paulphoto's Full Review: Gitzo Classic Inter Pro Studex Mk2 series 3 G1340 ...
I currently own three tripods for my part-time profession in photography (Bogen/Manfrotto 3001N, Gitzo G1320, Gitzo G1340). Among them, the Gitzo Mk2 series 3 G1340 is my most favorite both for nature and freelance photography. I bought this tripod back in early spring of 2003 on a recommendation by Rod Planck after attending his seminar on nature photography in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Before making this purchase, I visited a number of online photo stores (B&H photo, Adorama, and a few others) to compare pricing. At the time, this Gitzo G1340 was priced somewhere between $340 -$350 (shipping and handling additional). Then I found it at a fairly good deal from Kirk Enterprise (a company that produces custom photographic accessories, such as tripod head, camera body and lens plates, flash brackets, etc). I still remember paying $345 including $7 shipping/handling. Compared with other online photographic stores, Kirk Enterprise had a reasonable shipping/handling charge. In addition, I had previously ordered my photographic accessories (such as tripod Ball Head BH-1 Pro, lens plates) from them and was very satisfied with their prompt shipment, price, shipping charges. It was for that reason that I decided to order the Gitzo Mk2 G1340 from them.
The Gitzo Mk2 G1340 is referred to as the Inter Pro Studex. (I will refer to this tripod as G340 in this review). This means that the G340 is a professional tripod which is small and sturdy enough to ensure stability and imaging quality.
The G340 is often compared with its step-up bigger brother full-size professional tripod G1410 (G410). The difference between the two is height and weight of support. In this regard, the G340 is considered to be the top of the Inter Pro series 3 and slightly a tiny step down from the pro series 4 G410.
The retail package:
The retail package includes the tripod G340, reference manual, lifetime warranty certificate, Allen wrench.
The Gitzo MKS1340 (G340), My Experience in the Field and All-Around...
The Gitzo G340 (Mk2) is the second generation of the classic G340 tripod. This model does not have the centerpost, and it came with just the tripod head pan. However, it is rich with accessories, which includes Locking collar, rapid column, geared center column or leveling base, even spike foot. I specifically bought this tripod for my landscape/nature photography that does not require center pose because I require its flexibility to get low to the ground.
The G340 has independent leg spread; and it can get very low to ground at just a bit over 4 inches. The centerpost would restrict the tripod to go low on ground. I often photograph small insects and little wild flowers that are just inches above ground; the ability of this tripod to go very low on ground is of greatest benefit.
The largest lens I own is Tokina 300mm f/2.8 Pro which weighs about 5 pounds. My camera body weighs between 2.6-3.3 pounds. I use Kirk BH-1 ball head which adds about another 2.5 pounds. Thus, the combination is about 11 pounds. The G340 can support a maximum weight of 22 pounds. This makes a perfect setup with camera/lens and tripod/head using the Gitzo G340.
Excellent Features of the G340: The G340 has a bubble level indicator on the side to help adjust the level without having to look through the viewfinder of the camera; quite convenient! It has three leg sections. Each leg can be independently adjusted into three levels. The remaining two sections can be extended independently: the middle one is controlled by the wing-nut lock (a twist style) and last section is controlled by a twist-lock collar; the collar is padded with rubber ring to help ensure a good secure grip. Unless I require to shoot from full standing, I always extend the second section using the wing-nut lock; and this comes in quite handy when I work in the field under extreme cold condition, because with this wing-nut lock feature, I can over come any freeze-up and without having to burn my hand trying to twist unlock the collar. Furthermore, with the second section extended the stability of the tripod is 100 percent assured.
Quality, Operation and Overall Performance: Its all-around aluminum makes this tripod a rock-solid feel and high-quality operation! With a weight of 6.4 pounds, the tripod is not too heavy or too light; it's just the right size and weight for my photographic need. Its general overall operations are quite intuitive.
I often haul this tripod on my shoulder, sometimes with my camera mounted on the tripod head. Its solid aluminum can make real discomfort on the shoulder. To fix this problem, I wrap the three main (first-section) legs using a heat pipe foam insulator (available in a hardware store—Lowe's or Menards) and secure each with a duck tape. This makes a perfect comfort on my shoulder. And now, many tripods come with this foam shoulder pad on the tripod legs! Imagine that.
In the field, this tripod is a dream come true in nature photography. Each of its three legs can be spread independently to accommodate any required height and its operation is solid; my photographic equipment sits on the tripod firmly and securely. The result is that there is no camera shake that may cause image blur. I use this tripod to photograph still life and insects early in the morning, and often require exposure between 1/4 to 2 seconds. This kind of exposure time must require a tripod to be sturdy and steady in order to ensure image sharpness; and this tripod provides just that, every time.
