Gitzo

Gitzo S.A. is a manufacturer of photographic accessories, including bags, but specialising in tripods and supports.

History

Gitzo was founded in France by Arsène Gitzhoven in 1917,{{cite web |url=https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/gitzo/gitzo-world |title=History |publisher=Manfrotto |accessdate=September 24, 2017}} initially producing wooden and metal cassette filmbacks, and later expanding to include a line of cameras, shutters, and cable releases.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/company.html |title=About Gitzo |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012021825/http://www.gitzo.com/en/company.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead }} Between 1942 and 1944 during World War II, the company produced military support systems.

File:Gitzo G226 Reporter Performance (35680342680).jpg

During the late 1940s, tripods and tripod heads were introduced into their product range, and shortly after, Gitzhoven retired in 1960, succeeded by his daughter, Yvonne Plieger, who also modeled in early Gitzo advertising photographs.{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/gitzo/786584804/ |title=Yvonne Plieger |website=flickr |date=10 February 2003 |accessdate=21 July 2017}} She and her husband became more and more dedicated to creating a range of high quality photographic tripods.{{cite web |url=https://www.manfrotto.us/gitzo/gitzo-world |title=Gitzo World |publisher=Manfrotto |accessdate=21 July 2017}} In 1950, Gitzo marketed its first tripod.

In 1992, Gitzo became part of the Vinten group (now Videndum), which also owns Manfrotto. Vitec are described in corporate literature as "a multinational holding company specialised in supporting professional photographers, broadcasters and filmmakers."{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/webdav/site/gitzo/shared/gitzo_news/cataloghi/GB_GITZO_CATALOGUE_2007_INTERNATIONAL.pdf |title=International Catalogue |date=2007 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405225012/http://www.gitzo.com/webdav/site/gitzo/shared/gitzo_news/cataloghi/GB_GITZO_CATALOGUE_2007_INTERNATIONAL.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2007 |url-status=dead}} 1992 also marked the discontinuance of products outside camera support systems, including tripods, monopods, and tripod heads.

Gitzo introduced the first professional carbon fiber tripod and monopod at Photokina in 1994. The Gitzo factory in Paris was expanded in 1996 to {{convert|6200|m2|abbr=on}}.

In 2005, Gitzo completed their transfer of production from France to Italy, a process which began in 2001.

Design

In August 1999, Gitzo unveiled their revised "Mk2" aluminum tripod range, eliminating the rivets in the joint connecting the leg to the shoulder and repositioning the center column lock on rapid models to above the 'spider'.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/home/news/details.html?id=9 |title=Mk2 Classic Aluminum Tripods |date=9 August 1999 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=21 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000523120447/http://www.gitzo.com/home/news/details.html?id=9 |archive-date=23 May 2000 |url-status=dead }}

File:Gitzo 1541T Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod Collage Legs.jpg

A number of different designs have been introduced under Vitec:

Explorer (2000) – legs may be locked at any intermediate position between 0° and 90°, and the center column may be inclined relative to the 'spider' where the tripod legs come together, allowing flexibility for close-up and macro photography similar to the movements afforded by the Benbo/Uni-loc tripod range.{{cite press release |url=http://www.gitzo.com/news/details.php3?newsid=3 |title=Discover the Explorer |date=12 October 2000 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=21 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040422161703/http://www.gitzo.com/news/details.php3?newsid=3 |archive-date=22 April 2004 |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15H6PdH4N3kC&pg=PT126 |title=Close-Up and Macro Photography |author=Davies, Adrian |date=2010 |publisher=Focal Press |location=Burlington, Massachusetts |isbn=978-0-080-95904-7 |accessdate=21 July 2017}}
Traveler (2004) – legs may be swiveled up by 180° to nest the head within the legs for a more compact fold when traveling.
Leveling (2004) – center column may adjust by up to 12° from vertical to allow rapid leveling of camera.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/products/metric/tripods/leveling/rightscreen.php3 |title=leveling tripods |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=21 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050227235142/http://www.gitzo.com/products/metric/tripods/leveling/rightscreen.php3 |archive-date=27 February 2005 |url-status=dead }}
Ocean (2009) – stainless steel casting and sealed leg locks to minimize intrusion of corrosive environments, such as salt water.{{cite news |url=http://www.photographyblog.com/news/gitzo_ocean_traveler/ |title=Gitzo Ocean Traveler |author=Arva-Toth, Zoltan |date=20 April 2009 |publisher=Photography Blog |accessdate=21 July 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/interwritelearning/docs/gitzo_2014_catalogue

|title=Gitzo Products Catalogue |date=2014 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=21 July 2017}} Discontinued by 2015.

