Gitzo 405R Super Studex Compact Tripod Legs + PL5 Heavy...

This heavy duty vintage Gitzo tripod has been custom assembled by the owner, to serve as a compact easily transportable tripod that is more than sufficiently sturdy to carry a large format camera (the last two pictures depict the tripod as its carrying the owner's large format camera - which is not included in this lot). It consists of two parts: 1) Gitzo 405R Super Studex Compact Tripod Legs with Rapid Center Column, 4-Section (produced from 1984 to 1991). In Gitzo's traditional naming system, the "405" indicated the model variation, while the "R" designated that it featured a sliding "Rapid" center column (as opposed to the "C" variant, which featured a Cremaillere geared crank column). It belongs to Gitzo's Series 3 category. 2) Gitzo PL5 "Bte S.G.D.G." Heavy Duty Low Profile Pan Tilt Tripod Head for Large Format Camera. PL5 heads that are stamped with the marking "Bte S.G.D.G." (which stands for Breveté Sans Garantie Du Gouvernement - a specific legal patent designation that was officially abolished in France in 1968), are built between 1950 and 1968. These original heads feature Gitzo’s iconic grey hammered-metal finish and were manufactured at the historic Gitzo factory in Paris, France, long before Gitzo transferred its manufacturing operations over to Italy in the early 2000s. The Gitzo PL5 was a "Series 5" equivalent piece of gear, widely praised by large-format photographers for its nearly indestructible, rock-steady aluminum build. In Gitzo's modern inventory, its direct spiritual successor is the Gitzo G1570M Series 5 Low Profile Head. Together tripod legs and head constitute a rocksolid base for large format, while both tripod legs (with 4 sections, rather than the 2 or 3 sections that are common) and head (with low profile) are compact enough to be transported in airplane carry on bags, particularly when head and legs are disconnected (see the 2nd picture). The functional condition of the tripod is excellent, it operates smoothly and easily. Physically there are scratches, but no bumps or mechanical defects. The joint weight of legs (3.1) and head (1.6) is 4.7 kg. It was a pleasure to use it as well as pass it on.

Estimate:£1.67

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