Photography Minute

Gitzo GM5561T

I recently ordered a Gitzo GM5561T 6X Carbon Fiber 6 Section Series 5 Traveler Monopod from Amazon and I’m loving it. Previously, I had a Manfrotto 679B Monopod 3-Section, which wasn’t bad but something never felt ‘right’ about the 679B.

My main purpose for buying this particular monopod was to make it easy to travel with.   The Manfrotto is twice as long as the Gitzo and is hard to pack and transport…the Gitzo seems like it will be much easier.

Compared to the Manfrotto, the Gitzo is much shorter when collapsed and feels better in my hands.  The Gitzo also hold much more capacity (55 pounds vs the Manfrotto’s 22 pounds).

Of course, the higher capacity Gitzo comes at a higher price: the Manfrotto 679B is ~$50 and the Gitzo GM5561T is $350, but to me its worth it…why you ask?

Mainly because my camera and lens combo feels more stable on the Gitzo. Even though I’m shooting a releatively small setup of a Canon EOS 5D and a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM, handholding just hasn’t been working that well for me.  The monopod has been helping me quite a bit but the Gitzo seems to be supporting my shooting style much better than the Manfrotto did.

I’m pairing this Gitzo GM5561T with a Really Right Stuff High Capacity Monopod Head (which I’ve just ordered – along with RRS plates for camera and lens).

This setup (with the RRS monopod head) is overkill for my current lens but I’m currently planning on upgrading to a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM or Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM once I save up enough money…which may be a while..photography is expensive!!

When I get up to the bigger lenses, I may need to move up to a tripod, but I’ve heard good things about photographers using monopods with these big lenses…so I’m going to try it.

I love this monopod…if you need a new monopod and can spare $350, I’d say jump at the opportunity to buy this Gitzo.

Hat tip to Paul Burwell for the pointer to the RRS Monopod head.

Related posts:

1. Really Right Stuff Monopod Head Product Review
2. Induro CT314 Carbon Fiber 8X Tripod – Product Review
3. Canon EF 400mm 5.6 L USM – quick review
4. Wish List additions – Tripods: Gitzo GT5541LS and Gitzo GT3530LSV
5. Canon 7D DSLR – Product Review