June 20, 2012
Mountain Goat Kid Playing at Mt. Evans, Colorado and the Gitzo GT5562GTS Tripod

Yesterday afternoon was the first time the Mountain Goat kids played where I could photograph them. It was loads of fun to watch them play. This little guy is just starting a jumping turn.

Gitzo GT5562GTS Tripod

I'm thoroughly enjoying the Gitzo GT5562GTS Tripod I bought to use with my Wimberley Head Version II. It's a 6x carbon-fiber model with six-segment legs that extend long enough (109 in or 277 cm) for shots on really uneven ground. It folds down to 29.5 in (75 cm) and weighs 7.9 lb (3.6 kg). I wish they made a similar model with just five segments because that would reduce the weight and cost a bit.

The legs are really long. I leave the bottom segments extended about 6 in (15 cm) to keep the bottom joints out of the dirt and sand, and then for most shots I don't even extend the top two segments. It's so convenient to be able to extend those "extra" top segments when the ground is uneven because the joints are right at hand level. I had been using a Gitzo GT3540XLS Tripod which "only" extends to 78 in (198 cm). I also leave the bottom segments of that tripod extended about 6 in (15 cm), and on level ground, the top segments are almost fully extended. On such occasions when I move from relatively level ground to really uneven ground while shooting, it's a real hassle to either reach way down to extend that bottom segment or partially retract a leg so I can reach the bottom joint.

The GT5562GTS is also rock solid! At normal heights, the GT3540XLS flexes a bit when putting it in place with the 500 on it — the GT5562GTS doesn't move at all.