Gitzo are proud to announce that their newly redesigned Systematic tripod range has won an award at the 2012 edition of the Red Dot Design Awards - one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions.

Gitzo’s new Systematic range, launched in January 2012, was selected by the Jury for an award from a total of 4,515 projects, submitted by designers and companies from 58 countries, making the recognition even more significant.

In addition, the Imaging & Staging Division of the Vitec Group - to which Gitzo belongs – was given four further prizes.

This year’s winners’ awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 July 2012, at Aalto-Theater in Essen (Germany). The gala, entitled “Red Dot Award: Product Design”, is expected to be attended by more than 1,000 international guests from design, industry, politics and media.

For further information and details, please visit: www.red-dot.de

After celebrating in 2007 the 90th anniversary, Gitzo continues to recall the golden ages of photography with an exclusive celebratory Vintage collection. This unique collection consists of two kits and it is dedicated to really affectionate photographers. It is a genuine replica of Gitzo Seventies supports, that in those days, like today the Gitzo 6X carbon fiber tripods, represented the cutting edge and most advanced supports in the market. The Gitzo classic logos, the old style graphics and finishing and the stylish details, make these items the quintessence of history and emotion. From a technical point of view, these tripods are a phenomenal combination of old and new features that makes them incredibly versatile.

The upper casting configuration provides a great compactness and a great stability of the upper disc that sits directly on the large casting top end. The two section telescopic column, a key Gitzo innovation in those days, allows for a convenient height adjustment while maintaining a small foot print. These “old days” smart features are combined to the latest and most advanced Gitzo technologies, like G-Lock, Ground Level Set, Anti Leg Rotation, the new 1.2mm Aluminum tube, Power Disc and PTFE treatment for the heads. Both kits come with a vintage bag, a stylish and well designed carrying solutions which meets Gitzo’s tough standards in terms of functionality and attention to details. The bag design and the materials used are inspired to the 60s and 70s golf and sport bags. The classic Gitzo logo enriches and gives an “old fashioned” flavor, consistent with the genuine Gitzo vintage spirit.

The bag's shoulder strap can also be used directly on the tripod as a smart carrying solution, embedded in the kit for additional use flexibility. The Vintage tripods are, in fact, provided with two rings compatible with the shoulder strap clips for a fast and convenient snap-on action. The bag features a side pocket, in genuine vintage style, sized to fit most of compact cameras in the market and any other accessory you might want to carry with you.
The Vintage collection kits are available in Series 1 and 2, four section compact size and include a smart Gitzo display cleaner and a convenient vintage anti dust bag for storage and packing.

If you need the catalog, please download it here.

The upper casting provides a great compactness thanks to the reversed position of the column locking ring. The casting allows for two leg spread angles: high and medium height positions. The graphics, the finishing and all the fittings are a genuine replica of the seventies Gitzo tripods.		Gitzo Vintage heads are provided with large knobs that ensures a fast and smooth operation. Made of machined aluminum, they are a genuine replica of the classic Gitzo head knobs and feature a anti-slip surface. Series 1 head uses one knob for both pan and tilt for a fast and simple operation, while Series 2 offers two knobs for a separate pan and tilt control.
The unique G-Lock system ensures outstanding performance: 20% increased rigidity, stronger locking, a six times faster operation and the Gravity Effect: the higher the vertical load applied to the leg is, the stronger the leg locking becomes. G-Lock completely eliminates any give in the system, making the tripod a rock solid monolithic structure.		The Quick Release adapter is compatible with any C profile Gitzo quick release plates. The adapter features the Gitzo Double Safety System. This system consists of two pins, one fixed and one manually operated by means of a button. It prevents camera equipment from suddenly dropping once the quick release locking knob is released.
The disc sits directly on the large casting for increased stability. It is provided with two locking screws, one for the head and one for the column, for additional safety. Thanks to the embedded Ground Level Set, the disc can be secured directly on the casting and the column removed for getting closer to the ground.
The bag shoulder strap can also be used directly on the tripod as a smart carrying solution, embedded in the kit for additional use flexibility. The Vintage tripods are in fact provided with two new rings compatible with the shoulder strap clips for a fast and convenient snap-on action. The shoulder strap inner part is made of canvas textile that enhances grip on the shoulder without giving up to the Vintage soul of the bag.		The side pocket, in genuine vintage style, has been sized to fit most of compact cameras in the market and any other accessories you might want to carry with you. The pocket construction, with accordion side walls and padded outer wall, makes it protective, compact and flexible at the same time.
If you need the catalog, please download it here.

Systematic is Gitzo’s top-of-the-range tripod family, the choice of exacting professional photographers who use long lenses and heavy cameras. Not only are Systematic tripods Gitzo’s strongest and most stable tripods, they’re also modular, with a top casting element that opens and closes to allow each tripod to be configured with a flat disk, geared or sliding center column, video half-ball adaptor, leveling unit or other specialized center component.

Now, Systematic has been refined, with significant improvements across strength, stability and rigidity; safety and security; set-up speed, ease of use and ergonomics. New construction and bonding techniques have almost doubled maximum payloads by distributing weight more efficiently to the 6X carbon fibre legs, which also feature the G-Lock system for greater power and ease of leg section locking.

In addition, design details on the distinctive new triangular top casting make changing centre components even faster and safer.

The Systematic range has been extended to cover Gitzo Series 2 in order to offer the advantages of mechanical strength and build quality at a more portable size and weight. Each Systematic Series has 3-section, standard 4-section and long 4-section tripods, with Series 3 and 5 also offering an extra-long 4-section model and Series 5 featuring the iconic giant 6-section tripod alongside an ultra-compact 6 section model.

Systematic - the pinnacle of Gitzo technology, craftsmanship and quality.

If you need the catalog, please download it here.

Even if the top casting is left open by accident, the center component is held securely in place by the secondary safety mechanism until the button is pushed, protecting expensive camera equipment.		The geometry of the top casting improves stability and distributes weight more evenly; combined with a high-performance bonding and assembly process, it gives Systematic its outstanding strength under heavy loads.
Built-in one-piece spiked feet provide a secure footing and fast set-up on all surfaces. The spikes have a resistant anti-scratch finish that protects delicate floors, but protective rubber caps are fitted for everyday usage.		New leg angle selectors offer more grip room to make tripod setup and adjustment easier.
If you need the catalog, please download it here.

Check Manfrotto School of Xcellence or the Official Flickr Discussion Group page later in the month for the next contest topic.

Gitzo has won – out of 2,923 entries – one prize at one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions: the If Design Award 2012.

Ser1 Kit treppiede Traveler 6x con quick release 4
GK1580TQR4

The significant results achieved at the IF Design Award 2012 by Gitzo – and the Vitec Group in general – represent further recognition of the quality of Italian design: a success that the company is proud to share with the entire sector, which has been the emblem of Italian excellence around the world for years.

The award-winning products will be presented at the iF design exhibition Hannover, which will run in parallel to CeBIT (06 – 10 March 2012) at the Hannover exhibition center. Additionally, for the first time, the winning products will also be shown at the iF design exhibition Hamburg: right in the center of the new HarborCity, Hamburg offers a superb meeting point for the media and design industries and for everyone interested in design and architecture. And finally, the iF award winning entries will also travel to China to be presented at the iF design exhibition Hainan, one of the most attractive locations in China, both in terms of tourism and business.

All award winners from all four iF design awards 2012 will be published in March 2012 in a comprehensive and attractive reference books: the iF yearbook 2012.

For additional information, check the website: www.ifdesign.de.