Manfrotto 535 vs Gitzo GT3531LSV at DVinfo.net

Owen Kilgour · January 27th, 2012, 06:19 AM

Has anyone made a comparison between these two tripods? I am particularly interested in their relative rigidity and resistance to windup.

For some time I have been trying to find information on the Sachtler TT tripod with out much success.
I am interested in getting this as part of a set with a Cine DSLR head. Recently I discovered the Sachtler and the Manfrotto 535 appear to be the same tripod other than the logo and colour of the leg locking leavers. Assuming this to be correct, I can now look for info on the much more common Manfrotto.

Chris Soucy · January 28th, 2012, 03:30 PM

Afraid I can't shed any light on the relative merits or otherwise of either the 535 or the Gitzo, so I'm no help there whatsoever.

Having had a pretty serious scrute of the available on line data, your suspicion that the 535 and the Sachtler TT 75/2 CF are one and the same would appear to be vindicated.

Interestingly though, the Sachtler is only available in the USA (says it quite clearly on the Sachtler web site) and, B&H for one appears NOT to be selling it as a stand alone set of sticks, but only as a full system, so: sachtler tt 75/2 cf

It would not suprise me if that big "S" logo carries a hefty premium over the humble Manfrotto.

Good luck with your search.

CS

Owen Kilgour · February 8th, 2012, 01:25 PM

Quite a few people seem to have looked at the thread so here is an update for anyone who is interested.

Barbara form Sachtler confirmed that the Sachtler TT and the Manfrotto 535 are one and the same. There are a lot of positive review for the Manfrotto. Not sure if Manfrotto buyers have different expectations to Sachtler buyers. The Sachtler TT is well priced when bought in a kit with a Sachtler head so there does not appear to be a premium to pay for the logo. I have not managed to test this tripod yet. Barbara very kindly offered to send me one to try but the crazy prices of Austrian post to return it make it a bit uneconomical.

I tried out a Gitzo 3541, the four section equivalent of the GT3531LS using my Manfrotto 701HDV head, 5DII and a 100mm lens. Tripod was not fully extended but up to my head height seemed like a realistic test. Tortured the tripod as much as I could and I could not detect any kickback even when reviewing the footage on my monitor at home.

January 27th, 2012, 06:19 AM	#1
Owen Kilgour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 30	Manfrotto 535 vs Gitzo GT3531LSV Has anyone made a comparison between these two tripods? I am particularly interested in their relative rigidity and resistance to windup. For some time I have been trying to find information on the Sachtler TT tripod with out much success. I am interested in getting this as part of a set with a Cine DSLR head. Recently I discovered the Sachtler and the Manfrotto 535 appear to be the same tripod other than the logo and colour of the leg locking leavers. Assuming this to be correct, I can now look for info on the much more common Manfrotto.

January 28th, 2012, 03:30 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Re: Manfrotto 535 vs Gitzo GT3531LSV Afraid I can't shed any light on the relative merits or otherwise of either the 535 or the Gitzo, so I'm no help there whatsoever. Having had a pretty serious scrute of the available on line data, your suspicion that the 535 and the Sachtler TT 75/2 CF are one and the same would appear to be vindicated. Interestingly though, the Sachtler is only available in the USA (says it quite clearly on the Sachtler web site) and, B&H for one appears NOT to be selling it as a stand alone set of sticks, but only as a full system, so: sachtler tt 75/2 cf It would not suprise me if that big "S" logo carries a hefty premium over the humble Manfrotto. Good luck with your search. CS

February 8th, 2012, 01:25 PM	#3
Owen Kilgour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 30	Re: Manfrotto 535 vs Gitzo GT3531LSV Quite a few people seem to have looked at the thread so here is an update for anyone who is interested. Barbara form Sachtler confirmed that the Sachtler TT and the Manfrotto 535 are one and the same. There are a lot of positive review for the Manfrotto. Not sure if Manfrotto buyers have different expectations to Sachtler buyers. The Sachtler TT is well priced when bought in a kit with a Sachtler head so there does not appear to be a premium to pay for the logo. I have not managed to test this tripod yet. Barbara very kindly offered to send me one to try but the crazy prices of Austrian post to return it make it a bit uneconomical. I tried out a Gitzo 3541, the four section equivalent of the GT3531LS using my Manfrotto 701HDV head, 5DII and a 100mm lens. Tripod was not fully extended but up to my head height seemed like a realistic test. Tortured the tripod as much as I could and I could not detect any kickback even when reviewing the footage on my monitor at home.