Gitzo Gm-2540 Leg Diameter Ino, Please

[Lucio Gomes]

I'm about to buy a Gitzo GM-2540 6x monopod but can't find
any information on the leg diameters.
If you own one, could you please measure the legs for me?
If you have calipers it's easy, but even measuring around the
legs with a tape measure is ok.

thanks for the help!


Lucio

 

[Nill Toulme]

For what gear Lucio? I found the 3550 a little spindly for my 400 f/2.8L IS and went for the 5540.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

 

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

I'm about to buy a Gitzo GM-2540 6x monopod but can't find
any information on the leg diameters.

For what gear Lucio?

Indeed, what information do you expect to gain from the data on the tube diameters? There are more factors than just that for a tripod's usability appraisal, after all the structure of the '6x' tubes differs from previous Gitzo constructions.

Bart

 

[Lucio Gomes]

Bart,

I've had thinner-legged monopods before, and they all flexed under the load of
a 500mm f4+MkIIn body and a Wimberley Sidekick. I have a Feisol 1471 right now
that does not flex, and I'm sure it's the bigger diameter tubes on the Feisol that make
that possible. I'm not sure if the Gitzo 2540 tubes would not flex; they are 1mm thick, as opposed to the 1.5mm of the previous generation. I was hoping the extra strength of the new 6x series was due to bigger diameter tubes, now that they thinned the walls by 33%. I really like the G-lock+ARS, as I shoot birds and am constantly on the move, extending and collapsing the monopod as I go. I didn't want to spend so much on another monopod, but I think I'm just gonna spring for the GM-5540; that way I won't be disappointed.

thanks for the input


Lucio

 

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

I've had thinner-legged monopods before, and they all flexed under the load of a 500mm f4+MkIIn body and a Wimberley Sidekick.

So we're talking about an approximate combined load of 6 Kg.
Gitzo state that their GT series 2 has a max load of up to 12 Kg and they recommend them for 200mm lenses, 300mm maximum. Their GT series 3 have a max load of 18 Kg and are suitable for 300 up to 500mm lenses. Their most stable GT series 5 have a max load of 25 Kg and are recommended for 400mm or longer lenses. That means that theiy suggest to get something at least with a safety factor of 3x the weight. So for the heaviest 400 and 600mm lenses the series 5 is a must, for the 500mm a series 3 is just enough (but the series 5 would be safer).

I got the GT3540XLS (have yet to try the 500mm on it) because its height allows to not having to extend the lowest segments and still reach a nice working height. In that position it flexes less than my heavy Manfrotto 075B.

I really like the G-lock+ARS, as I shoot birds and am constantly on the move, extending and collapsing the monopod as I go.

Yes the G-lock and Anti-Leg-Rotation work great, and they allow to extend and securely lock all legs and segments in a matter of 10-15 seconds.

I didn't want to spend so much on another monopod, but I think I'm just gonna spring for the GM-5540; that way I won't be disappointed.

You won't regret that once in a lifetime investment, although for me (I'm tall) the max working height is too low (1.53 metres + camera and mount).

Bart

 

[Alain Briot]

I just got a Gitzo 2540 tripod and a 2640 monopod. I use both with RRS ballheads. The BH 50 with the 2540 and the smallest RRS ballhead with the monopod.

I use the 2540 with 4x5, medium format and 35mm digital. The longest / largest lens i use is the 70-200 canon so the weight isn't excessive.

I use the monopod with 35mm digital. The monopod is extremely light. The smallest leg is very thin and looks fragile but it doesn't have to be extended all the way to be at the proper height.

This is my first monopod. I'll use it when carrying a tripod is not practical. It folds down to 16" (43cm) because it has 6 leg sections. It's also Carbon Fiber 6x with non rotating, gravity locks. The top leg is slighly over 1" wide and the smallest one slightly over 1/4" wide. This is measuring with a ruler, not with calipers. The top leg is the same diameter as the 2240 legs. The monopod has a handstrap attached to it below the head and a handgrip with textured padded material is mounted on the top leg also under the head. One could use it as a walking stick if it wasn't for the smallest leg that looks like it will break under heavy use. It flexes easily.

Note that Gitzo tripods now come with soft bags. Not enough to replace a real tripod bag but enough to protect the tripod inside a camera backpack. I'll use the Gitzo bag for the monopod while the tripod goes into a real tripod bag. A bag is important to protect the tripod from sand and shocks.

If you have any specific questions about either let me know and I'll try my best to answer them. I've used Gitzos exclusively since 1984.