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Gitzo Traveler Kit Series 2 Travel Tripod

Gitzo has long led the pack when it comes to travel tripods. Here's a hands-on review of their latest contender for the best travel tripod kit.

Gitzo Traveler1

Categories: Reviews, Travel Tripods
Tags: Gitzo
Last updated about 6 months ago // Originally published about 6 years ago

I’ve long been a fan of Gitzo Traveler tripods. The GT1542 and GT1541 have been staples of my bag for a while and have accompanied me up Kilimanjaro and down to Antarctica, amongst other places. They’ve taken a beating but are holding up beautifully.

I pair my Gitzo legs with a Markins ballhead, but Gitzo also has kit versions in its Series 1 and Series 2 ranges that include legs and a head.

The Series 1 kit is smaller and lighter than the Series 2. But it also has a lower limit for the weight it can support (approx 12 lbs vs 15.4 lbs).

I recently tested the Gitzo Series 2 Traveler Kit (model GK2580TQD). The whole package weighs 4.19 lbs. It supports up to 15.4 lbs. And it folds down to under 17 inches.

wpid7961-Gitzo-Traveler-Kit-Series-2-Carbon-4-sections-Ball-Head-QD-01-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM_.jpg

Legs

Gitzo pioneered the system where the legs fold back over the center column to make the folded package very small and compact, and this tripod puts that innovation to use once again. It’s an approach that other manufacturers have copied in their own travel tripods. Fully collapsed, it folds down to a touch under 17 inches (43 cm).

The legs extend in 4 sections. The locking mechanism used on the legs and center column is the standard Gitzo rotating twist lock system. I’ve found them to be very reliable and to lock tight. Like most of the locking mechanism systems, they’re susceptible to dust and dirt getting in, but it’s not such a problem that it’s a major concern under normal use and with some reasonable care. One of the things I like about it is that it can easily be done with one hand, which means it’s easy to fold or unfold the tripod while walking.

There are two settings for the leg angles, (a normal stance of 25° and a wider, lower stance at 70°). If you need to get even lower, you have two options. One is to remove the center column and set the tripod very low to the ground, which not only gives you a lower perspective but increases the stability by broadening the spread of the base. And in a nice touch, the center column is reversible, which is another way to get the camera down low in a normal stance. That feature would come in very useful for doing field macro work on, say, wildflowers or anything else on the ground.

The leg joints, or hips, if you will, are solidly made and lock in place well. Gitzo calls its locking system G-lock, and it’s designed to lock tighter as loads increase.

The feet are removable, so you can replace with dedicated ice or snow feet or attach to a heavier duty platform if you like.

wpid7971-Gitzo-Traveler-Kit-Series-2-Carbon-4-sections-Ball-Head-QD-06-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM_.jpg

wpid7977-Gitzo-Traveler-Kit-Series-2-Carbon-4-sections-Ball-Head-QD-09-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM_.jpg

wpid7969-Gitzo-Traveler-Kit-Series-2-Carbon-4-sections-Ball-Head-QD-05-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM_.jpg

The feet are removable.

The feet are removable.

Head

The head that comes with the Gitzo Traveler Kit is a ballhead that’s designed to hold a maximum weight of 15.43 lbs (7 kg).

The hybrid quick release attachment is designed to accept most Arca-style plates as well as Gitzo C profile plates.

Built into the head is both a horizontal and a vertical spirit level.

Gitzo Traveler Kit Series 2-1

Accessories

The tripod doesn’t come with a bag, but you can buy one separately that’s designed specifically for this tripod for about $80 Amazon | B&H Photo].

Wrap Up

It’s hard to fault the quality and thoughtfulness that has gone into the Gitzo Traveler Kit Series 2. It’s stable, the legs are rigid, it has a good max load limit, and it performs very well. Gitzo has another winning combination and again sets the standard for traveler tripods.

But it’s not inexpensive at about $1099. Whether to go with the Gitzo or something like the MeFOTO Globetrotter ($369) and have enough left over for another good lens (or replace the MeFOTO Globetrotter twice over) isn’t a slam dunk decision.