When I need to shoot from eye-level, I extend the second leg section to full length and the third leg section to half its length. The ball head Kirk BH-1 adds another 5 inches on top of the tripod. Sometimes, when I need to shoot from a high level (to improve perspective and vantage point), I fully extend all the leg sections and put myself up above ground using a step-up block so that I can reach my equipment on top of the tripod. The point here is that when all the three legs (and their sections) are fully extended, the tripod still offers a steady and secure position, even during a wind blow. This is awesome!
The Proof is in the Image: Its sturdy and steady operation and performance are evident in the image. Virtually all my slide images were made with my camera and lens sit securely on this tripod, and I often (if not always) use a remote control to trip the shutter (again to avoid camera shake and to ensure optimum image sharpness). The image sharpness is just superb and is due to the sturdiness of the Gitzo G340. I have compared image sharpness produced by this tripod and my light-weight tripod Bogen/Manfrotto 3001N, and the difference is discernible. But more importantly, the Gitzo is a real pleasure to operate and work with – its craftsmanship, its operation, its high quality and rock-solid feel, all of that...
The drawback? The only drawback I can think of is that for those who require a centerpost will have the trouble of experiencing the inconvenience. In nature photography, this tripod works flawlessly. Without a centerpost, the tripod can be set anywhere even above or on top of a bush because there is no centerpost or column to prevent its positioning.
I have used this tripod a number of times for portrait during a wedding. To adjust the level of my shooting, I had to adjust all the three leg sections. With a centerpost, the adjustment and operation would be smooth, and without distracting the subjects who are ready for a photograph; but now with my G340 without the centerpost, they have to wait and watch me adjust the equipment to get ready for shooting which can cause distraction both for me and the subjects.
I thought about getting the center column, which would run another $80; three years have past, and I am still in the thinking stage. The decision for not getting the centerpost was that my Gitzo G320 has its centerpost with both short and regular column; and therefore, I still use G340 without the centerpost, because it is the perfect tripod for my nature photography. I can always use my G320 for a situation that requires level adjustment on the fly. And so, I have been using my Gitzo G340 without any accessories at all.
However, getting the centerpost for the G340 is not a bad idea; in fact, it would be a perfect idea because this will add the superb versatility of the tripod. The centerpost can be removed or installed without much trouble. But for me, I figure it would just be a waste of money since my smaller Gitzo G320 with its centerpost can do the job fine in portrait photography.
In terms of maintenance, other than regular cleaning after each use in a terrain, the Gitzo G340 did not require any major adjustment or maintenance.
Conclusion and Recommendation
After five years using this tripod with regular use and abuse, the tripod still operates flawlessly. Its operation is still like the first time I used it back in 2003. For me, I believe I do own some of the sharpest and high-quality lenses in my photographic gear; but no doubt the Gitzo G340 is the one that helps ensure all the high-quality image produced by those lenses.
Based on its specifications (outlined below), the Gitzo G340 is suitable for standard SLR photographic equipment, both 35mm and medium format, digital or film. After all, this is a professional tripod, and the best one in its class.
It is surprising that five years later, this tripod went up in price as can be seen by viewing the current price from online stores here at epinions. Perhaps the adjusted pricing is due to USD inflation. For whatever reason, the current high price of Gitzo indicates that 1) Gitzo G1340 is still in high demand and 2) its superb quality ensures its high standards and pricing.
For me, this is the best tripod I have ever owned; and it was the best decision I ever made to invest in this tripod. One thing for sure is that this tripod has a high resale value. Who knows, I could sell it back for the same price I paid for or even more.
I highly recommend this tripod for any serious photographer. It maybe the one tripod you will ever buy and need. Since 2003, I have added and changed a number of lenses and camera bodies; yet I still lug this same tripod on my shoulder every time I go for a photo shoot.
Specifications: Gitzo Mk2 G1340
Maximum Height: 60.0" (152.4 cm)
Minimum Height: 4.3" (10.9 cm)
Folded Length: 28.3" (71.9 cm)
Load Capacity: 22.00 lb (9.98 kg)
Leg Sections: 3
Leg Lock Type: Twist
Independent Leg Spread: Yes
Center Column Sections: None
Center Brace: No
Spiked Feet: yes
Head Mount Thread Size: 1/4''-20 and 3 /8"-16 reversible stud
Weight: 6.40 lb (2.9 kg)
Warranty: Lifetime
The G1340 is part of Gitzo s Systematic Tripod Series. The Systematic tripod allows the professional photographer or videographer to construct a perso...More at Buy.com
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