The GT3340L is an older tripod from Gitzo’s systematic line. It is built like a tank, and is the heaviest tripod I have tested to date. Unlike Gitzo’s newer systematic tripods, it includes a center column. The stiffness results aren’t particularly great, but this is partly due to the tall height of the tripod. If used at shorter and more typical extensions, the stability should be much better.
| Name | Gitzo GT3340L |
| Class | Systematic |
| Stiffness About Vertical Axis | 594 +/- 4 Nm/rad |
| Damping About Vertical Axis | 0.289 +/- 0.029 Js/rad |
| Stiffness About Radial Axis | 1652 +/- 7 Nm/rad |
| Damping About Radial Axis | 0.27 +/- 0.027 Js/rad |
| Retail Price | $450 |
| Weight | 7.06 lbs (3.203 kgs) |
| Manufacturer weight rating | 39.6 lbs |
| Maximum Height | 59.1 in (150.1 cm) |
| Minimum Height | 21.3 in (54.1 cm) |
| Max Height with Center Column | 73.0 in (185.4 cm) |
| Center Column | Yes |
| Base Diameter | 3.0 in (7.6 cm) |
| Folded Length | 23.2 in (58.9 cm) |
| Folded Circumference | 13.0 in (33.0 cm) |
| Folded Volume | 312.0 cu. in. (5.1 liters) |
| Leg Material | Aluminum |
| Leg Sections | 4 |
| Primary Leg Angle | 24 deg |
| Leg Locks | Twist |
| Top Tube Diameter | 32.0 mm |
| Second Tube Diameter | 27.7 mm |
| Third Tube Diameter | 23.8 mm |
| Fourth Tube Diameter | 20.0 mm |
| Exchangeable Feet | Yes |
| 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. The tripod is measured at full height, with the center column down.
Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:
Doesn’t get much more perfect than that in terms of fit.
Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:
Again, very good fit, but mediocre stiffness.