Cathy Scholl , Jun 18, 2004; 04:33 p.m.
In reading thru all the many and informative tripod posts I can't find one that gives an option to the Gitzo-1228 twist leg locks. I read quite a few complaints about them, although in general everyone LOVES the tripod.
I prefer the flip lever legs (at least that's what I've always used and I think the twist legs would take me forever to set up.) Is there a flip lever option in a tripod of this quality, size, weight, load, etc?
I've read about the Velbon Chaser EFL-4, a more economical option but don't want the panhead.
Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thanks.
Mark Sirota , Jun 18, 2004; 05:03 p.m.
Bogen 3444 (Manfrotto 440) or 3444D (444)?
Edward Ingold 
, Jun 18, 2004; 05:12 p.m.
Don't rule out twist locks quite yet. On a forum, complaints are more common than raves. If you have the budget for a G-1228, it's worthy of consideration.
Gitzo collars open and close in about 1/4 turn, hold tight, and are intrinsically self-adjusting. Clamps must be adjusted from time to time in order to hold tightly. I've never had a Gitzo collar jam, which was a problem with an old Tilt-All tripod.
The 1228 has 4-section legs, which do take longer to set up than model G-1227 which has 3-section legs. If you don't need the compact folded length of the G-1228, the G-1227 is faster and stronger.
D N 
, Jun 18, 2004; 05:52 p.m.
The Gitzo twist locks with the "wings" are the best of both worlds-wish all Gitzo's used 'em!.
B B , Jun 18, 2004; 06:46 p.m.
Twist locks or no, I wouldn't trade my 1227G for anything. And once you get used to them, you quickly forget about the twist locks anyway.
Peter N , Jun 20, 2004; 11:09 a.m.
Cathy you should try a G1228 for yourself. I bought a used one and among other things, cleaned off what appeared to be a huge amount of graphite grease from the leg section threads and the inside of the twist lock barrels.
Then I applied a very small amount of lithium grease to the threads, screwed the locks back & forth a couple of times to work the grease into the threads & rebuilt the leg sections.
The tripod is now a joy to use with extremely short-throw and smooth leg-section locking. I think these locks have a bad reputation from the G1228 MK1 era, the newer tripods have a redesigned lock and are a pleasure to use. But, try one for yourself...
Cathy Scholl , Jun 20, 2004; 02:28 p.m.
I tried the G1228 yesterday. It was pretty funny...I started by opening the locks too far and the leg fell off! I had grease all over me. I'm sure it gets easier and I now know to just open the locks SLIGHTLY but it still seems like a pain compared to the flip levers. I also tried the Bogen 3444D
(Thanks, Mark) and liked it a lot. So far I prefer it but I'll try the 1228 again.
I'm still shopping so keep the suggestions coming...
Thanks everyone.
Frank Uhlig 
, Jun 21, 2004; 09:30 a.m.
Cathy, oh Cathy,
the Gitzos seem not to be made for you at all.
For all others, what is so hard about a quarter turn = simply 90 degrees, no more, no less.
But turning them till the legs fall off? Getting grease on your hands? Sounds quite fishy or clumsy to me. Or are you stooging for the winged tripod competition? In daily life, do you know how to open a bottle, a door, a can, an account? If so, which one? Sorry, but I just find this very silly ...
Just wondering ... AND please stay away from those nasty, dirty, simple Gitzos, they are not compatible with YOU! Obviously.
Frank Uhlig , Jun 21, 2004; 09:41 a.m.
Incidentally, three leg ones (such as the 1227) are sturdier than four legged ones (1228). (Two joints per leg versus 3, each of which has some unavoidable natural play; and they also have 33% fewer legs to lock! [six locks versus 9])
Just in case you are after the sole purpose of a tripod: to give you a sturdy platform for the camera.
Cathy Scholl , Jun 21, 2004; 01:05 p.m.
Frank, oh Frank... you're pretty rude, don't you think?
My remark was made as humor (at least I tried.) To entertain everyone with my mistake. Yours was made to be hurtful. At least I see no other purpose for it.
I'm more than capable of performing the activities you mentioned and have studied dance for a great deal of my life so I'm pretty graceful too.Beyond that I see no need to address your comments.
The discussion here is about (or should be about) the Gitzo...What happened? I don't know...perhap s the locks were already open and I opened them further? The legs weren't releasing so that probably wasn't it. There was no one telling me to use a 90 degree twist so I had no way of knowing. Actually there was a (supposedly knowledgable) salesperson wat ching me and she said nothing.
I understand that the 1227 has less leg joints but I am looking for something as compact as possible.?
Peter N , Jun 23, 2004; 09:25 p.m.
Cathy if you are looking for compact I suggest reading this survey: Lighter-Weight Tripods for Travel: A Suitability Survey. It's a little old but still relevant.
You might also try a Velbon Carmagne, which are also carbon fibre with a good reputation. Unfortunately the Velbon specifications are just really confusing. In Europe Velbon sell their top line as the Sherpa Pro. Note that the Sherpa PRO CF-640 has twist locks and a diameter of 28mm on the top leg section (same as the Gitzo 1228).
Here in the US this line is apparently sold as the "Neo Carmagne" by stores like B&H in NYC. The outside diameter of the top leg section is the same, and the tripod has twist locks. The prices of the Neo Carmagnes are in the US$500 range (street). B&H does not stock the 630 or 640 version of the Neo Carmagne (equivalent to the Gitzo 1227 & 1228), instead they have a 630 and 640 "EL Carmagne".
Unfortunately, B&H does not provide the outside dimension of the top leg section for the EL Carmagne, but the leg section locks are flip locks and so this tripod is a different animal. Also it is in the US$350 price range. If you can sort out the models, the Velbon Carmagne line is a feasible alternative to a Gitzo.
Many experienced photographers do not like snap or flip locks on tripods, claiming they are unreliable (they break easily) and snag on clothing. I did a lot of research before I bought my tripod recently and I have to say I'm very happy with the G-1228 and have not had any problem with the leg locks at all. Give it another try - set it up and put it down a few times... it does take a little practice. Good luck!! :)
Erick Lamontagne , Jun 23, 2004; 10:13 p.m.
The legs weren't releasing so that probably wasn't it
The Gitzo legs won't come out under their own weight, you have to pull them out. Unlock, pull.
Unless you absolutely need the shorter closed length of the 1228, I'd go with the 1227. Three less locks to fiddle with.
Cathy Scholl , Jun 24, 2004; 02:47 p.m.
Hi,
Thanks for your responses.
Yes, I'm familiar with the tripod survey. Don't know if I agree with their placement of the Bogen 3444 as a "runner up." It weighs 3.5 lbs as opposed to the 1228's 3.4 but it seems like a winner to me.
Last night a friend brought his G1338 (I think) to a meeting we both attended. I tried it in the (dark) parking lot afterwards. I now see that it weighs a bit more than the G1228 and it had a massive ballhead on it so perhaps that's why, once again, I was struggling with the beast.My friend was telling me to turn the locks to the left (his left but MY right) and confusing me further, then losing his patience (like Frank.)
At least I now know how to unlock, pull and then lock each section. Thank goodness! (And BTW, when I sa id the legs weren't releasing I meant AFTER I pulled on them) But it's still very awkward to hold and set up, especially with a big bag hanging off my shoulder.
I'll be in a camera store today so I'll do some more tripod shopping and try the G1228 AGAIN. See if I feel any more comfortable handling it.
If I were shooting landscapes and could just set up somewhere it might be easier than with the use I have for it, moving thru a foreign market or village and trying not to attract too much attention.
