Gitzo Systematic Geared Centre Column

A Systematic tripod ships with a flat plate and no column, which is why it is rigid. When a shoot needs fine height adjustment with a heavy head already mounted, this geared column drops into the same top casting: the crank raises and lowers the load a few millimetres at a time rather than the operator fighting a friction collar.

A safety catch holds the column if the lock is released under load, so a gimbal and a long lens cannot slam down. Fitting is a twist-to-lock swap with the flat disc, no tools. The Series 2-4 column is aluminium, 47 cm tall and 1.09 kg; the Series 5 versions fit the larger 90 mm castings, with the Long version adding travel.