=Materials=

File:Stativ Gitzo GT3541L GH2780QR 01 12.jpg

Gitzo have used a variety of materials. Early Gitzo tripods and monopods were manufactured from aluminum alloys, finished in the characteristic 'noir décor' hammered grey powder coating process developed in the 1970s. In 1994, carbon fiber legs were introduced into the range. In 2004, Gitzo introduced a new "basalt" series with tubes manufactured from silica fibers drawn from crushed and melted basalt rock, touting its vibration-damping properties.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/basalt-fibers-alternative-to-glass |title=Basalt Fibers: Alternative to Glass |author=Ross, Anne |date=August 2006 |magazine=CompositesWorld |accessdate=21 July 2017}}{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VXuHSxSBuNAC&pg=PT35

|title=Innovation: New materials |date=April 2005 |magazine=Popular Photography |accessdate=21 July 2017}} By 2015, carbon fiber was the sole leg material offered.{{cite web |url=http://www.blende7.at/datenblaetter/Slach062017/Gitzo-2015-product-catalogue.pdf |title=Gitzo Product Catalogue |date=2015 |website=blende7 |accessdate=21 July 2017}}

Today, most cast parts (such as the 'spider' where the legs are joined) are made from magnesium, replacing the aluminum alloys previously used, although Gitzo have made limited production items with more exotic 'spider' materials, such as titanium (to mark their 90th anniversary) and carbon fiber (to mark their 100th anniversary).{{cite press release |url=http://www.photographyreview.com/reviews/gitzo-limited-edition-titanium-traveler-tripod-press-release |title=Gitzo Limited Edition Titanium Traveler Tripod |date=18 October 2007 |publisher=Photography Review |accessdate=21 July 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.photogearnews.com/arsene-gitzhoven-traveler-tripod-marks-100-years-of-gitzo/ |title=Arsène Gitzhoven Traveler Tripod marks 100 years of Gitzo |author=Coleman, Tim |date=24 June 2017 |publisher=Photo Gear News |accessdate=21 July 2017}}

=Naming=

Gitzo used a series of names interchangeably with the current "series" notation:

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" \|+Gitzo naming conventions{{cite web \|url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/45classic.html \|title=Forty five Classic Aluminum Tripods \|publisher=Gitzo \|accessdate=20 July 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012034525/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/45classic.html \|archive-date=12 October 1997 \|url-status=dead }}{{cite web \|url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods.html \|title=Monopods \|publisher=Gitzo \|accessdate=20 July 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012023838/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods.html \|archive-date=12 October 1997 \|url-status=dead }}
Series ! Name ! Top tube diameter ! Maximum load ! Notes
00 \| Loisir or Table \| {{convert\|16\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|2.5\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| Loisir (French for 'leisure')
0 \| Weekend \| {{convert\|20\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|2.5\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| "MonoTrek" combination monopod/walking stick with integrated ball head has a 20mm diameter top tube.{{cite web \|url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods/monotrek.html \|title=Monotrek® \|publisher=Gitzo \|accessdate=20 July 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012023445/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods/monotrek.html \|archive-date=12 October 1997 \|url-status=dead }}
1 \| Total or Sport \| {{convert\|24\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|4.5\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| Sometimes written as 'Tatalux'
2 \| Reporter \| {{convert\|28\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|6.0\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \|
rowspan=2 \| 3 \| Studex \| rowspan=2 \| {{convert\|32\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|9.0\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| Monopods offered up to "Studex" (32mm) diameter.
Inter Pro Studex \| {{convert\|10.0\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| Compared to Studex, includes wing lock-offs on top tube and platform interchange system instead of center column, in common with Series 4 and 5.
rowspan=2 \| 4 \| Super Studex \| rowspan=2 \| {{convert\|37\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| rowspan=2 \| {{convert\|12.0\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \| In the 1987 catalogue, no wing locks and fixed leg spread (non-Performance).
Pro Studex \| style="text-align:left;" \| In the 1987 catalogue, no wing locks and Performance variable leg spread. Later, wing locks were added to all Series 4.
5 \| Tele Studex \| {{convert\|41\|mm\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| {{convert\|20.0\|kg\|disp=br\|abbr=on}} \| style="text-align:left;" \|

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Gitzo naming conventions{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/45classic.html |title=Forty five Classic Aluminum Tripods |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012034525/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/45classic.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods.html |title=Monopods |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012023838/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead }}

Series

! Name

! Top tube diameter

! Maximum load

! Notes

| Loisir or Table

| {{convert|16|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|2.5|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | Loisir (French for 'leisure')

| Weekend

| {{convert|20|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|2.5|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | "MonoTrek" combination monopod/walking stick with integrated ball head has a 20mm diameter top tube.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods/monotrek.html |title=Monotrek® |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012023445/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/monopods/monotrek.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead }}

| Total or Sport

| {{convert|24|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|4.5|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | Sometimes written as 'Tatalux'

| Reporter

| {{convert|28|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|6.0|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" |

rowspan=2 | 3

| Studex

| rowspan=2 | {{convert|32|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|9.0|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | Monopods offered up to "Studex" (32mm) diameter.

