Review: Gitzo mini tripod, head & bubble level

It’s been said that the best camera to have is the one you have with you. I would like to modify that adage to say:

The best photo equipment to have is the one you have with you. This is specially true when hiking or doing any other activity that requires careful selection of equipment when weight a bulk is the prime consideration. This this end, I have a secret weapon that I would like to share with you.

The Gitzo G0027 (now the GT-530) table top Carbon Fiber tripod, paired with the G0077 mini ballhead. This combination weighs in at about a pound and comes in at about 15 inches folded up.

Gitzo G0027 Carbon Fiber tripod and G0077 mini ballhead

This tripod & head combination is so small and lightweight that I don’t hesitate to take with me when going for long hikes or when in situations when I need to keep equipment to a minimum.

Even at this diminutive size this tripod easily holds an DSLR with a wide angle or medium lens, perfect for landscape or intimate landscape photography. With legs extended you come in at about 22 inches and with the center post extended at about 26. I don’t recommend extending the center column when shooting with an DSLR, but if you are using a point & shoot you should not run into any stability problems.

(excuse the image quality as this image was taken with my iPhone)

Here you can see my Canon 5D MkII atop the tripod while cradling a rock on a river near my home. The camera is perfectly stable on top of the tripod for both still or video work; in this particular instance I was shooting some video. However I would recommend when shooting stills to use your timer to ensure you give any vibrations induced by pressing the shutter button, to settle.

I find using a bubble level indispensable when using this tripod as the limited height will, almost always, not allow for my head to be level when composing an image. The bubble level will help tremendously in making sure those horizons are level.

I prefer to use the single bubble level for most of my work, it has the benefit of being smaller than the double axis ones and less prone to be bumped off the hot shoe, as a side benefit, it is less expensive. While I do own a double bubble level, I found myself using the one axis bubble to level 99% of the time, the prime exemption being when shooting macro outdoors.

Now the bad news. This tripod is not cheap at about $360, but when the absolute lightest and smallest equipment is required, this tripod is a must.

For those interested in procuring one of these for themselves, I have not been able to find this specific model online anywhere but I do see that B&H has the GT-531 which is a bit smaller.

Please find below product links at B&H Photo, your purchase thru these links supports Wild Nature Photo.

GT-531

G-0077 mini ballhead

Single Axis bubble level

As always, if you have any questions or comments use the comments section below or you can reach me via twitter at http://twitter.com/jpons.

Juan