Sachtler ENG 2 CF tripod
A reader of The Sharpest Image inquires about the Sachtler ENG 2 CF carbon-fiber tripod as compared with the Gitzo models.
I used the Sachtler ENG 2 CF with the Burzynski head for a week in Norway last fall, kindly lent to me by Bjorn Rorslett of naturfotograf.com. The Burzynski head mounts into the 100mm bowl of the Sachtler, though a bolt/washer/nut are required to secure it. It’s a very solid low-resonance combination—as good as the best of the Gitzo line, albeit at a considerably higher price.
Portability is another matter. The Sachtler is bulkier due to the triple-tube design of its legs, and thus it is difficult to carry it using a small daypack, such as the North Face Recon. That makes it a poor fit with my needs, which involve hiking and easy portability. Even the moderately large Gitzo G1325 fits in my Recon daypack without trouble, although removing the Burzynski head is helpful.
The Sachtler legs also “flop” as compared to the Gitzo legs, which stay in position unless force is exerted on them. One can adjust to the “flop” characteristic, and some might prefer it, but I prefer the friction of the Gitzo legs, especially on unstable ground where I might be trying to keep my balance.