Inter Pro Studex

| {{convert|10.0|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | Compared to Studex, includes wing lock-offs on top tube and platform interchange system instead of center column, in common with Series 4 and 5.

rowspan=2 | 4

| Super Studex

| rowspan=2 | {{convert|37|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| rowspan=2 | {{convert|12.0|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" | In the 1987 catalogue, no wing locks and fixed leg spread (non-Performance).

Pro Studex

| style="text-align:left;" | In the 1987 catalogue, no wing locks and Performance variable leg spread. Later, wing locks were added to all Series 4.

| Tele Studex

| {{convert|41|mm|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|20.0|kg|disp=br|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:left;" |

Gitzo also used the term "performance" to distinguish tripods which offered multiple leg angles of 24° and 55° (plus an additional 80° leg angle on Inter Pro Studex, Pro Studex, and Tele Studex models), compared with "standard" tripods that had a fixed leg opening angle of 24°.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods.html |title=Tripods |publisher=Gitzo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012023953/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead |accessdate=20 July 2017 }} "Mountaineer" tripods and monopods are manufactured with carbon fiber legs. "Safari" tripods and monopods (now discontinued) featured an olive drab finish and reversed legs, where the largest-diameter section is on the bottom, to improve environmental sealing.{{cite web |url=http://life.csu.edu.au/~dspennem/photography/cameratopia/Cameratopia_Gitzo/pdf_DHRS/Gitzo_Leaflet_Safari_Heitz.pdf |title=Gitzo Safari Tripods (Karl Heitz) |date=1987 |publisher=Gitzo SA |accessdate=14 August 2017}}

When center columns are fitted to tripods, "rapid" columns are secured with a friction-based twist lock and "geared" or "crémaillère" use a rack-and-pinion mechanism to adjust column height coupled with a twist lock. "Compact" and "geant" tripods feature more leg sections either for a more compact package when folded ("compact", typically four leg sections) or to reach greater heights ("geant", typically five leg sections).{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/home/products/metric/tripods/45classic/rightscreen.html |title=36 Classic Tripods |publisher=Gitzo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000915085012/http://www.gitzo.com/home/products/metric/tripods/45classic/rightscreen.html |archive-date=15 September 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=20 July 2017 }} "Compact" is also applied to special short rapid columns intended to allow the tripod to get closer to the ground.{{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/centrecolums.html |title=Centre Columns |publisher=Gitzo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012034625/http://www.gitzo.com/en/metric/tripods/centrecolums.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead |accessdate=20 July 2017 }}

==Model naming conventions==

Products introduced after 2007 follow a standardized coding system:{{rp|69}}

class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"

style="font-size:150%;"

colspan=2|Gitzo Type

| colspan=2|Series

| colspan=2|Material

| colspan=2|Le.g. sections

colspan=2|Head type

| colspan=2|Release/Generation

| colspan=2|Features

colspan=2|Family

style="font-size:80%;"

| B

Boom

| -

Table{{efn|series 00}}
{{convert|16|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| 3

Aluminum

| 3

3 leg sections

2-way

| #

Rev number{{efn|starts from 0 and proceeds by integers}}

| C

Compact{{efn|replaced by the Traveler designation}}

Explorer{{efn|variable leg spread}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| C

Carrying
solution{{efn|bags, vests, etc.}}

| 0

Weekend
{{convert|20|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| 5

Carbon fiber

| 4

4 leg sections

3-way

| rowspan=6 colspan=2|

| GT

Giant{{efn|typically fitted with five or more leg sections}}

Safari{{efn|olive drab finish variant}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| H

Head

| 1

Sport
{{convert|24|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| 7

Magnesium

| 5

5 leg sections

Off-center ball

| L

Long{{efn|taller compared to other models with the same designation}}

LVL

Leveling{{efn|platform or base to set head on horizontal level}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| K

Kit{{efn|combination of tripod legs and head}}

| 2

Reporter
{{convert|28|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| 9

Basalt

| 6

6 leg sections

Center ball

| O

Ocean{{efn|special materials, sealing, and other features to resist corrosion}}

Quick Release{{efn|for heads, two letters designate QR system:

QR Gitzo proprietary plate
QD compatible with Arca-Swiss dovetail plates}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| M