Specs

Model Number: GK2580TQD
Max Height: 60.63 in
Min length folded: 16.93 in
Weight: 4.19 lbs
Max Load: 15.43 lbs
Instruction Manual
Travel Case Included?: No (B&H offers its own kit that includes the bag (you pay for it))
Detailed spec sheet

Compared To

 Gitzo Traveler Kit (Series 2)Gitzo GT1542TMeFOTO GlobetrotterManfrotto BeFreeInduro Grand Turismo CGT114Sirui T-2205XBenro GoTravel 2Benro C1682TV1 Travel Angel II3 Legged Thing Leo3 Legged Thing Brian3 Legged Thing Rick3 Legged Thing RogerOben CT-3581Sirui T-1024XLVaravon Baby T3Kirk MiniMeFOTO Globetrotter Air
Gitzo Traveler2Gitzo GT1542T Travel Tripodmefoto globetrottermanfrotto befreeinduro-grand-turismo-tripod
Sirui T2205X
benro_gc269tb2_gotravel_carbon_fiber_1146453benro travel angel tripod3-legged-thing-leo3 legged thing brian3 Legged Thing Rick3 legged thing rogeroben_ct_3581_be_126t_5_section_foldable_carbon_1398723641000_864571
Sirui T-1024XL travel tripod
Varavon Baby T3 Product Shot
Kirk TT-1 Mini Table Top Tripod
MeFOTO Globetrotter Air Tripod
ReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReview
Model No.GK2580TQDGT1542TC2350Q2TMKBFRC4-BHCGT114T-2205XGC269TB2C1682TV13LLEOKITE3BRIAN3PKRICKE3ROGERBLCT-3581SUT1204XLBABY T3TT-1GTAIRBLK
Made ofCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberAlloyCarbon fiberCarbon fiberAluminumAluminum/Stainless SteelAluminum Alloy
Leg Sections44544554 (also version with 5)555554315
Folded length16.9 in
43 cm
16.7 in
42.5 cm
16.1 in
41 cm
15.8 in
40 cm
17.3 in
44 cm
14.6 in
37 cm
16.5 in
42 cm
17.7 in
45 cm
13.75 in
34.8 cm
15.75 in
40 cm
12.6 in
32 cm
15.75 in
40 cm
16.9 in
42.9 cm
18.3 in
46.5 cm
10.8 in
27.5 cm
4.4 in
11.3 cm
16.7 in
42.5 cm
Weight4.19 lb
1.9 kg
2.2 lb
1 kg
3.7 lb
1.7 kg
2.4 lb
1.1 kg
3.5 lb
1.6 kg
2.6 lb
1.2 kg
4.1 lb
1.9 kg
3.5 lb
1.6 kg
3.2 lb
1.45 kg
4.1 lb
1.9 kg
2.7 lb
1.2 kg
4.5 lb
2 kg
3.9 lb
1.7 kg
2.2 lb
1 kg
1.8 lb
820 g
9 oz
255 g
3.2 lb
1.4 kg
Max height60.6 in
154 cm
58.7 in
149 cm
64.2 in
163 cm
56.7 in
144 cm
62.6 in
159 cm
56.9 in
145 cm
64.6 in
164 cm
63 in
160 cm
51.5 in
131 cm
76.4 in
194 cm
56.7 in
144 cm
68.6 in
174 cm
67.9 in
172.5 cm
63 in
160 cm
17.3 in
44 cm
4.4 in
11.3 cm
68.1 in
173 cm
Max load15.4 lb
7 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
8.8 lb
4 kg
32 lb
14.5 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
30.9 lb
14 kg
30.8 lb
14 kg
26.4 lb
12 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
100 lb
45 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
Available w/Head?YesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes (not removable)NoYes (not removable)
Monopod?NoNoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
List Price$1,099$750$399$350$490$415
$525$419$349.99$499$249$369
$349
$370
$150
$120
$225

Available At

B&H Photo | Amazon.

By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on July 14, 2020

Categories: Reviews, Travel Tripods
Tags: Gitzo

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With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

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New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

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I take photos. I travel. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

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