Rod Sorensen , Oct 30, 2003; 11:37 a.m.
I have long experience with my Gitzo 1348 and I love it. So much
that I bought a second one for my daughter to use when we go
photographing together. She no longer needs that one and so I
essentially have two 1348s to use. For what it's worth I have shot
with lenses up to 500mm with TC and noticed no problems with
stability.
BUT, I have plans to get a Wimberley head for my big lenses. Should
I sell one 1348 and get a 1548 for that, or would I be fine with my
1348 and a Wimberley and long lens atop it.
I would prefer to get some responses from people who have actually
used the lighter tripod this way, but I obviously appreciate anyone's
thoughts.
Hank Pennington , Oct 30, 2003; 12:28 p.m.
I've used the 1348 since its release, a high proportion of the time with my Wimberly, 500 f/4P and both 1.4 and 2x TC's, as well as with an assortment of 4x5's. No problems whatsoever and delightful service. It has never occured to me to move up to the 1548, and I truly question the need. Surely you have more pressing needs for the money? I would consider going the other way when buying a second tripod- the 1228 or something similar for use when you aren't carrying big glass. I went this route, and the smaller model provides great service with lenses up through the 300 f/4 or 80-200 f/2.8.
Hank
Shun Cheung 
, Oct 30, 2003; 12:48 p.m.
If you use a 600mm/f4 or 400mm/f2.8, there may be some justification to get a 1548. With a 500mm/f4, IMO a 1548 simply defeats the primary advantage of carbon fiber tripods, namely lighter weight. However, this is very much an individual decision.
Matt Cox , Oct 30, 2003; 02:01 p.m.
Rod -- I have both the 1348 and the 1548, along with a Wimberley and a 500f4. I always prefer to use the Wimberley and long lens on the 1548 -- it feels much more solid because it's less top heavy. Although you'll certainly be able to make a lot of shots with the 1348/Wimberley combo, you'll be able to stretch shutter speed a little lower with the bigger tripod. This applies for non-IS lenses by the way - if you have IS, the 1348 will be fine. If you can trade up one of the 1348s without taking a bath, I would recommend doing it.
Alex Lofquist , Oct 30, 2003; 02:07 p.m.
Gitzo 1228
This will work very well with a 300mm f/4 on a ball head and Wimberley Sidekick. I even use it with my 500P f/4, if it isn't too windy, and that makes for a light combination.
Alex Lofquist , Oct 30, 2003; 02:16 p.m.
Continuation of above comment.
I just finished reviewing a lot of slides that I made in Utah and Arizona. The ones that I made of Delicate Arch on a windy day with my 500/Gitzo 1228 and projected on a 7'X 7' matte screen by a Leica Pradolux/Colorplan lens are consistantly sharp on close-up viewing. There was some care involved to limit the amount of vibration from the gusts, but it wasn't prohibitive. Like anything else, technique will often surmount equipment limitations.
Jemini Joseph , Oct 30, 2003; 03:32 p.m.
Matt,
You are right. You can take sharp pictures at 1000mm even with a 2 series tripod if the shutter speed is above 1/1000. When the shutter speed is below 1/100 my 500+2X combo won't deliver sharp images unless I have mirror lockup or my 1340 set at it's lowest position.
I believe I could use 2X TC more often if I had 1548. Yes, this is where IS help.
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