On 4/23/2018 4:31 PM, Mike Gordon via olympus wrote:
<<<That's the center column mounted beside the spider? Always looked awkward
for normal use to me, but I've not tried one. I think they've been discontinued for some
time.
Yes, works quite well, IMO. I had not paid attention but the The Gitzo
Explorer GT 2541 EX seems to have been available from 2012-2017. Why it is
discontinued, is a mystery.
Do you know the story? Wikipedia saith:
"In 1992, Gitzo became part of the Vitec group, which also owns Manfrotto. Vitec are described in corporate literature
as "a multinational holding company specialized in supporting professional photographers, broadcasters and filmmakers."
1992 also marked the discontinuance of products outside camera support systems, including tripods, monopods, and tripod
heads."
In 2005, Gitzo completed their transfer of production from France to Italy, a
process which began in 2001"
Once no longer independent, the range of products was immediately constrained. Possibly good business. I seems to me
that further clarification of product lines has occurred. Gitzo does traditional, conservative, with twist locks.
Manfrotto does flip locks, 90° center columns, lighting clamps, Magic Arms, pull out legs, and so on. Stogy vs. flashy,
one might say. I would guess the EX line didn't "fit".
I vaguely recall the EX series started about 2000.
I don't see any at ALL on their site now. The fewer segment one was just too
long to fit in our usual suitcases---glad a a listee had me check--thanks, Jeff
Keller. No perfect 'pod.
Amen. And then . . . I often use B&H's web site for comparisons. Their Specs on Velbon tripods differ in many details
from the info on Velbon's own site, often quite strikingly, significant to large differences in height, weight, load,
folded length, etc.
The center column can cantilever out at numerous angles including past 90deg.
I can see the appeal, but am not sure of the practical implications. Need higher or lower and a different angle of view?
Change tripod height and adjust head. Dunno. Cogitation required; thought experiments.
The separate arms seem to weigh as much as my smaller pod and fixed at 90deg,
doesn't do the trick for me. The Bogen magic arm might work fine but again
not very compact. Benbo looks almost a large as the gitzo but have to look
more closely.
This issue remains unsolved.
Yes, all mysterious, with enigmatic wrappings.
Well, not completely mysterious. Velbon leg locks, at least the ones I have, are far easier to use than Manfrottos. Just
used my new to me Carmagne 630 again. What a joy to set up.
Tea Leaves Moose
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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