Dennis Ng , Sep 16, 2004; 08:02 a.m.
May I ask some feedback on how to choose between this two. My last
posting does not seem to go through.
I have acratech ballhead and really right stuff plate, putting on my
D70 and Bronica SQ-A. I am only 5 feet 6 inches tall. Hence, both
should do it.
However, in the brochure I got, Gitzo seems to indicate that 1227
lvl cannot support any 300mm+ 35mm lens. I guess it may mean
professional one and not something like Sigma 70-300mm. Still, it
is something to think about. It is likely that I will get some more
heavier equipment later for both my D70 and Bronica.
Further, thom hogan has stated that, at least for some prof., 1325
is really the bottomline.
Any idea whether the 1227 lvl is sufficient and should I spend
US$200 more to get the higher specification.
Peter N , Sep 16, 2004; 09:28 a.m.
Dennis my philosophy is to make sure that the camera support is overkill for the equipment. So many people post here about borderline support rigs because they're reluctant to spend the money on a tripod/ballhead.
If you can, get to a dealer and try your camera system on your tripods of choice - it's really the only way to satisfy yourself that you'll have stable support. I have a G1228 and that supports my Nikon F3hp+MD-4+80-200mm no problem. A 300mm zoom may be getting too close for comfort. The G1325 is a fantastic tripod with no center column and if you can deal with the size of it folded then I would seriously consider it, especially if you are considering heavier glass in the future.
Edward Ingold 
, Sep 16, 2004; 10:30 a.m.
The G-1325 is a better choice if this will be your main tripod. You might get a G-1227 or 1228, for extreme portability (still with adequate stiffness), as a second tripod. The 1228 is on the short side without raising the column.
I use an aluminum G-1346 with a G-1321 leveling head almost exclusively. I have an aluminum G-1226 for portability (air travel and hiking), which is barely adequate for an 80-200 lens or an Hasselblad. The G-1227 is much stiffer than the 1226, but not as stiff as the 1346.
Alex Lofquist , Sep 16, 2004; 04:19 p.m.
The Gitzo 1227/1228 will definitely support a 300mm lens. (This includes the f/2.8.) I regularly mount a 500mm f/4 and 1.4X TC and Kirk BH-1/Wimberly Sidekick on my 1228. No point in carrying a larger tripod than you need!
Dennis Ng , Sep 16, 2004; 11:24 p.m.
Many thanks for all the answers. Very helpful.
To be on the safe side and as the first good tripod, it seems it would be better to get 1325+1321 . But one last thought: is the hook below the 1227 lvl can mitigate the issue? Can it make the tripod more capable (by putting my camera bag there) to handle a bit more load than the catalog have suggested.
Another thing is about the cf tripod of gitzo. I have used to the idea with my old Slik tripod that you can use the pointed end on grass and switch to rubber on tile. It seems that cf tripod of gitzo does not have that. Only their aluminum tripod has that ffeature. Does it matter?
Peter N , Sep 17, 2004; 10:20 a.m.
Dennis the hook on the G1227/1228 can be used and it does help, but not in the wind!
You can get spikes for Gitzo tripods from Markins, and they make a set for the G1325 as well as other models including the G1227. I highly recommend Markins - the build quality of their stuff is of the highest order.
Dennis Ng , Sep 18, 2004; 05:42 a.m.
Thanks again.
Is hanging weight on the hook any help on deciding the 1227 and 1325?
I am not going to get a big gun for a while but may try folded 4x5 (which seems to be support under 1227) and 300mm only lens. It seems I am just on the margin.
Peter N , Sep 18, 2004; 11:05 p.m.
Is hanging weight on the hook any help on deciding the 1227 and 1325?
That is entirely up to you. Where do you use a tripod? Out in the open where it's windy, in a city, in a studio?
It seems I am just on the margin.
Well then that's a serious reason for strongly considering a G1325. If you know for sure that you currently have the gear you need to support that's one thing, but if you think you may go bigger then you need to account for it in the purchase. I assume you only want one tripod...
Dennis Ng , Sep 19, 2004; 12:37 a.m.
The main use will be on the mountain and windy/rain/... cannot help those. As this is the only one, it is a bit of struggle and I flip/flop. I have reviewed some of the answers posted in the large format/tripod and it seems that 1227/8 is ok. Hence, really on that margin of 1227 level and 1325/1321. Especially I still not sure about whether hanging on some weight will help.
