Comments on: Gitzo GM3551 monopod

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:16:58 +0000

Nope, it’s pretty solid! I’ve never had any issues with it

By: Rubar

Rubar — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:18:16 +0000

Does’nt it flex anything at all? Even when pressing down on it to stabilize? Im debating between this and the GM5541

By: Alf T

Alf T — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:39:22 +0000

Thanks Richard for the input,currently have the Merkins M20,will try that out with the monopod as a test case.

Cheers.

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:47:33 +0000

Hi Alf. The GM3351 will easily hold a 200-400 VR with D3 attached so I have no doubt it will take the 200/2 as well. As far as a head for the monopod, I'd look at the MH-01 from Really Right Stuff as ballheads are not really suited to monopods IMO. Hope that helps...

By: Alf T

Alf T — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:40:15 +0000

Hi Richard, thanks for the informative review.

On a related topic, I’m currently using D700+battery grip, and looking for a monopod for my heaviest (yet) lens on my arsenal, the nikon 200mm f/2.

Will this GM3551 monopod be suited for the 200mm f/2 lens? and what other accesories (ie.ballhead) would you recommend?

Thanks.

By: Rob McEwen

Rob McEwen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:25:11 +0000

Hi Richard,

another very useful, informative review! Did you consider the GM5541 or was the lower maximum height of the GM3551 the reason you went for that one ? Do you use the GM3551 with the MH-01 or another head ?

Thanks,
Rob

By: Marc Langille

Marc Langille — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:28:04 +0000

Richard, I’m expecting the arrival of a Wimberley C-10 QR clamp that will mount directly on to my Giottos monopod (rated at 18kg too). For several reasons I am not much of a fan of standard ball heads on monopods since I prefer to keep things simple on the monopod – I have an Arca-Swiss Z1 single pan but it’s tripod only. As you know I now have a new super telephoto acquisition and it weighs in at 12.75lbs so a stout monopod is always a good thing. I may consider that Gitzo in the future though – a worthy piece of kit = very nice review.

I do like Lou’s recommendation: that Really Right Stuff MH-01 is now on my want list!

Regardss,
Marc

By: Richard Peters

Richard Peters — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:54:51 +0000

Thanks for the tip, I hadn’t seen the MH-01…now I have though, I want one!! Much better than a ballhead for this type of use. (must get round to taking some decent shots of the monopod as well to replace the old ones here!)

By: LOU

LOU — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:46:58 +0000

Hi, Richard:

I would REALLY urge you and your audience to investigate the Really Right Stuff MH-01 high-capacity monopod head in concert with their B2 pro “L” clamp vs. anything in the ball-head realm. For the basic purposes it was intended, one can use a monopod sans any head. But, if you want more flexibility – and easy/instant, up/down aiming – then you want the RRS pivoting head. I use it for airshows, birding and anytime it makes more sense to alter the pitch of the lens vs. moving my body/gear to a new shooting position.

Personally, I leave the MH-01 installed on my 5541 permanently, as it’s rock solid when “locked down” in the perpendicular. It is an awesome improvement over the Manfrotto 234 offering. RRS offers the photography community pinnacle tools.

What you DON’T want with a monopod: Any ability for your lens to flop from side to side. With a ball head, you’ll be addressing this issue constantly, and you’ll defeat the advantages of working from a one-legged support, plus it adds too much weight. One leg ain’t three!

By: B.I. van Sinttruije

B.I. van Sinttruije — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:30:48 +0000

Thanks for the review. I currently use a Manfrotto monopod, but the lock system is very old-fashioned and the thing’s pretty heavy. Being tall myself, I want to get a monopod that extends enough to use it at eye level and one that doesn’t weigh to much. I came across this Gitzo and I’ll be buying it some time in the near future! Again, thanks for reviewing it!