Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod
THE PROBLEM
Night photography requires you to use a rock-solid tripod in order to capture those sharp long exposures. While there are thousands of tripods on the market to choose from, many are very basic in their support of your precious camera, especially when having to keep it still for very long night exposures.
THE SOLUTION
The Gitzo GIGT2545T Series 2 Traveler is our desert-island tripod. It weighs under 3 pounds and will hold up to 26.4 pounds. The maximum height is 51.5 inches without a ball head, and it folds down to a svelte 17.5 inches.
All the NPAN members own a set of Gitzo sticks and most of us have owned the same tripod for 5 to 10 years. Gitzo is built to last and won’t disappoint in the field. Moreover, the price has come down on this popular model, and you can now find it for under $600.
We like to pair this tripod with the “Made in America” Acratech GPSS ball head, but you can also get a Gitzo kit that includes the GH1382QD ball head.
THE BREAKDOWN
Gabe and Hoodoos, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. © 2021 Matt Hill. Nikon Z 6 with a Laowa 15mm 2.0 Zero D lens. 2 seconds, f/2, ISO 25600.
WHEN THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TOOL
If you do other photo work that involves heavier setups than what night photographers tend to use, then you’ll want something that bears more weight. A common “rule” is that a tripod should be rated to support double what you’re planning to mount on it, so if you use a 9-pound 600mm lens for wildlife, look for a bigger tripod than this. The 2545 might also not be an ideal option if you’re working on a tight budget.
WHEN THIS IS THE RIGHT TOOL
The GIGT2545T is a Swiss Army Knife of tripods, balancing compactness and durability. If you are committed to night photography, you will need to invest in a solid tripod, and not a lot of them get better than this.
