The Gitzo GK1581OT is the worlds first Tripod and Ballhead made specifically for use in the most harsh environments especially the salty ocean. It is also the world´s first stainless steel tripod and head combo designed with one thing in mind. – Use it any invoiment and it will deliver the performance you can expect from a 1 series Gitzo tripod.
The kit consist of two Gitzo products the Gitzo 1541OT Tripod and the Gitzo GH1281OT Ballhead.
Starting with the Ballhead the first thing you will notice it the size. It´s quite small and very simple. There´s only one knob for drag, lock, unlock the ball and pivoting the base. Although it might seem too simple, it is clear that utilizing one knob allows for very quick operation. I use the head along with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 with great success.
The Panasonic GF1 being a small and capable camera the Gitzo GK1581OT kit is very well suited for a camera of this size. Tuning, adjusting and tweaking the Ballhead is a joy to use. Extremely quick and done with ease. Where ever you aim the head is where it will stay in place.
Using the bigger 1d series camera things don´t go as smoothly. Sure the GH1281OT Ballhead is able to carry the weight but quickly reveals that you do not want to use bigger lenses with the Ballhead – It is simply not powerful and strong enough for pleasant operations and fine tuning and tweaking is not a option! The tripod on the other hand has no problems with larger lenses.
On the Gitzo website you´ll find an ad and video where the photographer uses the Canon EF 100-400mm L telephoto lens. That´s definitely stretching it!
One of the most unique things and one the reasons why the Gitzo Gk581OT is among the most expensive Gitzo tripods, is the ability to sustain use in salt water. Current tripods especially the carbon fiber models are having a very hard time dealing with the salt from the open sea. Mainly the quick locks have a tendency to corrode and lock up if they have been used in salt water. That goes for other harsh environments, even more so in any watery area.
On the GT1541OT this is not a problem. It´s built for this harsh envioment.
The unique locks are suited with another lock specially made by Gitzo to this very kit to prevent debris and water from entering the tubes and therefore preventing the carbon fiber and locks to malfunction. It functions well and it is obvious the special lock catches all the debris I put the tripod through.
It´s worth mentioning I did not use the tripod in salt water!
As all Gitzo lock the quick locks functions superb! – Class leading both in speed and usability and the tripod can be erected in seconds and likewise closed in seconds.
Collapsed the Tripod only measures 43cm and weighing only 1.22kg. Adjusting it to maximum height the tripod measures a healthy 139cm. Add close to 10 centimeters for the head and another 10 for the camera body all you´ll get to eye level or above on the average human. Plenty of height for me.
One of the things that amazed me with the tripod and typically with Gitzo is the stability collapsed or fully erected. There´s almost no difference and you´ll have no doubt the rated 4kg´s which the tripod should be able to carry, is a bar set low. I´m sure you could go to 5kg without noticing a difference. At least in drag downwards. – Impressive!
A video made by Gitzo shows some of the capabilities of this special kit
Conclusion
I like the Gitzo GK1581OT kit but not unconditionally.
It feels like the brilliant GT1541OT Tripod is classes above the GH1281OT Ballhead.
Although I found the Ballhead great with a smaller camera using a larger like the 1d series with a wide angle lens was almost to much. Adding a bigger lens was no go without supporting it with your hands.
The tripod on the other hand was as impressive as they come. Superb handling, extreme lightweight and with promising specs it could live up to and more it´s hard not to recommend the Tripod. – But only if you´re a photographer who´s main subject are in the most extreme environments. Otherwise the regular 1541T is just as good.
Expensive and unique but not without certain value!
Gitzo GH1281OT
Gitzo GT1541OT
1 Comment
I thank danish Gitzo distributor TuraScandinavia for giving me the opportunity to review this Gitzo kit!