Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

joel dowling
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

Hello all and thank you in advance.

I currently use a Gitzo 5 series and hope to add a geared center column to the kit. The standard Gitzo geared center column is pretty expensive for a piece of kit that I wish to only use when absolutely necessary and was hoping to gauge the community’s experience with using a Leofoto GC-404C in its place.

Any experience? And, as an appreciated sanity check, is this the correct Leofoto item for this purpose?

As always, thank you!

Sep 17, 2024 at 07:24 AM

Bobarino
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

I believe your answer is right here.

PS; I'm unabashedly envious.

I've been wanting one of these since I bought my standard-height series 5 Systematic.

Please do a review when you get it.

Sep 19, 2024 at 09:34 AM

joel dowling
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

That looks pretty sweet! If I pick one up, I’ll share the results. Thank you!

Bobarino wrote:
I believe your answer is right here.

PS; I'm unabashedly envious.

I've been wanting one of these since I bought my standard-height series 5 Systematic.

Please do a review when you get it.

Sep 19, 2024 at 02:51 PM

Just_Kyle_S
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

I don't have the Gitzo, but I am using the Leofoto GC-404C in a Leofoto LM-404CL tripod.
I've had both for almost a year and am very happy with them.

Sep 20, 2024 at 11:07 AM

joel dowling
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

I may end up picking the Leofoto geared column up in the near future - it looks pretty attractive! Thank you for weighing in.

Just_Kyle_S wrote:
I don't have the Gitzo, but I am using the Leofoto GC-404C in a Leofoto LM-404CL tripod.
I've had both for almost a year and am very happy with them.

Sep 21, 2024 at 08:26 PM

Andre Y
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Gitzo 5 series with a Leofoto geared center column - worth it?

I use the GC404C on a Gitzo GT5533L for my binocular telescopes, and it works fine. When installing it, you do have to align the crank handle so that it aims out between the tripod legs and is on the one face of the apex that is empty: that is, the one side of the apex that doesn't have the tightening screw and the accessory port, so that you can turn the handle without hitting anything. It's easier to see and do once you have it than to try to write in words!

As with any center column, once you raise it to the desired height, you have to tighten the collar to make sure it doesn't rock and is stable.

Oct 02, 2024 at 03:18 PM


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