The Gitzo G1220 MK2 is an all around style tripod back from when aluminum was the best material available for tripod legs. The G1220 MK2 is very sturdy for an aluminum tripod, but pays for it in weight. The build quality is excellent and feels like it will last decades, which it probably has. The stiffness is within normal range, but the damping is outstanding for an aluminum tripod.
Name | Gitzo G1220 MK2 |
---|---|
Class | All Purpose |
Stiffness About Vertical Axis | 699 +/- 4 Nm/rad |
Damping About Vertical Axis | 0.196 +/- 0.02 Js/rad |
Stiffness About Radial Axis | 1894 +/- 52 Nm/rad |
Damping About Radial Axis | 2.37 +/- 0.24 Js/rad |
Retail Price | $250 |
Weight | 4.93 lbs (2.236 kgs) |
Manufacturer weight rating | 13.2 lbs |
Maximum Height | 47.7 in (121.2 cm) |
Minimum Height | 21.0 in (53.3 cm) |
Max Height with Center Column | 60.3 in (153.2 cm) |
Center Column | Yes |
Base Diameter | 2.9 in (7.4 cm) |
Folded Length | 22.7 in (57.7 cm) |
Folded Circumference | 10.6 in (26.9 cm) |
Folded Volume | 203.0 cu. in. (3.3 liters) |
Leg Material | Aluminum |
Leg Sections | 3 |
Primary Leg Angle | 24 deg |
Leg Locks | Twist |
Top Tube Diameter | 28.3 mm |
Second Tube Diameter | 24.1 mm |
Third Tube Diameter | 20.0 mm |
Exchangeable Feet | No |
Foot Type | Rubber |
Bottom Hook | Yes |
The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement. The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data. I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data. All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating.
Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:
This very respectable performance for an aluminum tripod. Decent fit, though clear nonlinear behavior in the fit.
Doesn’t get any better than that.
Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:
Stupidly high damping makes for a very short ring cycle.
Very high damping also makes for a really broad resonance.