portraits. The photos were tack sharp every time. The tightened ball joint does not drift at all. I look forward to many years of service from this tripod.

Love it. If you want a carry case, order one size up.

After extensive research, I ordered this tripod for use as a lightweight backpacking tripod. Just 45 days after purchasing it, I was unloading it from my backpack and noticed that one entire foot was gone. Not only the foot, but the sleeve it screwed into was somewhere back on the mountain. I called Manfrotto, Vitec Group, that takes care of US warranty replacements. The rep was helpful and understanding telling me that the sleeve I needed was pressed into the leg by the factory, they would send me a replacement leg. A day later, they emailed me saying the part would have to come from Italy and it would take 7 weeks! Overall, i like the tripod, but am questioning why any manufacturer would make a new customer wait 7 weeks to fix a defective product.

Well crafted. Control knobs are very smooth and needs a quarter turn to clamp.Be careful not to overturn when loosening the control knobs otherwise they come off unlike other ballheads. Expensive but worth it.I got mine as open box for much less it is sold. In the top 3 of all travel tripods as per center column.

I have had them all over the past 30 years and keep coming back to Gitzo. I also am using their bad system now.This tripod is lightweight, easy to carry and rock solid with a 300mm on it.