Both the Gitzo GT1542T Traveler Tripod Review and the 1541T are remarkable, compact and lightweight tripods, as indicated by the traveler's name. However, even when they are designed to fit in luggage and hit the road, both tripods still have the support and phenomenal stability that you would expect from a high-end equipment.
Starting with the GT1542T, as the newest model, a professional photographer would recognize that it can contain cameras and video equipment weighing more than 17.5 pounds without damaging the stability of the tripod. With this weight capacity, it can essentially support a high-end digital SLR camera, up to a professional caliber, in addition to a very long lens of the 200-millimeter variety.
You could put a flash and other equipment too, while still supporting the weight. That's an impressive ability for a tripod that weighs only 2.2 pounds. The lightweight is derived from the carbon fiber material for the construction of both versions of the Gitzo traveler tripod. Perhaps even more impressive is that this best lightweight travel tripods fold to a closed length of fewer than 16.75 inches.
In that size, the Gitzo GT1542T Traveler Tripod Review can fit in any carry-on luggage, travel backpacks or easily strapped to the back or the edge of a travel camera backpack. One of the reasons for this compact advantage is that the legs of the Gitzo Traveler come in four sections, in contrast to the tripods of three long sections that can have the same total height but bend less compactly.
As a sister tripod in the same series, the Gitzo GT1541T Traveler tripod has very similar technical specifications. It can support the same weight of more than 17.6 pounds and also does so with a tripod weight of 2.14 pounds. However, this tripod is even more impressive for its compact stature, which bends to just over 16.1 inches in length. Once again, the four leg sections make a difference by allowing it to fit in the travel bags. Like its newest complementary tripod, the GT1541T can support SLR cameras (digital or film) with lenses up to 200 millimeters, as well as compact camcorders.
When fully extended, both best lightweight travel tripods have the proper height, but they are not as tall as other professional tripods of the less compact variety. The GT1541T can reach approximately 55 inches (44.5 inches without the extended center column), while the GT1542T reaches more than 58.5 inches. That height is actually less than 46 inches in the latter when the center column is low and not raised. Even so, the center column brings with it the additional advantage of allowing low level shooting from the ground. The GT1541T can place your camera just under 7 inches off the ground, while the 1542T will lower your camera to less than 9 inches.
In general, these tripods are excellent travel accessories for photographers of any level. However, if you were to evaluate only a potentially small slaughter area, it is this limited height. The difference is especially noticeable for all photographers, but it will not go unnoticed by those who want to not lean when shooting.
Sara Taylor is an avid amateur photographer and a world traveler. It always brings the best tripod you can find in your travels and has recently reviewed the Gitzo GT1541T Traveler tripod for your travels and photography. Visit her site at “Best Travel Tripods in 2018”