Why are geared center column tripods unpopular???

Hard to find any info here. It seems it would be a natural addition to someone such as myself who does macro and close-up product work paired with a geared head? Provides precise adjustment of 4th axis, no?

Stability

They exist. People who shoot macro pair them with marco rails.

If you shoot landscapes, you don't need one as much.

In no uncertain terms I line mike-d 's reply "Stability)

Manfrotto makes a geared column that clamps to a table. . . .Beyond that there are plenty of geared column tripods out there, it's just that a center column isn't as stable as no column, so you have to ask yourself what is more important; stability or ease of adjustment? I think most don't need that level of fine adjustment more than they need absolute stability.

They are bulky and usually not very stable. I also think most people find them less useful once they've had them for a bit too. They sound like a better idea then they actually are I think. At least that's how it ended up being for me many years ago when I tried one. What kind of macro are you shooting that you envision yourself setting up a geared head and tripod with?

Thanks Scatterbrained ... I know there are many products out there ... there just seems to be a lack of discussion of them here.

ben_r_ I mainly photograph quite a few watches mostly and do some other product work that requires some macro precision. I don't do a lot of traveling with my rig.

This is just the result of me mucking about a bit. I have photographed for some "microbrands" in the watch sector. I recently picked up a Manfrotto 405 head and a Velbon macro rail and was actually looking for more discussion here on the Manfrotto MT057C4-G, but was hard pressed to find any, let alone anything on geared tripods.

My Gitzo Studex geared center column is plenty stable...even with a view camera on it. (and I love the fact that I can elevate the camera relatively precisely with the twist of the crank).