Note: The Gitzo GT5540LS 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod has been replaced by the very-similar Gitzo GT5541LS.
 
The Gitzo GT5540LS 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod review has a prerequisite - read the Gitzo GT3530LSV Tripod Review first. This will familiarize you with the typical Gitzo features. Then, if you need a really solid, vibration free platform for your camera and large lens, come back to this review.
 
The biggest functional difference between the GT3530LSV and the GT5540LS for most photographers is the reduced vibration. The GT3530LSV will handle the biggest lens Canon makes, but the GT5540LS will hold the same gear even more vibration-free. I most often use this tripod for the Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens and Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens - when I do not have a great amount of hiking to do. I have used lenses as large as the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM Lens on the GT5540LS (shown below).

Yes, there are some penalties to pay for getting the ultimate tripod base for your big gear. The first penalty you will encounter is the price - This is not a cheap tripod. The next penalty you will suffer is in regard to the GT5540LS's size and weight. Even though it is made of Gitzo's 6x carbon fiber, it still weighs 6.5 lb (2.96 kg). A reasonably small folded length of 23.6" (60 cm) does not tell the entire story - it is much larger in diameter than the GT3530LSV.

The Gitzo GT5540LS 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod reaches a maximum height of 59.4" (151 cm) when extended. With legs opened wide, a minimum height 5.5" (14 cm) can be achieved. A load capacity 55 lbs (25 kg) should handle anything a photographer is interested in shooting with.

Prior to getting the Gitzo GT5540LS 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod, the Gitzo G1548 Carbon Fiber Tripod (above right) was my large lens tripod of choice. The GT5540LS's G-Locks are the biggest improvement over this tripod. They are much nicer to use. The GM5540LS weighs 6 lb 4.8 oz (2.85 kg) - 5.2 oz (.14 kg) less than the GT1548. This difference is not huge, but nice.
 
Had the Gitzo GT5540LS 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod not come along, I would have been perfectly content to continue using the GT1548. But now, having used the GM5540LS, I would have a harder time being content with the old pod.

 
   

 

 

 

 

* Canon EOS 1D X Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D Digital SLR Review
* Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review
more Canon Digital SLR Camera Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM Fisheye Lens Review
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens
Review
more Canon Zoom Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens Review
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L II Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens Review
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Soft Focus Lens Review
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Review
Canon Extender EF 2x III Review
more Canon Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens Review
more Canon EF-S Lens Reviews ...

Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens Review
Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
more Sigma Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II Lens Review
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens Review
* Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Lens Review
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens Review
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
more Tamron Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens Review
 
 
Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens Review
Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review
 
 
  (standardized results only at this time)  
 
   
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 320EX Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 270EX II Flash Review
more Flash & Lighting Accessory Reviews ...
 
Tripod, Monopod, Ballhead & Accessory Reviews
UV, Circular Polarizer & Other Filter Reviews
Camera & Lens Accessory Reviews
Lens & Sensor Cleaning Supplies Reviews
Camera Bag, Backpack & Lens Case Reviews
What I Use: Digital Cameras and Lenses
What I Use: Photography Accessories
 
* Text portion of this review is not complete

 
Introduction - Canon lens choosing is confusing!
What Focal Length(s) Do You Need?
What Maximum Aperture Do You Need?
Canon General Purpose Lens Recommendations
Canon Portrait Lens Recommendations
Canon Wedding Lens Recommendations
Canon Outdoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Indoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Macro Lens Recommendations
Canon Wildlife Lens Recommendations
Canon Landscape Lens Recommendations
 
ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Sample Crop Comparison
Vignetting Test Results Comparison
Lens Flare Comparison
Lens Distortion Comparison
Lens Specifications and Measurements Comparison
Lens Product Image Comparison
 
Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Canon Cameras and Lenses
Field of View Crop Factor (Focal Length Multiplier)
Canon L Lens Series
USA vs. Gray Market/Imported Canon Lenses - the difference?
Zoom vs. Fixed Focal Length (Prime) Lenses
Canon Lens Date Codes - How old is that lens?
Canon Lens Vignetting (Light Fall-off)
Lens Hoods - Do I really need to use one?
Canon Lens Rebates
UV Filters - Should they be used?
 
Canon Digital SLR Camera Sample Pictures
Canon Zoom Lens Sample Pictures
Canon Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF-S Lens Sample Pictures
Sigma Lens Sample Pictures
Tamron Lens Sample Pictures
Tokina Lens Sample Pictures
Zeiss Lens Sample Pictures
Flash & Lighting Accessory Sample Pictures
Filter Sample Pictures
Best of the Site Pictures
Sensor Cleaning
Watch the Background!
Exposure Basics
Digital Workflow - Using Canon Digital Photo Professional
Fireworks Photography Tips
Photography Equipment & Liability Insurance
Packing for a Landscape Photography Trip
Counterfeit Camera Accessories Warning
Camera & Lens Focus Calibration Testing
How To Use a Gray Card
Circular Polarizing Filters Can Make A Huge Difference
How to Remove a Stuck Lens Filter
Air Show Pictures & Photography Tips
More Photography Tips ...

 

 

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