PDA

View Full Version : Gitzo Tripod HELP! Does anyone understand?


CyberDyneSystems
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 11:11
I am now the proud owner of a very nice expensive Gitzo tripod.. that I have ABSOLUTLEY no use for :(

I have to tell you the Gitzo tripod line is the largest and most complex in existance,. and therefore I spent MONTHS researching this as best I can with the ridiculously little amount of information that is available on thisparticular aspect,.. Online,. from vendors,. etc.

Does anyone know how to even get the answer I am looking for, let alone what the answer is?

The QUESTION:

Exactly what tripods will work with the Gitzo Leveling base seen here;
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=166859&is=REG

Gitzos site says it will work with "systematic" tripods. Well if you look on Gitzos sight,. the simply don't lable ANY of there tripods "systematic" any more and I don't think they have for 20 years. Instead they use "Studex"

B&H says it will work with any series 3,4, or 5 tripods. These tripods are also the the ones called "Studex" RRS (where i bought the 1321 leveling base) says the same..

A little research indicates that a series three is a 13XX, four is 14xx and series five = 15xx,.. and that these three series , 3,4, & 5 are all "studex"

And yet,. the shiny new (used) 1312 "Studex" I have just received .. is totally and obviously incompatible with the 1321 leveling base. It does not have a removable base at all. (gitzo sometimes calls it a "base" sometimes and "platform" or a "plate" )

B&H had confirmed this combo would work,. so they don't know,. Gitzos own site says nothing.. and every other source I have tapped says 3,4 or 5, .. ie: 13xx, 14xx, or 15xxx and it will work... "all studex tripods have the removeable plate/base/platform system"

Well my 1312 does NOT have ANY removable plate system,. (even though from the build/design any ophoto will make it LOOK like it has the same plate system as the larger 4 and 5 sereis) ...on my tripod one can ONLY replace the column? No plate.

Then again on gitzo's site I find this;
G349 Circular camera platform for Tripod series 3.
G449 Circular camera platform for Tripod series 4+5.

Suddenly the 13xx series has a different sized platorm,. if so then how can the 1321 base (plate system) work with the 13xx if it works with the different sized 14xx and 15xx?

Not to mention that my particular 13xxx tripod in my living room has no option for a plate at all?

Can anyone shed some light on this ,. or do I have to keep buying Gitzo tripods untill I find one that will work. :( :( :( :(

Belmondo
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 11:25
No idea. I looked at the system, but decided it was of questionable value. I ended up buying a G1227 which I love.

HJMinard
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 12:39
I have no idea if this helps, but the Really Right Stuff website includes this note:

Gitzo 1321 Leveling Base: An excellent tool, particularly for panorama photography. Fits only the Gitzo Systematic tripods (like the G1325,G1340, G1410, G1548).

CyberDyneSystems
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 13:07
Indeed,. I purchased the 1321 base from RRS,. again the term "systematic" comes up.. and it is no longer used by Gitzo...

And there list is only 4 tripods so RRS' list is by no means complete. I can name about 15 others in the 14XX and 15XX series that I know it will fit as well as a few more 13xx...

Thanks though.. I just ordered a 1340 from B&H.. I can no longer wait for another used one..

I suppose I will be selling a really mint like new 1312 soon :)

Scottes
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 13:14
I would think psychonaut should know this. The man (now) knows everything about tripods.
:-)


Man, this really sucks. What a drag.
But I'll give you $20 for the tripod since it's no use to you. :-)

CyberDyneSystems
24th of March 2005 (Thu), 13:22
lol,,. I'm telling you Scottes,, by the time I'm done,.. this will have to be a list in our Tripod Sticky.. and THIS FORUM WILL BE THE ONLY PLACE that somone can find that info on the 'net.. period!

Oh,. on the other side of things,. this 1312 Gitzo is SUPER-MINTY ,. and wow! What a nice tripod!

My intention was to keep hte 3001pro as my small tripod.. but.. I wll be hard pressed to give up this 1312 .. it's really nice.