Choosing a tripod is a bit like choosing a travel companion—you want something reliable, adaptable, and that won’t let you down when conditions turn rough. About six months ago, we picked up the Gitzo GT3543LS Systematic Series 3 tripod along with the GH4383LR Series 4 Center Ball Head from Foto.no in Oslo. At first glance—and first use—this combo looked like a dream team. But after more than half a year of real-world use in places like Lofoten and Dovrefjell, things got a bit more complicated.

First Impressions: A Different League

As soon as we unboxed the Gitzo GT3543LS, we knew it wasn’t playing in the same league as our old Benro. Not small, not light—but seriously solid. To illustrate the difference, the first thing we did was set them side by side.

The Gitzo felt like a precision instrument—every joint, clamp, and carbon weave gave off an aura of craftsmanship. The Benro, which has served us well for years, suddenly felt dated: thinner legs, looser tolerances, and noticeably more flex when fully extended. You can physically see the difference in materials, finish, and overall footprint in the comparison shots.

The Gitzo’s top plate is another standout feature. With its flat modular design, it gives us the flexibility to mount various heads and accessories, and locks in securely without a millimeter of play. Whether we’re attaching a heavy gimbal or switching to a leveling base, it’s designed to handle the load with unwavering stability.

Then there’s Gitzo’s G-lock Ultra system. This is where we noticed a huge jump in quality. The twist locks on our Benro always worked "well enough"—until we tried Gitzo. The G-locks are smooth, secure, and give a clear tactile response when locked. Even with gloves on during our Lofoten workshop, adjustments were quick and precise. And when fully extended, the legs stay locked like steel beams—not a hint of sag or slip.

When we say solid, we mean hurricane-proof solid. In Lofoten, we were out shooting in full arctic chaos: gale-force winds, sleet, and sideways rain. The Benro needed constant babysitting to avoid tipping. The Gitzo? It stood like a statue, unmoved, like a carbon-fiber Norse god.

Tripod Feet: The Secret Weapon

A huge part of that stability comes from the feet. Gitzo uses what can best be described as suction cup-style rubber feet, and they’re game-changing. Whether we’re setting up on slick rock at Uttakleiv, wet moss on Dovrefjell, or frozen tundra in Varanger, the tripod just grips. There’s a kind of peace of mind knowing your camera isn’t going anywhere—even when you step a few meters away to help a participant or line up a second angle.

GH4383LR Ball Head: Smooth, Capable... and Eventually, Broken

At first, the GH4383LR seemed like the perfect match. It’s a big head—visually, it dominates the top of the tripod—but it doesn’t feel as heavy as it looks (just under 1 kg). And more importantly, it can handle a massive load—up to 30 kg. That’s more than enough for our Sony A1 with a 400mm f/2.8 GM attached, plus accessories.

The panning and tension control are buttery smooth, and the Arca-Swiss lever clamp is fast and secure—especially useful when you’re wearing gloves or working fast. At first, we thought this might become our go-to setup for every shoot.

But then... five and a half months in, the unthinkable happened. A metal component inside the locking mechanism snapped. No drop. No accident. Just routine use. The head became completely unusable.

Let’s be honest: when you spend nearly 6,000 NOK on a ball head, this should not happen. We own tripod heads that cost a third of the price and are still going strong after 10+ years. This failure was disappointing—not just for what broke, but for what it represented in terms of trust.

Service Should Match the Product – But Doesn’t

We brought the broken head back to Foto.no expecting premium support, especially considering the product’s warranty and price point. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming.

It felt like we had to push for even basic follow-up. There was no urgency, no sense of accountability, and definitely no clear resolution. Weeks passed with little communication—meanwhile, we were running workshops and assignments without our main ball head. It left a bitter taste. When you invest in professional gear, you expect professional support. This was not it.

Would We Recommend It? Yes—but With Caveats

We still use the GT3543LS tripod. It’s a workhorse and our go-to in rough conditions. But would we recommend it - not so sure. We want to have reliability, that just work when we need it, and based on the experience with the ball head, put a big question mark on Gitzo as a brand and its value chain.

Specifications & Prices (as of 2025)

The product we bought was and have tested is;

Gitzo GT3543LS tripod, cost approximately 12.000 NOK / $1,100 , weigh 2.03 kg, and is 146 cm high folded out, It can handle a whopping 28 kg of gear on top.
Gitzo GH4383LR Ball Head, cost approximately 6.000 NOK / $550, weigh 0.85 kg and it can handle 30 kg of camera gear on top

Final Thoughts

The Gitzo GT3543LS tripod and GH4383LR ball head offer world-class performance—when they work. The tripod has become our most trusted tool on demanding assignments and workshops. The ball head delivered beautiful, smooth handling—until it broke.

For any photographer investing in premium gear: be aware. The tripod is an absolute beast in the best way. The head? We'll be watching closely. And make sure your retailer backs up their promises. Great gear deserves even better service.