Gitzo GT3340L Test Results

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.

NameGitzo GT3340L
ClassSystematic
Stiffness About Vertical Axis594 +/- 4 Nm/rad
Damping About Vertical Axis0.289 +/- 0.029 Js/rad
Stiffness About Radial Axis1652 +/- 7 Nm/rad
Damping About Radial Axis0.27 +/- 0.027 Js/rad
Retail Price$450
Weight7.06 lbs (3.203 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating39.6 lbs
Maximum Height59.1 in (150.1 cm)
Minimum Height21.3 in (54.1 cm)
Max Height with Center Column73.0 in (185.4 cm)
Center ColumnYes
Base Diameter3.0 in (7.6 cm)
Folded Length23.2 in (58.9 cm)
Folded Circumference13.0 in (33.0 cm)
Folded Volume312.0 cu. in. (5.1 liters)
Leg MaterialAluminum
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle24 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter32.0 mm
Second Tube Diameter27.7 mm
Third Tube Diameter23.8 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter20.0 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookYes

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.