Monopod

| 3

Studex
{{convert|32|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| rowspan=3 colspan=2|

| rowspan=3 colspan=4|

| XL

Extra-long

Systematic{{efn|open spider allows interchangeable top support: rapid column, geared column, or platform}}{{efn|SV designates spider with built-in video bowl}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| S

Accessory

| 4

Pro Studex
{{convert|37|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

| rowspan=2 colspan=2|

Traveler{{efn|180° leg fold}}

style="font-size:80%;"

| T

Tripod

| 5

Tele Studex
{{convert|41|mm|abbr=on|disp=br}}

;Notes

For instance, GT3541L means the product is a Series 3 (studex) carbon fiber tripod with "long" four-section legs, release/generation 1.

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.gitzo.com}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/gitzo/ |title=Gitzo |website=flickr |date=21 April 2012 |accessdate=21 July 2017}}

=Catalogues=

1987: {{cite web |url=http://life.csu.edu.au/~dspennem/photography/cameratopia/Cameratopia_Gitzo/pdf_DHRS/Gitzo_Catalogue_Karl_Heitz.pdf |title=Gitzo Catalogue (Karl Heitz) |date=1987 |publisher=Gitzo SA |accessdate=14 August 2017}}
1987 (Monopods): {{cite web |url=http://life.csu.edu.au/~dspennem/photography/cameratopia/Cameratopia_Gitzo/pdf_DHRS/Gitzo_Leaflet_Monopods_Heitz.pdf |title=Gitzo Monopod Catalogue (Karl Heitz) |date=1987 |publisher=Gitzo SA |accessdate=14 August 2017}}
1987 (Safari): {{cite web |url=http://life.csu.edu.au/~dspennem/photography/cameratopia/Cameratopia_Gitzo/pdf_DHRS/Gitzo_Leaflet_Safari_Heitz.pdf |title=Gitzo Safari Tripods (Karl Heitz) |date=1987 |publisher=Gitzo SA |accessdate=14 August 2017}}
1997: {{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/en/products.html |title=Gitzo Products |date=1997 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012022023/http://www.gitzo.com/en/products.html |archive-date=12 October 1997 |url-status=dead }}
2000: {{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/home/products/metric/rightscreen.html |title=Gitzo Products |date=2000 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816061830/http://www.gitzo.com/home/products/metric/rightscreen.html |archive-date=16 August 2000 |url-status=dead }}
2007: {{cite web |url=http://www.gitzo.com/webdav/site/gitzo/shared/gitzo_news/cataloghi/GB_GITZO_CATALOGUE_2007_INTERNATIONAL.pdf |title=International Catalogue |date=2007 |publisher=Gitzo |accessdate=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405225012/http://www.gitzo.com/webdav/site/gitzo/shared/gitzo_news/cataloghi/GB_GITZO_CATALOGUE_2007_INTERNATIONAL.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2007 |url-status=dead}}
2008: {{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/vitec_italia/docs/cat_gitzo_photokina |title=photokina 2008: 2009 catalogue preview |date=2008 |website=issuu |accessdate=5 December 2017}}
2009: {{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/interfoto/docs/gitzo09 |title=2009 Collection |date=2009 |website=issuu |accessdate=5 December 2017}} {{cite web |url=https://www.in-motiongroup.com/FileUploads/Gitzo%20Cat%202009_1320099918_3.pdf |title=2009 Collection |date=2009 |website=in-motiongroup |accessdate=22 September 2018}}
2011 (Safari): {{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/interwritelearning/docs/gitzo_safari_leaflet_gb_version2 |title=Safari collection |date=2010–2011 |website=issuu |accessdate=5 December 2017}}
2012 (Systematic): {{cite web |url=http://www.singerphoto.co.za/SingerPhotographicOnlineDocuments/WebImages/CataloguePDFs/gitzo2012systematictripods.pdf |title=Systematic |date=2012 |website=Singer Photo |accessdate=22 September 2018}}
2014: {{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/interwritelearning/docs/gitzo_2014_catalogue |title=Products catalogue |date=2014 |website=issuu |accessdate=5 December 2017}}
2015: {{cite web |url=http://www.blende7.at/datenblaetter/Slach062017/Gitzo-2015-product-catalogue.pdf |title=Gitzo Product Catalogue |date=2015 |website=blende7 |accessdate=21 July 2017}}
2018: {{cite web |url=https://slach.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GITZO_Catalog_2018-09_GB.pdf |title=framed on Gitzo |date=2018 |website=slach.at |access-date=30 July 2021}}

Category:Photography equipment manufacturers of France

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1917

Category:French brands

Category:1917 establishments in France